Best Schools in Rochester, New York
149 schools · 90 Elementary · 15 Middle · 31 High · 13 Other
Choosing a school in Rochester?
Use this page to compare every school in Rochester 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.
Seneca School
Elementary · West Irondequoit Central School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
French Road Elementary School
Elementary · Brighton Central School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Ethel K Fyle Elementary School
Elementary · Rush-Henrietta Central School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Rochester for 2026 are Seneca School (8.8/10), French Road Elementary School (8.5/10), and Ethel K Fyle Elementary School (8.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 102 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
149
110 public · 39 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$167,752
home value · ACS
Districts
26
serving the city
Schools
149
110 public · 39 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$167,752
home value · ACS
Districts
26
serving the city
Rates 8.3/10 despite 55% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.4 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Rochester schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +18.9 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Rochester schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Rochester
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 102 rated schools; 149 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seneca School | 8.8 / 10 |
| 2 | French Road Elementary School | 8.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Ethel K Fyle Elementary School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Brighton High School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Listwood School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 6 | Genesee Community Charter School-Flour City Campus | 8.0 / 10 |
| 7 | Southlawn School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 8 | Brookview School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 9 | Paul Road School | 7.6 / 10 |
| 10 | Longridge School | 7.5 / 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
- 5.7/10
- Median household income
- $64,930
- Median home value
- $167,752
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 36%
- Avg commute
- 19 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 55%
27% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Rochester compares
New York rank
#398 of 473
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below New York avg (6.4)
Median household income
$65k
70% of New York median
Schools in this city
139
Education Snapshot
Rochester, New YorkRochester's public school landscape spans 147 schools across 26 districts, serving roughly 62,009 students. The city's average MySchoolScout composite rating of 5.5/10 — drawn from 138 scored schools — falls 0.7 points below the New York state average of 6.2/10, a gap that tracks with its economic profile: median household income of $69,140 sits 26% below the state median of $93,975. Elementary schools dominate the grade-band mix, accounting for 88 of the 147 campuses; 31 high schools and 15 middle schools fill out the remaining seats. Sixteen charter schools operate alongside traditional district programs, expanding family choice within a system rated below state peers. Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher reach 38% citywide. The 0.7-point rating shortfall versus state benchmarks and the compressed income base make Rochester a market where school selection research pays clear dividends.
26 districts draw attendance lines through Rochester
Rochester is not one school system. 26 districts cut across the city limits, and the largest still holds only 42% of the public campuses.
Rochester City School District is the largest slice at 46 of 110 public schools — not a majority. Choosing a Rochester address is choosing a district first.
Among 102 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 1.4 to 8.8 — the spread is inside Rochester, not a citywide average.
16 of the 110 public schools are charters (15%), so the district split is not the whole market.
- Rochester City School District46 public · 42%
- Greece Central School District17 public · 15%
- West Irondequoit Central School District10 public · 9%
- East Irondequoit Central School District6 public · 5%
- Gates Chili Central School District6 public · 5%
About Schools in Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York gives parents 108 ranked public schools to evaluate — a wide field that spans a full performance spectrum. The city average sits at 5.1 out of 10, which puts the typical school solidly in the middle tier. That average, though, masks real variation: 14 schools, or 13% of the ranked pool, score 7 or higher, meaning strong options exist for families willing to research location and enrollment rules carefully.
The top of the Rochester rankings belongs to Iroquois Middle School, which leads all city schools with an 8.6 out of 10. Brighton High School follows at 8.3, and three elementary schools — Indian Landing Elementary, Allen Creek School, and French Road Elementary — all earn 8.3 or 8.1, signaling that quality feeder pipelines exist in some corridors. That cluster of high-scoring schools across grade levels is a meaningful signal: parents who can access Brighton and its feeder elementary and middle schools are looking at a coherent above-average academic track from kindergarten through graduation.
The practical challenge in Rochester is the gap between the top 13% and the rest of the field. With an average score of 5.1, most schools fall meaningfully below what the city's best-performing campuses demonstrate is achievable. Families zoned outside the higher-scoring districts face a more complicated decision — whether to pursue magnet or charter options, explore open-enrollment transfers, or prioritize neighborhoods anchored by one of the 14 schools at the 7-plus tier.
For parents beginning their search, the grade-level spread at the top is encouraging. Strong elementary schools like Indian Landing and Allen Creek feed into a broader pipeline, and Brighton High School's 8.3 score confirms that high school outcomes can match early-grade momentum in the right cluster. Start by mapping your address to district boundaries, then use the 14 top-rated schools as anchor points to compare your zoned school against. The 5.1 city average tells you to verify performance rather than assume it — the spread between Rochester's best and its typical school is wide enough to matter.
