6.1 avg / 10

Best Schools in Cortland, New York

7 schools · 3 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 5

Private: 2

Districts: 1

Avg Rating: 6.1/10

Estimated Scores: 29%

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 6.1/10
Median household income: $67,028
Median home value: $162,700
Bachelor's degree or higher: 30%
Avg commute: 19 min
Owner-occupied homes: 58%

How Cortland compares

New York rank

#285 of 475

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

-0.2

below New York avg (6.3)

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 6.1 out of 10, schools in Cortland show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Cortland is Randall Middle School with a composite score of 7.4/10, 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.

Filter by Level: All Levels (7) Elementary (3) Middle (2) High (1)

Filter by Type: All Types (7) Public (5) Private (2)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (7) Academics (7) Growth (4) Diversity (5) Resources (5)

Filter by ZIP: 13045 (7)

Elementary Schools

3 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	FE SMITH INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL 272 students · 3rd–4th	272	3rd–4th	6.8
2	FRANKLYN S BARRY PRIMARY SCHOOL 458 students · Pre-K–2nd	458	Pre-K–2nd	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	ST MARY'S SCHOOL Private 101 students · Pre-K–6th	101	Pre-K–6th	Not Rated

Middle Schools

2 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	RANDALL MIDDLE SCHOOL 263 students · 5th–6th	263	5th–6th	7.4
2	CORTLAND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL 277 students · 7th–8th	277	7th–8th	6.1

High Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	CORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL 592 students · 9th–12th	592	9th–12th	6.3

Other Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	CORTLAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Private 95 students · Kindergarten–12th	95	Kindergarten–12th	Not Rated

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.

Quick Facts

State: New York
Total Schools: 7
Elementary: 3
Middle: 2
High: 1
Districts: 1
Avg Rating: 6.1/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Cortland schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Cortland 📊 Niche Cortland Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School District

CORTLAND CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

5 schools · 1,970 students

Nearby Cities

Freeville (2 schools)

Slaterville Springs (1 school)

17 mi

Cincinnatus (3 schools)

15 mi

Brooktondale (1 school)

20 mi

Fabius (2 schools)

19 mi

Lafayette (2 schools)

22 mi

Deruyter (2 schools)

19 mi

Other Major Cities in New York

Top metros statewide by school count.

Brooklyn 764 schools Bronx 513 schools New York 481 schools Rochester 147 schools Staten Island 113 schools

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently 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 6.1 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Cortland, New York?

The top-ranked school in Cortland on MySchoolScout is Randall Middle School with a composite score of 7.4/10.

What is the best elementary school in Cortland, New York?

The top-ranked elementary school in Cortland on MySchoolScout is Fe Smith Intermediate School with a composite score of 6.8/10.

What is the best middle school in Cortland, New York?

The top-ranked middle school in Cortland on MySchoolScout is Randall Middle School with a composite score of 7.4/10.

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 6.3/10.

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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.