P.S. 361 East Flatbush Early Childhood School serves students from Pre-K through 2nd grade in Brooklyn, operating as a zoned neighborhood school. It is recognized for its exceptionally high parent satisfaction, with survey results showing 98-100% positive feedback on various aspects of the school experience. Parents frequently describe a safe and friendly atmosphere, highlighting the dedication of teachers and staff. The school maintains an excellent safety record with a 0% suspension rate. Academically, ELA proficiency (54%) is near the citywide median, while math proficiency (40%) is slightly below the median but above the 25th percentile. The school serves a student population with higher needs, reflected in its elevated percentages of students in temporary housing, those eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, English Language Learners, and students with disabilities, all of which are above citywide medians. A notable feature is a large, new playground with modern equipment, a track, and an outdoor classroom. A key area for improvement is the chronic absenteeism rate (41%), which is higher than the citywide median.
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.
100% response rate
Teacher survey · overall positive
91%100% response rate
Survey topics
Safety77%city 89%
My students are safe…outside around this school.43%
My students are safe…traveling between home and this school.49%
My students are safe…in the hallways, bathrooms, locker rooms, and cafeteria of this school.100%
My students are safe…in my class(es).100%
Conflicts are resolved fairly in my school.91%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (77%) is their average, vs 89% citywide.
Bullying prevention22%city 42%
At this school students harass, bully, or intimidate other students.22%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (22%) is their average, vs 42% citywide.
Emotional support95%city 84%
How many adults at this school…help students develop the skills they need to complete challenging coursework despite obstacles?.100%
How many adults at this school…tell their students they believe they can achieve high academic standards?.100%
How many adults at this school…teach students how to advocate for themselves?.92%
How many adults at this school…recognize disruptive behavior as social-emotional learning opportunities?.89%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (95%) is their average, vs 84% citywide.
Academic expectations93%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.100%
How many students in your classes…have to work hard to do well?.85%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (93%) 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 outreach97%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.97%
At this school…school staff value families' race, ethnicity, culture, family structure, and background.97%
School staff regularly communicate with me about how I can help my child learn.94%
Teachers work closely with me to meet my child's needs.93%
My child's school communicates with me in a language that I can understand.97%
I am greeted warmly when I contact or visit the school.100%
My child's school will make me aware if there are any concerns about my child’s social or emotional well-being.
Parent–teacher trust96%city 95%
I feel respected by my child's teachers.99%
Staff at this school work hard to build trusting relationships with parents/guardians like me.94%
My child's teachers treat me as a partner in educating my child.94%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (96%) is their average, vs 95% citywide.
Show all survey topicsShow fewer
Rigorous Instruction
Strong Core Instruction94%city 91%
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. [Social Studies].89%
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. [Social Studies].89%
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. [Social Studies].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. [Social Studies].100%
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.
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (97%) 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. [Social Studies].
88%
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. [Science].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. [Science].89%
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. [Science].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. [Science].100%
In planning my last instructional unit, I had the resources and tools I needed to include multiple opportunities for…creating coherent progressions within the standards from previous grades to current grade to build onto previous learning. [Science].89%
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].95%
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].90%
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].95%
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].95%
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].86%
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].94%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (94%) is their average, vs 91% citywide.
Quality of Student Discussion72%city 67%
How many students in your classes…build on each other’s ideas during class discussions?.59%
How many students in your classes…use data or text references to support their ideas?.57%
How many students in your classes…show that they respect each other’s ideas?.92%
How many students in your classes…provide constructive feedback to their peers/teachers?.72%
How many students in your classes…participate in class discussions at some point?.81%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (72%) is their average, vs 67% citywide.
Collaborative Teachers
Cultural Awareness and Inclusive Classroom Instruction98%city 92%
I am able to...receive support around how to incorporate students' cultural and linguistic backgrounds in my practice.100%
I am able to...modify instructional activities and materials to meet the developmental needs and learning interests of all my students.100%
I am able to...ensure instruction represents multiple perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds.97%
I am able to…ensure instruction represents multiple genders, gender identities and expressions and sexual orientations.97%
I am able to…ensure instruction represents multiple races and ethnicities.97%
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).97%
I am able to...apply my knowledge of parents' various cultural backgrounds when collaborating with them regarding their child's educational progress.100%
I am able to...develop appropriate Individualized Education Programs for my students with disabilities.100%
I am able to...monitor progress on Individualized Education Program goals for my students with disabilities.97%
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.89%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (98%) is their average, vs 92% citywide.
Peer Collaboration96%city 87%
At this school…the principal/school leader, teachers, and staff collaborate to make this school run effectively.97%
At this school…teachers design instructional programs (e.g. lessons, units) together.97%
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 (96%) is their average, vs 87% citywide.
Quality of Professional Development96%city 82%
Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...included enough time to think carefully about, try, and evaluate new ideas.95%
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.92%
Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...directly related to my students’ needs.100%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (96%) is their average, vs 82% citywide.
