P.S. 251 Paerdegat
- 1037 EAST 54 STREET, Brooklyn
- Grades PK-5
- Sheldon Noel, Principal
- 718-251-4110
- ps251.com
About
P.S. 251 Paerdegat serves students from Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade in Brooklyn. The school has an enrollment of 314 students, which is below the citywide median. A high percentage of students, 85.0%, are identified by the Economic Need Index, which is near the 75th percentile citywide. English Language Learners make up 17.0% of the student body, which is above the citywide median, and 24.0% of students have an Individualized Education Program, also above the citywide median. In terms of academic outcomes, 40.0% of students demonstrated proficiency in ELA and 35.0% in Math, both of which are below the citywide median for Grade 3-8 state tests. The school's instruction and performance received a "Fair" rating. However, the school reports a 0.0% suspension rate, which is a strength. Parent survey results from 2025-2026 indicate high satisfaction, with 95.0% of parents surveyed satisfied with their child's education and 96.0% reporting their child is safe. Parents also reported strong communication and respectful relationships with staff and the principal.
Sources (5)
- NYC DOE Location Code Generating and Management System (LCGMS) · 2026-27 (export of 2026-08-22)
- NYC DOE School Quality Reports and Snapshot, 2024-25 · 2024-25
- MySchools admissions directory, 2025-26 cycle · 2025-26 admissions cycle
- New York State Education Department School Report Card · 2024-25
- NYC School Survey (parent and student responses) · 2025-26
Academics
Coursework, class size, and academic context.
Attendance rate
95%
Avg class size (general ed)
22.83
Avg class size (ICT)
22.17
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.
Community & climate
Demographics, attendance, school survey results, and DOE quality ratings.
Quality signals
DOE quality-rating labels are skewed across the system; read them relative to the citywide distribution in our methodology.
NYC School Survey, 2025-26
Parent survey · overall positive
91%61% response rate
Teacher survey · overall positive
81%96% response rate
Survey topics, 2025-26
Safety91%city 93%
- Teachers · My students are safe…outside around this school. [Elementary only].91%
- Teachers · My students are safe…traveling between home and this school. [Elementary only].90%
- Teachers · My students are safe…in the hallways, bathrooms, locker rooms, and cafeteria of this school. [Elementary only].91%
- Teachers · My students are safe…in my class(es). [Elementary only].91%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (91%) is their average, vs 93% citywide.
Bullying prevention59%city 65%
- Teachers · At this school students harass, bully, or intimidate other students.59%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (59%) is their average, vs 65% citywide.
Emotional support81%city 84%
- Teachers · How many adults at this school…help students develop the skills they need to complete challenging coursework despite obstacles?88%
- Teachers · How many adults at this school…tell their students they believe they can achieve high academic standards?88%
- Teachers · How many adults at this school…teach students how to advocate for themselves?88%
- Teachers · How many adults at this school…recognize disruptive behavior as social-emotional learning opportunities?77%
- Teachers · How many adults at this school…have access to school-based supports to assist in behavioral/emotional escalations?65%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (81%) is their average, vs 84% citywide.
Academic expectations85%city 89%
- Teachers · In this school, the staff believes that all students can learn, including Multilingual Learners/English language learners (MLs/ELLs), Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLLs), and students with disabilities.96%
- Teachers · This school has well-defined learning expectations for all students.93%
- Teachers · How many students in your classes…have to work hard to do well?65%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (85%) is their average, vs 89% citywide.
College & career guidance90%city 90%
- Teachers · It’s a priority at this school that adults…provide students with opportunities to learn about different career paths. [Elementary/Middle Only].90%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (90%) is their average, vs 90% citywide.
Family outreach94%city 95%
- Teachers · At this school…teachers understand families' challenges and concerns.96%
- Teachers · At this school…teachers work closely with families to meet students' needs.100%
- Teachers · At this school…staff regularly communicate with families about how they can help students learn.100%
- Teachers · At this school…school staff value families' race, ethnicity, culture, family structure, and background.100%
- Parents · School staff regularly communicate with me about how I can help my child learn.90%
- Parents · Teachers work closely with me to meet my child's needs.90%
- Parents · My child's school communicates with me in a language that I can understand.95%
- Parents · I am greeted warmly when I contact or visit the school.95%
- Parents · My child's school will make me aware if there are any concerns about my child’s social or emotional well-being.92%
- Parents · If I suspect my child needs additional learning supports and services, I know the next steps to get support at my school.83%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (94%) is their average, vs 95% citywide.
