Best Schools in Utica, New York
19 schools · 12 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 3 Other
Choosing a school in Utica?
Use this page to compare every school in Utica 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.
Deerfield Elementary School
Elementary · Whitesboro Central School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Martin Luther King JR Elementary School
Elementary · Utica City School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
John F Hughes Elementary School
Elementary · Utica City School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Utica for 2026 are Deerfield Elementary School (8.8/10), Martin Luther King JR Elementary School (7.3/10), and John F Hughes Elementary School (6.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 14 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
19
15 public · 4 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$142,850
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
19
15 public · 4 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$142,850
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Rates 7.3/10 despite 89% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.7 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 Utica schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +16.5 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Utica schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Utica
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 14 rated schools; 19 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deerfield Elementary School | 8.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Martin Luther King JR Elementary School | 7.3 / 10 |
| 3 | John F Hughes Elementary School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Watson Williams Elementary School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Albany Elementary School | 6.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Roscoe Conkling Elementary School | 6.3 / 10 |
| 7 | Kernan Elementary School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 8 | General Herkimer Elementary School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 9 | Christopher Columbus Elementary School | 5.6 / 10 |
| 10 | Thomas R Proctor High School | 5.3 / 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
- 6.2/10
- Median household income
- $54,651
- Median home value
- $142,850
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23%
- Avg commute
- 19 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 55%
22% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Utica compares
New York rank
#323 of 473
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below New York avg (6.4)
Median household income
$55k
59% of New York median
Schools in this city
18
Utica City School District runs 87% of Utica's public schools
Utica touches 3 districts, but Utica City School District is the one most addresses actually attend.
Utica City School District accounts for 13 of 15 public schools (87%). The other 2 districts hold the remaining 2.
Among 14 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.6 to 8.8 — the spread is inside Utica, not a citywide average.
- Utica City School District13 public · 87%
- New York State Office Mental Health (omh)1 public · 7%
- Whitesboro Central School District1 public · 7%
About Schools in Utica, New York
Utica, New York is home to 19 schools, including 15 public schools and 4 private schools. The city's schools span 12 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.2 out of 10, schools in Utica 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 Utica is Deerfield Elementary School with a composite score of 8.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Utica is served by 3 school districts: NEW YORK STATE OFFICE MENTAL HEALTH (OMH), UTICA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, WHITESBORO CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT. These districts collectively serve 12,519 students.
Utica's community shows 23% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $54,651. The poverty rate in the area is 24.6%.
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
12 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 330 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.8 |
| 2 | 298 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.3 |
| 3 | 378 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.9 |
| 4 | 602 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.8 |
| 5 | 475 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.5 |
| 6 | 495 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.3 |
| 7 | 583 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.2 |
| 8 | 583 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.1 |
| 9 | 636 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.6 |
| 10 | 428 students · Pre-K–6th | 4.7 |
Show all 12 elementary schools in Utica
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 763 students · 7th–8th | 5.2 |
| 2 | 660 students · 7th–8th | 4.6 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,725 students · 9th–12th | 5.3 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Notre Dame Jr/sr HighPrivate 249 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 students · 1st–11th | — | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Upstate Cerebral PalsyPrivate 180 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Christian Heritage SchoolPrivate 70 students · Pre-K–10th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Utica
Utica, New York · 19 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$54,651
Median Home Value
$142,850
Median Rent
$915/mo
Population
73,476
College Educated
23%
Homeownership
55%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
24.6%
Community Profile
Utica has a median household income of $54,651. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $142,850, with a median rent of $915/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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
- 12
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
- Other
- 3
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 Utica, New York
How many schools are in Utica, New York?
Utica has 19 schools, including 15 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Utica, New York?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Utica is 6.2 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 Utica, New York?
The top-ranked school in Utica on MySchoolScout is Deerfield Elementary School with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Utica, New York?
The top-ranked elementary school in Utica on MySchoolScout is Deerfield Elementary School with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Utica, New York?
The top-ranked middle school in Utica on MySchoolScout is Senator James H Donovan Middle School with a composite score of 5.2/10.
What is the best high school in Utica, New York?
The top-ranked high school in Utica on MySchoolScout is Thomas R Proctor High School with a composite score of 5.3/10.
How many school districts serve Utica, New York?
Utica is served by 3 school districts: New York State Office Mental Health (omh), Utica City School District, Whitesboro Central School District.
What is the education level in Utica, New York?
According to Census data, 23% of adults in Utica have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Utica, New York?
The median household income in Utica is approximately $54,651 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Utica, New York?
Yes, Utica has 4 private schools alongside 15 public schools. The top-rated private school is Notre Dame Elementary School with a score of 7.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Utica, New York?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Utica is 11.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Utica, 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.