P.S. 329 Surfside is an elementary school in Brooklyn serving students from Pre-K through 5th grade. It is known for its strong family-community ties and a supportive environment, with recent parent surveys indicating exceptionally high satisfaction with the education provided and the variety of programs offered. The school maintains a high attendance rate, performing at the 75th percentile citywide. It also benefits from smaller class sizes, which can foster more individualized attention. Academically, the school's ELA and Math proficiency rates are below the citywide median, with ELA proficiency falling below the 25th percentile. The school serves a high proportion of students with disabilities and those from low-income backgrounds. While recent official surveys reflect positive parent sentiment, some older online reviews have raised concerns about school leadership and overall climate. The school is fully accessible and offers early childhood programs including 3-K and Pre-K.
What this school has to spend, and what it spends it on. Spending is not a measure of quality. Schools serving more students with higher needs receive more money.
Average class size by classroom setting: general education vs. ICT (Integrated Co-Teaching, where general- and special-education students learn together with two teachers). NYC DOE Class Size Report, 2021–22.
88%100% response rate
Teacher survey · overall positive
88%63% response rate
Survey topics
Safety90%city 89%
My students are safe…outside around this school.81%
My students are safe…traveling between home and this school.88%
My students are safe…in the hallways, bathrooms, locker rooms, and cafeteria of this school.94%
My students are safe…in my class(es).100%
Conflicts are resolved fairly in my school.87%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (90%) is their average, vs 89% citywide.
Bullying prevention25%city 42%
At this school students harass, bully, or intimidate other students.25%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (25%) is their average, vs 42% citywide.
Emotional support91%city 84%
How many adults at this school…help students develop the skills they need to complete challenging coursework despite obstacles?.89%
How many adults at this school…tell their students they believe they can achieve high academic standards?.95%
How many adults at this school…teach students how to advocate for themselves?.94%
How many adults at this school…recognize disruptive behavior as social-emotional learning opportunities?.84%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (91%) is their average, vs 84% citywide.
Academic expectations89%city 87%
In this school, the staff believes that all students can learn, including English language learners (ELLs), Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLLs), and students with disabilities.90%
How many students in your classes…have to work hard to do well?.88%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (89%) is their average, vs 87% citywide.
College & career guidance100%city 90%
It’s a priority at this school that adults…provide students with guidance on the high school application process.100%
It’s a priority at this school that adults…provide families with guidance on the high school application process.100%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (100%) is their average, vs 90% citywide.
Family outreach95%city 94%
At this school…teachers understand families' challenges and concerns.100%
At this school…teachers work closely with families to meet students' needs.95%
At this school…staff regularly communicate with families about how they can help students learn.95%
At this school…school staff value families' race, ethnicity, culture, family structure, and background.100%
School staff regularly communicate with me about how I can help my child learn.90%
Teachers work closely with me to meet my child's needs.91%
My child's school communicates with me in a language that I can understand.92%
I am greeted warmly when I contact or visit the school.95%
My child's school will make me aware if there are any concerns about my child’s social or emotional well-being.
Parent–teacher trust93%city 95%
I feel respected by my child's teachers.94%
Staff at this school work hard to build trusting relationships with parents/guardians like me.93%
My child's teachers treat me as a partner in educating my child.93%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (93%) is their average, vs 95% citywide.
Show all survey topicsShow fewer
Rigorous Instruction
Strong Core Instruction98%city 92%
In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…reading and writing experiences grounded in evidence from text, both literary and informational. [ELA].100%
In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to interact with complex grade-level text and tasks. [ELA].100%
In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage with texts and tasks reflective of their diverse racial, cultural, and linguistic perspective. [ELA].89%
In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage in meaningful discussion that critically examines topics that connect to the daily lives of students. [ELA].89%
Overall positive % is averaged across every Pos/Neg survey question per respondent group (school year 2023-2024). Survey topics are the DOE’s framework measures (each the average favorable response across its questions; expand a topic to see them and the citywide average); the dimension scores themselves are no longer in the public data file.[3]
Teacher experience and certification from the NYSED School Report Card (2024–25); students per teacher = enrollment ÷ reported teachers. Fewer than 4 years counts as inexperienced.
