P.S. 186 Castlewood is an elementary school serving students from 3-K through 5th grade, known for its warm, inclusive atmosphere and strong academic performance. Located in a neighborhood of garden apartments near the Queens County Farm Museum, the school offers a suburban feel within the city. Students consistently achieve high proficiency rates in both English Language Arts (75%) and Math (82%), placing the school well above citywide medians and among the top performers in New York elementary schools. The school is particularly effective in supporting students with disabilities, who also show strong academic outcomes. Parents express overwhelmingly positive sentiment, with survey results indicating high satisfaction with their child's education and strong relationships with staff. The faculty is highly experienced, with most teachers having over a decade of service, contributing to a supportive learning environment. P.S. 186 offers a variety of enriching programs, including full-time theatre, art, music, and technology, alongside clubs like STEM, Robotics, Digital Animation, and the "Castlewood Players" afterschool theater program. The school also features an Autism Nest program, providing specialized support for students with autism in integrated co-teaching classes.
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.
89%100% response rate
Teacher survey · overall positive
89%87% response rate
Survey topics
Safety97%city 89%
My students are safe…outside around this school.98%
My students are safe…traveling between home and this school.100%
My students are safe…in the hallways, bathrooms, locker rooms, and cafeteria of this school.98%
My students are safe…in my class(es).98%
Conflicts are resolved fairly in my school.92%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (97%) is their average, vs 89% citywide.
Bullying prevention20%city 42%
At this school students harass, bully, or intimidate other students.20%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (20%) is their average, vs 42% citywide.
Emotional support96%city 84%
How many adults at this school…help students develop the skills they need to complete challenging coursework despite obstacles?.98%
How many adults at this school…tell their students they believe they can achieve high academic standards?.96%
How many adults at this school…teach students how to advocate for themselves?.98%
How many adults at this school…recognize disruptive behavior as social-emotional learning opportunities?.92%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (96%) 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.98%
How many students in your classes…have to work hard to do well?.79%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (89%) is their average, vs 87% citywide.
College & career guidance86%city 90%
It’s a priority at this school that adults…provide students with guidance on the high school application process.86%
It’s a priority at this school that adults…provide families with guidance on the high school application process.86%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (86%) is their average, vs 90% citywide.
Family outreach97%city 94%
At this school…teachers understand families' challenges and concerns.98%
At this school…teachers work closely with families to meet students' needs.100%
At this school…staff regularly communicate with families about how they can help students learn.98%
At this school…school staff value families' race, ethnicity, culture, family structure, and background.98%
School staff regularly communicate with me about how I can help my child learn.92%
Teachers work closely with me to meet my child's needs.95%
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.99%
My child's school will make me aware if there are any concerns about my child’s social or emotional well-being.
Parent–teacher trust95%city 95%
I feel respected by my child's teachers.97%
Staff at this school work hard to build trusting relationships with parents/guardians like me.95%
My child's teachers treat me as a partner in educating my child.93%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (95%) is their average, vs 95% citywide.
Show all survey topicsShow fewer
Rigorous Instruction
Strong Core Instruction92%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].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. [Social Studies].91%
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].82%
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].95%
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.
50
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↳ Students who live in the zone and have a sibling at the school.
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—
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↳ Other students who live in the zone.
10
10
1.00
↳ Students who live in the district and have a sibling at the school.
0
5
—
↳ Students who live outside the district and have a sibling at the school.
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—
—
↳ Other students who live in the district.
0
20
—
↳ All other applicants.
0
10
—
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”).
Pre-K - School Day
Program code 26Q186PK · Cycle 2024-2025
Zoned
34 applicants · 36 seats last year; every priority group with applicants received offers.
↳ Students who live in the zone and have a sibling at the school.
—
—
—
↳ Other students who live in the zone.
5
5
1.00
↳ 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.
5
5
1.00
↳ 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.
