CapNY School District Information

What are you looking for in a school district? Use the table below to find the right fit for your child.

*All information, except Expenditures per Student and Diversity figures, from 2017-2018 NYSED Data
*Expenditures per Student and Diversity figures are from 2018-19 NYSED Data

DistrictCountyPublic / CharterHigh School Graduation RateAverage Class Size (Grades 1-6)Diversity rate (Black/Hispanic, Asian, Other)Total K-12 Students
Albany City School DistrictAlbanyPublic67%2180%9601
Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School DistrictAlbanyPublic93%185%760
Bethlehem Central School DistrictAlbanyPublic95%2216%4514
Cairo-Durham Central School DistrictGreenePublic89%2018%1184
Cohoes City School DistrictAlbanyPublic71%2028%1894
Duanesburg Central School DistrictSchenectadyPublic92%187%691
Green Island Union Free School DistrictAlbanyPublic41%1616%289
Greenville Central School DistrictGreenePublic95%175%1153
Guilderland Central School DistrictAlbanyPublic94%2125%4836
Menands Union Free School DistrictAlbanyPublicN/A2174%262
Niskayuna Central School DistrictSchenectadyPublic93%2230%4248
North Colonie Central School DistrictAlbanyPublic95%2435%5685
Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School DistrictAlbanyPublic87%1919%1788
Rotterdam-Mohonasen Central School DistrictSchenectadyPublic83%2222%2803
Schalmont Central School DistrictSchenectadyPublic87%2314%1833
South Colonie Central School DistrictAlbanyPublic91%2134%4689
Voorheesville Central School DistrictAlbanyPublic98%229%1166
Watervliet City School DistrictAlbanyPublic72%1953%1258
East Greenbush Central School DistrictRensselaerPublic95%2120%4023
Germantown Central School DistrictColumbiaPublic87%1814%516
Hudson City School DistrictColumbiaPublic81%2259%1710
Kinderhook Central School District (Ichabod Crane)ColumbiaPublic83%2114%1728
Schodack Central School DistrictRensselaerPublic95%217%863
Taconic Hills Central School DistrictColumbiaPublic84%1920%1309
Catskill Central School DistrictGreenePublic91%1832%1406
Coxsackie-Athens Central School DistrictGreenePublic88%1915%1327
Hunter-Tannersville Central School DistrictGreenePublic95%1517%353
Windham-Ashland-Jewett Central School DistrictGreenePublic85%1515%280
Averill Park Central School DistrictRensselaerPublic93%218%2708
Berlin Central School DistrictRensselaerPublic75%154%686
Brunswick Central School District (Brittonkill)RensselaerPublic86%1910%1818
Cambridge Central School DistrictWashingtonPublic93%198%869
Hoosic Valley Central School DistrictRensselaerPublic90%195%920
Hoosick Falls Central School DistrictRensselaerPublic89%207%1111
Lansingburgh Central School DistrictRensselaerPublic79%2144%2253
Mechanicville City School DistrictSaratogaPublic88%2210%1367
North Greenbush Common School District (Williams)RensselaerPublicN/A815%20
Rensselaer City School DistrictRensselaerPublic87%2346%1073
Stillwater Central School DistrictSaratogaPublic92%186%1052
Troy City School DistrictRensselaerPublic85%1959%3943
Wynantskill Union Free School DistrictRensselaerPublicN/A2310%382
Ballston Spa Central School DistrictSaratogaPublic90%208%4082
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School DistrictSaratogaPublic95%218%3039
Corinth Central School DistrictSaratogaPublic83%194%1166
Edinburg Common School DistrictSaratogaPublicN/A113%75
Galway Central School DistrictSaratogaPublic91%191%810
Hadley-Luzerne Central School DistrictWarrenPublic89%165%683
Hudson Falls Central School DistrictWashingtonPublic74%1910%2249
Saratoga Springs City School DistrictSaratogaPublic91%2211%6379
Schuylerville Central School DistrictSaratogaPublic93%195%1572
Scotia-Glenville Central School DistrictSchenectadyPublic83%2010%2451
Shenendehowa Central School DistrictSaratogaPublic92%2224%9819
South Glens Falls Central School DistrictSaratogaPublic88%199%3072
Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School DistrictSaratogaPublic94%209%771
Schenectady City School DistrictSchenectadyPublic61%2378%9187
Bolton Central School DistrictWarrenPublic93%1410%184
Glens Falls City School DistrictWarrenPublic84%1914%2019
Glens Falls Common School DistrictWarrenPublicN/A2023%160
Johnsburg Central School DistrictWarrenPublic83%164%313
Lake George Central School DistrictWarrenPublic93%178%772
North Warren Central School DistrictWarrenPublic84%1810%502
Queensbury Union Free School DistrictWarrenPublic87%227%714
Warrensburg Central School DistrictWarrenPublic86%176%714
Argyle Central School DistrictWashingtonPublic94%185%493
Fort Ann Central School DistrictWashingtonPublic66%186%448
Fort Edward Union Free School DistrictWashingtonPublic74%1810%486
Granville Central School DistrictWashingtonPublic80%185%1023
Greenwich Central School DistrictWashingtonPublic86%195%983
Hartford Central School DistrictWashingtonPublic86%167%414
Putnam Central School DistrictWashingtonPublicN/A34%18
Salem Central School DistrictWashingtonPublic88%195%544
Whitehall Central School DistrictWashingtonPublic75%163%708
Albany Community Charter SchoolAlbanyCharterN/A2699%681
Albany Leadership Charter High School - GirlsAlbanyCharter92%N/A89%358
Brighter Choice - BoysAlbanyCharterN/A2096%319
Brighter Choice - GirlsAlbanyCharterN/A2297%338
Green Tech HighAlbanyCharter90%N/A98%356
Henry JohnsonAlbanyCharterN/A2397%365
Kipp Tech ValleyAlbanyCharterN/A2399%491
True North Troy PrepRensselaerCharterN/A3285%584
Chatham Central School DistrictColumbiaCharter87%2013%1043
  • Written by: Danielle Sanzone

