P.S. 256 - The Benjamin Banneker Magnet School of Architecture and Engineering (13K256) is a public school in District 13, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, serving grades pre-K, K–5. In 2026, 28% of tested students were proficient in reading and 42% were proficient in math (NYC DOE). Enrollment was 182 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE). The average K–5 class size was 19.7 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE).
Visit school websiteThe one thing to remember
Math rose 18 points to 42% in 2026, one of the largest gains in the city, though it is still below most NYC elementary schools and about typical for those with similar economic need.
93%
of parents trust the principal
99%
trust their child's teachers
92%
satisfied with the education overall
NYC School Survey 2026. 32% of families answered — treat as a partial picture.
Students here gain less than at most schools serving similar students
Impact score: 0.25 · 1st percentile
The DOE compares results with those of students with similar starting points and backgrounds.
View this school's official NYC DOE School Quality SnapshotReading
28%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
76 students tested
Mathematics
42%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
78 students tested
Excludes charter schools. Weighted by students tested.
New York changed its grades 3–8 tests in 2023. Compare years from 2023 onward with each other, not with earlier years.
Citywide reading scores fell sharply in 2026; NYC Public Schools is reviewing the results. Source: NYC Public Schools
| Year | Reading | Math |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 50% | 46% |
| 2019 | 39% | 30% |
| 2022 | 22% | 13% |
| 2023 | 31% | 28% |
| 2024 | 30% | 28% |
| 2025 | 28% | 24% |
| 2026 | 28% | 42% |
Proficiency means scoring at Level 3 or above. Test scores are one measure of a school, not the whole experience.
Economic need index: 35%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 45%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 42%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 82%0.3 mi away
Economic need index: 84%0.7 mi away
Economic need index: 94%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 88%
Economic need index: 87%0.5 mi away
Economic need index: 35%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 45%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 42%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 82%0.3 mi away
Economic need index: 88%
Economic need index: 84%0.7 mi away
Economic need index: 87%0.5 mi away
Economic need index: 94%0.8 mi away
| Measure | P.S. 256 - The Benjamin Banneker Magnet School of Architecture and Engineering | P.S. 54 The Detective Rafael Ramos School |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 reading proficient | 28% (0 points vs 2025) | 36% (-26 points vs 2025) |
| 2026 math proficient | 42% (+18 points vs 2025) | 49% (-1 points vs 2025) |
| Average K–5 class size (2025–26) | 19.7 | 20.2 |
| Enrollment (2025–26) | 182 | 178 |
| Student–teacher ratio (2025–26) | 8.8 | 9.1 |
| Family satisfaction (2026) | 92% | 85% |
| Principal trust (2026) | 93% | 96% |
| Teacher trust (2026) | 99% | 95% |
| Leadership (2026) | 95% | 98% |
| Distance between schools | 0.3 mi | |
P.S. 256 - The Benjamin Banneker Magnet School of Architecture and Engineering has lower reading proficiency than P.S. 54 The Detective Rafael Ramos School (28% vs 36%) and lower math proficiency (42% vs 49%); 2026 reading is about typical for NYC elementary schools with similar economic need; 2026 math is about typical for NYC elementary schools with similar economic need.
Enrollment
182 students
pre-K, K–5 · down 17 over five years
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Class size
19.7
children in the average K–5 class; about 8.8 students per teacher (2025–26)
NYC DOE · 2025–26
English learners
12%
was 13% in 2024–25
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Economic need
>95% of students live in poverty (2025–26)
Economic need index: 88% — the measure we use to compare similar schools.
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Special education
21%
of students here are in special education
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Student body: 3% White, 32% Hispanic, 4% Asian, 58% Black, 1% multiracial, 53% female, 47% male.
Economic need index: 88% — the measure we use to compare similar schools. It combines measures of students’ economic circumstances; it is not a measure of school quality.
NYC DOE · 2026 survey
NYC DOE · 2024–25
Admissions for NYC public schools go through MySchools. Check the attendance zone shown above; zones can change and do not guarantee a seat.
114 Kosciuszko St, Brooklyn, NY 11216, USA
Source: NYC DOE / NYSED, 2026 · School information · View this school's official NYC DOE School Quality Snapshot
Admissions for NYC public schools go through MySchools.