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D
Schools in Rensselaer · Rensselaer City School District

Rensselaer’s public schools score below 93% of New York districts on tests and graduation

In Rensselaer, 21% of tested students are proficient in math, below the New York average (46%). The grade covers the public school district serving Rensselaer, 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.

#727of 755 New York townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From New York state tests taken in spring 2022, when 91% 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
28%
▼ 21 pts vs NY 49%
2021–22
Math proficiency
21%
▼ 26 pts vs NY 46%
2021–22
Graduate on time
75–79%
▼ 8–12 pts vs NY 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$25.2K
▼ 27% vs NY $34.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
11.5
NY 11.2
Schools in town
4
949 students on the public path
In brief

Rensselaer’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 28% of tested students were proficient in reading and 21% in math, against 49% and 46% statewide; 91% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

75–79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across New York (the state reports Rensselaer’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $25,191 per student, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Rensselaer Junior/Senior High School. Enrollment is down 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Nurses Middle College Charter High School-Capital Region and Doane Stuart 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Rensselaer’s grade

D Test scoresD Graduation

D: better than 7% of New York school districts, #727 of 755 New York towns. Both inputs trail the New York average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.

New York school districts we grade (1,013)Better than 7%
Lower resultsHigher results
New York towns with similar household incomes (1116)Better than 3%
D−C−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 454 test results and a graduating class of 70 could put Rensselaer anywhere from D− to C−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 91% of Rensselaer’s students in the tested grades sat them (470 in math, 439 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–5Van Rensselaer Elementary SchoolRensselaer City School DistrictD
6–12Rensselaer Junior/Senior High SchoolRensselaer City School DistrictC−

Rensselaer’s public schools are run by Rensselaer City School District. 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.

Rensselaer City School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 2 schools · 949 students, down 7% since 2020–21 · 11.5 per teacher (NY 11.2)
$25,191NY $34,607 · FY2024
D
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading28%
State average 48.9% · 439 students tested
Math21%
State average 46.5% · 470 students tested

Rensselaer vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
RensselaerDRensselaer City
North GreenbushA−East Greenbush Central PK–12 · Averill Park Central K–12
East GreenbushA−East Greenbush Central
AlbanyC−Albany City

Every school in Rensselaer

4 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 Rensselaerby address
Van Rensselaer Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
D
487 students15:1Rate it →
Rensselaer Junior/Senior High School
High · Grades 6–12
C−
462 students9:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Nurses Middle College Charter High School-Capital Region
Secondary · Grades 9–10
Charter
83 students17:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Doane Stuart School
Grades PK–12
Private · Nonsectarian
97 students4:1Rate it →

Questions about Rensselaer’s schools

Are Rensselaer’s schools good?

On New York’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Rensselaer children attend score below 93% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #727 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 3%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Rensselaer in?

Rensselaer City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 949 students in 2 schools (2024–25).

What is Rensselaer’s graduation rate?

75–79% of the class of 2023 in Rensselaer City School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.

How much does Rensselaer spend per student?

$25,191 in Rensselaer City School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Rensselaer?

Yes: Doane Stuart School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 97 students). Rensselaer also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.

Parents talk

What Rensselaer families are saying about school.

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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.