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P.S. 307 Daniel Hale Williams

Grades: Pre-K, K-5
Noteworthy
209 York Street
Brooklyn NY 11201
Phone: 718-834-4748

Our Insights

What’s Special

Welcoming community and hands-on projects

The Downside

Below average attendance

PS 307 has a strong sense of community, a thoughtful and welcoming principal, and lots of extras such as music lessons and classes in Mandarin. Housed in a brightly lit, cheery building, the school has two science labs, a health clinic, and a newly renovated library. There is a free after-school program

Parents say the school makes children feel they belong while offering families lots of guidance and support. “The school is like an extra parent,” said Ebony Richardson, a PTA member who attended PS 307 herself as a child and whose children attend now.

Principal Stephanie Carroll, whose own children attended the progressive Midtown West School in Manhattan, encourages teachers to create imaginative lessons with plenty of time for play and exploration. The school has adopted the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project in which children choose books based on their own interests.

The science curriculum is well thought-out. Children may build towers with toothpicks and marshmallows; or make a mural of animals in the ocean; or learn how blubber keeps whales warm. (Children put their hands in cold water with and without insulated bags.)  

Located in Vinegar Hill, a gentrifying neighborhood between the Brooklyn Navy Yard and DUMBO, PS 307 has long served children who live in the Farragut public housing development across the street.  In 2016, to ease overcrowding at nearby PS 8, the Department of Education expanded the zone for PS 307 to include DUMBO, including some luxury apartments. The school serves mostly Black and Latinx children, with a small but growing number of white children. Carroll, whose mother is from France and whose father is from Senegal, has reassured parents of all races that they are welcome.

Carroll, principal since 2015, says she has focused on teacher recruitment and training. While she has faced pushback from some teachers, others seem to welcome the move from traditional to more progressive teaching techniques.

One downside: The school has high rates of chronic absenteeism. Carroll says some families go for extended vacations to their home countries; her administration is focused on educating parents about the importance of good attendance.

SPECIAL EDUCATION: The school has extensive special education services including a special gym for physical and occupational therapy. It has well-regarded Horizon program for children on the autism spectrum as well as ICT (team-teaching) classes and “self-contained” classes for children with special needs. About one-third of the children at the school receive special education services—a high proportion.

ADMISSIONS: Neighborhood school but students from outside of the zone are also admitted. The school has regular tours for prospective parents. (Clara Hemphill, January 2020)

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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 2020-21 NYC School Survey

How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
12%
82% Citywide Average

From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card

How many students were suspended?
0%
1% Citywide Average

From this school's most recent Quality Review Report

Are teachers effective?

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
76%
84% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
7.2

How do students perform academically?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many elementary school students scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
26%
53% Citywide Average
How many elementary school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
24%
50% Citywide Average

What is the Pre-K like?

From the NYC Program Assessment (CLASS and ECERS-R) Database through 2019-2020

Instruction: Teachers ask kids to explain their reasoning when they solve problems
Activities: Children explore art, music, sand/water, dramatic play and more
Language: Teachers talk and listen to kids in a supportive way
Interaction: Teachers ask kids good questions and invite back-and-forth conversation

Who does this school serve?

From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Enrollment
320
Asian
4%
Black
46%
Hispanic
30%
White
12%
Other
8%
Free or reduced priced lunch
78%
Students with disabilities
35%
English language learners
3%
Pre-K seats
27
3-K seats
22

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
84%
90% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
60%
40% Citywide Average

From the 2020 School Directories

How does this school serve special populations?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
3%
30% Citywide Average
How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
9%
23% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
0%
21% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
0%
12% Citywide Average


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

Contact & Location

Location

DUMBO (District 13)
Trains: F Line to York St; A Line, C Line to High St
Buses: B25, B26, B54, B57, B62, B67, B69

Contact

Principal
Stephanie Carroll

Other Details

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

Zone for the 2019-2020 school year. Call school to confirm.

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