Female / male shares as published by the DOE; other gender identities aren’t reported in the source data.
↳ Students who live in the zone and have a sibling at the school.
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↳ Other students who live in the zone.
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↳ Students who live in the district and have a sibling at the school.
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↳ Students who live outside the district and have a sibling at the school.
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↳ Other students who live in the district.
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↳ All other applicants.
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Last year’s published figures. Schools make more offers than seats because not everyone enrolls, so offers can exceed seats. Counts under 10 are suppressed (shown as “<10”).
↳ Students who live in the zone and have a sibling at the school.
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↳ Other students who live in the zone.
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↳ Students who live in the district and have a sibling at the school.
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↳ Students who live outside the district and have a sibling at the school.
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↳ Other students who live in the district.
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↳ All other applicants.
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Last year’s published figures. Schools make more offers than seats because not everyone enrolls, so offers can exceed seats. Counts under 10 are suppressed (shown as “<10”).
How to read Applications / seat and where the outlook buckets come from is explained in our methodology.
37th percentile citywide
School-managed budget
$7.1MPositions: 49
42nd percentile citywide
Total spend per student
$44,225
86th percentile citywide · city median $33,606
Staffing costs
Principal’s salary
$208K
73rd percentile citywide
Principal and assistant principals
$532KPositions: 3
62nd percentile citywide
Teaching staff
$3.4MPositions: 28
36th percentile citywide
Where the school-managed budget goes
These five categories add up to the school-managed budget. They do not include the centrally-paid costs in total spend.
PositionsAvg eachBudget
Leadership3$177K$532K
ASST HEAD OF SCHOOL2$162K$324K
HEAD OF SCHOOL1$208K$208K
Teachers28$120K$3.4M
3-K / WHOLE CLASS2$153K$306K
Pre K / WHOLE CLASS2$153K$306K
4 / ICT - General Ed Teacher2$105K$210K
2 / WHOLE CLASS1$153K$153K
5 / ICT - General Ed Teacher1
Support staff17$90K$1.5M
SPEECH / PUSH IN/PULL OUT3$117K$351K
CLASSROOM - Special Ed2$78K$155K
School Psychologist1$120K$120K
School Social Workers Mandated Services1$120K$120K
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (95%) is their average, vs 94% citywide.
In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…focusing deeply on the concepts emphasized in the standards to help students build strong foundations for learning. [ELA].
100%
In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to interact with complex grade-level text and tasks. [Math].100%
In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage with texts and tasks reflective of their diverse racial, cultural, and linguistic perspective. [Math].100%
In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…students to engage in meaningful discussion that critically examines topics that connect to the daily lives of students. [Math].100%
In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…focusing deeply on the concepts emphasized in the standards to help students build strong foundations for learning. [Math].100%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (98%) is their average, vs 92% citywide.
Quality of Student Discussion72%city 67%
How many students in your classes…build on each other’s ideas during class discussions?.79%
How many students in your classes…use data or text references to support their ideas?.58%
How many students in your classes…show that they respect each other’s ideas?.79%
How many students in your classes…provide constructive feedback to their peers/teachers?.67%
How many students in your classes…participate in class discussions at some point?.79%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (72%) is their average, vs 67% citywide.
Collaborative Teachers
Quality of Professional Development98%city 82%
Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...included enough time to think carefully about, try, and evaluate new ideas.94%
Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...Included opportunities to engage in inquiry-based, professional collaboration with peers and/or mentors from other schools.100%
Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...directly related to my students’ needs.100%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (98%) is their average, vs 82% citywide.
Peer Collaboration97%city 87%
At this school…the principal/school leader, teachers, and staff collaborate to make this school run effectively.95%
At this school…teachers design instructional programs (e.g. lessons, units) together.100%
At this school…teachers make a conscious effort to coordinate their teaching with instruction at other grade levels.95%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (97%) is their average, vs 87% citywide.