School Commitment96%city 83%
I usually look forward to each working day at this school.97%
I would recommend this school to parents/guardians seeking a place for their child.95%
I would recommend this school to other teachers as a place to work.95%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (96%) is their average, vs 83% citywide.
Innovation and Collective Responsibility91%city 79%
How many teachers at this school…help build a welcoming school environment in the entire school, not just their classroom?.92%
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?.89%
How many teachers at this school…are eager to try new ideas?.89%
How many teachers at this school…feel responsible that all students learn?.97%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (91%) is their average, vs 79% citywide.
Supportive Environment
Classroom Behavior81%city 66%
How many students in your classes…listen carefully when the teacher gives directions?.84%
How many students in your classes…follow the rules in class?.92%
How many students in your classes…respond to challenging questions in class?.62%
How many students in your classes…do their work when they are supposed to?.85%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (81%) is their average, vs 66% citywide.
Effective School Leadership
Program Coherence98%city 83%
At this school…once we start a new program, we follow up to make sure that it’s working.100%
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.100%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (98%) is their average, vs 83% citywide.
Inclusive Leadership98%city 95%
The principal/school leader at this school…puts decisions made with families into action.98%
The principal/school leader at this school…works to create a sense of community in the school.98%
The principal/school leader at this school…ensures families are comfortable communicating with the school.98%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (98%) is their average, vs 95% citywide.
Instructional Leadership98%city 86%
The principal/school leader at this school...makes clear to the staff their expectations for meeting instructional goals.100%
The principal/school leader at this school...understands how children learn.100%
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.97%
The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…supports teachers in implementing what they have learned in professional development.97%
The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…carefully tracks student academic progress.100%
The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…knows what’s going on in my classes.100%
The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…provides teachers with formative feedback to improve practice.
Teacher Influence71%city 66%
At this school…the principal/school leader encourages feedback through regular meetings with families and teacher leaders.97%
How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...hiring new professional personnel?.42%
How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...planning how discretionary school funds should be used?.53%
How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...selecting instructional materials and/or curriculum used in classrooms?.75%
How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...setting standards for student behavior?.89%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (71%) is their average, vs 66% citywide.
Strong Family-Community Ties
Strong Relationships91%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].91%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (91%) is their average, vs 90% citywide.
Parent Involvement in School67%city 63%
Since the beginning of the school year, how often have you…communicated with your child's teachers about your child's performance?.90%
Since the beginning of the school year, how often have you…seen your child’s projects, artwork, homework, tests, or quizzes?.90%
I know how to contact the Parent Coordinator at my child’s school.20%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (67%) is their average, vs 63% citywide.
Trust
Parent-Principal Trust99%city 94%
I feel respected by my child's principal/school leader.99%
I trust the principal/school leader at their word (to do what they say that they will do).99%
The principal/school leader is an effective manager who makes the school run smoothly.99%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (99%) is their average, vs 94% citywide.
Teacher-Principal Trust96%city 84%
I feel respected by the principal/school leader at this school.95%
The principal/school leader at this school is an effective manager who makes the school run smoothly.97%
The principal/school leader has confidence in the expertise of the teachers at this school.95%
I trust the principal/school leader at their word (to do what they say that they will do).97%
The principal/school leader looks out for the personal welfare of the staff members.92%
The principal/school leader places the needs of children ahead of personal interests.97%
The principal and assistant principals function as a cohesive unit.100%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (96%) is their average, vs 84% citywide.
Teacher-Teacher Trust96%city 86%
Teachers in this school trust each other.95%
It's OK in this school to discuss feelings, worries, and frustrations with other teachers.95%
I feel respected by other teachers at this school.97%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (96%) is their average, vs 86% citywide.
Enrollment
388
Economic Need Index
89%
Free / reduced lunch
90%
English learners
22%
Students with IEPs
31%
$172K
$172K
4, 5 / SELF-CONTAINED SP ED1$172K$172K
K / ICT - Special Ed Teacher1$152K$152K
SCIENCE - GENERAL SCIENCE / WHOLE CLASS1$149K$149K
3 / ICT - Special Ed Teacher1$143K$143K
1 / WHOLE CLASS1$130K$130K
2 / ICT - General Ed Teacher1$126K$126K
1 / ICT - Special Ed Teacher1$118K$118K
2 / SELF-CONTAINED SP ED1$118K$118K
3 / SELF-CONTAINED SP ED1$118K$118K
4 / ICT - General Ed Teacher1$118K$118K
4 / ICT - Special Ed Teacher1$118K$118K
4 / WHOLE CLASS1$118K$118K
5 / ICT - General Ed Teacher1$118K$118K
5 / ICT - Special Ed Teacher1$118K$118K
5 / SELF-CONTAINED SP ED1$118K$118K
5 / WHOLE CLASS1$118K$118K
ARTS / WHOLE CLASS1$118K$118K
ESL / WHOLE CLASS1$118K$118K
MUSIC / WHOLE CLASS1$118K$118K
PHYSICAL EDUCATION / WHOLE CLASS1$118K$118K
$121K
$121K
School Psychologist Mandated Services1$120K$120K
School Social Workers Mandated Services1$120K$120K