Best Schools in Tonawanda, New York
9 schools · 5 Elementary · 3 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Tonawanda?
Use this page to compare every school in Tonawanda 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.
Thomas a Edison Elementary School
Elementary · Kenmore-Tonawanda Union Free School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Tonawanda Elementary School
Elementary · Tonawanda City School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Holmes Elementary School
Elementary · Kenmore-Tonawanda Union Free School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Tonawanda for 2026 are Thomas a Edison Elementary School (8.3/10), Tonawanda Elementary School (7.8/10), and Holmes Elementary School (7.2/10), 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
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$181,900
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
9
6 public · 3 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$181,900
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +15.5 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Tonawanda schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Tonawanda
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 | Thomas a Edison Elementary School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Tonawanda Elementary School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Holmes Elementary School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Kenmore East Senior High School | 6.6 / 10 |
| 5 | Glendale Elementary School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Tonawanda Middle/high 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
- $70,294
- Median home value
- $181,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 32%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 71%
38% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Tonawanda compares
New York rank
#196 of 473
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.4
above New York avg (6.4)
Median household income
$70k
75% of New York median
Schools in this city
8
Tonawanda's public schools split across 3 districts
No single ISD owns Tonawanda. The public campuses divide among 3 districts.
The largest shares: Kenmore-Tonawanda Union Free School District (3), Tonawanda City School District (2), Sweet Home Central School District (1).
Among 6 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 5.5 to 8.3 — the spread is inside Tonawanda, not a citywide average.
- Kenmore-Tonawanda Union Free School District3 public · 50%
- Tonawanda City School District2 public · 33%
- Sweet Home Central School District1 public · 17%
About Schools in Tonawanda, New York
Tonawanda, New York is home to 9 schools, including 6 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, , and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.8 out of 10, schools in Tonawanda show moderate performance 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 Tonawanda is Thomas a Edison Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Tonawanda is served by 3 school districts: KENMORE-TONAWANDA UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, SWEET HOME CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, TONAWANDA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. These districts collectively serve 11,887 students.
Tonawanda's community shows 32% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $70,294. The poverty rate in the area is 10.1%.
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 | 601 students · Kindergarten–4th | 8.3 | ||
| 2 | 807 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.8 | ||
| 3 | 281 students · Pre-K–4th | 7.2 | ||
| 4 | 434 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.2 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 223 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,054 students · 8th–12th | 6.6 | ||
| 2 | 889 students · 6th–12th | 5.5 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Cardinal O'hara High SchoolPrivate 181 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Life Christian SchoolPrivate 28 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Tonawanda
Tonawanda, New York · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$70,294
Median Home Value
$181,900
Median Rent
$1,094/mo
Population
41,585
College Educated
32%
Homeownership
71%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Community Profile
Tonawanda has a median household income of $70,294. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $181,900, with a median rent of $1,094/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. 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
- High
- 3
- Other
- 1
Resources
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 Tonawanda, New York
How many schools are in Tonawanda, New York?
Tonawanda has 9 schools, including 6 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Tonawanda, New York?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Tonawanda 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 Tonawanda, New York?
The top-ranked school in Tonawanda on MySchoolScout is Thomas a Edison Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Tonawanda, New York?
The top-ranked elementary school in Tonawanda on MySchoolScout is Thomas a Edison Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best high school in Tonawanda, New York?
The top-ranked high school in Tonawanda on MySchoolScout is Kenmore East Senior High School with a composite score of 6.6/10.
How many school districts serve Tonawanda, New York?
Tonawanda is served by 3 school districts: Kenmore-Tonawanda Union Free School District, Sweet Home Central School District, Tonawanda City School District.
What is the education level in Tonawanda, New York?
According to Census data, 32% of adults in Tonawanda have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Tonawanda, New York?
The median household income in Tonawanda is approximately $70,294 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Tonawanda, New York?
Yes, Tonawanda has 3 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Cardinal O'hara High School with a score of 6.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Tonawanda, New York?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Tonawanda is 10.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Tonawanda, 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.