Best NYC Neighborhoods for Schools: DUMBO, Chelsea, and Midtown
By Sharon Ben-Moshe · June 19, 2026
By NCES proficiency data, Times Square / Midtown West (10036) tops our NYC school ranking at 85/100, ahead of DUMBO (11201) at 76 and Chelsea (10001) at 53.
Schools are 47% of NeighborScore. Among the New York City ZIPs we analyze, Times Square / Midtown West (10036) leads on schools at 85/100, ahead of DUMBO / Downtown Brooklyn (11201) at 76 and Chelsea / Hudson Yards (10001) at 53. Scores blend grade coverage with NCES math and reading proficiency.
Times Square / Midtown West (10036): 85
NCES data puts the area's schools at roughly 77% math and 83% reading proficiency — the strongest of the three, and a reminder that the commercial core's residential schools outperform its reputation.
DUMBO / Downtown Brooklyn (11201): 76
Schools in 11201 reach about 61% math and 69% reading across ~20 schools, with Brooklyn Technical High School as a top-tier anchor. Strong, and paired with mid-range safety it gives DUMBO the highest overall in the NYC set (60).
Chelsea / Hudson Yards (10001): 53
Chelsea reaches about 44% math across only a couple of in-ZIP public schools, for a 53 school score — solid but the lowest of the three, and a small sample to read carefully.
Bottom line
On schools alone, Midtown West (85) edges DUMBO (76), with Chelsea (53) behind. Pair the school score with each ZIP's safety and price before deciding. Source: NCES proficiency data.