Cultural Awareness and Inclusive Classroom Instruction97%city 92%
I am able to...receive support around how to incorporate students' cultural and linguistic backgrounds in my practice.95%
I am able to...modify instructional activities and materials to meet the developmental needs and learning interests of all my students.95%
I am able to...ensure instruction represents multiple perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds.100%
I am able to…ensure instruction represents multiple genders, gender identities and expressions and sexual orientations.94%
I am able to…ensure instruction represents multiple races and ethnicities.100%
I am able to...design appropriate instruction that is matched to students' need (e.g. English language learners (ELLs) or Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLLs) proficiency and students with disabilities).95%
I am able to...apply my knowledge of parents' various cultural backgrounds when collaborating with them regarding their child's educational progress.100%
Innovation and Collective Responsibility89%city 79%
How many teachers at this school…help build a welcoming school environment in the entire school, not just their classroom?.90%
How many teachers at this school…are actively trying to improve their teaching?.89%
How many teachers at this school…take responsibility for improving the school?.85%
How many teachers at this school…are eager to try new ideas?.90%
How many teachers at this school…feel responsible that all students learn?.90%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (89%) is their average, vs 79% citywide.
School Commitment80%city 83%
I usually look forward to each working day at this school.79%
I would recommend this school to parents/guardians seeking a place for their child.80%
I would recommend this school to other teachers as a place to work.80%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (80%) is their average, vs 83% citywide.
Supportive Environment
Classroom Behavior69%city 66%
How many students in your classes…listen carefully when the teacher gives directions?.74%
How many students in your classes…follow the rules in class?.79%
How many students in your classes…respond to challenging questions in class?.47%
How many students in your classes…do their work when they are supposed to?.75%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (69%) is their average, vs 66% citywide.
Effective School Leadership
Inclusive Leadership95%city 95%
The principal/school leader at this school…puts decisions made with families into action.93%
The principal/school leader at this school…works to create a sense of community in the school.97%
The principal/school leader at this school…ensures families are comfortable communicating with the school.95%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (95%) is their average, vs 95% citywide.
Program Coherence92%city 83%
At this school…once we start a new program, we follow up to make sure that it’s working.85%
At this school…it is clear how all of the programs offered are connected to our school’s instructional vision.95%
At this school…curriculum, instruction, and learning materials are well coordinated across the different grade levels at this school.95%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (92%) is their average, vs 83% citywide.
Instructional Leadership91%city 86%
The principal/school leader at this school...makes clear to the staff their expectations for meeting instructional goals.94%
The principal/school leader at this school...understands how children learn.89%
The principal/school leader at this school...sets high standards for student learning.100%
The principal/school leader at this school...participates in instructional planning with teams of teachers.89%
The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…supports teachers in implementing what they have learned in professional development.89%
The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…carefully tracks student academic progress.89%
The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…knows what’s going on in my classes.84%
The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…provides teachers with formative feedback to improve practice.89%
Teacher Influence60%city 66%
At this school…the principal/school leader encourages feedback through regular meetings with families and teacher leaders.95%
How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...hiring new professional personnel?.26%
How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...planning how discretionary school funds should be used?.47%
How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...selecting instructional materials and/or curriculum used in classrooms?.58%
How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...setting standards for student behavior?.74%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (60%) is their average, vs 66% citywide.
Strong Family-Community Ties
Building Families' Capacity as their Child's Primary Teacher95%city 96%
My child’s teachers give me helpful ideas about how I can support my child’s learning and development. [Birth-5].95%
My child’s teachers let me know that I can make a difference in my child’s learning. [Birth-5].95%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (95%) is their average, vs 96% citywide.
Strong Relationships90%city 90%
At this school, my child receives what they need to achieve their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goal(s). [Families of students with IEPs].90%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (90%) is their average, vs 90% citywide.
Parent Involvement in School74%city 71%
Since the beginning of the school year, how often have you…communicated with your child's teachers about your child's performance?.93%
Since the beginning of the school year, how often have you…seen your child’s projects, artwork, homework, tests, or quizzes?.90%
My child’s teachers let me know that I can make a difference in my child’s learning. [Birth-5].95%
I know how to contact the Parent Coordinator at my child’s school.16%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (74%) is their average, vs 71% citywide.
