Serving 849 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, P.S. 97 Highlawn ranks in the top 50% of all schools in New York for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 56% (which is higher than the New York state average of 46%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 55% (which is higher than the New York state average of 49%).
The student:teacher ratio of 14:1 is higher than the New York state level of 11:1.
Minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Asian), 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: 849 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Minority Enrollment: 76%
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50% in NY
- Math Proficiency: 56% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 55% (Top 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 85-89% (Top 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NY Dept. of Education
School Overview
P.S. 97 Highlawn's student population of 849 students has grown by 9% over five school years.
The teacher population of 62 teachers has grown by 5% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-5
(offers virtual instruction)
(offers virtual instruction)
Total Students
849 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
62 teachers
Students by Grade
School Rankings
P.S. 97 Highlawn ranks within the top 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. 97 Highlawn is 0.63, 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
#1557 out of 4377 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
56%
46%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
55%
49%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
85-89%
78%
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
11:1
American Indian
1%
1%
Asian
52%
10%
Hispanic
21%
29%
Black
1%
16%
White
24%
40%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
1%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
67%
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. 97 Highlawn's ranking?
P.S. 97 Highlawn is ranked #1557 out of 4,377 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in New York.
What schools are P.S. 97 Highlawn often compared to?
P.S. 97 Highlawnis often viewed alongside schools like Academy Of Talented Scholars, Brooklyn School Of Inquiry by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
56% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 46% NY state average), while 55% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 49% NY state average).
How many students attend P.S. 97 Highlawn?
849 students attend P.S. 97 Highlawn.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
52% of P.S. 97 Highlawn students are Asian, 24% of students are White, 21% of students are Hispanic, 1% of students are American Indian, 1% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of P.S. 97 Highlawn?
P.S. 97 Highlawn has a student ration of 14:1, which is higher than the New York state average of 11:1.
What grades does P.S. 97 Highlawn offer ?
P.S. 97 Highlawn offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-5 (offers virtual instruction).
What school district is P.S. 97 Highlawn part of?
P.S. 97 Highlawn is part of New York City Geographic District #21 School District.
In what neighborhood is P.S. 97 Highlawn located?
P.S. 97 Highlawn is located in the Gravesend neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. There are 11 other public schools located in Gravesend.
School Reviews
5 5/17/2016
I was never part of any special education programs nor did I ever need any extra help academically. Consequently I''m not sure how well PS97 necessarily prepares you academically. It certainly doesn't do a bad job of it by any means, but it doesn't place as much emphasis on preparatory work as do several private schools. There were many honor society students in my class and there were some who weren't. So it goes.
But PS97 offers a dazzling program in arts education. It offers the art club, an amazing theatre program, a school chorus, and prominently the talent show. A considerable number of students who went to PS97 went to the prestigious Mark Twain Intermediate School, a magnet school, for their talents in either the fine arts, drama, dance, or vocals. A considerable number too went to the still more prestigious LaGuardia High School, which has turned out dozens of prominent artists.
Even for those who don't pursue an education in the liberal arts, PS97 nurtures a lifelong love for art. I attend Stuyvesant High School, New York City's top specialized high school, a school that heavily emphasizes math and science. What helps me set myself apart from my peers and helped me develop as an individual was my love for theater and music, which would neither have developed in nor stayed with me without PS97's excellent arts programs.
It's a small school, subtle and perhaps even humble, but in my opinion, largely underappreciated. It is informally the elementary-school version of LaGuardia, but more importantly, the love of my life.
Review P.S. 97 Highlawn. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
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