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Old Parsonage, Old Chatham (Columbia County, New York) (retouched)Photo: Stanley P. Mixon, Photographer · Public domain
C
Schools in Chatham · Chatham Central School District

Chatham’s public schools score below 67% of New York districts on tests and graduation

On the state reading tests, 39% of Chatham’s students scored proficient, below the New York average (49%). The grade covers the public school district serving Chatham, 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.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From New York state tests taken in spring 2022, when 76% 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.

Reading proficiency
39%
▼ 10 pts vs NY 49%
2021–22
Math proficiency
46%
▼ 0 pts vs NY 46%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80–84%
▼ 3–7 pts vs NY 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$34.3K
▼ 1% vs NY $34.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
8.3
NY 11.2 · smaller classes
Schools in town
0
907 students on the public path
In brief

Chatham’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 39% of tested students were proficient in reading and 46% in math, against 49% and 46% statewide; 76% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

80–84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across New York (the state reports Chatham’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $34,286 per student, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Chatham Middle School, then Chatham High School. See the path ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Chatham’s grade

C+ Test scoresC− Graduation

C: better than 33% of New York school districts. Both inputs trail the New York average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

New York school districts we grade (1,013)Better than 33%
Lower resultsHigher results
New York towns with similar household incomes (1155)Better than 32%
C−BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 362 test results and a graduating class of 80 could put Chatham anywhere from C− to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 76% of Chatham’s students in the tested grades sat them (368 in math, 356 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Chatham, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–5Mary E Dardess Elementary SchoolChatham Central School DistrictC
6–8Chatham Middle SchoolChatham Central School DistrictC
9–12Chatham High SchoolChatham Central School DistrictA−

Chatham’s public schools are run by Chatham Central School District, which also serves Austerlitz, Canaan, Chatham and Ghent. 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.

Chatham Central School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 907 students, down 1% since 2020–21 · 8.3 per teacher (NY 11.2)
$34,286NY $34,607 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading39%
State average 48.9% · 356 students tested
Math46%
State average 46.5% · 368 students tested

Chatham vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the New York towns that share Chatham’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ChathamCChatham Central

Every school in Chatham

3 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).

Also serving Chathamin other towns
Mary E Dardess Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C
365 students10:1Rate it →
Chatham Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C
226 students7:1Rate it →
Chatham High School
High · Grades 9–12
A−
316 students8:1Rate it →

Questions about Chatham’s schools

Are Chatham’s schools good?

On New York’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Chatham children attend score below 67% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 32%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Chatham in?

Chatham Central School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 907 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

Where do Chatham kids go to high school?

Chatham High School, with 316 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Chatham’s graduation rate?

80–84% of the class of 2023 in Chatham Central School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.

How much does Chatham spend per student?

$34,286 in Chatham Central School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Chatham families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Chatham → 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.