Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Albany’s public schools score below 85% of New York districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 27% of Albany’s students scored proficient, below the New York average (46%). The grade covers the public school district serving Albany, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within New York, not nationally.
From New York state tests taken in spring 2022, when 77% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Albany’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 30% of tested students were proficient in reading and 27% in math, against 49% and 46% statewide; 77% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
82% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across New York. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $29,416 per student, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
12 elementary schools, then three middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Brighter Choice Charter School for Boys, Brighter Choice Charter School for Girls, KIPP Tech Valley Charter School, KIPP Albany Community Charter School, Green Tech High Charter School, Henry Johnson Charter School, Albany Leadership Charter School for Girls, Albany Academies (private), All Saints Catholic Academy (private), Academy of the Holy Names (private), Mater Christi School (private), Neil Hellman School/Northern Rivers Family Service (private), Blessed Sacrament School (private), Maimonides Hebrew Day School (private), Lasalle School (private), Castle Island Bilingual Montessori (private), St. Catherine's CTR for Children R & E May School (private), Hebrew Academy of the Capital District (private), St. Anne Institute (private) and The Free School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Albany’s grade
C−: better than 15% of New York school districts, #685 of 755 New York towns. Both inputs trail the New York average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Albany, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Albany · depends on your address
William S Hackett Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 615 students · 9:1 students per teacher
North Albany Academy Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 588 students · 9:1 students per teacher
Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 570 students · 8:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Albany · depends on your address
William S Hackett Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 615 students · 9:1 students per teacher
North Albany Academy Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 588 students · 9:1 students per teacher
Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 570 students · 8:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Albany · depends on your address
William S Hackett Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 615 students · 9:1 students per teacher
North Albany Academy Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 588 students · 9:1 students per teacher
Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 570 students · 8:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Albany
Albany High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,937 students · 15:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Albany
Albany High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,937 students · 15:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Albany
Albany High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,937 students · 15:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Albany
Albany High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,937 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Albany’s public schools are run by Albany City School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Albany vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New York towns that share Albany’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Albany | C− | Albany City |
| Bethlehem | A− | Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central PK–12 · Bethlehem Central K–12 |
| Guilderland | A− | Guilderland Central |
| Colonie | A− | South Colonie Central PK–12 · North Colonie Central K–12 |
| Rensselaer | D | Rensselaer City |
| Menands | C+ | Menands Union Free |
Every school in Albany
37 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with New York’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Tech Valley High School). 1 duplicate private-school records merged.
Questions about Albany’s schools
Are Albany’s schools good?
On New York’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Albany children attend score below 85% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #685 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 13%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Albany in?
Albany City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 8,509 students in 16 schools (2024–25).
Where do Albany kids go to high school?
Albany High School, with 2,937 students; its own test results earn a B+.
What is Albany’s graduation rate?
82% of the class of 2023 in Albany City School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.
How much does Albany spend per student?
$29,416 in Albany City School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Albany?
Yes: Albany Academies (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 667 students), All Saints Catholic Academy (Catholic, grades PK–8, 235 students), Academy of the Holy Names (catholic · all-girls, grades 6–12, 210 students), Mater Christi School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 141 students), Neil Hellman School/Northern Rivers Family Service (special education, grades 3–12, 138 students), Blessed Sacrament School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 126 students), Maimonides Hebrew Day School (religious, grades PK–12, 111 students), Lasalle School (catholic · all-boys, grades 7–12, 56 students), Castle Island Bilingual Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–4, 56 students), St. Catherine's CTR for Children R & E May School (special education, grades K–6, 52 students), Hebrew Academy of the Capital District (religious, grades K–8, 51 students), St. Anne Institute (special education · all-girls, grades 7–12, 38 students) and The Free School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 7 students). Albany also has 7 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Albany families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Albany → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within New York. Stars are from neighbors.