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Southward along NY 38 in late autumn, Sterling, New York - 20221027Photo: Andre Carrotflower · CC BY-SA 4.0
C−
Schools in Sterling · Red Creek Central School District, Hannibal Central School District

Sterling’s public schools score below 78% of New York districts on tests and graduation

On the state reading tests, 34% of Sterling’s students scored proficient, below the New York average (49%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Sterling, 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.

#638of 755 New York townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From New York state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% 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
34%
▼ 15 pts vs NY 49%
2021–22
Math proficiency
34%
▼ 12 pts vs NY 46%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80–84%
▼ 3–7 pts vs NY 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$28.6K
▼ 17% vs NY $34.6K
FY2024 · Hannibal Central
Students per teacher
9.7
NY 11.2 · smaller classes
Schools in town
0
1,991 students on the public path
In brief

Sterling’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 34% of tested students were proficient in reading and 34% in math, against 49% and 46% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

80–84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across New York (the state reports Sterling’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

Red Creek Central spends $30,397 per student and Hannibal Central $28,570, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

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 Sterling’s grade

C− Test scoresC− Graduation

C−: better than 22% of New York school districts, #638 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 22%
Lower resultsHigher results
New York towns with similar household incomes (850)Better than 24%
Towns in Cayuga County (23)Better than 4%
DC+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 944 test results and a graduating class of 104 could put Sterling anywhere from D to C+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 96% of Sterling’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,002 in math, 887 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressC
6–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressC− to C
9–122 high schoolsDepends on your addressB+ to A−

Sterling runs its own schools through grade 12 (Red Creek Central School District). From grade PK, students attend the Hannibal Central School District, shared with Granby, Hannibal, Hannibal and Oswego. Its elementary school is in Hannibal. Parts of Sterling (2% of its land) are served by Cato-Meridian Central instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Sterling

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Red Creek Central School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 783 students, down 5% since 2020–21 · 8.7 per teacher (NY 11.2)
$30,397NY $34,607 · FY2024
C
Hannibal Central School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 1,208 students, down 1% since 2020–21 · 10.5 per teacher (NY 11.2)
$28,570NY $34,607 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading · PK–12, Red Creek Central School District40%
State average 48.9% · 375 students tested
Math · PK–12, Red Creek Central School District40%
State average 46.5% · 413 students tested
Reading · PK–12, Hannibal Central School District29%
State average 48.9% · 512 students tested
Math · PK–12, Hannibal Central School District30%
State average 46.5% · 589 students tested

Sterling vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
SterlingC−Red Creek Central PK–12 · Hannibal Central PK–12
Fair Haven—Red Creek Central
WolcottCRed Creek Central PK–12 · North Rose-Wolcott Central PK–12
HannibalC−Hannibal Central
OswegoC−Oswego City PK–12 · Hannibal Central PK–12
VictoryC+Red Creek Central PK–12 · Cato-Meridian Central PK–12
Red Creek—Red Creek Central

4 of the 6 neighbors share Red Creek Central with Sterling for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.

Every school in Sterling

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).

Also serving Sterlingin other towns
Fairley School
Elementary · Grades PK–4 · Hannibal
C
495 students12:1Rate it →
Margaret W Cuyler Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Red Creek
C
350 students8:1Rate it →
Kenney Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8 · Hannibal
C−
379 students9:1Rate it →
Red Creek Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Red Creek
C
170 students9:1Rate it →
Hannibal High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Hannibal
A−
334 students10:1Rate it →
Red Creek High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Red Creek
B+
263 students10:1Rate it →

Questions about Sterling’s schools

Are Sterling’s schools good?

On New York’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Sterling children attend score below 78% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #638 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 24%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Sterling in?

Two districts: Red Creek Central School District runs grades PK–12, and Hannibal Central School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Granby, Hannibal, Hannibal and Oswego.

Where do Sterling kids go to high school?

One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Hannibal High School and Red Creek High School.

What is Sterling’s graduation rate?

80–84% of the class of 2023 in Hannibal Central School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.

How much does Sterling spend per student?

$30,397 in Red Creek Central School District and $28,570 in Hannibal Central School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Sterling families are saying about school.

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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Sterling → 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.