Best Schools in Ithaca, New York
17 schools · 10 Elementary · 2 Middle · 4 High · 1 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.5/10
- Median household income
- $69,689
- Median home value
- $334,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 72%
- Avg commute
- 19 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 44%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Ithaca compares
New York rank
#204 of 475
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.2
above New York avg (6.3)
Median household income
$70k
75% of New York median
Schools in this city
16
About Schools in Ithaca, New York
Ithaca, New York is home to 17 schools, including 13 public schools and 4 private schools. The city's schools span 10 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 4 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.5 out of 10, schools in Ithaca show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
The highest-performing school in Ithaca is Cayuga Heights Elementary School with a composite score of 8.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Ithaca is served by 3 school districts: NEW ROOTS CHARTER SCHOOL, ITHACA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, TOMPKINS-SENECA-TIOGA BOCES. These districts collectively serve 5,211 students.
Ithaca's community shows 72% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $69,689. The poverty rate in the area is 18.3%.
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
10 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 270 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.4 | ||
| 2 | 370 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.1 | ||
| 3 | 319 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.6 | ||
| 4 | 395 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.2 | ||
| 5 | 278 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.4 | ||
| 6 | 218 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.4 | ||
| 7 | 177 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.0 | ||
| Private Schools 3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | ITHACA WALDORF SCHOOL
Private
44 students · Pre-K–7th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | EAC MONTESSORI SCHOOL
Private
181 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | NAMASTE MONTESSORI SCHOOL
Private
36 students · Pre-K–6th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 508 students · 6th–8th | 5.8 |
| 2 | 534 students · 6th–8th | 4.8 |
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,362 students · 9th–12th | 8.0 | ||
| 2 | 271 students · 6th–12th | 7.4 | ||
| 3 | 108 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 | ||
| 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 | CASCADILLA SCHOOL
Private
11 students · 8th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 307 students · 1st–12th | 7.0 |
Schools in Ithaca
Ithaca, New York · 17 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$69,689
Median Home Value
$334,800
Median Rent
$1,446/mo
Population
66,495
College Educated
72%
Homeownership
44%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
18.3%
Community Profile
Ithaca has a median household income of $69,689. It is a well-educated community where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $334,800, with a median rent of $1,446/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.3%. 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
- 17
- Elementary
- 10
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 4
- Districts
- 3
- Avg Rating
- 6.5/10
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in New York
Top metros statewide by school count.
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 methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Ithaca, New York
How many schools are in Ithaca, New York?
Ithaca has 17 schools, including 13 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Ithaca, New York?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Ithaca is 6.5 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Ithaca, New York?
The top-ranked school in Ithaca on MySchoolScout is Cayuga Heights Elementary School with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Ithaca, New York?
The top-ranked elementary school in Ithaca on MySchoolScout is Cayuga Heights Elementary School with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Ithaca, New York?
The top-ranked middle school in Ithaca on MySchoolScout is Dewitt Middle School with a composite score of 5.8/10.
What is the best high school in Ithaca, New York?
The top-ranked high school in Ithaca on MySchoolScout is Ithaca Senior High School with a composite score of 8.0/10.
How many school districts serve Ithaca, New York?
Ithaca is served by 3 school districts: New Roots Charter School, Ithaca City School District, Tompkins-seneca-tioga Boces.
What is the education level in Ithaca, New York?
According to Census data, 72% of adults in Ithaca have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Ithaca, New York?
The median household income in Ithaca is approximately $69,689 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Ithaca, New York?
Yes, Ithaca has 4 private schools alongside 13 public schools. The top-rated private school is Ithaca Waldorf School with a score of 6.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Ithaca, New York?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Ithaca is 8.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Ithaca, 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.
Related reading
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- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
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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.