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Kingston, NY - view of the StockadePhoto: Amy Lavine · CC BY-SA 4.0
C−
Schools in Kingston · Kingston City School District

Kingston’s public schools score below 80% of New York districts on tests and graduation

Math proficiency in Kingston’s districts is 34%, below the New York average (46%). The grade covers the public school district serving Kingston, 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.

#657of 755 New York townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From New York state tests taken in spring 2022, when 76% 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
36%
▼ 13 pts vs NY 49%
2021–22
Math proficiency
34%
▼ 12 pts vs NY 46%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80%
▼ 7 pts vs NY 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$34.0K
▼ 2% vs NY $34.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
10.2
NY 11.2 · smaller classes
Schools in town
7
3,896 students on the public path
In brief

Kingston’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 36% of tested students were proficient in reading and 34% in math, against 49% and 46% statewide; 76% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

80% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across New York. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $33,964 per student, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 5 the district’s path is J Watson Bailey Middle School, then Kingston High School. Enrollment is down 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Kingston Catholic School (private) and Children's Home of Kingston (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 Kingston’s grade

C− Test scoresD Graduation

C−: better than 20% of New York school districts, #657 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 20%
Lower resultsHigher results
New York towns with similar household incomes (1074)Better than 19%
C−CA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,368 test results and a graduating class of 530 could put Kingston anywhere from C− to C. The tests are from spring 2022, when 76% of Kingston’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,446 in math, 2,290 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–43 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressD to C−
5–8J Watson Bailey Middle SchoolKingston City School DistrictC−
9–12Kingston High SchoolKingston City School DistrictA+

Kingston’s public schools are run by Kingston City School District, which also serves Esopus, Hurley, Kingston and Rosendale 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.

Kingston City School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 10 schools · 5,877 students, down 5% since 2020–21 · 10.2 per teacher (NY 11.2)
$33,964NY $34,607 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading36%
State average 48.9% · 2290 students tested
Math34%
State average 46.5% · 2446 students tested

Kingston vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
KingstonC−Kingston City
UlsterC−Kingston City
EsopusCKingston City PK–12 · New Paltz Central PK–12
RhinebeckA−Rhinebeck Central

2 of the 3 neighbors share Kingston City with Kingston, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Kingston

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 Kingstonby address
George Washington School
Elementary · Grades PK–4
D
492 students12:1Rate it →
Harry L Edson School
Elementary · Grades K–4
C−
397 students9:1Rate it →
John F Kennedy School
Elementary · Grades K–4
D
322 students9:1Rate it →
J Watson Bailey Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8
C−
936 students9:1Rate it →
Kingston High School
High · Grades 9–12
A+
1,749 students12:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Kingston Catholic School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
176 students15:1Rate it →
Children's Home of Kingston
Grades 5–12
Private · Special education · All-boys
28 students3:1Rate it →

Questions about Kingston’s schools

Are Kingston’s schools good?

On New York’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Kingston children attend score below 80% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #657 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 19%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Kingston in?

Kingston City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,877 students in 10 schools (2024–25).

Where do Kingston kids go to high school?

Kingston High School, with 1,749 students; its own test results earn an A+.

What is Kingston’s graduation rate?

80% of the class of 2023 in Kingston City School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.

How much does Kingston spend per student?

$33,964 in Kingston City School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Kingston?

Yes: Kingston Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 176 students) and Children's Home of Kingston (special education · all-boys, grades 5–12, 28 students).

Parents talk

What Kingston families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Kingston → 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.