How does your child's school district compare to others in the Capital Region?
Graduating Bethlehem High School seniors leave the building to join family members following commencement exercises on Friday, June 26, 2020, in Bethlehem, N.Y. 369 students were awarded diplomas this year, according to the district website.
Will Waldron/Times Union
The website Niche recently released its 2022 rankings of the best school districts in the country, which it says is based on “rigorous analysis of academic and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education along with test scores, college data,” as well as reviews from millions of students and parents.
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According to the website’s methodology, factors that weighed into a district’s ranking included state test scores, SAT/ACT scores, college readiness, graduation rates, teacher quality, public school district ratings, and more.
These are the top 20 rated school districts in the Albany area, as determined by Niche.
1
Bethlehem School District
Graduating Bethlehem High School seniors leave the building to join family members following commencement exercises on Friday, June 26, 2020, in Bethlehem, N.Y. 369 students were awarded diplomas this year, according to the district website.
Will Waldron/Times UnionOverall Niche grade: A+
Total schools: 7
Students: 4,368
Statewide ranking: 30/672
National ranking: 158/10,722
Average graduation rate: 95%
Why it ranks: “Bethlehem Central School District is a top-rated, public school district located in Delmar, NY. It has 4,368 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1. According to state test scores, 78% of students are at least proficient in math and 67% in reading,” Niche said.
2
North Colonie Central School District
Exterior of Shaker Junior High School Monday, Oct. 26, 2015, in Colonie, N.Y.
Will Waldron/Times UnionOverall Niche grade: A+
Total schools: 8
Students: 5,901
Statewide ranking: 37/672
National ranking: 196/10,722
Average graduation rate: 95%
Why it ranks: “North Colonie Central School District is a top-rated, public school district located in Latham, NY. It has 5,901 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. According to state test scores, 75% of students are at least proficient in math and 68% in reading,” Niche said.
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3
Niskayuna Central School District
Niskayuna High School graduates listen to welcoming remarks during their commencement ceremony at the Times Union Center on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Albany, N.Y.
Lori Van Buren/Times UnionOverall Niche grade: A+
Total schools: 8
Students: 4,314
Statewide ranking: 41/672
National ranking: 235/10,722
Average graduation rate: 93%
Why it ranks: "Niskayuna Central School District is a top-rated, public school district located in Schenectady, NY. It has 4,314 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1. According to state test scores, 74% of students are at least proficient in math and 72% in reading,” Niche said.
4
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District
Burnt Hills Ballston Lake fans cheer for their team against Niskayuna during a Suburban Council matchup at Burnt Hills Ballston Lake High School on Tuesday, June 1, 2021.
James Franco/Special to the Times UnionOverall Niche grade: A+
Total schools: 5
Students: 3,112
Statewide ranking: 63/672
National ranking: 381/10,722
Average graduation rate: 95%
Why it ranks: “Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District is a top rated, public school district located in Burnt Hills, NY. It has 3,112 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1. According to state test scores, 72% of students are at least proficient in math and 71% in reading,” Niche said.
5
East Greenbush Central School District
Exterior of Columbia High School on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, in East Greenbush, N.Y..
Will Waldron/Times UnionOverall Niche grade: A
Total schools: 7
Students: 4,135
Statewide ranking: 73/672
National ranking: 431/10,722
Average graduation rate: 95%
Why it ranks: “East Greenbush Central School District is a highly rated, public school district located in East Greenbush, NY. It has 4,135 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. According to state test scores, 73% of students are at least proficient in math and 69% in reading,” Niche said.
6
Voorheesville Central School District
Overall Niche grade: A
Total schools: 3
Students: 1,195
Statewide ranking: 81/672
National ranking: 482/10,722
Average graduation rate: 95%
Why it ranks: “Voorheesville Central School District is a highly rated, public school district located in Voorheesville, NY. It has 1,195 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1. According to state test scores, 80% of students are at least proficient in math and 70% in reading,” Niche said.
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7
Shenendehowa Central School District
Shenendehowa High School graduates make their way into Brent T. Steuerwald Plainsmen Stadium to begin commencement exercises on Friday morning, June 25, 2021, in Clifton Park, N.Y.
Will Waldron/Times UnionOverall Niche grade: A
Total schools: 12
Students: 9,582
Statewide ranking: 89/672
National ranking: 522/10,722
Average graduation rate: 92%
Why it ranks: “Shenendehowa Central School District is a highly rated, public school district located in Clifton Park, NY. It has 9,582 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. According to state test scores, 78% of students are at least proficient in math and 70% in reading,” Niche said.
8
Saratoga Springs City School District
Members of the Saratoga Springs High School girls cross country team take off at the start of the Suburban Council cross country championships on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, at SPA State Park in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Paul Buckowski/Times UnionOverall Niche grade: A
Total schools: 8
Students: 6,338
Statewide ranking: 108/672
National ranking: 690/10,722
Average graduation rate: 91%
Why it ranks: “Saratoga Springs City School District is a highly rated, public school district located in Saratoga Springs, NY. It has 6,338 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1. According to state test scores, 77% of students are at least proficient in math and 66% in reading,” Niche said.
9
Guilderland Central School District
Students from Westmere Elementary in Guilderland ride the bus after school earlier this year.
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times UnionOverall Niche grade: A
Total schools: 7
Students: 4,909
Statewide ranking: 116/672
National ranking: 792/10,722
Average graduation rate: 94%
Why it ranks: “Guilderland Central School District is a highly rated, public school district located in Guilderland Center, NY. It has 4,909 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1. According to state test scores, 69% of students are at least proficient in math and 63% in reading,” Niche said.
