Best Schools in Lancaster, New York
9 schools · 5 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Lancaster?
Use this page to compare every school in Lancaster 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.
Court Street Elementary School
Elementary · Lancaster Central School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Como Park Elementary School
Elementary · Lancaster Central School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Hillview Elementary School
Elementary · Lancaster Central School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Lancaster for 2026 are Court Street Elementary School (9.0/10), Como Park Elementary School (8.6/10), and Hillview Elementary School (7.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 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
9
6 public · 3 private
Avg Score
7.3
out of 10
Median Home
$263,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
9
6 public · 3 private
Avg Score
7.3
out of 10
Median Home
$263,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +10.6 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Lancaster schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Lancaster
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 rated schools; 9 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Court Street Elementary School | 9.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Como Park Elementary School | 8.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Hillview Elementary School | 7.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Lancaster High School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 5 | William Street School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Lancaster Middle School | 6.6 / 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
- 7.3/10
- Median household income
- $95,949
- Median home value
- $263,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 39%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 84%
63% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Lancaster compares
New York rank
#81 of 473
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.0
above New York avg (6.4)
Median household income
$96k
103% of New York median
Schools in this city
8
Lancaster Central School District runs Lancaster's public schools
6 public schools. Lancaster Central School District is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Lancaster is a Lancaster Central School District school (6 of 6).
Among 6 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 6.6 to 9.0 — the spread is inside Lancaster, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Lancaster, New York
Lancaster, New York is home to 9 schools, including 6 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 7.3 out of 10, schools in Lancaster perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Lancaster is Court Street Elementary School with a composite score of 9.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Lancaster is served by 1 school district: LANCASTER CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT. These districts collectively serve 5,412 students.
Lancaster's community shows 39% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $95,949. The poverty rate in the area is 3.5%.
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
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 291 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 9.0 | ||
| 2 | 365 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 8.6 | ||
| 3 | 454 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 7.9 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Marys Elementary SchoolPrivate 206 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 17 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,300 students · 4th–6th | 7.7 |
| 2 | 848 students · 7th–8th | 6.6 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,646 students · 9th–12th | 7.7 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Marys High SchoolPrivate 406 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Lancaster
Lancaster, New York · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$95,949
Median Home Value
$263,600
Median Rent
$983/mo
Population
35,659
College Educated
39%
Homeownership
84%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
3.5%
Community Profile
Lancaster has a median household income of $95,949. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $263,600, with a median rent of $983/month. The local poverty rate of 3.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New York
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
Resources
School District
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 Lancaster, New York
How many schools are in Lancaster, New York?
Lancaster has 9 schools, including 6 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Lancaster, New York?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Lancaster is 7.3 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 Lancaster, New York?
The top-ranked school in Lancaster on MySchoolScout is Court Street Elementary School with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Lancaster, New York?
The top-ranked elementary school in Lancaster on MySchoolScout is Court Street Elementary School with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Lancaster, New York?
The top-ranked middle school in Lancaster on MySchoolScout is William Street School with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best high school in Lancaster, New York?
The top-ranked high school in Lancaster on MySchoolScout is Lancaster High School with a composite score of 7.7/10.
How many school districts serve Lancaster, New York?
Lancaster is served by 1 school district: Lancaster Central School District.
What is the education level in Lancaster, New York?
According to Census data, 39% of adults in Lancaster have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Lancaster, New York?
The median household income in Lancaster is approximately $95,949 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Lancaster, New York?
Yes, Lancaster has 3 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Marys Elementary School with a score of 5.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Lancaster, New York?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Lancaster is 11.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Lancaster, 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
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- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- The New School Choice Map: Is Your State Participating in the Federal Tuition Tax Credit?data insights
- 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.