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Ithaca Commons (New York)Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0
B
Schools in Ithaca · Ithaca City School District

Ithaca’s public schools outscore 64% of New York districts

On the state math tests, 54% of Ithaca’s students scored proficient, above the New York average (46%). The grade covers the public school district serving Ithaca, 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.

#246of 755 New York townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
54%
▲ 5 pts vs NY 49%
2021–22
Math proficiency
54%
▲ 8 pts vs NY 46%
2021–22
Graduate on time
88%
▲ 1 pts vs NY 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$29.5K
▼ 15% vs NY $34.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
10.3
NY 11.2 · smaller classes
Schools in town
6
3,365 students on the public path
In brief

Ithaca’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 54% and math 54% 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

The district spends $29,527 per student, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then two middle and two high schools

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

Choice beyond the district

Eac Montessori 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Ithaca’s grade

B+ Test scoresB− Graduation

B: better than 64% of New York school districts, #246 of 755 New York towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the New York average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

New York school districts we grade (1,013)Better than 64%
Lower resultsHigher results
New York towns with similar household incomes (765)Better than 65%
BB+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,006 test results and a graduating class of 402 could put Ithaca anywhere from B to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 79% of Ithaca’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,082 in math, 1,930 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressB to B+
6–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressC+ to B−
9–122 high schoolsDepends on your addressB to A+

Ithaca’s public schools are run by Ithaca City School District, which also serves Caroline, Cayuga Heights, Danby and Enfield 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.

Ithaca City School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 12 schools · 4,988 students, up 1% since 2020–21 · 10.3 per teacher (NY 11.2)
$29,527NY $34,607 · FY2024
B
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading54%
State average 48.9% · 1930 students tested
Math54%
State average 46.5% · 2082 students tested

Ithaca vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
IthacaBIthaca City
LansingA−Lansing Central
DrydenC−Dryden Central
Lansing (village)B+Ithaca City PK–12 · Lansing Central PK–12
EnfieldBIthaca City PK–12 · Trumansburg Central PK–12
DanbyBIthaca City PK–12 · Spencer-Van Etten Central PK–12
Cayuga HeightsBIthaca City
UlyssesBTrumansburg Central
NewfieldC−Newfield Central

4 of the 8 neighbors share Ithaca City with Ithaca, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Ithaca

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 Ithacaby address
Cayuga Heights Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B
270 students10:1Rate it →
Northeast School
Elementary · Grades K–5
B+
347 students9:1Rate it →
Dewitt Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
B−
559 students9:1Rate it →
Boynton Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C+
513 students9:1Rate it →
Also serving Ithacain other towns
Lehman Alternative Community School
High · Grades 6–12
B
265 students9:1Rate it →
Ithaca Senior High School
High · Grades 9–12
A+
1,411 students14:1Rate it →
Other public schools in Ithacarun by other districts or the state
Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga Boces
Grades K–12
Special Education
309 students4:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Eac Montessori School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Nonsectarian
227 students9:1Rate it →

Questions about Ithaca’s schools

Are Ithaca’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of New York: the public schools Ithaca children attend outscore 64% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #246 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 65%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Ithaca in?

Ithaca City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,988 students in 12 schools (2024–25).

Where do Ithaca kids go to high school?

One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Ithaca Senior High School and Lehman Alternative Community School.

What is Ithaca’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 Ithaca spend per student?

$29,527 in Ithaca City School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Ithaca?

Yes: Eac Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 227 students).

Parents talk

What Ithaca families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Ithaca → 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.