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First Presbyterian ChurchFirst Presbyterian Church · Photo: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0
B−
Schools in Spencer · Spencer-Van Etten Central School District

Spencer’s public schools outscore 54% of New York districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Spencer, 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.

#364of 755 New York townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From New York state tests taken in spring 2022, when 92% 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
44%
▼ 5 pts vs NY 49%
2021–22
Math proficiency
44%
▼ 2 pts vs NY 46%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 3–7 pts vs NY 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$29.3K
▼ 15% vs NY $34.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
10.4
NY 11.2 · smaller classes
Schools in town
3
803 students on the public path
In brief

Spencer’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 953 New York towns with household incomes within a quarter of Spencer’s, its schools beat 75%, higher than their 54% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 44% of tested students were proficient in reading and 44% in math, against 49% and 46% statewide; 92% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across New York (the state reports Spencer’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $29,317 per student, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 5 the district’s path is Spencer-Van Etten Middle School, then Spencer-Van Etten High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

North Spencer Christian Academy (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 Spencer’s grade

C+ Test scoresB− Graduation

B−: better than 54% of New York school districts, #364 of 755 New York towns. Graduation is above the New York average; test scores are below it.

New York school districts we grade (1,013)Better than 54%
Lower resultsHigher results
New York towns with similar household incomes (953)Better than 75%
C+B+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 374 test results and a graduating class of 74 could put Spencer anywhere from C+ to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 92% of Spencer’s students in the tested grades sat them (373 in math, 374 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–4Spencer-Van Etten Elementary Schoolin Van EttenC
5–8Spencer-Van Etten Middle SchoolSpencer-Van Etten Central School DistrictC
9–12Spencer-Van Etten High SchoolSpencer-Van Etten Central School DistrictA−

Spencer’s public schools are run by Spencer-Van Etten Central School District, which also serves Danby, Erin, Spencer and Van Etten. Parts of Spencer (3% of its land) are served by Candor 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.

Spencer-Van Etten Central School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 803 students · 10.4 per teacher (NY 11.2)
$29,317NY $34,607 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading44%
State average 48.9% · 374 students tested
Math44%
State average 46.5% · 373 students tested

Spencer vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
SpencerB−Spencer-Van Etten Central
CandorC+Candor Central
DanbyBIthaca City PK–12 · Spencer-Van Etten Central PK–12
Van EttenB−Spencer-Van Etten Central
BartonC+Waverly Central PK–12 · Tioga Central PK–12

2 of the 4 neighbors share Spencer-Van Etten Central with Spencer, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Spencer

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 Spencerby address
Spencer-Van Etten Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8
C
236 students9:1Rate it →
Spencer-Van Etten High School
High · Grades 9–12
A−
234 students10:1Rate it →
Also serving Spencerin other towns
Spencer-Van Etten Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–4 · Van Etten
C
333 students12:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
North Spencer Christian Academy
Grades PK–9
Private · Religious
21 students4:1Rate it →

Questions about Spencer’s schools

Are Spencer’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of New York: the public schools Spencer children attend outscore 54% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #364 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 75%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Spencer in?

Spencer-Van Etten Central School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 803 students in 3 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Spencer are served by Candor Central.

Where do Spencer kids go to high school?

Spencer-Van Etten High School, with 234 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Spencer’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in Spencer-Van Etten Central School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.

How much does Spencer spend per student?

$29,317 in Spencer-Van Etten Central School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Spencer?

Yes: North Spencer Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–9, 21 students).

Parents talk

What Spencer families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Spencer → 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.