Parent–teacher trust94%city 96%
- Parents · I feel respected by my child's teachers.94%
- Parents · Staff at this school work hard to build trusting relationships with parents/guardians like me.93%
- Parents · My child's teachers treat me as a partner in educating my child.94%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (94%) is their average, vs 96% citywide.
Show all survey topicsShow fewer
Instruction and Performance
Strong Core Instruction95%city 92%
- Teachers · 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%
- Teachers · 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, using scaffolding where appropriate. [ELA].100%
- Teachers · 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].75%
- Teachers · 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].92%
- Teachers · 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].92%
- Teachers · 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, using scaffolding where appropriate. [Math].100%
- Teachers · 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%
- Teachers · 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%
- Teachers · 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 (95%) is their average, vs 92% citywide.
Family Satisfaction with Child's Education91%city 94%
- Parents · My child is progressing in reading the way I would expect.87%
- Parents · My child is progressing in math the way I would expect.87%
- Parents · My child's school helps me understand what grade-level schoolwork looks like.91%
- Parents · How satisfied are you with the following? The education my child has received this year.95%
- Parents · How satisfied are you with the following? The overall quality of my child's teachers this year.96%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (91%) is their average, vs 94% citywide.
Cultural Awareness and Inclusive Classroom Instruction91%city 92%
- Teachers · I am able to...receive support around how to incorporate students' cultural and linguistic backgrounds in my practice.92%
- Teachers · I am able to...appropriately modify instructional activities and materials to meet the developmental needs and learning interests of all my students.93%
- Teachers · I am able to...ensure instruction represents multiple perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds.96%
- Teachers · I am able to…ensure instruction represents multiple races and ethnicities.92%
- Teachers · I am able to…ensure instruction represents multiple genders, gender identities and expressions and sexual orientations.90%
- Teachers · I am able to...design instruction that is responsive to students’ needs (e.g. Multilingual Learners/English language learners (MLs/ELLs) or Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLLs) proficiency and students with disabilities).96%
- Teachers · I am able to...apply my knowledge of parents' various cultural backgrounds when collaborating with them regarding their child's educational progress.100%
- Teachers · I am able to...develop appropriate Individualized Education Programs for my students with disabilities.96%
- Teachers · I am able to...monitor progress on Individualized Education Program goals for my students with disabilities.100%
- Teachers · I am able to...distinguish linguistic/cultural differences from learning difficulties.93%
- Teachers · I have conversations about race and racism at my school that help me examine my own beliefs around identity.52%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (91%) is their average, vs 92% citywide.
IEP Service Satisfaction81%city 91%
- Parents · I am satisfied with the educational planning and Individualized Education Program (IEP) development process at this school. [Families of students with IEPs].83%
- Parents · At this school, my child receives what they need to achieve their Individualized Education Program (IEP) goal(s). [Families of students with IEPs].80%
- Parents · This school offers a wide enough variety of activities and services (including specialized programs, related services and assistive and adaptive technologies where appropriate) to help improve outcomes for my child. [Families of students with IEPs].80%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (81%) is their average, vs 91% citywide.
Quality of Student Discussion63%city 68%
- Teachers · How many students in your classes…build on each other’s ideas during class discussions?54%
- Teachers · How many students in your classes…use data or text references to support their ideas?50%
- Teachers · How many students in your classes…show that they respect each other’s ideas?73%
- Teachers · How many students in your classes…provide constructive feedback to their peers/teachers?58%
- Teachers · How many students in your classes…participate in class discussions at some point?81%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (63%) is their average, vs 68% citywide.
Classroom Behavior61%city 68%
- Teachers · How many students in your classes…listen carefully when the teacher gives directions?58%
- Teachers · How many students in your classes…follow the rules in class?65%
- Teachers · How many students in your classes…respond to challenging questions in class?50%
- Teachers · How many students in your classes…do their work when they are supposed to?70%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (61%) is their average, vs 68% citywide.
