Best Schools in New Paltz, New York
7 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in New Paltz?
Use this page to compare every school in New Paltz 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.
New Paltz Senior High School
High · New Paltz Central School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Lenape Elementary School
Elementary · New Paltz Central School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Mountain Laurel Waldorf 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 New Paltz for 2026 are New Paltz Senior High School (9.0/10), Lenape Elementary School (6.6/10), and Mountain Laurel Waldorf School (6.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 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
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$411,600
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
7
5 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$411,600
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in New Paltz
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 7). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Paltz Senior High School | 9.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Lenape Elementary School | 6.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Mountain Laurel Waldorf School | 6.6 / 10 |
| 4 | New Paltz Middle School | 5.5 / 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
- 6.8/10
- Median household income
- $89,694
- Median home value
- $411,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 56%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 59%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How New Paltz compares
New York rank
#174 of 475
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.6
above New York avg (6.2)
Median household income
$90k
96% of New York median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in New Paltz, New York
New Paltz, New York is home to 7 schools, including 5 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.8 out of 10, schools in New Paltz 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 New Paltz is New Paltz Senior High School with a composite score of 9.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
New Paltz is served by 2 school districts: NEW PALTZ CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, ULSTER BOCES. These districts collectively serve 1,806 students.
New Paltz's community shows 56% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $89,694. The poverty rate in the area is 21.5%.
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
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 305 students · Pre-K–2nd | 7.4 | ||
| 2 | 367 students · 3rd–5th | 6.6 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Mountain Laurel Waldorf School
Private
97 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.6 | ||
| 2 | Montessori of New Paltz
Private
21 students · Pre-K–4th | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 418 students · 6th–8th | 5.5 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 662 students · 9th–12th | 9.0 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 343 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.7 |
Schools in New Paltz
New Paltz, New York · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$89,694
Median Home Value
$411,600
Median Rent
$1,603/mo
Population
18,531
College Educated
56%
Homeownership
59%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
21.5%
Community Profile
New Paltz has a median household income of $89,694. It is a well-educated community where 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $411,600, with a median rent of $1,603/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New York
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
School Districts (2)
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 New Paltz, New York
How many schools are in New Paltz, New York?
New Paltz has 7 schools, including 5 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in New Paltz, New York?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in New Paltz is 6.8 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 New Paltz, New York?
The top-ranked school in New Paltz on MySchoolScout is New Paltz Senior High School with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in New Paltz, New York?
The top-ranked elementary school in New Paltz on MySchoolScout is Lenape Elementary School with a composite score of 6.6/10.
What is the best middle school in New Paltz, New York?
The top-ranked middle school in New Paltz on MySchoolScout is New Paltz Middle School with a composite score of 5.5/10.
What is the best high school in New Paltz, New York?
The top-ranked high school in New Paltz on MySchoolScout is New Paltz Senior High School with a composite score of 9.0/10.
How many school districts serve New Paltz, New York?
New Paltz is served by 2 school districts: New Paltz Central School District, Ulster Boces.
What is the education level in New Paltz, New York?
According to Census data, 56% of adults in New Paltz have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in New Paltz, New York?
The median household income in New Paltz is approximately $89,694 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in New Paltz, New York?
Yes, New Paltz has 2 private schools alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is Mountain Laurel Waldorf School with a score of 6.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in New Paltz, New York?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in New Paltz is 8.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in New Paltz, 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.