Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Syracuse’s public schools score below 97% of New York districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Syracuse’s districts is 15%, below the New York average (46%). The grade covers the public school district serving Syracuse, 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 93% 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.
Syracuse’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 19% of tested students were proficient in reading and 15% in math, against 49% and 46% statewide; 93% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
72% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across New York. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $28,865 per student, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
19 elementary schools, then 12 middle and five high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Southside Academy Charter School, Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School, Ontech Charter High School, Citizenship and Science Academy of Syracuse Charter School, Faith Heritage School (private), Blessed Sacrament School (private), Most Holy Rosary School (private), All Saints Elementary of Tipperary Hill (private) and Cathedral Academy at Pompei (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 Syracuse’s grade
D−: better than 3% of New York school districts, #750 of 755 New York towns. Both inputs trail the New York average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Syracuse, with each school’s own grade.
Syracuse’s public schools are run by Syracuse 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
Syracuse vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New York towns that share Syracuse’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Syracuse | D− | Syracuse City |
| Onondaga | B− | Onondaga Central |
| Geddes | C | Solvay Union Free |
| DeWitt | B+ | Jamesville-DeWitt Central PK–12 · East Syracuse-Minoa Central PK–12 |
| Salina | C+ | North Syracuse Central PK–12 · Liverpool Central K–12 |
| Solvay | C | Solvay Union Free |
| East Syracuse | B− | East Syracuse-Minoa Central |
Every school in Syracuse
39 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).
Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Hutchings Child & Youth Services and Onondaga Cnty Sheriff's Dept).
Questions about Syracuse’s schools
Are Syracuse’s schools good?
On New York’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Syracuse children attend score below 97% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D− Schools grade, #750 of 755 New York towns. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Syracuse in?
Syracuse City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 18,608 students in 31 schools (2024–25).
Where do Syracuse kids go to high school?
One of 5 high schools, depending on your address: Henninger High School, Nottingham High School, Corcoran High School, Public Service Leadership Academy at Fowler and Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central.
What is Syracuse’s graduation rate?
72% of the class of 2023 in Syracuse City School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.
How much does Syracuse spend per student?
$28,865 in Syracuse City School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Syracuse?
Yes: Faith Heritage School (religious, grades PK–12, 222 students), Blessed Sacrament School (Catholic, grades PK–6, 182 students), Most Holy Rosary School (Catholic, grades K–6, 110 students), All Saints Elementary of Tipperary Hill (Catholic, grades PK–6, 82 students) and Cathedral Academy at Pompei (Catholic, grades K–6, 58 students). Syracuse also has 4 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Syracuse families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Syracuse → 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.