The Exploratory School (15K447) is a public school in District 15, DUMBO-Vinegar Hill-Downtown Brooklyn-Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, serving grades 6–8. In 2026, 73% of tested students were proficient in reading and 70% were proficient in math (NYC DOE). Enrollment was 518 students in 2025–26 (NYC DOE).
Visit school websiteThe one thing to remember
2026 reading (73%) and math (70%) proficiency are both higher than most NYC middle schools and about typical for those with similar economic need.
Also worth knowing: In 2026, students in special education scored 55% in reading (110 tested), compared with 73% schoolwide.
96%
of parents trust the principal
93%
trust their child's teachers
89%
satisfied with the education overall
NYC School Survey 2026. 66% of families answered.
Students here gain about as much as at other schools serving similar students
Impact score: 0.52 · 69th 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
73%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
417 students tested
110 students tested
307 students tested
Mathematics
70%
students scored at Level 3 or 4
287 students tested
81 students tested
206 students tested
Grade 8 math not reported by the DOE.
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 | 88% | 81% |
| 2019 | 85% | 82% |
| 2022 | 75% | 64% |
| 2023 | 75% | 80% |
| 2024 | 66% | 77% |
| 2025 | 71% | 73% |
| 2026 | 73% | 70% |
Proficiency means scoring at Level 3 or above. Test scores are one measure of a school, not the whole experience.
Economic need index: 35%1.6 mi away
Economic need index: 41%1.9 mi away
Economic need index: 39%
Economic need index: 47%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 53%0.7 mi away
Economic need index: 73%1.2 mi away
Economic need index: 49%2.5 mi away
Economic need index: 72%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 85%2.6 mi away
Economic need index: 35%1.6 mi away
Economic need index: 41%1.9 mi away
Economic need index: 47%0.8 mi away
Economic need index: 39%
Economic need index: 53%0.7 mi away
Economic need index: 49%2.5 mi away
Economic need index: 73%1.2 mi away
Economic need index: 72%1.0 mi away
Economic need index: 85%2.6 mi away
| Measure | The Exploratory School | Bridges: A School for Exploration and Equity |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 reading proficient | 73% (+2 points vs 2025) | 65% (-8 points vs 2025) |
| 2026 math proficient | 70% (-3 points vs 2025) | 68% (-6 points vs 2025) |
| Enrollment (2025–26) | 518 | 327 |
| Student–teacher ratio (2025–26) | 9.8 | 11.8 |
| Family satisfaction (2026) | 89% | 86% |
| Principal trust (2026) | 96% | 93% |
| Teacher trust (2026) | 93% | 91% |
| Leadership (2026) | 96% | 95% |
| Distance between schools | 0.4 mi | |
The Exploratory School has higher reading proficiency than Bridges: A School for Exploration and Equity (73% vs 65%) and higher family satisfaction (2026) (89% vs 86%).
Enrollment
518 students
6–8 · down 17 over five years
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Students per teacher
9.8
students per teacher
NYC DOE · 2025–26
English learners
1%
was 2% in 2024–25
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Economic need
38% of students live in poverty (2025–26)
Economic need index: 39% — the measure we use to compare similar schools.
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Special education
31%
of students here are in special education
NYC DOE · 2025–26
Student body: 42% White, 24% Hispanic, 14% Asian, 10% Black, 10% multiracial, 44% female, 56% male.
Economic need index: 39% — 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. This school has no attendance zone; admission is through MySchools.
345 DEAN 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.