10
Averill Park Central School District
Averill Park cheerleaders cheer for their team during the season opener against Colonie at Averill Park High School on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
James Franco/Special to the Times UnionOverall Niche grade: A-
Total schools: 5
Students: 2,704
Statewide ranking: 153/672
Average graduation rate: 93%
Why it ranks: “Averill Park Central School District is a highly rated, public school district located in Averill Park, NY. It has 2,704 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1. According to state test scores, 73% of students are at least proficient in math and 67% in reading,” Niche said.
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11
Schodack Central School District
Maple Hill's Paige Bleau (4) during the first half of a girls' high school basketball game against the Hudson Friday, Feb.14, 2020, in Schodack, N.Y.
Hans Pennink/Special to the Times UnionOverall Niche grade: B+
Total schools: 2
Students: 923
Statewide ranking: 234/672
Average graduation rate: 90%
Why it ranks: “Schodack Central School District is an above average, public school district located in Castleton, NY. It has 923 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1. According to state test scores, 66% of students are at least proficient in math and 53% in reading,” Niche said.
12
Ballston Spa Central School District
Ballston Spa quarterback (10) Andrew Kramer facilitates a huddle before a play during their season opener against Bethlehem on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, in Ballston Spa, N.Y.
Jenn March/Special to the Times UnionOverall Niche grade: B+
Total schools: 6
Students: 4,087
Statewide ranking: 236/672
Average graduation rate: 89%
Why it ranks: “Ballston Spa Central School District is an above average, public school district located in Ballston Spa, NY. It has 4,087 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. According to state test scores, 67% of students are at least proficient in math and 59% in reading,” Niche said.
13
South Colonie Central School District
Graduates stand for the National Anthem as Colonie Central High School holds graduation for seniors on their football field on Friday, June 26, 2020, in Colonie, N.Y.
Lori Van Buren/Times UnionOverall Niche grade: B+
Total schools: 8
Students: 4,838
Statewide ranking: 252/672
Average graduation rate: 91%
Why it ranks: “South Colonie Central School District is an above average, public school district located in Albany, NY. It has 4,838 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1. According to state test scores, 64% of students are at least proficient in math and 53% in reading,” Niche said.
14
Stillwater Central School District
Stillwater's Grant Baker kicks the ball during a game against Mechanicville on Wednesday, Apr. 7, 2021, in Mechanicville, N.Y. (Jenn March, Special to the Times Union)
Jenn March/Jenn March PhotographyOverall Niche grade: B+
Total schools: 2
Students: 1,051
Statewide ranking: 263/672
Average graduation rate: 92%
Why it ranks: “Stillwater Central School District is an above average, public school district located in Stillwater, NY. It has 1,051 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. According to state test scores, 69% of students are at least proficient in math and 58% in reading,” Niche said.
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15
Schalmont Central School District
Graduate Dillon DiGirolamo puts on his face mask in the back of his family's pickup truck as graduates pick up their diplomas during a drive through graduation at Schalmont High School on Friday, June 19, 2020, in Rotterdam, N.Y.
Lori Van Buren/Times UnionOverall Niche grade: B
Total schools: 3
Students: 1,833
Statewide ranking: 273/672
Average graduation rate: 87%
Why it ranks: “Schalmont Central School District is an above average, public school district located in Schenectady, NY. It has 1,833 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. According to state test scores, 58% of students are at least proficient in math and 57% in reading,” Niche said.
16
Troy City School District
Exterior of School 2 in the Troy City School District on 10th St. on Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, in Troy, N.Y.
Lori Van Buren/Times UnionOverall Niche grade: B
Total schools: 8
Students: 3,998
Statewide ranking: 298/672
Average graduation rate: 85%
Why it ranks: “Troy City School District is an above average, public school district located in Troy, NY. It has 3,998 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 10 to 1. According to state test scores, 38% of students are at least proficient in math and 40% in reading,” Niche said.
17
Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District
Overall Niche grade: B-
Total schools: 4
Students: 1,886
Average graduation rate: 87%
Why it ranks: “Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District is a public school district located in Ravena, NY. It has 1,886 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. According to state test scores, 56% of students are at least proficient in math and 51% in reading,” Niche said.
18
Brunswick Central School District
Entrance to Brittonkill Central School Friday Aug. 5, 2016, in Brunswick, NY.
John Carl D'Annibale/Times UnionOverall Niche grade: B-
Total schools: 2
Students: 1,187
Average graduation rate: 87%
Why it ranks: “Brunswick Central School District is a public school district located in Troy, NY. It has 1,187 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. According to state test scores, 52% of students are at least proficient in math and 54% in reading,” Niche said.
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19
Scotia-Glenville Central School District
Mamma Mia!, Scotia Glenville HIgh School
Gary McPherson/For the Times UnionOverall Niche grade: B-
Total schools: 6
Students: 2,427
Average graduation rate: 83%
Why it ranks: “Scotia-Glenville Central School District is a public school district located in Scotia, NY. It has 2,427 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. According to state test scores, 64% of students are at least proficient in math and 57% in reading,” Niche said.
20
Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District
Waterford-Halfmoon School on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016, in Waterford, N.Y.
John Carl D'Annibale/Times UnionOverall Niche grade: B-
Total schools: 2
Students: 774
Average graduation rate: 92%
Why it ranks: “Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District is a public school district located in Waterford, NY. It has 774 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. According to state test scores, 60% of students are at least proficient in math and 54% in reading,” Niche said.