70th percentile citywide
School-managed budget
$10.1MPositions: 86
68th percentile citywide
Total spend per student
$59,399
96th percentile citywide · city median $33,606
Staffing costs
Principal’s salary
$202K
46th percentile citywide
Principal and assistant principals
$347KPositions: 2
18th percentile citywide
Teaching staff
$6.5MPositions: 51
77th 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.
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].
95%
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].92%
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].88%
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].83%
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].92%
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].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. [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].97%
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].97%
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].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. [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. [Math].93%
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].79%
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].96%
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].96%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (92%) is their average, vs 91% citywide.
Quality of Student Discussion68%city 67%
How many students in your classes…build on each other’s ideas during class discussions?.62%
How many students in your classes…use data or text references to support their ideas?.55%
How many students in your classes…show that they respect each other’s ideas?.81%
How many students in your classes…provide constructive feedback to their peers/teachers?.58%
How many students in your classes…participate in class discussions at some point?.84%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (68%) is their average, vs 67% citywide.
Collaborative Teachers
School Commitment94%city 83%
I usually look forward to each working day at this school.95%
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.93%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (94%) is their average, vs 83% citywide.
Innovation and Collective Responsibility94%city 79%
How many teachers at this school…help build a welcoming school environment in the entire school, not just their classroom?.98%
How many teachers at this school…are actively trying to improve their teaching?.95%
How many teachers at this school…take responsibility for improving the school?.93%
How many teachers at this school…are eager to try new ideas?.87%
How many teachers at this school…feel responsible that all students learn?.96%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (94%) is their average, vs 79% citywide.
Cultural Awareness and Inclusive Classroom Instruction94%city 92%
I am able to...receive support around how to incorporate students' cultural and linguistic backgrounds in my practice.96%
I am able to...modify instructional activities and materials to meet the developmental needs and learning interests of all my students.93%
I am able to...ensure instruction represents multiple perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds.98%
I am able to…ensure instruction represents multiple genders, gender identities and expressions and sexual orientations.96%
I am able to…ensure instruction represents multiple races and ethnicities.98%
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).96%
I am able to...apply my knowledge of parents' various cultural backgrounds when collaborating with them regarding their child's educational progress.98%
Peer Collaboration93%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.95%
At this school…teachers make a conscious effort to coordinate their teaching with instruction at other grade levels.89%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (93%) is their average, vs 87% citywide.
Quality of Professional Development85%city 82%
Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...included enough time to think carefully about, try, and evaluate new ideas.85%
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.84%
Overall, my professional development experiences this year have...directly related to my students’ needs.85%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (85%) is their average, vs 82% citywide.
Supportive Environment
Classroom Behavior76%city 66%
How many students in your classes…listen carefully when the teacher gives directions?.69%
How many students in your classes…follow the rules in class?.89%
How many students in your classes…respond to challenging questions in class?.55%
How many students in your classes…do their work when they are supposed to?.91%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (76%) is their average, vs 66% citywide.
Effective School Leadership
Inclusive Leadership96%city 95%
The principal/school leader at this school…puts decisions made with families into action.96%
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 (96%) is their average, vs 95% citywide.
Program Coherence94%city 83%
At this school…once we start a new program, we follow up to make sure that it’s working.95%
At this school…it is clear how all of the programs offered are connected to our school’s instructional vision.93%
At this school…curriculum, instruction, and learning materials are well coordinated across the different grade levels at this school.94%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (94%) 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.93%
The principal/school leader at this school...understands how children learn.87%
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.78%
The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…supports teachers in implementing what they have learned in professional development.95%
The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…carefully tracks student academic progress.96%
The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…knows what’s going on in my classes.85%
The principal/assistant principal(s) at this school…provides teachers with formative feedback to improve practice.95%
Teacher Influence68%city 66%
At this school…the principal/school leader encourages feedback through regular meetings with families and teacher leaders.96%
How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...hiring new professional personnel?.67%
How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...planning how discretionary school funds should be used?.56%
How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...selecting instructional materials and/or curriculum used in classrooms?.53%
How much influence do teachers have over school policy in...setting standards for student behavior?.67%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (68%) is their average, vs 66% citywide.
