P.S. 397 Foster-Laurie (17K397) is a public school in District 17, Prospect Lefferts Gardens-Wingate, Brooklyn, serving grades pre-K, K–5. In 2026, 60% of tested students were proficient in reading and 62% were proficient in math (NYC DOE). Enrollment was 179 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE). The average K–5 class size was 24.3 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE).
Visit school websiteThe one thing to remember
2026 reading proficiency is 60%, about typical for NYC elementary schools and higher than most of those with similar economic need; down 17 points from 2025; reading is down 6 points since 2023, while citywide reading fell 2 points.
Also worth knowing: Average class size (2025–26) is 24.3, larger than most elementary schools in the district and citywide.
98%
of parents trust the principal
98%
trust their child's teachers
93%
satisfied with the education overall
NYC School Survey 2026. 69% of families answered.
Students here gain more than at most schools serving similar students
Impact score: 0.7 · 91st 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
60%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
68 students tested
Mathematics
62%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
69 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% | 49% |
| 2019 | 49% | 55% |
| 2022 | 56% | 48% |
| 2023 | 66% | 64% |
| 2024 | 60% | 75% |
| 2025 | 77% | 72% |
| 2026 | 60% | 62% |
Proficiency means scoring at Level 3 or above. Test scores are one measure of a school, not the whole experience.
Economic need index: 82%
Economic need index: 90%0.7 mi away
Economic need index: 88%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 89%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 86%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 88%0.5 mi away
Economic need index: 88%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 87%0.7 mi away
Economic need index: 90%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 86%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 89%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 90%0.7 mi away
Economic need index: 82%
Economic need index: 88%0.4 mi away
Economic need index: 88%0.5 mi away
Economic need index: 88%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 87%0.7 mi away
Economic need index: 90%0.8 mi away
| Measure | P.S. 397 Foster-Laurie | P.S. 235 Janice Marie Knight School |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 reading proficient | 60% (-17 points vs 2025) | 40% (-22 points vs 2025) |
| 2026 math proficient | 62% (-10 points vs 2025) | 50% (-11 points vs 2025) |
| Average K–5 class size (2025–26) | 24.3 | 20.1 |
| Enrollment (2025–26) | 179 | 644 |
| Student–teacher ratio (2025–26) | 8.3 | 10.9 |
| Family satisfaction (2026) | 93% | 92% |
| Principal trust (2026) | 98% | 96% |
| Teacher trust (2026) | 98% | 97% |
| Leadership (2026) | 100% | 96% |
| Distance between schools | 0.4 mi | |
P.S. 397 Foster-Laurie has higher reading proficiency than P.S. 235 Janice Marie Knight School (60% vs 40%) and higher math proficiency (62% vs 50%).
Enrollment
179 students
pre-K, K–5 · up 16 over five years
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Class size
24.3
children in the average K–5 class; about 8.3 students per teacher (2025–26)
NYC DOE · 2025–26
English learners
8%
was 12% in 2024–25
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Economic need
82% of students live in poverty (2025–26)
Economic need index: 82% — the measure we use to compare similar schools.
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Special education
37%
of students here are in special education
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Student body: 6% White, 17% Hispanic, 4% Asian, 71% Black, 1% multiracial, 50% female, 50% male.
Economic need index: 82% — 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.
490 FENIMORE STREET
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.