Best Schools in Buffalo, Illinois
3 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Buffalo?
Use this page to compare every school in Buffalo by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Tri-city Elem School
Elementary · Tri City Cusd 1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Tri-city High School
High · Tri City Cusd 1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Tri-city JR High School
Middle · Tri City Cusd 1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Buffalo for 2026 are Tri-city Elem School (5.8/10), Tri-city High School (5.5/10), and Tri-city JR High School (4.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
5.3
out of 10
Median Home
$153,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
5.3
out of 10
Median Home
$153,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Buffalo
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 3). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tri-city Elem School | 5.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Tri-city High School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Tri-city JR High School | 4.6 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.3/10
- Median household income
- $96,250
- Median home value
- $153,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 38%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 77%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Buffalo compares
Illinois rank
#355 of 444
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.9
below Illinois avg (6.2)
Median household income
$96k
117% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Buffalo, Illinois
Buffalo, Illinois is home to 3 schools, including 3 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.3 out of 10, schools in Buffalo show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Buffalo is Tri-city Elem School with a composite score of 5.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Buffalo is served by 1 school district: Tri City CUSD 1. These districts collectively serve 558 students.
Buffalo's community shows 38% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $96,250. The poverty rate in the area is 14.1%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 278 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.8 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 127 students · 6th–8th | 4.6 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 153 students · 9th–12th | 5.5 |
Schools in Buffalo
Buffalo, Illinois · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$96,250
Median Home Value
$153,600
Median Rent
$575/mo
Population
1,005
College Educated
38%
Homeownership
77%
Poverty Rate
14.1%
Community Profile
Buffalo has a median household income of $96,250. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $153,600, with a median rent of $575/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Illinois
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Buffalo, Illinois
How many schools are in Buffalo, Illinois?
Buffalo has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Buffalo, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Buffalo is 5.3 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Buffalo, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Buffalo on MySchoolScout is Tri-city Elem School with a composite score of 5.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Buffalo, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Buffalo on MySchoolScout is Tri-city Elem School with a composite score of 5.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Buffalo, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Buffalo on MySchoolScout is Tri-city JR High School with a composite score of 4.6/10.
What is the best high school in Buffalo, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Buffalo on MySchoolScout is Tri-city High School with a composite score of 5.5/10.
How many school districts serve Buffalo, Illinois?
Buffalo is served by 1 school district: Tri City Cusd 1.
What is the education level in Buffalo, Illinois?
According to Census data, 38% of adults in Buffalo have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Buffalo, Illinois?
The median household income in Buffalo is approximately $96,250 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Buffalo, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Buffalo is 13.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Buffalo, Illinois?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Illinois Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.