Serving 202 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, P.S. 256 Benjamin Banneker ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in New York for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 10-14% (which is lower than the New York state average of 46%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 20-24% (which is lower than the New York state average of 49%).
The student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is higher than the New York state level of 11:1.
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the New York state average of 60% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: Prekindergarten-5
- Enrollment: 202 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 13:1
- Minority Enrollment: 99%
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50% in NY
- Math Proficiency: 10-14% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 20-24% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: ≥80% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NY Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
P.S. 256 Benjamin Banneker ranks among the top 20% of public schools in New York for:
Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
Community Size
School Overview
P.S. 256 Benjamin Banneker's student population of 202 students has declined by 17% over five school years.
The teacher population of 16 teachers has grown by 14% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-5
(offers virtual instruction)
(offers virtual instruction)
Total Students
202 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
16 teachers
Students by Grade
School Rankings
P.S. 256 Benjamin Banneker ranks within the bottom 50% of all 4,377 schools in New York (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of P.S. 256 Benjamin Banneker is 0.52, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#4121 out of 4377 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
10-14%
46%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-24%
49%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≥80%
78%
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
11:1
American Indian
1%
1%
Asian
4%
10%
Hispanic
32%
29%
Black
62%
16%
White
1%
40%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
n/a
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
89%
53%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
1%
3%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NY Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is P.S. 256 Benjamin Banneker's ranking?
P.S. 256 Benjamin Banneker is ranked #4121 out of 4,377 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in New York.
What schools are P.S. 256 Benjamin Banneker often compared to?
P.S. 256 Benjamin Bannekeris often viewed alongside schools like P.S. 3 Bedford Village by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
10-14% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 46% NY state average), while 20-24% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 49% NY state average).
How many students attend P.S. 256 Benjamin Banneker?
202 students attend P.S. 256 Benjamin Banneker.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
62% of P.S. 256 Benjamin Banneker students are Black, 32% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Asian, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are White.
What is the student:teacher ratio of P.S. 256 Benjamin Banneker?
P.S. 256 Benjamin Banneker has a student ration of 13:1, which is higher than the New York state average of 11:1.
What grades does P.S. 256 Benjamin Banneker offer ?
P.S. 256 Benjamin Banneker offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-5 (offers virtual instruction).
What school district is P.S. 256 Benjamin Banneker part of?
P.S. 256 Benjamin Banneker is part of New York City Geographic District #13 School District.
In what neighborhood is P.S. 256 Benjamin Banneker located?
P.S. 256 Benjamin Banneker is located in the Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. There are 46 other public schools located in Bedford Stuyvesant.
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