syracuse.com
Some of Upstate New York's school districts rank among the best educational systems in America.
A new ranking by community analysis site Niche.com uses key factors, including test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, spending per student and more, to grade every school district in the country.
Below, you can find the 50 highest-scoring school districts all across Upstate New York, as well as proficiency, graduation rates, average SAT scores and other information for each district, updated for 2019. Every school below received a grade of A- or better. For a full report card on each district, click the name of the district.
#50 Keene Central School District (Keene Valley, Essex County)
Students: 162
Student/teacher ratio: 7:1
Spending per student: $30,018
Overall grade: A-
Percent proficient in math: 67%
Percent proficient in reading: 67%
Percent graduation rate: Not provided
Average SAT: 1260
#49 Baldwinsville Central School District (Baldwinsville, Onondaga County)
Students: 5,569
Student/teacher ratio: 15:1
Spending per student: $16,632
Overall grade: A-
Percent proficient in math: 62%
Percent proficient in reading: 52%
Percent graduation rate: 94%
Average SAT: 1220
#48 East Greenbush Central School District (East Greenbush, Rensselaer County)
Students: 3,981
Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
Spending per student: $19,399
Overall grade: A-
Percent proficient in math: 70%
Percent proficient in reading: 66%
Percent graduation rate: 94%
Average SAT: 1240
#47 Clinton Central School District (Clinton, Oneida County)
Students: 1,294
Student/teacher ratio: 15:1
Spending per student: $19,337
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 72%
Percent proficient in reading: 62%
Percent graduation rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1240
#46 Canandaigua City School District (Canandaigua, Ontario County)
Students: 3,555
Student/teacher ratio: 12:1
Spending per student: $17,089
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 61%
Percent proficient in reading: 58%
Percent graduation rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1240
#45 Grand Island Central School District (Grand Island, Erie County)
Students: 2,953
Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
Spending per student: $22,780
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 66%
Percent proficient in reading: 59%
Percent graduation rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1180
#44 Saratoga Springs City School District (Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County)
Students: 6,337
Student/teacher ratio: 14:1
Spending per student: $16,174
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 72%
Percent proficient in reading: 64%
Percent graduation rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1230
#43 Hilton Central School District (Hilton, Monroe County)
Students: 4410
Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
Spending per student: $16,226
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 61%
Percent proficient in reading: 57%
Percent graduation rate: 94%
Average SAT: 1200
#42 Hamburg Central School District (Hamburg, Erie County)
Students: 3531
Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
Spending per student: $18,184
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 73%
Percent proficient in reading: 69%
Percent graduation rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1200
#41 Carmel Central School District (Patterson, Putnam County)
Students: 4,161
Student/teacher ratio: 14:1
Spending per student: $26,312
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 60%
Percent proficient in reading: 55%
Percent graduation rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1200
#40 Spencerport Central School District (Spencerport, Monroe County)
Students: 3,573
Student/teacher ratio: 12:1
Spending per student: $19,158
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 75%
Percent proficient in reading: 66%
Percent graduation rate: 94%
Average SAT: 1180
#39 Monroe-Woodbury Central School District (Central Valley, Orange County)
Students: 6842
Student/teacher ratio: 15:1
Spending per student: $22,749
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 68%
Percent proficient in reading: 57%
Percent graduation rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1190
#38 Vestal Central School District (Vestal, Broome County)
Students: 3,308
Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
Spending per student: $19,451
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 63%
Percent proficient in reading: 60%
Percent graduation rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1260
#37 Lewiston-Porter Central School District (Youngstown, Niagara County)
Students: 2,058
Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
Spending per student: $19,380
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 72%
Percent proficient in reading: 67%
Percent graduation rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1230
#36 Arlington Central School District (Lagrangeville, Dutchess County)
Students: 8,496
Student/teacher ratio: 14:1
Spending per student: $20,466
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 57%
Percent proficient in reading: 50%
Percent graduation rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1230
#35 Sweet Home Central School District (Amherst, Erie County)
