Photo: Brandon Peterman (Zyrshnikashnu at en.wikipedia) · CC BY-SA 3.0Tonawanda’s public schools score below 65% of New York districts on tests and graduation
Reading proficiency in Tonawanda’s districts is 37%, below the New York average (49%). The grade covers the public school district serving Tonawanda, 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 71% 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.
Tonawanda’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 37% of tested students were proficient in reading and 43% in math, against 49% and 46% statewide; 71% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
85% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across New York. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $25,894 per student, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then two middle and two middle schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Charter School for Applied Technologies, St. Josephs Collegiate Institute (private), St. Christopher Elementary School (private), Mount ST. Mary Academy (private), Cardinal O'Hara High School (private) and St. Andrews Country Day School (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 Tonawanda’s grade
C+: better than 35% of New York school districts, #532 of 755 New York towns. Both inputs trail the New York average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Tonawanda, with each school’s own grade.
5th grade in Tonawanda · depends on your address
Herbert Hoover Middle School
Grades 5–7 · 772 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Buffalo
Ben Franklin Middle School
Grades 5–7 · 654 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Buffalo
Herbert Hoover Elementary School
Grades K–5 · 570 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Buffalo
6th grade in Tonawanda · depends on your address
Herbert Hoover Middle School
Grades 5–7 · 772 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Buffalo
Ben Franklin Middle School
Grades 5–7 · 654 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Buffalo
7th grade in Tonawanda · depends on your address
Herbert Hoover Middle School
Grades 5–7 · 772 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Buffalo
Ben Franklin Middle School
Grades 5–7 · 654 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Buffalo
8th grade in Tonawanda · depends on your address
Kenmore West Senior High School
Grades 8–12 · 1,235 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Buffalo
Kenmore East Senior High School
Grades 8–12 · 1,052 students · 10:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Tonawanda · depends on your address
Kenmore West Senior High School
Grades 8–12 · 1,235 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Buffalo
Kenmore East Senior High School
Grades 8–12 · 1,052 students · 10:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Tonawanda · depends on your address
Kenmore West Senior High School
Grades 8–12 · 1,235 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Buffalo
Kenmore East Senior High School
Grades 8–12 · 1,052 students · 10:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Tonawanda · depends on your address
Kenmore West Senior High School
Grades 8–12 · 1,235 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Buffalo
Kenmore East Senior High School
Grades 8–12 · 1,052 students · 10:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Tonawanda · depends on your address
Kenmore West Senior High School
Grades 8–12 · 1,235 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Buffalo
Kenmore East Senior High School
Grades 8–12 · 1,052 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Tonawanda’s public schools are run by Kenmore-Tonawanda Union Free School District, which also serves Kenmore. Parts of Tonawanda (9% of its land) are served by Sweet Home 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.
Well below the state in reading
Tonawanda vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New York towns that share Tonawanda’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Tonawanda | C+ | Kenmore-Tonawanda Union Free |
| Grand Island | A− | Grand Island Central |
| Tonawanda (city) | B− | Tonawanda City |
| Amherst | A− | Williamsville Central PK–12 · Sweet Home Central PK–12 |
| North Tonawanda | B− | North Tonawanda City |
| Buffalo | D | Buffalo City |
Every school in Tonawanda
17 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 Tonawanda’s schools
Are Tonawanda’s schools good?
On New York’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Tonawanda children attend score below 65% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #532 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 36%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Tonawanda in?
Kenmore-Tonawanda Union Free School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 6,302 students in 10 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Tonawanda are served by Sweet Home Central.
What is Tonawanda’s graduation rate?
85% of the class of 2023 in Kenmore-Tonawanda Union Free School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.
How much does Tonawanda spend per student?
$25,894 in Kenmore-Tonawanda Union Free School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Tonawanda?
Yes: St. Josephs Collegiate Institute (catholic · all-boys, grades 9–12, 647 students), St. Christopher Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 268 students), Mount ST. Mary Academy (catholic · all-girls, grades 9–12, 216 students), Cardinal O'Hara High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 181 students) and St. Andrews Country Day School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 75 students). Tonawanda also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Tonawanda families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Tonawanda → 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.