Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0Ithaca’s public schools outscore 64% of New York districts
In Ithaca, 54% of tested students are proficient in math, 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.
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.
Ithaca’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 381 New York towns with household incomes within a quarter of Ithaca’s, its schools beat 89%, higher than their 64% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
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 ↓
Four elementary schools, then one middle school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Lehman Alternative Community School. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
New Roots Charter School and Cascadilla 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 Ithaca’s grade
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.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Ithaca, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Ithaca
Lehman Alternative Community School
Grades 6–12 · 265 students · 9:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Ithaca
Lehman Alternative Community School
Grades 6–12 · 265 students · 9:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Ithaca
Lehman Alternative Community School
Grades 6–12 · 265 students · 9:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Ithaca · depends on your address
Ithaca Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,411 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Lehman Alternative Community School
Grades 6–12 · 265 students · 9:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Ithaca · depends on your address
Ithaca Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,411 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Lehman Alternative Community School
Grades 6–12 · 265 students · 9:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Ithaca · depends on your address
Ithaca Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,411 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Lehman Alternative Community School
Grades 6–12 · 265 students · 9:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Ithaca · depends on your address
Ithaca Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,411 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Lehman Alternative Community School
Grades 6–12 · 265 students · 9:1 students per teacher
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.
Well above the state in reading
Ithaca vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New York towns that share Ithaca’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Ithaca | B | Ithaca City |
| Cayuga Heights | B | Ithaca City |
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).
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 89%. 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).
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: Cascadilla School (nonsectarian, grades 12, 3 students). Ithaca also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Ithaca families are saying about school.
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.