Students: 3,131
Student/teacher ratio: 12:1
Spending per student: $21,397
Overall grade:
Percent proficient in math: 54%
Percent proficient in reading: 51%
Percent graduation rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1140
#34 Rhinebeck Central School District (Rhinebeck, Dutchess County)
Students: 1107
Student/teacher ratio: 12:1
Spending per student: $26,600
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 59%
Percent proficient in reading: 55%
Percent graduation rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1260
#33 Windsor Central School District (Windsor, Broome County)
Students: 1,666
Student/teacher ratio: 11:1
Spending per student: 18,827
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 65%
Percent proficient in reading: 51%
Percent graduation rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1180
#32 New Paltz Central School District (New Paltz, Ulster County)
Students: 2,213
Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
Spending per student: $23,034
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 63%
Percent proficient in reading: 57%
Percent graduation rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1240
#31 Warwick Valley Central School District (Warwick, Orange County)
Students: 3,638
Student/teacher ratio: 15:1
Spending per student: 22,148
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 72%
Percent proficient in reading: 62%
Percent graduation rate: 96%
Average SAT: 1190
#30 Cazenovia Central School District (Cazenovia, Madison County)
Students: 1,449
Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
Spending per student: $17,051
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 70%
Percent proficient in reading: 67%
Percent graduation rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1210
#29 Voorheesville Central School District (Voorheesville, Albany County)
Students: 1164
Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
Spending per student: $18,203
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 78%
Percent proficient in reading: 72%
Percent graduation rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1260
#28 Starpoint Central School District (Lockport, Niagara County)
Students: 2,651
Student/teacher ratio: 14:1
Spending per student: $16,039
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 71%
Percent proficient in reading: 62%
Percent graduation rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1190
#27 Haldane Central School District (Cold Spring, Putnam County)
Students: 837
Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
Spending per student: $27,275
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 68%
Percent proficient in reading: 66%
Percent graduation rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1270
#26 Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District (Scotia, Schenectady County)
Students: 3,051
Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
Spending per student: $18,595
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 62%
Percent proficient in reading: 58%
Percent graduation rate: 97%
Average SAT: 1230
#25 Guilderland Central School District (Guilderland Center, Albany County)
Students: 4,851
Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
Spending per student: $17,837
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 69%
Percent proficient in reading: 61%
Percent graduation rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1250
#24 Orchard Park Central School District (Orchard Park, Erie County)
Students: 4818
Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
Spending per student: $17,363
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 67%
Percent proficient in reading: 62%
Percent graduation rate: 97%
Average SAT: 1220
#23 East Aurora Union Free School District (East Aurora, Erie County)
Students: 1,783
Student/teacher ratio: 16:1
Spending per student: $15,960
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 66%
Percent proficient in reading: 65%
Percent graduation rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1240
#22 Cornwall Central School District (Cornwall on Hudson, Orange County)
Students: 3,193
Student/teacher ratio: 15:1
Spending per student: $18,583
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 68%
Percent proficient in reading: 67%
Percent graduation rate: 94%
Average SAT: 1220
#21 Amherst Central School District (Amherst, Erie County)
Students: 2,917
Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
Spending per student: $18,114
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 64%
Percent proficient in reading: 61%
Percent graduation rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1220
#20 Ithaca City School District (Ithaca, Tompkins County)
Students: 5,310
Student/teacher ratio: 12:1
Spending per student: $21,674
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 63%
Percent proficient in reading: 60%
Percent graduation rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1320
#19 Skaneateles Central School District (Skaneateles, Onondaga County)
Students: 1,395
Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
Spending per student: $18,735
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 70%
Percent proficient in reading: 68%
Percent graduation rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1250
#18 Webster Central School District (Webster, Monroe County)
Students: 8,368