Elementary Schools
90 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 169 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 8.8 |
| 2 | 713 students · 3rd–5th | 8.5 |
| 3 | 411 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 8.3 |
| 4 | 176 students · Pre-K–3rd | 8.1 |
| 5 | 118 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 8.0 |
| 6 | 232 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 7.7 |
| 7 | 151 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 7.7 |
| 8 | 413 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.6 |
| 9 | 758 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.5 |
| 10 | 326 students · 3rd–5th | 7.4 |
Show all 90 elementary schools in Rochester
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
15 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 791 students · 6th–8th | 7.4 |
| 2 | 398 students · 4th–6th | 7.3 |
| 3 | 686 students · 5th–8th | 6.9 |
| 4 | 413 students · 4th–6th | 6.6 |
| 5 | 777 students · 6th–8th | 6.4 |
| 6 | 651 students · 6th–8th | 6.2 |
| 7 | 563 students · 7th–8th | 5.8 |
| 8 | 212 students · 7th–8th | 5.8 |
| 9 | 865 students · 6th–8th | 5.5 |
| 10 | 377 students · 5th–8th | 3.6 |
Show all 15 middle schools in Rochester
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
High Schools
31 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,182 students · 9th–12th | 8.2 |
| 2 | 884 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 |
| 3 | 349 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 |
| 4 | 1,023 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
| 5 | 1,177 students · 9th–12th | 6.7 |
| 6 | 780 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 |
| 7 | 1,057 students · 9th–12th | 6.4 |
| 8 | 1,058 students · 7th–12th | 6.0 |
| 9 | 1,127 students · 9th–12th | 5.9 |
| 10 | 758 students · 9th–12th | 5.6 |
Show all 31 high schools in Rochester
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
13 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 821 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.0 | ||
| 2 | 1,035 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.5 | ||
| 3 | 928 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.5 | ||
| 4 | 1,313 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.2 | ||
| 5 | 266 students · Kindergarten–9th | — | ||
Private Schools8 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Hope Hall SchoolPrivate 141 students · 3rd–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Allendale Columbia SchoolPrivate 263 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 97 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | Mary Cariola CenterPrivate 253 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | The Harley SchoolPrivate 453 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 13 other schools in Rochester
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Rochester
Rochester, New York · 149 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 21 ZIP codes
Median Income
$64,930
Median Home Value
$167,752
Median Rent
$1,118/mo
Population
469,827
College Educated
36%
Homeownership
55%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
18.4%
Community Profile
Rochester has a median household income of $64,930. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $167,752, with a median rent of $1,118/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.4%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New York
- Elementary
- 90
- Middle
- 15
- High
- 31
- Other
- 13
Resources
School Districts (26)
EUGENIO MARIA DE HOSTOS CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 1,035 students
GENESEE COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 223 students
TRUE NORTH ROCHESTER PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 1,313 students
ROCHESTER ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 821 students
YOUNG WOMEN'S COLLEGE PREP CS
1 school · 352 students
UNIVERSITY PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL FOR YOUNG MEN
1 school · 501 students
TRUE NORTH ROCHESTER PREP-WEST CAMP
1 school · 803 students
DISCOVERY CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 304 students
EXPLORATION ELE CS - SCIENCE-TECHNOL
1 school · 399 students
ACADEMY OF HEALTH SCIENCES CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 377 students
RENAISSANCE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
1 school · 503 students
VERTUS CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 336 students
ROCHESTER PREP CHARTER SCHOOL 3
1 school · 766 students
BRIGHTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
4 schools · 3,467 students
CHURCHVILLE-CHILI CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
5 schools · 3,831 students
EAST IRONDEQUOIT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
6 schools · 2,818 students
GATES CHILI CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
6 schools · 3,775 students
GREECE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
17 schools · 10,007 students
WEST IRONDEQUOIT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
10 schools · 3,645 students
PENFIELD CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
6 schools · 4,680 students
PITTSFORD CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
9 schools · 5,582 students
ROCHESTER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
46 schools · 22,164 students
RUSH-HENRIETTA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
9 schools · 5,771 students
CITIZENSHIP AND SCIENCE ACADEMY OF ROCHESTER CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 261 students
GENESEE COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL-FLOUR CITY CAMPUS
1 school · 118 students
ROCHESTER ACADEMY OF SCIENCE CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 266 students
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 Rochester, New York
How many schools are in Rochester, New York?
Rochester has 149 schools, including 110 public and 39 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Rochester, New York?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Rochester is 5.7 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 Rochester, New York?
The top-ranked school in Rochester on MySchoolScout is Seneca School with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Rochester, New York?
The top-ranked elementary school in Rochester on MySchoolScout is Seneca School with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Rochester, New York?
The top-ranked middle school in Rochester on MySchoolScout is Twelve Corners Middle School with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What is the best high school in Rochester, New York?
The top-ranked high school in Rochester on MySchoolScout is Brighton High School with a composite score of 8.2/10.
How many school districts serve Rochester, New York?
Rochester is served by 26 school districts: Eugenio Maria De Hostos Charter School, Genesee Community Charter School, True North Rochester Preparatory Charter School, Rochester Academy Charter School, Young Women's College Prep Cs, University Preparatory Charter School for Young Men, True North Rochester Prep-West Camp, Discovery Charter School, Exploration Ele Cs - Science-Technol, Academy of Health Sciences Charter School, Renaissance Academy Charter School of the Arts, Vertus Charter School, Rochester Prep Charter School 3, Brighton Central School District, Churchville-Chili Central School District, East Irondequoit Central School District, Gates Chili Central School District, Greece Central School District, West Irondequoit Central School District, Penfield Central School District, Pittsford Central School District, Rochester City School District, Rush-Henrietta Central School District, Citizenship and Science Academy of Rochester Charter School, Genesee Community Charter School-Flour City Campus, Rochester Academy of Science Charter School.
What is the education level in Rochester, New York?
According to Census data, 36% of adults in Rochester have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Rochester, New York?
The median household income in Rochester is approximately $64,930 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Rochester, New York?
Yes, Rochester has 39 private schools alongside 110 public schools. The top-rated private school is Hope Hall School with a score of 8.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Rochester, New York?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Rochester is 10.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Rochester, 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 States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- 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.