263 Patchen Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11233

It a greats at a student of BGHS i have many fun and greats learning. It is sad that this going to close.

This school is promoting how much test scores have gone up...but the admin is selling these tests results way too hard....Wish they would answer the question of how many kids actually took the test...In 2018, only 68 out of 167 kids (41%) at PS 5 took exams, and only 24 (35%) of students had proficient scores. In 2024, data.nysed.gov no longer breaks down how many kids take the exams, but the PS 5 data shows that 82% of grade 4 scored proficient in English and 100% of grade 4 scored proficient in Math...some of the "top" elementary schools in Brooklyn don't score that high. In many schools across NYC, less than 50% of the kids actually take these exam because their parents don't like their kids to stress out etc. But at a school like PS 5 when there are only about 25 kids in each grade, what does that mean? Maybe 8 kids in each grade take the test, maybe even fewer or maybe more...who knows? ...and to be clear, this is an issue not just at PS 5 but at the state-level because the state decided to not show that data anymore...why can't parents see the complete data??? Why bother testing then? This is OUR data. Some good things happening at PS 5..and some very wonderful teachers, but don't like that the admin is not able to answer basic questions about a story they keep selling about their dramatic improvement in test scores.

Stephen Decatur Magnet is such a wonderful community of learners. Principal Charles is really dedicated to the school. Over the past couple of years they have been able to make many changes that are good for the school. They have performing arts, dance, visual arts, debate team, and mock trial. I would tell any parent to send their child to this school. My child's experience has been great.