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Dunkirk New York aerial viewPhoto: Ken Winters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Public domain
D
Schools in Dunkirk · Dunkirk City School District

Dunkirk’s public schools score below 94% of New York districts on tests and graduation

29% of students in Dunkirk’s public schools are proficient in reading, below the New York average (49%). The grade covers the public school district serving Dunkirk, 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.

#733of 755 New York townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From New York state tests taken in spring 2022, when 93% 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
29%
▼ 20 pts vs NY 49%
2021–22
Math proficiency
29%
▼ 18 pts vs NY 46%
2021–22
Graduate on time
70–74%
▼ 13–17 pts vs NY 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$27.6K
▼ 20% vs NY $34.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
8.9
NY 11.2 · smaller classes
Schools in town
7
1,900 students on the public path
In brief

Dunkirk’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 29% of tested students were proficient in reading and 29% in math, against 49% and 46% statewide; 93% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

70–74% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across New York (the state reports Dunkirk’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $27,591 per student, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then two middle and one middle school

Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 13% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Northern Chautauqua Catholic School (private) and Central Christian Academy (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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Dunkirk’s grade

D Test scoresD− Graduation

D: better than 6% of New York school districts, #733 of 755 New York towns. 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 6%
Lower resultsHigher results
New York towns with similar household incomes (578)Better than 4%
D−DA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 936 test results and a graduating class of 177 could put Dunkirk anywhere from D− to D. The tests are from spring 2022, when 93% of Dunkirk’s students in the tested grades sat them (989 in math, 884 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–23 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressD− to C
3–62 schoolsDepends on your addressD
7–12Dunkirk Senior High SchoolDunkirk City School DistrictA

Dunkirk’s public schools are run by Dunkirk City School District, which also serves Dunkirk. 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.

Dunkirk City School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 5 schools · 1,900 students, up 13% since 2020–21 · 8.9 per teacher (NY 11.2)
$27,591NY $34,607 · FY2024
D
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading29%
State average 48.9% · 884 students tested
Math29%
State average 46.5% · 989 students tested

Dunkirk vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
DunkirkDDunkirk City

Every school in Dunkirk

7 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).

District schools in Dunkirkby address
School 3
Elementary · Grades PK–2
D−
157 students10:1Rate it →
School 5
Elementary · Grades K–2
C
152 students9:1Rate it →
School 7
Elementary · Grades K–3
D
134 students6:1Rate it →
Dunkirk Intermediate School
Elementary · Grades 3–6
D
575 students9:1Rate it →
Dunkirk Senior High School
High · Grades 7–12
A
882 students10:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Northern Chautauqua Catholic School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
164 students10:1Rate it →
Central Christian Academy
Grades PK–12
Private · Religious
84 students8:1Rate it →

Questions about Dunkirk’s schools

Are Dunkirk’s schools good?

On New York’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Dunkirk children attend score below 94% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #733 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 4%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Dunkirk in?

Dunkirk City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,900 students in 5 schools (2024–25).

What is Dunkirk’s graduation rate?

70–74% of the class of 2023 in Dunkirk City School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.

How much does Dunkirk spend per student?

$27,591 in Dunkirk City School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Dunkirk?

Yes: Northern Chautauqua Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 164 students) and Central Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 84 students).

Parents talk

What Dunkirk families are saying about school.

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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Dunkirk → 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.