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Schools in Ulster · Kingston City School District

Ulster’s public schools score below 80% of New York districts on tests and graduation

On the state math tests, 34% of Ulster’s students scored proficient, below the New York average (46%). The grade covers the public school district serving Ulster, 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.

#657of 755 New York townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From New York state tests taken in spring 2022, when 76% 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
36%
▼ 13 pts vs NY 49%
2021–22
Math proficiency
34%
▼ 12 pts vs NY 46%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80%
▼ 7 pts vs NY 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$34.0K
▼ 2% vs NY $34.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
10.2
NY 11.2 · smaller classes
Schools in town
5
3,192 students on the public path
In brief

Ulster’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 1157 New York towns with household incomes within a quarter of Ulster’s, its schools beat 15%, lower than their 20% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 36% of tested students were proficient in reading and 34% in math, against 49% and 46% statewide; 76% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

80% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across New York. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $33,964 per student, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 5 the district’s path is M Clifford Miller Middle School, then Kingston High School. Enrollment is down 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Center for Spectrum Services (private) and Wraparound Services of the Hudson Valley Inc (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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Ulster’s grade

C− Test scoresD Graduation

C−: better than 20% of New York school districts, #657 of 755 New York towns. Both inputs trail the New York average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

New York school districts we grade (1,013)Better than 20%
Lower resultsHigher results
New York towns with similar household incomes (1157)Better than 15%
Towns in Ulster County (20)Better than 5%
C−CA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,368 test results and a graduating class of 530 could put Ulster anywhere from C− to C. The tests are from spring 2022, when 76% of Ulster’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,446 in math, 2,290 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–42 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressC− to C
5–8M Clifford Miller Middle SchoolKingston City School DistrictD
9–12Kingston High Schoolin KingstonA+

Ulster’s public schools are run by Kingston City School District, which also serves Esopus, Hurley, Kingston and Kingston and others. Parts of Ulster (10% of its land) are served by Saugerties 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.

Kingston City School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 10 schools · 5,877 students, down 5% since 2020–21 · 10.2 per teacher (NY 11.2)
$33,964NY $34,607 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading36%
State average 48.9% · 2290 students tested
Math34%
State average 46.5% · 2446 students tested

Ulster vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
UlsterC−Kingston City
KingstonC−Kingston City
Kingston (town)—Kingston City
EsopusCKingston City PK–12 · New Paltz Central PK–12
SaugertiesB−Saugerties Central
HurleyCKingston City PK–12 · Onteora Central K–12
Red HookB+Red Hook Central
RhinebeckA−Rhinebeck Central
RosendaleC−Kingston City PK–12 · Rondout Valley Central PK–12

5 of the 8 neighbors share Kingston City with Ulster, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Ulster

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).

District schools in Ulsterby address
E R Crosby Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–4 · Lake Katrine
C
311 students10:1Rate it →
Chambers School
Elementary · Grades K–4 · Kingston
C−
306 students9:1Rate it →
M Clifford Miller Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8 · Lake Katrine
D
826 students9:1Rate it →
Also serving Ulsterin other towns
Kingston High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Kingston
A+
1,749 students12:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Center for Spectrum Services
Elementary · Grades PK–6 · Kingston
Private · Special education
129 students13:1Rate it →
Wraparound Services of the Hudson Valley Inc
Prekindergarten · Grades PK · Lake Katrine
Private · Special education
111 students9:1Rate it →

Questions about Ulster’s schools

Are Ulster’s schools good?

On New York’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Ulster children attend score below 80% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #657 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 15%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Ulster in?

Kingston City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,877 students in 10 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Ulster are served by Saugerties Central.

Where do Ulster kids go to high school?

Kingston High School in Kingston, with 1,749 students; its own test results earn an A+.

What is Ulster’s graduation rate?

80% of the class of 2023 in Kingston City School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.

How much does Ulster spend per student?

$33,964 in Kingston City School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Ulster?

Yes: Center for Spectrum Services (special education, grades PK–6, 129 students) and Wraparound Services of the Hudson Valley Inc (special education, grades PK, 111 students).

Parents talk

What Ulster families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Ulster → 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.