Student/teacher ratio: 14:1
Spending per student: 16,719
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 71%
Percent proficient in reading: 61%
Percent graduation rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1230
#17 Fairport Central School District (Fairport, Monroe County)
Students: 5,962
Student/teacher ratio: 12:1
Spending per student: $17,990
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 72%
Percent proficient in reading: 65%
Percent graduation rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1250
#16 Lansing Central School District (Lansing, Tompkins County)
Students: 1,169
Student/teacher ratio: 11:1
Spending per student: $25,086
Overall grade: A
Percent proficient in math: 63%
Percent proficient in reading: 57%
Percent graduation rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1300
#15 Jamesville-Dewitt Central School District (Dewitt, Onondaga County)
Students: 2,938
Student/teacher ratio: 14:1
Spending per student: $17,636
Overall grade: A+
Percent proficient in math: 75%
Percent proficient in reading: 66%
Percent graduation rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1280
#14 Victor Central School District (Victor, Ontario County)
Students: 4,429
Student/teacher ratio: 14:1
Spending per student: $15,505
Overall grade: A+
Percent proficient in math: 69%
Percent proficient in reading: 59%
Percent graduation rate: 96%
Average SAT: 1250
#13 Spackenkill Union Free School District (Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County)
Students: 1,452
Student/teacher ratio: 11:1
Spending per student: $25,965
Overall grade: A+
Percent proficient in math: 64%
Percent proficient in reading: 61%
Percent graduation rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1270
#12 West Irondequoit Central School District (Rochester, Monroe County)
Students: 3,526
Student/teacher ratio: 14:1
Spending per student: $17,039
Overall grade: A+
Percent proficient in math: 72%
Percent proficient in reading: 70%
Percent graduation rate: 97%
Average SAT: 1200
#11 Honeoye Falls-Lima Central School District (Honeoye Falls, Monroe County)
Students: 2,216
Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
Spending per student: $17,500
Overall grade: A+
Percent proficient in math: 73%
Percent proficient in reading: 68%
Percent graduation rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1270
#10 Clarence Central School District (Clarence, Erie County)
Students: 4,451
Student/teacher ratio: 14;1
Spending per student: $14,026
Overall grade: A+
Percent proficient in math: 77%
Percent proficient in reading: 68%
Percent graduation rate: 94%
Average SAT: 1250
#9 North Colonie Central School District (Latham, Albany County)
Students: 5,448
Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
Spending per student: $16,905 (estimate, not provided)
Overall grade: A+
Percent proficient in math: 72%
Percent proficient in reading: 62%
Percent graduation rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1260
#8 New Hartford Central School District (New Hartford, Oneida County)
Students: 2,572
Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
Spending per student: $17,317
Overall grade: A+
Percent proficient in math: 68%
Percent proficient in reading: 65%
Percent graduation rate: 96%
Average SAT: 1250
#7 Niskayuna Central School District (Schenectady, Schenectady County)
Students: 4,113
Student/teacher ratio: 14:1
Spending per student: $16,647
Overall grade: A+
Percent proficient in math: 74%
Percent proficient in reading: 64%
Percent graduation rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1280
#6 Bethlehem Central School District (Delmar, Albany County)
Students: 4,580
Student/teacher ratio: 15:1
Spending per student: $17,996
Overall grade: A+
Percent proficient in math: 74%
Percent proficient in reading: 69%
Percent graduation rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1280
#5 Penfield Central School District (Rochester, Monroe County)
Students: 4,447
Student/teacher ratio: 12:1
Spending per student: $18,665
Overall grade: A+
Percent proficient in math: 78%
Percent proficient in reading: 71%
Percent graduation rate: 96%
Average SAT: 1280
#4 Williamsville Central School District (East Amherst, Erie County)
Students: 9,882
Student/teacher ratio: 14:1
Spending per student: $15,901
Overall grade: A+
Percent proficient in math: 74%
Percent proficient in reading: 68%
Percent graduation rate: 94%
Average SAT: 1260
#3 Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District (Manlius, Onondaga County)
Students: 4,174
Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
Spending per student: $18,467
Overall grade: A+
Percent proficient in math: 82%
Percent proficient in reading: 71%
Percent graduation rate: 96%
Average SAT: 1280
#2 Pittsford Central School District (Pittsford, Monroe County)
Students: 5,667
Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
Spending per student: $20,143
Overall grade: A+
Percent proficient in math: 81%
Percent proficient in reading: 76%
Percent graduation rate: 97%
Average SAT: 1300
#1 Brighton Central School District (Brighton, Monroe County)
Students: 3,486
Student/teacher ratio: 12:1
Spending per student: $18,919
Overall grade: A+
Percent proficient in math: 71%
Percent proficient in reading: 71%
Percent graduation rate: 96%
Average SAT: 1280
READ MORE: The 30 best high schools for athletes in Upstate NY, ranked for 2019
Ad Choices