Danielle Sanzone is a freelance writer who worked for a decade at The Record in Troy and is currently in the Digital Initiatives department at the local PBS, WMHT.

5 Innovative Pre-Schools: CapNY

Public school pre-K programs are more widely available than ever before. However, some CapNY parents might be looking for non-traditional preschool options.

These 5 innovative pre-schools in the capital region provide play and nature based-choices for families with young children. If you are looking for public-education alternatives, read on.

  • Forest Kindergarten Homeschool Program at the Flying Deer Nature Center, East Chatham, NY

At the start of the day, students and teachers meet in a circle and enjoy morning games. The Forest Preschool program nurtures a sense of wonder. The emphasis is on curiosity and reverence, through exploration, observation, inquiry, and free play. The kids go to a campsite or forest to build, explore, create, play, and adventure throughout the wetlands, streams, and forest.

“We teach things like bird language, hazard prevention, shelter building, and carving with knives,” said Tresca Weinstein, the program’s registration and marketing coordinator. “They learn skills like tracking animals, plant identification, fire building and tending. Storytelling and tending the earth are just some of the skills acquired.” She continued, “Many of the skills have been handed down from First Nations people. We acknowledge and honor their teachings and tradition. Within those skills, the children are building on math, science, literacy, and social skills.”

Ages: 4-6
Attendance options: Half-day, two, three or five days a week

Link Facebook Instagram
  • Susan O’Dell Taylor School

Music, art, literature, math and science flow throughout the day at the Susan O’Dell Taylor School in Troy. The day’s lessons are planned for preschoolers to a multi-sensory experience, encouraging observation and inquiry.

In the fall kids collect leaves to learn why they change color, and why evergreens keep their needles. Trees are woven into every aspect of learning. Incorporating evergreen boughs and pinecone murals, and an interpretive tree-themed dance. “The program is centered on what children experience in real life. They can make connections between school and the world around them,” said Meagan Duncan, director of admissions.

Ages: 3-4
Attendance options: Half-day, two, three or five days a week

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  • The Free School of Albany

Of our 5 innovative pre-schools, the Free School is the longest running inner-city independent alternative school. In the entire the United States! Students learn through a self-directed approach that balances traditional academic subjects and valuable life lessons ranging from responsibility to problem solving, social justice and how to interact with their peers.

The school kitchen is a classroom. Students help choose the crops. They learn how they grow and prepare a meal from the fruit or vegetable. A food and garden program connects kids to where their food comes from and the importance of nutrition. Community involvement through volunteering, local events and learning about different cultures in Albany’s historic South End emphasize the larger connection to others.

Ages: 3-5

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  • Montessori School of Schenectady (One Family Montessori)

At Montessori schools it’s the kids that determine how and what they will learn, explained Jodi McClernan, head of One Family Montessori.

“We love the small size and student focus, allowing each teacher to really get to know your child. The way they support, educate, and care for children is heartfelt,” said Rochelle Caruso. “Our three children have attended this school and easily matriculated into public school for kindergarten.”

