Best Schools in Rensselaer, New York
5 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Rensselaer?
Use this page to compare every school in Rensselaer 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.
Doane Stuart School
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Red Mill School
Elementary · East Greenbush Central School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Woodland Hill Montessori 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 Rensselaer for 2026 are Doane Stuart School (8.1/10), Red Mill School (6.8/10), and Woodland Hill Montessori School (6.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 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
5
3 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$235,300
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
5
3 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$235,300
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Rensselaer
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doane Stuart School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Red Mill School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Woodland Hill Montessori School | 6.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Rensselaer Junior/senior High School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Van Rensselaer Elementary School | 3.1 / 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
- 6.0/10
- Median household income
- $88,357
- Median home value
- $235,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 38%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 59%
20% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Rensselaer compares
New York rank
#313 of 475
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below New York avg (6.2)
Median household income
$88k
95% of New York median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Rensselaer, New York
Rensselaer, New York is home to 5 schools, including 3 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, , and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.0 out of 10, schools in Rensselaer 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 Rensselaer is Doane Stuart School with a composite score of 8.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Rensselaer is served by 2 school districts: EAST GREENBUSH CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, RENSSELAER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. These districts collectively serve 5,138 students.
Rensselaer's community shows 38% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $88,357. The poverty rate in the area is 11.8%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 467 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.8 | ||
| 2 | 475 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.1 | ||
| 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 | Woodland Hill Montessori School
Private
314 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.6 | ||
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 478 students · 6th–12th | 5.3 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doane Stuart School
Private
168 students · Pre-K–12th | 8.1 |
Schools in Rensselaer
Rensselaer, New York · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$88,357
Median Home Value
$235,300
Median Rent
$1,379/mo
Population
21,631
College Educated
38%
Homeownership
59%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
11.8%
Community Profile
Rensselaer has a median household income of $88,357. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $235,300, with a median rent of $1,379/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New York
- Elementary
- 3
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
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 Rensselaer, New York
How many schools are in Rensselaer, New York?
Rensselaer has 5 schools, including 3 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Rensselaer, New York?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Rensselaer is 6.0 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 Rensselaer, New York?
The top-ranked school in Rensselaer on MySchoolScout is Doane Stuart School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Rensselaer, New York?
The top-ranked elementary school in Rensselaer on MySchoolScout is Red Mill School with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best high school in Rensselaer, New York?
The top-ranked high school in Rensselaer on MySchoolScout is Rensselaer Junior/senior High School with a composite score of 5.3/10.
How many school districts serve Rensselaer, New York?
Rensselaer is served by 2 school districts: East Greenbush Central School District, Rensselaer City School District.
What is the education level in Rensselaer, New York?
According to Census data, 38% of adults in Rensselaer have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Rensselaer, New York?
The median household income in Rensselaer is approximately $88,357 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Rensselaer, New York?
Yes, Rensselaer has 2 private schools alongside 3 public schools. The top-rated private school is Doane Stuart School with a score of 8.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Rensselaer, New York?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Rensselaer 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 Rensselaer, 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.