Best Schools in Cortland, New York
7 schools · 3 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Cortland?
Use this page to compare every school in Cortland 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.
Cortland High School
High · Cortland City School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Cortland Junior High School
Middle · Cortland City School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
St Mary's School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Cortland for 2026 are Cortland High School (7.8/10), Cortland Junior High School (7.0/10), and St Mary's School (6.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 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
7
5 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$162,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
7
5 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$162,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Cortland
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 of 7). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cortland High School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Cortland Junior High School | 7.0 / 10 |
| 3 | St Mary's School | 6.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Cortland Christian Academy | 5.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Randall Middle School | 5.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Fe Smith Intermediate School | 4.9 / 10 |
| 7 | Franklyn S Barry Primary School | 3.4 / 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
- 5.9/10
- Median household income
- $67,028
- Median home value
- $162,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 30%
- Avg commute
- 19 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 58%
29% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Cortland compares
New York rank
#324 of 475
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.3
below New York avg (6.2)
Median household income
$67k
72% of New York median
Schools in this city
7
About Schools in Cortland, New York
Cortland, New York is home to 7 schools, including 5 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.9 out of 10, schools in Cortland 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 Cortland is Cortland High School with a composite score of 7.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Cortland is served by 1 school district: CORTLAND CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. These districts collectively serve 1,970 students.
Cortland's community shows 30% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $67,028. The poverty rate in the area is 15.5%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 272 students · 3rd–4th | 4.9 | ||
| 2 | 458 students · Pre-K–2nd | 3.4 | ||
| 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 | St Mary's School
Private
101 students · Pre-K–6th | 6.6 | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 277 students · 7th–8th | 7.0 |
| 2 | 263 students · 5th–6th | 5.7 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 592 students · 9th–12th | 7.8 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cortland Christian Academy
Private
95 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.8 |
Schools in Cortland
Cortland, New York · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$67,028
Median Home Value
$162,700
Median Rent
$905/mo
Population
28,388
College Educated
30%
Homeownership
58%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
15.5%
Community Profile
Cortland has a median household income of $67,028. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $162,700, with a median rent of $905/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New York
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
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 Cortland, New York
How many schools are in Cortland, New York?
Cortland has 7 schools, including 5 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Cortland, New York?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Cortland is 5.9 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 Cortland, New York?
The top-ranked school in Cortland on MySchoolScout is Cortland High School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Cortland, New York?
The top-ranked elementary school in Cortland on MySchoolScout is St Mary's School with a composite score of 6.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Cortland, New York?
The top-ranked middle school in Cortland on MySchoolScout is Cortland Junior High School with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best high school in Cortland, New York?
The top-ranked high school in Cortland on MySchoolScout is Cortland High School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
How many school districts serve Cortland, New York?
Cortland is served by 1 school district: Cortland City School District.
What is the education level in Cortland, New York?
According to Census data, 30% of adults in Cortland have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Cortland, New York?
The median household income in Cortland is approximately $67,028 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Cortland, New York?
Yes, Cortland has 2 private schools alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Mary's School with a score of 6.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Cortland, New York?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Cortland is 10.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Cortland, 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.