At a glance
Reported students
663
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
56
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
11.8:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
New York elementary enrollment
87th percentile
Compared with 2,546 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
255
PS 249 Caton (The): 663 reported students.
State peer staffing position
53rd percentile
11.8:1 reported; state peer median 11.7:1. Ratio is not class size.
What the reported data says about PS 249 Caton (The)
PS 249 Caton (The) is a public elementary school serving grades PK–05 in Brooklyn. It is one of 49 current school records connected to New York City Geographic District #17. NCES reports 663 students for 2024–25.
Among 2,546 elementary schools in New York with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 416 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 87th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 11.8:1, close to the New York median of 11.7:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Hispanic or Latino (45.2%) and Black (38.6%). These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
Questions worth asking PS 249 Caton (The)
- 1How do the reported 11.8:1 student–teacher ratio and 56 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3How many counselors, nurses, psychologists, and social workers currently serve students?
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 83.9%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White7.1%
- Hispanic45.2%
- Black38.6%
- Asian5.9%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.9%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.5%
- Multiracial1.7%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Other schools in New York City Geographic District #17
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
PS 316 Elijah Stroud
Elementary · Grades PK–05
644 reported students
Norma Adams Clemons Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–05
588 reported students
PS 181
Elementary · Grades PK–08
568 reported students
PS 189 Bilingual Center (The)
Elementary · Grades KG–08
887 reported students
New Bridges Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
431 reported students
PS 241 Emma L Johnston
Elementary · Grades PK–05
369 reported students
Public schools near PS 249 Caton (The)
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS 245 Elementary · New York City Geographic District #22 | PK–05 | 228 | 0.4 mi |
| PS 889 Elementary · New York City Geographic District #22 | PK–05 | 423 | 0.4 mi |
| Success Academy Charter School-Flatbush Elementary · Charter · Success Academy Charter School-Flatbush | KG–04 | 598 | 0.5 mi |
| PS 130 Parkside (The) Elementary · New York City Geographic District #15 | PK–05 | 891 | 0.5 mi |
| Norma Adams Clemons Academy Elementary · New York City Geographic District #17 | PK–05 | 588 | 0.5 mi |
| PS 139 Alexine a Fenty Elementary · New York City Geographic District #22 | PK–05 | 706 | 0.6 mi |
Frequently asked questions about PS 249 Caton (The)
What grades does PS 249 Caton (The) serve?
PS 249 Caton (The) reports grades PK–05 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in New York City Geographic District #17.
How many students attend PS 249 Caton (The)?
PS 249 Caton (The) reported 663 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 87th percentile among 2,546 New York elementary schools reporting enrollment.
What is the student–teacher ratio at PS 249 Caton (The)?
The calculated ratio is 11.8:1, based on 663 students and 56 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The New York median for the same school level is 11.7:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is PS 249 Caton (The) a public, charter, or magnet school?
PS 249 Caton (The) is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on New York City Geographic District #17 attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of PS 249 Caton (The) students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
83.9% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is PS 249 Caton (The) in?
PS 249 Caton (The) is part of New York City Geographic District #17, based in Brooklyn, NY, which operates 49 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near PS 249 Caton (The)?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include PS 245 (0.4 mi), PS 889 (0.4 mi), Success Academy Charter School-Flatbush (0.5 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.