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Warren Hull House Aug 10Photo: Pubdog · Public domain
A−
Schools in Lancaster · Lancaster Central School District

Lancaster’s public schools outscore 78% of New York districts

On the state math tests, 59% of Lancaster’s students scored proficient, above the New York average (46%). The grade covers the public school district serving Lancaster, 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.

#131of 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
59%
▲ 12 pts vs NY 46%
2021–22
Graduate on time
97%
▲ 10 pts vs NY 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$20.6K
▼ 41% vs NY $34.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.1
NY 11.2 · larger classes
Schools in town
13
4,920 students on the public path
In brief

Lancaster’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 1068 New York towns with household incomes within a quarter of Lancaster’s, its schools beat 93%, higher than their 78% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 54% and math 59% in spring 2022, against 49% and 46% statewide; 97% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $20,555 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 7 the district’s path is Lancaster Middle School, then Lancaster High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. Marys High School (private), St. Marys Elementary School (private), Chesterton Academy of Buffalo (private) and Buffalo Suburban 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 Lancaster’s grade

B+ Test scoresA− Graduation

A−: better than 78% of New York school districts, #131 of 755 New York towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the New York average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

New York school districts we grade (1,013)Better than 78%
Lower resultsHigher results
New York towns with similar household incomes (1068)Better than 93%
Towns in Erie County (25)Better than 72%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,216 test results and a graduating class of 450 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 79% of Lancaster’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,380 in math, 2,051 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–33 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressB to A−
7–8Lancaster Middle SchoolLancaster Central School DistrictC
9–12Lancaster High SchoolLancaster Central School DistrictA+

Lancaster’s public schools are run by Lancaster Central School District, which also serves Depew and Lancaster. Parts of Lancaster (8%, 7% and 5% of its land) are served by Alden Central, Clarence Central and Depew Union Free instead. 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.

Lancaster Central School DistrictGrades K–12 · 7 schools · 5,321 students, down 2% since 2020–21 · 12.1 per teacher (NY 11.2)
$20,555NY $34,607 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading54%
State average 48.9% · 2051 students tested
Math59%
State average 46.5% · 2380 students tested

Lancaster vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
LancasterA−Lancaster Central
ElmaA−Iroquois Central
ClarenceAClarence Central
CheektowagaDCheektowaga Central
AldenB+Alden Central

Every school in Lancaster

13 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 Lancasterby address
Hillview Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–3
A−
451 students12:1Rate it →
Como Park Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–3
B
352 students11:1Rate it →
Court Street Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–3
B
285 students11:1Rate it →
William Street School
Middle · Grades 4–6
C+
1,274 students13:1Rate it →
Lancaster Middle School
Middle · Grades 7–8
C
876 students13:1Rate it →
Lancaster High School
High · Grades 9–12
A+
1,682 students12:1Rate it →
Other public schools in Lancasterrun by other districts or the state
Cayuga Heights Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Depew
D
846 students12:1Rate it →
Depew High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Depew
A+
581 students12:1Rate it →
Depew Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Depew
C−
421 students10:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. Marys High School
High · Grades 9–12
Private · Catholic
406 students13:1Rate it →
St. Marys Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
315 students15:1Rate it →
Chesterton Academy of Buffalo
High · Grades 9–12 · Bowmansville
Private · Catholic
29 students4:1Rate it →
Buffalo Suburban Christian Academy
Elementary · Grades K–8
Private · Religious
17 students8:1Rate it →

Questions about Lancaster’s schools

Are Lancaster’s schools good?

By New York’s own tests, yes: the public schools Lancaster children attend outscore 78% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #131 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 93%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Lancaster in?

Lancaster Central School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 5,321 students in 7 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Lancaster are served by Alden Central, Clarence Central and Depew Union Free.

Where do Lancaster kids go to high school?

Lancaster High School, with 1,682 students; its own test results earn an A+.

What is Lancaster’s graduation rate?

97% of the class of 2023 in Lancaster Central School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.

How much does Lancaster spend per student?

$20,555 in Lancaster Central School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Lancaster?

Yes: St. Marys High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 406 students), St. Marys Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 315 students), Chesterton Academy of Buffalo (Catholic, grades 9–12, 29 students) and Buffalo Suburban Christian Academy (religious, grades K–8, 17 students).

Parents talk

What Lancaster families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lancaster → 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.