Photo: Tyler A. McNeil · CC BY-SA 4.0Colonie’s public schools outscore 76% of New York districts
61% of students in Colonie’s public schools are proficient in math, above the New York average (46%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Colonie, 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 87% 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.
Colonie’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 841 New York towns with household incomes within a quarter of Colonie’s, its schools beat 85%, higher than their 76% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 56% and math 61% across both districts in spring 2022, against 49% and 46% statewide; 94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
North Colonie Central spends $21,609 per student and South Colonie Central $23,641, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Pius X (private), St. Pius X School (private), Catholic Central School (private), Annur Islamic School (private), Loudonville Christian School (private), Our Savior's Christian School (private), St. Gregorys School (private), River Run Community Montessori (private) and St. Colman's 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 Colonie’s grade
A−: better than 76% of New York school districts, #150 of 755 New York towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the New York average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Colonie, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Colonie · depends on your address
Shaker Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,486 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Latham
Sand Creek Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 873 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Albany
Lisha Kill Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 640 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Albany
7th grade in Colonie · depends on your address
Shaker Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,486 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Latham
Sand Creek Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 873 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Albany
Lisha Kill Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 640 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Albany
8th grade in Colonie · depends on your address
Shaker Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,486 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Latham
Sand Creek Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 873 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Albany
Lisha Kill Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 640 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Albany
9th grade in Colonie · depends on your address
Shaker High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,138 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Latham
Colonie Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,640 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Albany
10th grade in Colonie · depends on your address
Shaker High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,138 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Latham
Colonie Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,640 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Albany
11th grade in Colonie · depends on your address
Shaker High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,138 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Latham
Colonie Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,640 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Albany
12th grade in Colonie · depends on your address
Shaker High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,138 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Latham
Colonie Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,640 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Albany
Colonie runs its own schools through grade 12 (South Colonie Central School District). From grade K, students attend the North Colonie Central School District. Parts of Colonie (5%, 5% and 2% of its land) are served by Menands Union Free, Rotterdam-Mohonasen Central and Niskayuna Central instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Colonie
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Colonie vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New York towns that share Colonie’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Colonie | A− | South Colonie Central PK–12 · North Colonie Central K–12 |
| Watervliet | C− | Watervliet City |
| Cohoes | C− | Cohoes City |
| Albany | C− | Albany City |
| Guilderland | A− | Guilderland Central |
| Waterford | A | Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free PK–12 · Shenendehowa Central K–12 |
| Halfmoon | A− | Mechanicville City PK–12 · Shenendehowa Central K–12 |
| Green Island | — | Green Island Union Free |
| Green Island (village) | D− | Green Island Union Free |
| Clifton Park | A | Shenendehowa Central |
| Niskayuna | A− | Niskayuna Central |
| Menands | C+ | Menands Union Free |
| Rotterdam | B | Schalmont Central |
| Troy | C− | Troy City PK–12 · Lansingburgh Central PK–12 |
| Colonie (village) | B+ | South Colonie Central |
| North Greenbush | A− | East Greenbush Central PK–12 · Averill Park Central K–12 |
Every school in Colonie
27 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 (Cap Dist Juvenile Secure Detention).
Questions about Colonie’s schools
Are Colonie’s schools good?
By New York’s own tests, yes: the public schools Colonie children attend outscore 76% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #150 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 85%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Colonie in?
Two districts: South Colonie Central School District runs grades PK–12, and North Colonie Central School District runs grades K–12.
Where do Colonie kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Shaker High School and Colonie Central High School.
What is Colonie’s graduation rate?
94% of the class of 2023 in North Colonie Central School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.
How much does Colonie spend per student?
$21,609 in North Colonie Central School District and $23,641 in South Colonie Central School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Colonie?
Yes: St. Pius X (Catholic, grades PK–8, 516 students), St. Pius X School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 515 students), Catholic Central School (Catholic, grades PK–12, 310 students), Annur Islamic School (religious, grades PK–12, 214 students), Loudonville Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 178 students), Our Savior's Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 168 students), St. Gregorys School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 144 students), River Run Community Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 37 students) and St. Colman's School (special education, grades K–9, 37 students).
Parents talk
What Colonie families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Colonie → 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.