Safety and School Climate
Inclusive Learning Environment99%city 96%
- Teachers · At this school, students with disabilities are included in all school activities.100%
- Teachers · This school educates students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment appropriate.100%
- Teachers · School staff treat students of different genders, gender identities and expressions and sexual orientations equally.100%
- Teachers · School staff treat students of different races, cultures, or backgrounds equally.96%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (99%) is their average, vs 96% citywide.
Inclusive Leadership95%city 96%
- Parents · The principal/school leader at this school…puts decisions made with families into action.93%
- Parents · The principal/school leader at this school…works to create a sense of community in the school.94%
- Parents · The principal/school leader at this school…ensures families are comfortable communicating with the school.95%
- Parents · Language translation and interpretation are readily available to me at all family events at my child’s school.96%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (95%) is their average, vs 96% citywide.
Conflict Resolution87%city 90%
- Teachers · Conflicts are resolved fairly in my school.88%
- Parents · Conflicts are resolved fairly at my child’s school. [Grades K-5].85%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (87%) is their average, vs 90% citywide.
Peer Collaboration86%city 88%
- Teachers · At this school…the principal/program leader, teachers, and staff collaborate to make this school run effectively.78%
- Teachers · At this school…teachers design instructional programs (e.g. lessons, units) together.89%
- Teachers · At this school…teachers make a conscious effort to coordinate their teaching with instruction at other grade levels.92%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (86%) is their average, vs 88% citywide.
Program Coherence84%city 85%
- Teachers · At this school…curriculum, instruction, and learning materials are well coordinated across the different grade levels at this school.85%
- Teachers · At this school…once we start a new program, we follow up to make sure that it’s working.85%
- Teachers · At this school…it is clear how all of the programs offered are connected to our school’s instructional vision.81%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (84%) is their average, vs 85% citywide.
Teacher-Teacher Trust83%city 88%
- Teachers · Teachers in this school trust each other.78%
- Teachers · It's OK in this school to discuss feelings, worries, and frustrations with other teachers.78%
- Teachers · I feel respected by other teachers at this school.93%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (83%) is their average, vs 88% citywide.
Innovation and Collective Responsibility83%city 81%
- Teachers · How many teachers at this school…help build a welcoming school environment in the entire school, not just their classroom?89%
- Teachers · How many teachers at this school…are actively trying to improve their teaching?93%
- Teachers · How many teachers at this school…take responsibility for improving the school?77%
- Teachers · How many teachers at this school…are eager to try new ideas?70%
- Teachers · How many teachers at this school…feel responsible that all students learn?85%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (83%) is their average, vs 81% citywide.
Instructional Leadership80%city 89%
- Teachers · The principal/program leader at this school...makes clear to the staff their expectations for meeting instructional goals.85%
- Teachers · The principal/program leader at this school...understands how children learn.73%
- Teachers · The principal/program leader at this school...sets high standards for student learning.88%
- Teachers · The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…supports teachers in implementing what they have learned in professional development.81%
- Teachers · The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…carefully tracks student academic progress.88%
- Teachers · The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…knows what’s going on in my classes.81%
- Teachers · The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…provides teachers with formative feedback to improve practice.81%
- Teachers · The principal/school leader at this school...participates in instructional planning with teams of teachers.65%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (80%) is their average, vs 89% citywide.
Quality of Professional Development73%city 85%
- Teachers · Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...included enough time to think carefully about, try, and evaluate new ideas.73%
- Teachers · 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.73%
- Teachers · Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...directly related to my students’ needs.73%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (73%) is their average, vs 85% citywide.
School Commitment69%city 85%
- Teachers · I usually look forward to each working day at this school.74%
- Teachers · I would recommend this school to parents/guardians seeking a place for their child.69%
- Teachers · I would recommend this school to other teachers as a place to work.65%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (69%) is their average, vs 85% citywide.
