Finding a school that feels right in East New York can be a real headache for parents. You've got charter schools popping up on every corner, Zoned schools with mixed reputations, and the constant stress of NYC DOE applications. PS 202 Ernest S. Jenkyns, tucked away on Hegeman Avenue, is one of those neighborhood fixtures that doesn't always make the front-page news, but it carries a lot of local history and a very specific "vibe" that's worth breaking down.
If you're looking at this school for your kid, or if you're just curious about what's actually happening behind those brick walls, you're not alone. Honestly, it’s a school of contrasts. On one hand, it’s a Magnet School of Journalism and Multimedia, which sounds incredibly fancy and forward-thinking. On the other, the test scores often lag behind the citywide average, leaving a lot of people wondering if the specialized curriculum is actually translating into academic results.
What is PS 202 Ernest S. Jenkyns actually like?
Most people just call it PS 202. It's located at 982 Hegeman Avenue in Brooklyn, specifically in the 11208 zip code. It's a small-ish elementary school, serving roughly 240 to 255 students ranging from 3-K and Pre-K all the way up to 5th grade.
The student-teacher ratio is actually pretty impressive. Recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) puts it at around 13 to 1, and some local reports even suggest it can dip as low as 8 to 1 in certain programs. That’s low. Like, private school low. You’d think that would mean every kid gets tons of one-on-one attention.
But here’s the reality check. Proficiency scores aren't exactly soaring. According to recent New York State assessments, only about 27% of students are proficient in reading and about 17% to 23% are proficient in math. When you compare that to the citywide averages, which usually hover around 60%, it's clear there's a significant gap.
The Magnet School Twist
A few years ago, the school rebranded itself as The Magnet School of Journalism and Multimedia. This wasn't just a name change; it was an attempt to modernize the way these kids learn.
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- Multimedia Focus: They've built out a Creative Arts Complex.
- Journalism: The idea is to teach kids how to communicate, ask questions, and use digital tools early on.
- STEAM Integration: They try to weave science, technology, engineering, arts, and math into the standard curriculum.
Does it work? Well, it depends on who you ask. Some parents love the creative outlet. They see their kids getting excited about things that aren't just workbooks. Others worry that the school is focusing too much on the "extras" while the fundamental math and reading skills are still struggling.
The Rough Patches and the Reputation
We have to be real here. PS 202 has had a bumpy road. If you go digging through old news reports or parent forums like InsideSchools, you’ll find some heavy stuff.
There was a period where the leadership was in total turmoil. A former principal, Machael Spencer-Edwards, made headlines for all the wrong reasons. There were allegations of an assault on a child and a bizarre controversy where kids were barred from a Valentine’s Day party because they weren’t wearing pajamas.
That kind of stuff sticks to a school’s reputation like glue.
And then there are the reviews from about a decade ago. You'll see parents calling it a "waste of government funds" and teachers complaining about fights and "cursing." It was a dark time for the school.
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However, under the current leadership of Principal Steven Surujbali, things feel different. The "vibe" isn't as chaotic. Recent surveys show that a staggering 94% of parents are satisfied with their child's education there. That is a massive turnaround from the "fire everyone" sentiment of 2013.
Enrollment and Logistics
If you’re zoned for this school, you’re basically guaranteed a spot unless it’s overcrowded (which it rarely is these days).
- 3-K and Pre-K: They have a good number of seats for the little ones.
- After-School: They partner with the Good Shepherd Afterschool Program, which is a big deal for working parents.
- Accessibility: The building is labeled as "partially accessible," which usually means some floors or areas might be tough for those with mobility issues.
The school is reachable via the 3 train to New Lots Av or several bus lines like the B13, B14, and B15.
The Phone Ban
Heads up: as of the 2025-2026 school year, they are strictly following the New York State policy prohibiting personal internet-enabled devices during the day. No cell phones, no smartwatches. If your kid brings a phone for the commute, it’s going into a locker or a bag the moment they walk through the door.
What Most People Get Wrong
People often assume that because a school has lower test scores, the teachers don't care. That's usually not the case. In fact, 90% of teachers at PS 202 have three or more years of experience. These aren't just "burnout" recruits; many are veteran educators who have stayed through the school's ups and downs.
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Another misconception is that the "Magnet" status makes it a private-style academy. It doesn't. It’s still a District 19 public school. The Magnet funding just provides extra resources for specific themes. It doesn't magically erase the challenges of being in a high-poverty neighborhood where many kids might be coming in with significant learning gaps.
A Quick Comparison
| Metric | PS 202 | NYC Average |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | ~23% | ~60% |
| Reading Proficiency | ~24% | ~59% |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | ~13:1 | ~14:1 |
| Parent Satisfaction | ~94% | ~87% |
Why Does PS 202 Matter?
It matters because it represents the "middle ground" of the Brooklyn education system. It's not a high-pressure "exam school," but it's also trying to be more than just a warehouse for kids. By leaning into journalism and multimedia, the school is betting that engagement is the key to eventually raising those test scores.
If you’re a parent, the decision to send your child to PS 202 Ernest S. Jenkyns really comes down to what you value. Do you want the small, neighborhood feel where the principal likely knows your kid’s name? Or are the low proficiency numbers a dealbreaker for you?
Actionable Steps for Parents
- Visit in person: Don't just trust a rating on a website from five years ago. Schedule a tour with the Parent Coordinator, Kiana Cole.
- Check the Zone: Use the NYC DOE's "Find a School" tool to see if you are officially zoned for 19K202.
- Look at the 3-K/Pre-K options: If you have a toddler, this is often the easiest way to "test drive" the school before committing to Kindergarten.
- Ask about the Magnet Program: Specifically, ask how many hours a week the kids spend in the journalism or multimedia labs.
- Review the School Quality Snapshot: The DOE releases these annually; they provide a much deeper dive into student progress than a single "grade" on a real estate site.
Ultimately, PS 202 is a school in transition. It’s moved past the scandals of the mid-2010s and is trying to carve out a niche as a creative hub in East New York. Whether that creativity leads to better test results is something that parents and the district will be watching closely over the next few years.