Strong Family-Community Ties
Building Families' Capacity as their Child's Primary Teacher96%city 96%
My child’s teachers give me helpful ideas about how I can support my child’s learning and development. [Birth-5].96%
My child’s teachers let me know that I can make a difference in my child’s learning. [Birth-5].96%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (96%) is their average, vs 96% citywide.
Strong Relationships94%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].94%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (94%) is their average, vs 90% citywide.
Parent Involvement in School73%city 71%
Since the beginning of the school year, how often have you…communicated with your child's teachers about your child's performance?.92%
Since the beginning of the school year, how often have you…seen your child’s projects, artwork, homework, tests, or quizzes?.97%
My child’s teachers let me know that I can make a difference in my child’s learning. [Birth-5].96%
I know how to contact the Parent Coordinator at my child’s school.7%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (73%) is their average, vs 71% citywide.
Trust
Parent-Principal Trust97%city 94%
I feel respected by my child's principal/school leader.96%
I trust the principal/school leader at their word (to do what they say that they will do).96%
The principal/school leader is an effective manager who makes the school run smoothly.98%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (97%) is their average, vs 94% citywide.
Teacher-Teacher Trust91%city 86%
Teachers in this school trust each other.91%
It's OK in this school to discuss feelings, worries, and frustrations with other teachers.91%
I feel respected by other teachers at this school.91%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (91%) is their average, vs 86% citywide.
Teacher-Principal Trust88%city 84%
I feel respected by the principal/school leader at this school.87%
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.85%
I trust the principal/school leader at their word (to do what they say that they will do).84%
The principal/school leader looks out for the personal welfare of the staff members.93%
The principal/school leader places the needs of children ahead of personal interests.89%
The principal and assistant principals function as a cohesive unit.93%
Each question’s favorable response rate; the topic score (88%) is their average, vs 84% citywide.
Enrollment
278
Economic Need Index
51%
Free / reduced lunch
50%
English learners
2%
Students with IEPs
45%
$122K
$243K
3 / ASD Special Ed2$122K$243K
4 / ASD General Ed2$122K$243K
5 / ASD General Ed2$122K$243K
5 / ASD Special Ed2$122K$243K
ENRICHMENT / ASD Special Ed2$122K$243K
K / ASD General Ed2$122K$243K
K / ASD Special Ed2$122K$243K
PROGRAM SPECIALIST / ASD Special Ed2$122K$243K
3-K / WHOLE CLASS1$177K$177K
ESL / PUSH IN/PULL OUT1$144K$144K
1 / ICT - General Ed Teacher1$142K$142K
ARTS / WHOLE CLASS1$141K$141K
4 / ICT - General Ed Teacher1$138K$138K
COMPUTER / WHOLE CLASS1$133K$133K
3 / ICT - General Ed Teacher1$123K$123K
1 / ASD General Ed1$122K$122K
1 / ASD Special Ed1$122K$122K
1 / ICT - Special Ed Teacher1$122K$122K
2 / ICT - General Ed Teacher1$122K$122K
2 / ICT - Special Ed Teacher1$122K$122K
2,3 / SELF-CONTAINED SP ED1$122K$122K
3 / ICT - Special Ed Teacher1$122K$122K
4,5 / SELF-CONTAINED SP ED1$122K$122K
5 / ICT - General Ed Teacher1$122K$122K
5 / ICT - Special Ed Teacher1$122K$122K
DRAMA/THEATER / WHOLE CLASS1$122K$122K
K / ICT - General Ed Teacher1$122K$122K
K / ICT - Special Ed Teacher1$122K$122K
K / WHOLE CLASS1$122K$122K
K,1 / SELF-CONTAINED SP ED1$122K$122K
MUSIC / WHOLE CLASS1$122K$122K
PHYSICAL EDUCATION / WHOLE CLASS1$122K$122K
3
$45K
$134K
IEP-HEALTH3$45K$134K
Guidance Counselor1$131K$131K
School Social Worker1$130K$130K
INTERVENTION / PREVENTION / PULL-OUT - Special Ed1$122K$122K