Original Research by School Decision on Ps 36
PS 36 is a special education school serving early childhood through middle school in Brooklyn's East New York neighborhood. Its enrollment is small, and the student population is predominantly Black and Hispanic; a substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic circumstances of the families the school serves.
Because PS 36 is a special education school, state testing data do not apply, and no graduation rate is available—the school serves younger grades and students whose individualized education programs may focus on skills beyond grade-level academic benchmarks. The school's mission centers on serving students with disabilities across a broad grade span, which means families should understand this is not a traditional academic pathway with standardized assessment outcomes displayed in the same way as general-education schools.
The school is part of NYC Special Schools District 75, a dedicated citywide system for students with disabilities. That district has undergone significant recent changes. In 2024 the city proposed major budget cuts to District 75 schools that threatened cuts to extracurriculars, supplies, and paraprofessional staffing; after community pushback, the Education Department reversed course and confirmed no school-based budget reductions would occur. This episode matters for parents because staffing and service capacity directly affect students with significant disabilities, and it signals the funding pressures families should monitor going forward.
District 75 has also been adopting a science-of-reading literacy framework across its schools called NYC Reads, which standardizes phonics-based instruction while remaining flexible enough to accommodate the wide range of student needs in the district—some students follow life-skills curricula, others grade-level ones. For families, this means more consistent, evidence-based reading instruction and easier continuity if a student changes schools within the district.
Beyond curriculum changes, the city has been expanding District 75 seat capacity by opening new programs and sites across multiple boroughs since 2023 to reduce deficits and allow students with disabilities to attend school closer to home. Several new programs opened in Brooklyn and other boroughs in recent school years, with additional schools slated to open in fall 2026 in the Bronx and Queens. Though significant seat shortages persist in some areas, this expansion effort suggests the district is working to improve access and reduce commute distances for families.
The school's location in East New York places it in a neighborhood of dense residential blocks and mixed commercial corridors typical of central Brooklyn. Brooklyn overall is highly walkable and transit-rich, with extensive subway and bus service; the borough has been in a sustained growth period, with strong housing development and employment growth in healthcare, higher education, and technology sectors. Housing costs in the 11207 zip code have been rising modestly, and rental costs are also climbing. For families choosing PS 36, the school is embedded in an urban neighborhood with good transit access and a working-class character.
Parents considering PS 36 should reach out directly to the school to understand its specific programs, staffing levels, and service offerings for their child's needs, particularly given the range of abilities served in District 75 schools. Information about special education programming, behavioral supports, paraprofessional availability, and any related services should be discussed during the placement and enrollment process.
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