Photo: Juliancolton · Public domainPoughkeepsie’s public schools outscore 62% of New York districts
The grade covers the three public school districts serving Poughkeepsie, 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 82% 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.
Poughkeepsie’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 914 New York towns with household incomes within a quarter of Poughkeepsie’s, its schools beat 68%, higher than their 62% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 50% and math 49% across its districts in spring 2022, against 49% and 46% statewide; 92% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Arlington Central spends $29,678 per student and Wappingers Central $25,695, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Orville A Todd Middle School, then Spackenkill High School. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Holy Trinity School (private), St. Martin de Porres School (private), Oakwood Friends School (private), Faith Christian Academy (private) and Poughkeepsie Day 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 Poughkeepsie’s grade
B: better than 62% of New York school districts, #269 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 Poughkeepsie, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Poughkeepsie
Vassar Road Elementary School
Grades PK–2 · 294 students · 15:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Poughkeepsie
Orville A Todd Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 385 students · 10:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Poughkeepsie
Orville A Todd Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 385 students · 10:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Poughkeepsie
Spackenkill High School
Grades 9–12 · 537 students · 10:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Poughkeepsie
Spackenkill High School
Grades 9–12 · 537 students · 10:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Poughkeepsie
Spackenkill High School
Grades 9–12 · 537 students · 10:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Poughkeepsie
Spackenkill High School
Grades 9–12 · 537 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Parts of Poughkeepsie (18% of its land) are served by Hyde Park Central instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Three districts serve Poughkeepsie
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Poughkeepsie vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New York towns that share Poughkeepsie’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Poughkeepsie | B | Wappingers Central PK–12 · Arlington Central K–12 · Spackenkill Union Free K–12 |
| LaGrange | B− | Arlington Central |
| Poughkeepsie (city) | D− | Poughkeepsie City |
| Wappinger | B+ | Wappingers Central |
| Hyde Park | C | Hyde Park Central |
| Marlborough | B | Marlboro Central |
| Pleasant Valley | C+ | Arlington Central K–12 · Hyde Park Central K–12 |
| Lloyd | B | Highland Central |
| Newburgh | — | Newburgh City PK–12 · Wallkill Central PK–12 |
2 of the 8 neighbors share Arlington Central with Poughkeepsie for grades K–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Poughkeepsie
15 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).
1 duplicate private-school records merged.
Questions about Poughkeepsie’s schools
Are Poughkeepsie’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of New York: the public schools Poughkeepsie children attend outscore 62% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #269 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 68%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Poughkeepsie in?
Arlington Central School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 7,644 students in 11 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Poughkeepsie are served by Hyde Park Central.
Where do Poughkeepsie kids go to high school?
Spackenkill High School, with 537 students; its own test results earn an A+.
What is Poughkeepsie’s graduation rate?
92% of the class of 2023 in Wappingers Central School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.
How much does Poughkeepsie spend per student?
$29,678 in Arlington Central School District, $25,695 in Wappingers Central School District and $32,275 in Spackenkill Union Free School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Poughkeepsie?
Yes: Holy Trinity School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 437 students), St. Martin de Porres School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 203 students), Oakwood Friends School (religious, grades 6–12, 169 students), Faith Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 124 students) and Poughkeepsie Day School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 28 students).
Parents talk
What Poughkeepsie families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Poughkeepsie → 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.