MS 51 WILLIAM ALEXANDER

1,026 Students

Middle School 6th - 8th

School Overview

MS 51 William Alexander, located in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn, is a highly regarded public middle school known for its strong emphasis on community, academic rigor, and the arts. The school operates with a philosophy that focuses on the "whole child," blending a challenging curriculum with extensive support systems to ensure students are prepared for competitive high schools. It is widely recognized for its inclusive environment and its commitment to fostering social-emotional growth alongside traditional academic achievement.

One of MS 51’s most distinctive features is its robust arts program, which includes specialized tracks in areas like drama, music, and visual arts, allowing students to explore their creativity deeply. Beyond the arts, the school is well-regarded for its collaborative faculty, active parent association, and a variety of extracurricular clubs that cater to diverse student interests. Because of its strong reputation and high demand, it remains one of the most sought-after middle schools in District 15, drawing families who value a well-rounded, inquiry-based educational experience.

1,026

Total Students

76.0

Full-Time Teachers

13.5

Student/Teacher Ratio

60.9%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for MS 51 WILLIAM ALEXANDER
Demographic	Student Count
White	285
Hispanic	344
Black	91
Asian	241
Two or More	57
American Indian	3
Pacific Islander	5

Hispanic
344 (33.5 %)
White
285 (27.8 %)
Asian
241 (23.5 %)
Black
91 (8.9 %)
Two or More
57 (5.6 %)
Pacific Islander
5 (0.5 %)
American Indian
3 (0.3 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Middle School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #15
Phone:	(718)369-7603
Grade Range:	6th - 8th
Total Students:	1,026
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	76.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	13.5
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	588
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	37

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 6 359

Grade 7 349

Grade 8 318