Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0Chester’s public schools outscore 66% of New York districts
In Chester, 54% of tested students are proficient in math, above the New York average (46%). The grade covers the three public school districts serving Chester, 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 79% 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.
Chester’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 438 New York towns with household incomes within a quarter of Chester’s, its schools beat 39%, lower than their 66% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in math, below in reading
Reading proficiency is 48% and math 54% across its districts in spring 2022, against 49% and 46% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Chester Union Free spends $33,546 per student and Warwick Valley Central $27,061, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle school
From grade 6 the district’s path is Chester Academy-Middle/High School. Enrollment is down 5% since 2020–21. 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.
What’s behind Chester’s grade
B+: better than 66% of New York school districts, #225 of 755 New York towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the New York average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Chester, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Chester
Chester Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 393 students · 10:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Chester
Chester Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 393 students · 10:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Chester
Chester Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 393 students · 10:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Chester
Chester Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 393 students · 10:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Chester
Chester Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 393 students · 10:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Chester
Chester Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 393 students · 10:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Chester
Chester Academy-Middle/High School
Grades 6–12 · 538 students · 11:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Chester
Chester Academy-Middle/High School
Grades 6–12 · 538 students · 11:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Chester
Chester Academy-Middle/High School
Grades 6–12 · 538 students · 11:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Chester
Chester Academy-Middle/High School
Grades 6–12 · 538 students · 11:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Chester
Chester Academy-Middle/High School
Grades 6–12 · 538 students · 11:1 students per teacher
To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Three districts serve Chester
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
Chester vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New York towns that share Chester’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Chester | B+ | Chester Union Free PK–12 · Monroe-Woodbury Central PK–12 · Warwick Valley Central K–12 |
| Blooming Grove | B | Washingtonville Central PK–12 · Monroe-Woodbury Central PK–12 |
| Goshen | B | Goshen Central |
| Warwick | A− | Warwick Valley Central |
| Monroe | B | Monroe-Woodbury Central |
| Chester (village) | B+ | Chester Union Free |
2 of the 5 neighbors share Monroe-Woodbury Central with Chester for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Chester
2 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).
Questions about Chester’s schools
Are Chester’s schools good?
By New York’s own tests, yes: the public schools Chester children attend outscore 66% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #225 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 39%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Chester in?
Chester Union Free School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 931 students in 2 schools (2024–25).
What is Chester’s graduation rate?
91% of the class of 2023 in Monroe-Woodbury Central School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.
How much does Chester spend per student?
$33,546 in Chester Union Free School District, $27,061 in Warwick Valley Central School District and $31,778 in Monroe-Woodbury Central School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Chester families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Chester → 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.