Teacher-Principal Trust68%city 86%
- Teachers · I feel respected by the principal/program leader at this school.63%
- Teachers · The principal/program leader at this school is an effective manager who makes the school run smoothly.67%
- Teachers · The principal/program leader has confidence in the expertise of the teachers at this school.67%
- Teachers · I trust the principal/program leader at their word (to do what they say that they will do).73%
- Teachers · The principal/program leader looks out for the personal welfare of the staff members.59%
- Teachers · The principal/program leader places the needs of children ahead of personal interests.74%
- Teachers · The principal and assistant principals function as a cohesive unit.74%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (68%) is their average, vs 86% citywide.
Teacher Influence42%city 68%
- Teachers · At this school…the principal/program leader encourages feedback through regular meetings with families and teacher leaders.78%
- Teachers · How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...hiring new professional personnel?19%
- Teachers · How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...planning how discretionary school funds should be used?15%
- Teachers · How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...selecting instructional materials and/or curriculum used in classrooms?31%
- Teachers · How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...setting standards for student behavior?69%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (42%) is their average, vs 68% citywide.
Relationships with Families
Building Families' Capacity as their Child's Primary Advocate100%city 87%
- Parents · Someone at my child's program has helped me consider which schools or programs would be best for my child for next school/program year. [Birth-5].100%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (100%) is their average, vs 87% citywide.
Building Families' Capacity as their Child's Primary Teacher100%city 96%
- Parents · My child’s teachers give me helpful ideas about how I can support my child’s learning and development. [Birth-5].100%
- Parents · My child’s teachers let me know that I can make a difference in my child’s learning. [Birth-5].100%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (100%) is their average, vs 96% citywide.
Strong Relationships100%city 97%
- Parents · I feel good about the way that my child’s teachers helped my child adjust to their program. [Birth-5].100%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (100%) is their average, vs 97% citywide.
Parent Involvement in School93%city 92%
- Parents · Since the beginning of the school year, how often have you…communicated with your child's teachers about your child's performance?91%
- Parents · Since the beginning of the school year, how often have you…seen your child’s projects, artwork, homework, tests, or quizzes?91%
- Parents · I know how to contact the Parent Coordinator at my child’s school.94%
- Parents · During the school year, have you...attended a school meeting, school event, or parent-teacher conference (virtually or in-person)?91%
- Parents · My child’s teachers incorporate my feedback into how they support my child. [Birth-5].100%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (93%) is their average, vs 92% citywide.
Parent-Principal Trust93%city 96%
- Parents · I feel respected by my child's principal/school leader.93%
- Parents · I trust the principal/school leader at their word (to do what they say that they will do).94%
- Parents · The principal/school leader is an effective manager who makes the school run smoothly.93%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (93%) is their average, vs 96% citywide.
School Description
School Facilities and Services88%city 88%
- Teachers · This school is kept clean.93%
- Teachers · This school is kept in good physical condition.93%
- Teachers · Physical repairs to the school building are completed in a timely manner.93%
- Parents · This school is kept clean.96%
- Parents · This school is kept in good physical condition.96%
- Parents · My child's school provides me information about transportation options (e.g. Metrocard and busing).64%
- Parents · I am satisfied with my child’s school bus transportation service this year.89%
- Parents · I am satisfied with the meal options provided at my child’s school.80%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (88%) is their average, vs 88% citywide.
Overall positive % is averaged across every Pos/Neg survey question per respondent group (school year 2025-2026). 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]
Operational health
Attendance
95%
Chronic absenteeism
47%
Suspension rate
0%
Teachers[7]
Teachers with 4+ years' experience
83%
Students per teacher
13:1
Teaching out of certification
39%
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.
Student body
Race / ethnicity[4]
- Asian 3%
- Black 67%
- Hispanic 17%
- White 2%
- Multiracial 1%
School-level totals; may not sum to 100% due to rounding and small subgroup suppression.
Gender[4]
- Female 50%
- Male 50%
Female / male shares as published by the DOE; other gender identities aren’t reported in the source data.
Enrollment
314
Economic Need Index
85%
Free / reduced lunch
87%
English learners
17%
Students with IEPs
24%
Admissions
2 programs. Each has its own admissions method, and each track within a program has its own seats, demand, and priority order.
3-K - School Day
Program code 22K2513K
No seat or applicant data published for this program yet.
