Best Schools in Dunkirk, New York
7 schools · 5 Elementary · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Dunkirk?
Use this page to compare every school in Dunkirk 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.
Dunkirk Senior High School
High · Dunkirk City School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Northern Chautauqua Catholic School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
School 5
Elementary · Dunkirk City School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Dunkirk for 2026 are Dunkirk Senior High School (7.2/10), Northern Chautauqua Catholic School (6.7/10), and School 5 (5.5/10), 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
5.3
out of 10
Median Home
$98,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
7
5 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.3
out of 10
Median Home
$98,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Dunkirk
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 | Dunkirk Senior High School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Northern Chautauqua Catholic School | 6.7 / 10 |
| 3 | School 5 | 5.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Central Christian Academy | 5.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Dunkirk Intermediate School | 4.8 / 10 |
| 6 | School 7 | 3.8 / 10 |
| 7 | School 3 | 3.6 / 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
- $52,971
- Median home value
- $98,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18%
- Avg commute
- 17 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 63%
14% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Dunkirk compares
New York rank
#415 of 475
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.9
below New York avg (6.2)
Median household income
$53k
57% of New York median
Schools in this city
7
About Schools in Dunkirk, New York
Dunkirk, New York is home to 7 schools, including 5 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, , and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.3 out of 10, schools in Dunkirk 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 Dunkirk is Dunkirk Senior High School with a composite score of 7.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Dunkirk is served by 1 school district: DUNKIRK CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. These districts collectively serve 2,015 students.
Dunkirk's community shows 18% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $52,971. The poverty rate in the area is 22.2%.
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
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 147 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 5.5 | ||
| 2 | 592 students · 3rd–6th | 4.8 | ||
| 3 | 161 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 3.8 | ||
| 4 | 137 students · Pre-K–2nd | 3.6 | ||
| 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 | 156 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.7 | ||
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 896 students · 7th–12th | 7.2 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Christian Academy
Private
57 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Dunkirk
Dunkirk, New York · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$52,971
Median Home Value
$98,400
Median Rent
$905/mo
Population
14,949
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
63%
Avg Commute
17 min
Poverty Rate
22.2%
Community Profile
Dunkirk has a median household income of $52,971. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $98,400, with a median rent of $905/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New York
- Elementary
- 5
- 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 Dunkirk, New York
How many schools are in Dunkirk, New York?
Dunkirk has 7 schools, including 5 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Dunkirk, New York?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Dunkirk 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 Dunkirk, New York?
The top-ranked school in Dunkirk on MySchoolScout is Dunkirk Senior High School with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Dunkirk, New York?
The top-ranked elementary school in Dunkirk on MySchoolScout is Northern Chautauqua Catholic School with a composite score of 6.7/10.
What is the best high school in Dunkirk, New York?
The top-ranked high school in Dunkirk on MySchoolScout is Dunkirk Senior High School with a composite score of 7.2/10.
How many school districts serve Dunkirk, New York?
Dunkirk is served by 1 school district: Dunkirk City School District.
What is the education level in Dunkirk, New York?
According to Census data, 18% of adults in Dunkirk have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Dunkirk, New York?
The median household income in Dunkirk is approximately $52,971 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Dunkirk, New York?
Yes, Dunkirk has 2 private schools alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is Northern Chautauqua Catholic School with a score of 6.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Dunkirk, New York?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Dunkirk is 9.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Dunkirk, 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.