Photo: Alexisrael · CC BY-SA 3.0Orangetown’s public schools outscore 78% of New York districts
On the state math tests, 60% of Orangetown’s students scored proficient, above the New York average (46%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Orangetown, 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 81% 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.
Orangetown’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 394 New York towns with household incomes within a quarter of Orangetown’s, its schools beat 57%, lower than their 78% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 57% and math 60% across both districts in spring 2022, against 49% and 46% statewide; 96% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
South Orangetown Central spends $36,245 per student and Pearl River Union Free $34,464, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Margaret School (private) and Daytop Prep 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 Orangetown’s grade
A−: better than 78% of New York school districts, #125 of 755 New York towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the New York average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Orangetown, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Orangetown
William O Schaefer Elementary School
Grades PK–2 · 559 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Tappan
5th grade in Orangetown · depends on your address
Cottage Lane Elementary School
Grades 3–5 · 636 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Blauvelt
Pearl River Middle School
Grades 5–7 · 501 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Pearl River
6th grade in Orangetown · depends on your address
South Orangetown Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 641 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Blauvelt
Pearl River Middle School
Grades 5–7 · 501 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Pearl River
7th grade in Orangetown · depends on your address
South Orangetown Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 641 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Blauvelt
Pearl River Middle School
Grades 5–7 · 501 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Pearl River
8th grade in Orangetown · depends on your address
Pearl River High School
Grades 8–12 · 904 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Pearl River
South Orangetown Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 641 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Blauvelt
9th grade in Orangetown · depends on your address
Tappan Zee High School
Grades 9–12 · 911 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Orangeburg
Pearl River High School
Grades 8–12 · 904 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Pearl River
10th grade in Orangetown · depends on your address
Tappan Zee High School
Grades 9–12 · 911 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Orangeburg
Pearl River High School
Grades 8–12 · 904 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Pearl River
11th grade in Orangetown · depends on your address
Tappan Zee High School
Grades 9–12 · 911 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Orangeburg
Pearl River High School
Grades 8–12 · 904 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Pearl River
12th grade in Orangetown · depends on your address
Tappan Zee High School
Grades 9–12 · 911 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Orangeburg
Pearl River High School
Grades 8–12 · 904 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Pearl River
Orangetown runs its own schools through grade 12 (South Orangetown Central School District). From grade K, students attend the Pearl River Union Free School District. Parts of Orangetown (7% and 5% of its land) are served by Nyack Union Free and Nanuet Union Free instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Orangetown
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
Orangetown vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New York towns that share Orangetown’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Orangetown | A− | South Orangetown Central PK–12 · Pearl River Union Free K–12 |
| Clarkstown | A− | Clarkstown Central |
| Greenburgh | B− | Greenburgh Central |
| Tarrytown | A− | Union Free School District of the Tarrytowns K–12 · Irvington Union Free K–12 |
| Ramapo | D | Suffern Central PK–12 · East Ramapo Central K–12 |
| Chestnut Ridge | D− | East Ramapo Central |
| Nyack | A− | Nyack Union Free |
| Upper Nyack | A− | Nyack Union Free |
| Irvington | A | Irvington Union Free |
| Mount Pleasant | A | Pocantico Hills Central PK–8 · Mount Pleasant Central K–12 |
| Sleepy Hollow | B+ | Pocantico Hills Central PK–8 · Union Free School District of the Tarrytowns K–12 |
| Hastings-on-Hudson | A | Hastings-on-Hudson Union Free |
| Dobbs Ferry | A | Dobbs Ferry Union Free |
Every school in Orangetown
12 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).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Rockland Children's Psychiatric Center).
Questions about Orangetown’s schools
Are Orangetown’s schools good?
By New York’s own tests, yes: the public schools Orangetown children attend outscore 78% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #125 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 57%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Orangetown in?
Two districts: South Orangetown Central School District runs grades PK–12, and Pearl River Union Free School District runs grades K–12.
Where do Orangetown kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Tappan Zee High School and Pearl River High School.
What is Orangetown’s graduation rate?
96% of the class of 2023 in South Orangetown Central School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.
How much does Orangetown spend per student?
$36,245 in South Orangetown Central School District and $34,464 in Pearl River Union Free School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Orangetown?
Yes: St. Margaret School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 310 students) and Daytop Prep School (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 10 students).
Parents talk
What Orangetown families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Orangetown → 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.