Trust
Teacher-Teacher Trust100%city 86%
Teachers in this school trust each other.100%
It's OK in this school to discuss feelings, worries, and frustrations with other teachers.100%
I feel respected by other teachers at this school.100%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (100%) is their average, vs 86% citywide.
Parent-Principal Trust93%city 94%
I feel respected by my child's principal/school leader.94%
I trust the principal/school leader at their word (to do what they say that they will do).93%
The principal/school leader is an effective manager who makes the school run smoothly.91%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (93%) is their average, vs 94% citywide.
Teacher-Principal Trust89%city 84%
I feel respected by the principal/school leader at this school.90%
The principal/school leader at this school is an effective manager who makes the school run smoothly.85%
The principal/school leader has confidence in the expertise of the teachers at this school.90%
I trust the principal/school leader at their word (to do what they say that they will do).85%
The principal/school leader looks out for the personal welfare of the staff members.85%
The principal/school leader places the needs of children ahead of personal interests.85%
The principal and assistant principals function as a cohesive unit.100%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (89%) is their average, vs 84% citywide.
Enrollment
248
Economic Need Index
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Free / reduced lunch
96%
English learners
7%
Students with IEPs
35%
$153K
$153K
ESL / WHOLE CLASS1$153K$153K
K, 1 / SELF-CONTAINED SP ED1$153K$153K
ARTS / WHOLE CLASS1$143K$143K
PHYSICAL EDUCATION / WHOLE CLASS1$140K$140K
K / WHOLE CLASS1$129K$129K
4 / ICT - Special Ed Teacher1$120K$120K
1 / WHOLE CLASS1$117K$117K
1 / ICT - Special Ed Teacher1$117K$117K
K / ICT - General Ed Teacher1$113K$113K
2 / ICT - General Ed Teacher1$105K$105K
2 / ICT - Special Ed Teacher1$105K$105K
2,3 / ICT - Special Ed Teacher1$105K$105K
3 / ICT - General Ed Teacher1$105K$105K
3 / WHOLE CLASS1$105K$105K
3, 4 / SELF-CONTAINED SP ED1$105K$105K
5 / ICT - Special Ed Teacher1$105K$105K
5 / SELF-CONTAINED SP ED1$105K$105K
5 / WHOLE CLASS1$105K$105K
MUSIC VOCAL / WHOLE CLASS1$105K$105K
MATH / WHOLE CLASS1$10K$10K
1
$106K
$106K
SETSS / PUSH IN/PULL OUT1$105K$105K
Substance Abuse Prevention & Interv Special Annual1$103K$103K
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY / PUSH IN/PULL OUT1$91K$91K
PRE-K1$78K$78K
PARENT COORDINATOR1$72K$72K
CLASSROOM - General Ed1$45K$45K
IEP-CRISIS MANAGEMENT(CIT)1$45K$45K
IEP-HEALTH1$45K$45K
School Secretary1$38K$38K
School Aides and Other Support Staff0—$28K
F-Status - School Secretary0—$25K
$49K
Not Available$14K
$75K
Curriculum & Staff Development Contracts$69K
Maintenance Gen Repairs & Operation Infrastructure$40K
Educational Software$37K
Teacher Q Rate Set Aside - Grievances$30K
Transportation of Staff - Non-Contract$16K
Data Processing Repair - Contractual$8,913
School Funded Copier$6,900
Library Books$1,575
I am able to...develop appropriate Individualized Education Programs for my students with disabilities.94%
I am able to...monitor progress on Individualized Education Program goals for my students with disabilities.95%
I am able to...distinguish linguistic/cultural differences from learning difficulties.100%
I have conversations about race and racism at my school that help me examine my own beliefs around identity.95%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (97%) is their average, vs 92% citywide.
How many adults at this school…have access to school-based supports to assist in behavioral/emotional escalations?.95%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (91%) is their average, vs 86% citywide.