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I.S. 98 Bay Academy

Grades: 6-8
Staff Pick
1401 Emmons Avenue
Brooklyn NY 11235
Phone: 718-891-9005

Our Insights

What’s Special

Rich array of activities

The Downside

No modern foreign language

A popular middle school located across the street from Sheepshead Bay, Bay Academy offers strong academics, many extracurricular activities and a community spirit. Some families see it as a good school that is not as stressful as some of the other selective Brooklyn middle schools. 

Students are selected on the basis of their performance in one of 10 different talents, including athletics, science and math, as well as the arts. Although entering 6th graders have test scores well above the city average, Bay does have students with a range of academic abilities.

The school groups children from the day they enter, using a summer assignment as well as test scores to place students in one of five sections for English, math and 7th grade science. Students from different classes do mingle, however, in their talent and social studies classes and at lunch. 

All 6th and 7th grade students take double periods of English and math. Those who meet the school’s criteria may take Algebra and Living Environment Regents exams in 8th grade. Virtually all of those who take the tests pass.  Instead of a modern foreign language, all students take a Latin class that longtime principal Marie Timo describes as Latin for English language arts. It focuses on root words, prefixes and suffixes. Timo sees the program as particularly useful since, she says, for most Bay students, English is not their first language. “What better ways to give them an understanding of English than to give them Latin?” she says.

Students must remain in their talent for their entire Bay career but the school provides opportunities for students to try their hand at other talents as well.

The school has a popular afterschool program and a variety of activities including a student newspaper – in print, no less – and an engineering club for girls. A retired chiropractor supervises the school’s Science Olympiad team, which has done well in statewide competitions. Students participate in arts contests and in a number of charity fund-raising events.

To provide support, Bay offers after school and morning tutoring. The school has two full-time guidance counselors as well as a social worker. Students may arrive as early as 6:30 am and read or watch news or sports on television.

Timo has worked to upgrade Bay’s facility. The halls are brighter than they once were. The school has a fairly new library, complete with computers and tablets, and a new dance studio and hopes to renovate its courtyard and greenhouse. A security system monitors students as they enter the lunchroom and restrooms.

Special education: Although Bay has some self-contained classes for students with disabilities, Timo says she is “a great believer” in integrated team-teaching classes mixing students with special needs with general education students. She says many students who arrive at Bay needing a paraprofessional to help them through the day no longer require that help by the time they leave.

Admissions: Students must live in District 21 or an adjoining area defined by the Department of Education. All applicants must take the district talent test in two talent areas of their choosing. (Gail Robinson, May 2019)

 

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School Stats

Citywide Average Key
This school is Better Near Worse than the citywide average

Is this school safe and well-run?

From the 2022-2023 NYC School Survey

How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
83%
78% Citywide Average
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
54%
59% Citywide Average
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
100%
84% Citywide Average
How many teachers say they would recommend this school to other families?
100%
82% Citywide Average

From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card

How many students were suspended?
0%
4% Citywide Average

From this school's most recent Quality Review Report

Are teachers effective?

From 2023 End-of-year Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism Report

How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
79%
80% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
14.1

How do students perform academically?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
94%
46% Citywide Average
How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
89%
51% Citywide Average

From the 2022-23 School Quality Guide

How many 8th-graders earn high school credit?
96%
89% Citywide Average

Who does this school serve?

From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Enrollment
1430
Asian
35%
Black
2%
Hispanic
10%
White
51%
Other
1%
Free or reduced priced lunch
62%
Students with disabilities
10%
English language learners
3%

From the 2022-23 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
93%
91% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
26%
34% Citywide Average

How does this school serve special populations?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
94%
15% Citywide Average


For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Contact & Location

Location

Sheepshead Bay (District 21)
Trains: B Line, Q Line to Sheepshead Bay
Buses: B1, B36, B4, B49, B68, BM3

Contact

Principal
Maria Timo

Other Details

Shared campus?
No
This school is in its own building.
Metal detectors?
No

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