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Our Insights

What’s Special

Small, nurturing school with projects and trips

The Downside

Declining enrollment

Lyons Community School serves grades 6–12 and works to provide a caring, engaging environment where students feel known and supported. Many students come to Lyons needing extra academic or personal support, and the school’s small classes and hands-on approach are designed to meet those needs. Learning often extends beyond the classroom through class trips and projects.

Lyons is a part of the New York Performance Standards Consortium, a group of schools exempt from administering all but the English Regents exam. Eleventh- and 12th-graders must complete PBATs (performance based assessment tasks) on topics of their choosing, which involve lots of research and reading as well as writing and presenting papers in English, math, and history. In all grades students participate in roundtable discussions at the end of each semester, where they reflect on what they learned and present their work for in-depth discussion.

At Lyons, students stay engaged through hands-on learning that often takes place beyond the classroom. Middle school students participate in a Field Studies program, visiting museums, parks and cultural sites that support their classroom learning. High school students take weekly “MAP” electives, held either on campus or in the city, such as ceramics, theater, forensics, and outdoor leadership. 

Many classes are structured around themes. For instance, history classes cover topics such as world religions, global development and foundations in United States government and expansion; neuroscience and understanding animals are among the science options. English courses expose students to a broad range of literature by focusing on topics such as moral dilemmas, individualism, modern short stories and apocalyptic fiction. Math classes follow a more traditional sequence, running from algebra through pre-calculus. Computer science is offered as an elective.

The school faces challenges, including declining enrollment, and a large number of students who need extra support to stay on track. Attendance is inching up but has a ways to go; most students miss a month or more of school. The school works to keep students interested, for example, they can try out real jobs based on their interests in a career exploration program. Lessons often tie learning to what’s happening in the world, helping students see the purpose in what they’re studying. For students who need more academic support, Lyons offers smaller classes led by experienced teachers to help build reading and writing skills.

Restorative practices help students solve problems through discussion in thoughtful, community-centered ways. Students learn to reflect, listen, and stay connected to their peers when challenges arise. 

Lyons shares the old IS 49 building, including its gym, cafeteria and outdoor playground, with The Williamsburg High School of Arts and Technology and Brooklyn Latin. The three schools have separate lunch periods and arrival times. Sports are campus-wide. Lyons partners with Grand Street Settlement to provide afterschool programming for both the middle school and high school. They also provided support services to families. 

Lyons has integrated co-teaching (ICT) classes in every grade and dedicates a lot of time to students' social and emotional development through advisories and other initiatives. (Dashiell Allen and Lydie Raschka, web reports and interview, October 2025)

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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 2023-2024 NYC School Survey

How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
81%
82% Citywide Average
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
48%
53% Citywide Average
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
94%
84% Citywide Average
How many teachers say they would recommend this school to other families?
91%
82% Citywide Average

From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card

How many students were suspended?
3%
4% Citywide Average

From this school's most recent Quality Review Report

Are teachers effective?

From the 2023-24 School Quality Report

How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
71%
78% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
17.2

How do students perform academically?

From the New York State 2023-2024 Assessment Database

How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
42%
50% Citywide Average
How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
26%
50% Citywide Average

From the 2023-24 School Quality Guide

How many 8th-graders earn high school credit?
0%
49% Citywide Average
How many students graduate in 4 years?
60%
90% Citywide Average

Who does this school serve?

From the 2024-25 Demographic Snapshot

Enrollment
364
Asian
0%
Black
36%
Hispanic
54%
White
3%
Other
7%
Free or reduced priced lunch
92%
Students with disabilities
36%
English language learners
14%

From the 2023-24 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
73%
88% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
70%
39% Citywide Average

How does this school serve special populations?

From the 2023-24 School Quality Report

How many students with disabilities graduate in 4 years?
45%
84% Citywide Average

From the New York State 2023-2024 Assessment Database

How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
11%
19% Citywide Average
How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
13%
19% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
0%
8% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
0%
3% Citywide Average
For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Programs & Admissions

From the 2024 High School Directory

Lyons Community School (L39A)

Admissions Method: Ed. Opt.

Offerings

From the 2024 High School Directory

Language Courses

Spanish

Advanced Courses

Algebra II (Advanced Math), Chemistry (Advanced Science), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)

Boys PSAL teams

Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Outdoor Track, Volleyball

Girls PSAL teams

Basketball, Cross Country, Outdoor Track, Volleyball

Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

223 Graham Avenue
Brooklyn NY 11206

Trains: G Line to Broadway; L Line to Grand St

Buses: B24, B43, B46, B48, B60, Q54, Q59


Contact

Principal: Nathan Larsen, I.A.

Parent Coordinator: Minerva Cantor

Phone: 718-782-0918

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? Yes

This school shares the building with the Brooklyn Latin School and Williamsburg High School of Art and Technology

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? No

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