Multiple Montessori Schools are available across the CapNY region making them easily accessible in several neighborhoods. The enrollment information provided below is specific to One Family Montessori. Finding other locations in your community is only a Google search away.

Ages: 3 to 6
Attendance options: Half-day, part-time and full-time

Link Facebook
  • Waldorf School Saratoga

Forested hiking trails, yard space, gardening and playing serve as the curriculum and setting for the Waldorf School in Saratoga. A restored farmhouse offers respite from extreme weather. Feeding the birds, chickens and guinea hens are part of the daily activities.

“The foundation of Waldorf School education is preserving childhood,” said Elisabeth Garofalo, who oversees admissions. “Children learn self-care skills. They build cognitive, physical, social and emotional skills through free play, exploration.”

Ages: 3 – 6
Attendance options: Three or five days a week. Half-day with option for extended care and full-day.

Link Facebook Instagram

Have other pre-school programs beyond our 5 innovative pre-schools? Let us know about your educational alternatives.

  • Written by: Katie Navarra

Katie Navarra is a professional writer based in the Capital Region. She has written for Popular Science, The Motley Fool Blueprint, Western Horseman, Horse & Rider and others. She is also a life and executive career coach who helps clients find clarity and success in and out of the office. Learn more at katienavarra.com.

Raising Kids in the Capital Region: CapNY Families

Making a move to CapNY with kids?
Looking to get familiar with the educational and recreational offerings of this region as it comes to raising families? You’ve come to the right spot.

“How can I find what school districts are a good fit for my child?”

Our first two questions were posed by recent NYC transplant, photographer Kim Trang. She’s a mother of three active kids who are 6-years-old, 4-years-old, and 6-months-old. Her main priority was finding a school district that fit her children’s needs. They eventually decided on Niskayuna.

List Your Priorities

Before starting this daunting task of finding your child’s future school, it’s a good idea to think about your priorities. What’s important to you? What can you afford? Small class sizes? Extracurricular activities? A good sports program? An excellent arts department?


The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has all the information you need regarding public and charter schools, as well as school districts in the state. They have information about class sizes, the amount of local, state, and federal funds spent per pupil. And you can get an idea of the amount of diversity at a school. They also provide data on graduation rates, and rankings for how prepared a student will be for college.

“What childcare options are available, what are the fees, how close are they in relation to my home and my workplace?”

Once again, we found New York State to have helpful resources here with their Division of Childcare Services. This has information about Early Head Start, for children from birth to 3 years old, and Head Start, for kids age 3 to 5.

Along these lines, the Capital District Childcare Coordinating Council has a service that helps parents find childcare. Child care referrals are available 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday at 518-426-7181 or toll free at 1-800-521-KIDS(5437). And Brightside Up has a list of the average childcare costs by county in the region and for the entire Capital Region as a whole.

“What can I do at home to best prepare my child to succeed in school?”

Our next questions were posed by Lisa Barone, the Chief Marketing Officer at marketing firm Overit in Albany. Lisa is the BUSY, working mother of her four-year-old son, Henry. They live in Selkirk where they enjoy hiking, puzzles, being outside, and Spider-Man.

This is “the” question, right? There’s no exact right or wrong answer here but some resources we recommend come from PBS and PBS KIDS. There are thousands of free teaching resources including videos, lesson plans, and games aligned to state and national standards. You can find these with PBS LearningMedia, PBS KIDS, the local PBS affiliate’s Home Classroom resources, and by watching educational programming at home.

“What are some activities to keep little ones busy and engaged (and out of the house, if possible) even during winter?”

You are in luck! This area is brimming with family-friendly activities for all-seasons, with options for inside and outside.

In the summer, the Albany Public Library, with other partners including the Albany Barn, WMHT, and the city of Albany, host weekly story-time events called Stories and Art in the Park at the playground in Washington Park in Albany. 

For hiking and walking year-round, even in winter, the whole family can enjoy the interactive displays and stories geared for kids at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. The Pine Hollow Arboretum in Slingerlands also has family-focused activities around the 22-acre site. Grafton Lakes State Park, celebrating 50 years in 2021, has family activities in each season, including a Winter Festival. You can find more outdoor activities here.

The New York State Museum in Albany has outdoor exhibits and the Empire State Plaza, with larger-than-life sculptures, is just across the street. Many local libraries have on-going workshops that are fun for the whole family

  • Written by: Danielle Sanzone

Danielle Sanzone is a freelance writer who worked for a decade at The Record in Troy and is currently in the Digital Initiatives department at the local PBS, WMHT.