Best Schools in Canton, New York
6 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Canton?
Use this page to compare every school in Canton 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.
H C Williams Senior High School
High · Canton Central School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
J M Mckenney Middle School
Middle · Canton Central School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Little River Community School
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Canton for 2026 are H C Williams Senior High School (9.1/10), J M Mckenney Middle School (6.0/10), and Little River Community School (5.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 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
6
4 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$148,900
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
6
4 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$148,900
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Canton
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | H C Williams Senior High School | 9.1 / 10 |
| 2 | J M Mckenney Middle School | 6.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Little River Community School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 4 | F S Banford Elementary School | 3.9 / 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
- 6.1/10
- Median household income
- $72,652
- Median home value
- $148,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 36%
- Avg commute
- 16 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 58%
25% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Canton compares
New York rank
#297 of 475
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.1
below New York avg (6.2)
Median household income
$73k
78% of New York median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Canton, New York
Canton, New York is home to 6 schools, including 4 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.1 out of 10, schools in Canton 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 Canton is H C Williams Senior High School with a composite score of 9.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Canton is served by 2 school districts: CANTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, SAINT LAWRENCE-LEWIS BOCES. These districts collectively serve 1,092 students.
Canton's community shows 36% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $72,652. The poverty rate in the area is 11.4%.
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
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 408 students · Pre-K–4th | 3.9 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Siena Academy
Private
15 students · Kindergarten–4th | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 320 students · 5th–8th | 6.0 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 340 students · 9th–12th | 9.1 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 225 students · Kindergarten–12th | — | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Little River Community School
Private
35 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.3 | ||
Schools in Canton
Canton, New York · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$72,652
Median Home Value
$148,900
Median Rent
$901/mo
Population
12,294
College Educated
36%
Homeownership
58%
Avg Commute
16 min
Poverty Rate
11.4%
Community Profile
Canton has a median household income of $72,652. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $148,900, with a median rent of $901/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.4%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New York
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 2
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in New York
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 Canton, New York
How many schools are in Canton, New York?
Canton has 6 schools, including 4 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Canton, New York?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Canton is 6.1 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 Canton, New York?
The top-ranked school in Canton on MySchoolScout is H C Williams Senior High School with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Canton, New York?
The top-ranked elementary school in Canton on MySchoolScout is F S Banford Elementary School with a composite score of 3.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Canton, New York?
The top-ranked middle school in Canton on MySchoolScout is J M Mckenney Middle School with a composite score of 6.0/10.
What is the best high school in Canton, New York?
The top-ranked high school in Canton on MySchoolScout is H C Williams Senior High School with a composite score of 9.1/10.
How many school districts serve Canton, New York?
Canton is served by 2 school districts: Canton Central School District, Saint Lawrence-lewis Boces.
What is the education level in Canton, New York?
According to Census data, 36% of adults in Canton have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Canton, New York?
The median household income in Canton is approximately $72,652 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Canton, New York?
Yes, Canton has 2 private schools alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is Little River Community School with a score of 5.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Canton, New York?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Canton is 8.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Canton, New York?
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.
Related reading
- Best Public Schools in New York 2026: Top Districts from NYC to the Suburbsbest schools
- Best Schools in New York, NY — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Student-Teacher Ratio by State: Complete 2026 Rankingsdata insights
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, New York State Education Dept., and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.