Photo: Patrick Ashley · CC BY 2.0Rochester’s public schools score below 98% of New York districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Rochester’s districts is 13%, below the New York average (46%). 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.
From New York state tests taken in spring 2022, when 90% 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.
Rochester’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 16% of tested students were proficient in reading and 13% in math, against 49% and 46% statewide; 90% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
71% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across New York. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $35,718 per student, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
25 elementary schools, then nine middle and eight high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 14% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School, Genesee Community Charter School, Rochester Prep Charter School 1, Rochester Academy Charter School, University Preparatory Charter School for Young Men, Rochester Prep Charter School 2, Vertus Charter School, Rochester Prep Charter School 3, Exploration Ele CS - Science-Technol, Academy of Health Sciences Charter School, Citizenship and Science Academy of Rochester Charter School, Genesee Community Charter School-Flour City Campus, Rochester Academy of Science Charter School, Innova Girls Academy Charter School, Aquinas Institute (private), Mary Cariola Center (private), Holy Cross School (private), Nazareth Elementary (private), Rochester School for the Deaf (private), Mary Cariola, Building 2 (private), Hillside Children's Center -Andrews Trahey Campus (private), Nativity Preparatory Academy (private), Talmudical Institute of Upstate Ny (private), Rochester Classical Academy (private) and Ora 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.
What’s behind Rochester’s grade
D−: better than 2% of New York school districts, #754 of 755 New York towns. Both inputs trail the New York average; among the 327 New York towns with similar household incomes, Rochester’s schools place at the bottom.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Rochester, with each school’s own grade.
Rochester’s public schools are run by Rochester 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.
Well below the state in reading
Rochester vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New York towns that share Rochester’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester | D− | Rochester City |
| Irondequoit | B | East Irondequoit Central PK–12 · West Irondequoit Central PK–12 |
| Greece | B− | Greece Central PK–12 · Hilton Central PK–12 |
| Brighton | A− | Rush-Henrietta Central PK–12 · Brighton Central K–12 |
| Chili | B | Wheatland-Chili Central PK–12 · Churchville-Chili Central PK–12 |
| Gates | C | Gates-Chili Central |
Every school in Rochester
64 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).
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 98% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they place at the bottom. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Rochester in?
Rochester City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 21,588 students in 40 schools (2024–25).
Where do Rochester kids go to high school?
One of 8 high schools, depending on your address: Padilla High School, School of the Arts, School 58-World of Inquiry School, Joseph C Wilson Magnet High School, East Upper High School, James Monroe Upper School, Rochester Early College International High School and School Without Walls.
What is Rochester’s graduation rate?
71% of the class of 2023 in Rochester City School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.
How much does Rochester spend per student?
$35,718 in Rochester City School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Rochester?
Yes: Aquinas Institute (Catholic, grades 6–12, 717 students), Mary Cariola Center (special education, grades K–12, 253 students), Holy Cross School (Catholic, grades PK–6, 208 students), Nazareth Elementary (Catholic, grades PK–6, 116 students), Rochester School for the Deaf (special education, grades PK–12, 108 students), Mary Cariola, Building 2 (special education, grades 6–12, 96 students), Hillside Children's Center -Andrews Trahey Campus (nonsectarian, grades 5–12, 76 students), Nativity Preparatory Academy (Catholic, grades 5–8, 59 students), Talmudical Institute of Upstate Ny (religious · all-boys, grades 9–12, 50 students), Rochester Classical Academy (religious, grades PK–5, 49 students) and Ora Academy (religious · all-girls, grades 9–12, 18 students). Rochester also has 14 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Rochester families are saying about school.
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.