East Hill Historic District · Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 4.0Danby’s public schools outscore 63% of New York districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Danby, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. 52% of students in Danby’s public schools are proficient in math, above the New York average (46%). 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 81% 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.
Danby’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 52% and math 52% across both districts in spring 2022, against 49% and 46% statewide; 88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Ithaca City spends $29,527 per student and Spencer-Van Etten Central $29,317, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Ithaca Waldorf School (private) is 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 Danby’s grade
B: better than 63% of New York school districts, #257 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 Danby, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Danby · depends on your address
Ithaca Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,411 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Ithaca
Lehman Alternative Community School
Grades 6–12 · 265 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Ithaca
Spencer-Van Etten High School
Grades 9–12 · 234 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Spencer
10th grade in Danby · depends on your address
Ithaca Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,411 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Ithaca
Lehman Alternative Community School
Grades 6–12 · 265 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Ithaca
Spencer-Van Etten High School
Grades 9–12 · 234 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Spencer
11th grade in Danby · depends on your address
Ithaca Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,411 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Ithaca
Lehman Alternative Community School
Grades 6–12 · 265 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Ithaca
Spencer-Van Etten High School
Grades 9–12 · 234 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Spencer
12th grade in Danby · depends on your address
Ithaca Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,411 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Ithaca
Lehman Alternative Community School
Grades 6–12 · 265 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Ithaca
Spencer-Van Etten High School
Grades 9–12 · 234 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Spencer
Danby runs its own schools through grade 12 (Ithaca City School District). From grade PK, students attend the Spencer-Van Etten Central School District, shared with Erin, Spencer, Spencer and Van Etten. Its elementary school is in Ithaca. Parts of Danby (9% of its land) are served by Newfield Central instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Danby
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Danby vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New York towns that share Danby’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Danby | B | Ithaca City PK–12 · Spencer-Van Etten Central PK–12 |
| Caroline | B | Ithaca City |
| Newfield | C− | Newfield Central |
| Spencer | B− | Spencer-Van Etten Central |
| Candor | C+ | Candor Central |
| Ithaca | B | Ithaca City |
2 of the 5 neighbors share Ithaca City with Danby for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Danby
16 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 Danby’s schools
Are Danby’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of New York: the public schools Danby children attend outscore 63% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #257 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 67%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Danby in?
Two districts: Ithaca City School District runs grades PK–12, and Spencer-Van Etten Central School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Erin, Spencer, Spencer and Van Etten.
Where do Danby kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Ithaca Senior High School, Lehman Alternative Community School and Spencer-Van Etten High School.
What is Danby’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in Ithaca City School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.
How much does Danby spend per student?
$29,527 in Ithaca City School District and $29,317 in Spencer-Van Etten Central School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Danby?
Yes: Ithaca Waldorf School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 61 students).
Parents talk
What Danby families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Danby → 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.