Pre-K - School Day
Program code 22K251PK · Cycle 2024-2025
7 applicants · 54 seats last year.
| priority group | Seats | Applicants | Applications / seat |
|---|---|---|---|
| General education | 54 | 7 | — |
↳ Students who live in the zone and have a sibling at the school. | — | — | — |
↳ Other students who live in the zone. | — | — | — |
↳ Students who live in the district and have a sibling at the school. | — | — | — |
↳ Students who live outside the district and have a sibling at the school. | — | — | — |
↳ Other students who live in the district. | — | — | — |
↳ All other applicants. | — | — | — |
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.
Spending
Total spend
$10.8MStudents: 331
30th percentile citywide
School-managed budget
$6.2MPositions: 48
31st percentile citywide
Total spend per student
$32,541
44th percentile citywide · city median $33,357
Staffing costs
Principal’s salary
$203K
50th percentile citywide
Principal and assistant principals
$381KPositions: 2
36th percentile citywide
Teaching staff
$3.5MPositions: 28
38th 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.
Leadership2$191K$381K
- HEAD OF SCHOOL1$203K$203K
- ASST HEAD OF SCHOOL1$149K$149K
- Leader-In-Transition0—$29K
Teachers28$125K$3.5M
- Pre K / WHOLE CLASS3$155K$465K
- 2 / WHOLE CLASS2$171K$341K
- K / WHOLE CLASS1$173K$173K
- 3 / WHOLE CLASS1$155K$155K
- K / ICT - General Ed Teacher2$77K$155K
- ARTS / WHOLE CLASS1$151K$151K
- 1 / WHOLE CLASS1$146K$146K
- 5 / WHOLE CLASS1$123K$123K
- 1 / ICT - General Ed Teacher1$119K$119K
- 1 / ICT - Special Ed Teacher1$119K$119K
- 2 / SELF-CONTAINED SP ED1$119K$119K
- 3 / ICT - General Ed Teacher1$119K$119K
- 3 / ICT - Special Ed Teacher1$119K$119K
- 4 / ICT - General Ed Teacher1$119K$119K
- 4 / WHOLE CLASS1$119K$119K
- 5 / ICT - General Ed Teacher1$119K$119K
- 5 / ICT - Special Ed Teacher1$119K$119K
- 5 / SELF-CONTAINED SP ED1$119K$119K
- ESL / WHOLE CLASS1$119K$119K
- K, 1 / SELF-CONTAINED SP ED1$119K$119K
- PHYSICAL EDUCATION / WHOLE CLASS1$119K$119K
- 4 / SELF-CONTAINED SP ED1$101K$101K
- COMPUTER / WHOLE CLASS1$70K$70K
- 4 / ICT - Special Ed Teacher1$62K$62K
Support staff18$74K$1.3M
- CLASSROOM - General Ed3$56K$167K
- PRE-K2$78K$155K
- IEP-HEALTH3$45K$134K
- School Psychologist Mandated Services1$120K$120K
- School Social Worker1$120K$120K
- SPEECH / PULL-OUT -all students1$117K$117K
- SPEECH / PUSH IN/PULL OUT1$117K$117K
- Guidance Counselor1$104K$104K
- IEP-CRISIS MANAGEMENT(CIT)2$45K$90K
- School Aides and Other Support Staff0—$63K
- Substance Abuse Prevention & Interv Special Annual1$55K$55K
- School Secretary1$48K$48K
- PARENT COORDINATOR1$44K$44K
- DC 37 Para More Than 20 Hrs0—$4,986
Programs and extra time$566K
- Absence Coverage$245K
- AFTER/BEFORE SCHOOL STUDENT PROGRAMS$141K
- IEP-HEALTH$70K
- People Working Partial Year$70K
- Not Available$21K
- Professional Development$20K
Supplies and services$432K
- Supplies - General$112K
- Non-Contractual Services$90K
- Educational Consultants$73K
- Educational Software$55K
- Curriculum & Staff Development Contracts$39K
- Textbooks$20K
- Furniture Object 300$18K
- School Funded Copier$7,224
- Data Processing Repair - Contractual$6,237
- Equipment - General$4,662
- Transportation of Staff - Non-Contract$4,344
- Library Books$1,963
- Internal DOE Services$600
Location & commute
Where the school is and how to get there.