Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Utica’s public schools score below 79% of New York districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 31% of Utica’s students scored proficient, below the New York average (46%). The grade covers the public school district serving Utica, 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 89% 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.
Utica’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 544 New York towns with household incomes within a quarter of Utica’s, its schools beat 26%, higher than their 21% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 33% of tested students were proficient in reading and 31% in math, against 49% and 46% statewide; 89% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across New York. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $24,222 per student, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Ten elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Upstate Cerebral Palsy (private), Notre Dame Elementary School (private) and Notre Dame Jr./Sr. High (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 Utica’s grade
C−: better than 21% of New York school districts, #650 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 Utica, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Utica · depends on your address
Senator James H Donovan Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 749 students · 12:1 students per teacher
John F Kennedy Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 687 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Utica · depends on your address
Senator James H Donovan Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 749 students · 12:1 students per teacher
John F Kennedy Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 687 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Utica
Thomas R Proctor High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,820 students · 17:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Utica
Thomas R Proctor High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,820 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Utica’s public schools are run by Utica 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
Utica vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New York towns that share Utica’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Utica | C− | Utica City |
| New Hartford | A | New Hartford Central |
| Frankfort | C | Frankfort-Schuyler Central |
| Marcy | B+ | Holland Patent Central PK–12 · Whitesboro Central K–12 |
| Deerfield | B+ | Poland Central PK–12 · Whitesboro Central K–12 |
| Whitestown | B+ | Oriskany Central PK–12 · Whitesboro Central K–12 |
| New York Mills | C | New York Mills Union Free |
| Yorkville | B+ | Whitesboro Central K–12 · New York Mills Union Free K–12 |
| Schuyler | B+ | Frankfort-Schuyler Central PK–12 · West Canada Valley Central PK–12 · Whitesboro Central K–12 |
Every school in Utica
16 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: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center for Children & Youth).
Questions about Utica’s schools
Are Utica’s schools good?
On New York’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Utica children attend score below 79% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #650 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 26%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Utica in?
Utica City School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 9,075 students in 13 schools (2024–25).
Where do Utica kids go to high school?
Thomas R Proctor High School, with 2,820 students; its own test results earn a B+.
What is Utica’s graduation rate?
84% of the class of 2023 in Utica City School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.
How much does Utica spend per student?
$24,222 in Utica City School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Utica?
Yes: Upstate Cerebral Palsy (special education, grades PK, 365 students), Notre Dame Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–5, 255 students) and Notre Dame Jr./Sr. High (Catholic, grades 6–12, 249 students).
Parents talk
What Utica families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Utica → 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.