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City Hall Elmira NYPhoto: Stilfehler 19:28, 9 July 2007 (CEST) · CC BY-SA 1.0
D
Schools in Elmira · Elmira City School District

Elmira’s public schools score below 93% of New York districts on tests and graduation

On the state reading tests, 23% of Elmira’s students scored proficient, below the New York average (49%). The grade covers the public school district serving Elmira, 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.

#729of 755 New York townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From New York state tests taken in spring 2022, when 90% 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
23%
▼ 26 pts vs NY 49%
2021–22
Math proficiency
23%
▼ 24 pts vs NY 46%
2021–22
Graduate on time
79%
▼ 8 pts vs NY 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$23.9K
▼ 31% vs NY $34.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.9
NY 11.2 · larger classes
Schools in town
7
3,841 students on the public path
In brief

Elmira’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 23% of tested students were proficient in reading and 23% in math, against 49% and 46% statewide; 90% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across New York. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $23,921 per student, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then two middle, one middle and one high school

Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Finn Academy: an Elmira Charter School 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Elmira’s grade

D− Test scoresD Graduation

D: better than 7% of New York school districts, #729 of 755 New York towns. Both inputs trail the New York average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.

New York school districts we grade (1,013)Better than 7%
Lower resultsHigher results
New York towns with similar household incomes (192)Better than 6%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,452 test results and a graduating class of 414 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 90% of Elmira’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,557 in math, 2,347 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–23 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
3–62 schoolsDepends on your addressD−
7–8Ernie Davis AcademyElmira City School DistrictD−
10–12Elmira High SchoolElmira City School DistrictA−

Elmira’s public schools are run by Elmira City School District, which also serves Ashland, Baldwin, Elmira and Southport and others. 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.

Elmira City School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 11 schools · 5,322 students, down 5% since 2020–21 · 14.9 per teacher (NY 11.2)
$23,921NY $34,607 · FY2024
D
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading23%
State average 48.9% · 2347 students tested
Math23%
State average 46.5% · 2557 students tested

Elmira vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ElmiraDElmira City
SouthportDElmira City

Every school in Elmira

8 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 Elmiraby address
Riverside Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–2
375 students18:1Rate it →
Diven School
Elementary · Grades PK–2
325 students15:1Rate it →
Fassett Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–2
295 students13:1Rate it →
Parley Coburn School
Elementary · Grades 3–6
D−
391 students13:1Rate it →
Thomas K Beecher School
Elementary · Grades 3–6
D−
338 students12:1Rate it →
Ernie Davis Academy
Middle · Grades 7–8
D−
844 students13:1Rate it →
Also serving Elmirain other towns
Elmira High School
High · Grades 10–12
A−
1,273 students22:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Finn Academy: an Elmira Charter School
Elementary · Grades K–6
Charter
411 students13:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Elmira Psychiatric Center).

Questions about Elmira’s schools

Are Elmira’s schools good?

On New York’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Elmira children attend score below 93% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #729 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 6%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Elmira in?

Elmira City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,322 students in 11 schools (2024–25).

Where do Elmira kids go to high school?

Elmira High School, with 1,273 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Elmira’s graduation rate?

79% of the class of 2023 in Elmira City School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.

How much does Elmira spend per student?

$23,921 in Elmira City School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Elmira families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Elmira → 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.