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Lake Mohonk Mountain House ComplexLake Mohonk Mountain House Complex · Photo: Fred Hsu on en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
C
Schools in Rochester · Rondout Valley Central School District

Rochester’s public schools score below 68% of New York districts on tests and graduation

On the state reading tests, 37% of Rochester’s students scored proficient, below the New York average (49%). The grade covers the public school district serving Rochester, 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.

#563of 755 New York townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From New York state tests taken in spring 2022, when 87% 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
37%
▼ 12 pts vs NY 49%
2021–22
Math proficiency
36%
▼ 10 pts vs NY 46%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▼ 2–2 pts vs NY 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$39.2K
▲ 13% vs NY $34.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
9.6
NY 11.2 · smaller classes
Schools in town
4
1,693 students on the public path
In brief

Rochester’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 1091 New York towns with household incomes within a quarter of Rochester’s, its schools beat 27%, lower than their 32% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 37% of tested students were proficient in reading and 36% in math, against 49% and 46% statewide; 87% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across New York (the state reports Rochester’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $39,231 per student, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Rondout Valley Junior High School, then Rondout Valley High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Acorn Waldorf School (private) is 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 Rochester’s grade

C Test scoresC Graduation

C: better than 32% of New York school districts, #563 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 32%
Lower resultsHigher results
New York towns with similar household incomes (1091)Better than 27%
Towns in Ulster County (20)Better than 30%
C−B−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 752 test results and a graduating class of 173 could put Rochester anywhere from C− to B−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 87% of Rochester’s students in the tested grades sat them (796 in math, 708 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–32 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressC− to B−
7–8Rondout Valley Junior High SchoolRondout Valley Central School DistrictC−
9–12Rondout Valley High SchoolRondout Valley Central School DistrictA−

Rochester’s public schools are run by Rondout Valley Central School District, which also serves Marbletown and Rosendale. Parts of Rochester (12% and 2% of its land) are served by New Paltz Central and Ellenville Central 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.

Rondout Valley Central School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 5 schools · 1,693 students, down 3% since 2020–21 · 9.6 per teacher (NY 11.2)
$39,231NY $34,607 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading37%
State average 48.9% · 708 students tested
Math36%
State average 46.5% · 796 students tested

Rochester vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
RochesterCRondout Valley Central
GardinerB+New Paltz Central PK–12 · Wallkill Central PK–12
MarbletownCRondout Valley Central
WawarsingDEllenville Central
OliveBOnteora Central
Denning—Tri-Valley Central
New PaltzB+New Paltz Central

Every school in Rochester

6 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 Rochesterby address
Rondout Valley Intermediate School
Middle · Grades 4–6 · Accord
C−
358 students9:1Rate it →
Rondout Valley Junior High School
Middle · Grades 7–8 · Accord
C−
278 students9:1Rate it →
Rondout Valley High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Accord
A−
547 students11:1Rate it →
Also serving Rochesterin other towns
Kerhonkson Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–3 · Kerhonkson
C−
215 students9:1Rate it →
Marbletown Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–3 · Stone Ridge
B−
295 students10:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Acorn Waldorf School
Elementary · Grades PK–K · Accord
Private · Nonsectarian
44 students7:1Rate it →

Questions about Rochester’s schools

Are Rochester’s schools good?

On New York’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Rochester children attend score below 68% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #563 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 27%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Rochester in?

Rondout Valley Central School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,693 students in 5 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Rochester are served by New Paltz Central and Ellenville Central.

Where do Rochester kids go to high school?

Rondout Valley High School in Accord, with 547 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Rochester’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Rondout Valley Central School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.

How much does Rochester spend per student?

$39,231 in Rondout Valley Central School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Rochester?

Yes: Acorn Waldorf School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 44 students).

Parents talk

What Rochester families are saying about school.

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Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Rochester → 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.