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Very Good

#1010 of 4,739 schools in NY

Top 21% in state

Belle Sherman School

Elementary School · ITHACA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

501 MITCHELL ST, Ithaca, NY 14850

Enrollment

319

Student-Teacher

9.4:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ithaca

#4 of 13

public schools

New York elementary schools

#641 of 2,549

In district

#4 of 12

ITHACA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic growth

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Belle Sherman School

Belle Sherman School serves 319 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Ithaca, New York, offering an intimate learning environment with a 9.4:1 student-teacher ratio and 34 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public elementary school has earned recognition as a high-performing institution, ranking in the 84th percentile statewide at #775 out of 4,758 New York schools and receiving a 7.5 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. Academically, Belle Sherman demonstrates solid achievement with 62% of students performing at proficient levels or above in English Language Arts and 59% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

These results reflect the school's commitment to providing quality education in core subject areas. The school is situated in a diverse and educated community where 70% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an environment that values learning and academic achievement. The neighborhood's median household income of $64,911 and home values averaging $320,600 indicate a stable residential area, though the 20.4% poverty rate shows the community serves families across various economic backgrounds.

Belle Sherman School operates within Ithaca's small city setting, benefiting from the cultural and educational resources that come with being located in a vibrant college town environment in Tompkins County.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, Belle Sherman School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+2.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics6.6Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Math vs. State Avg+3.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.1 pts
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected-5.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.3Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,508

Belle Sherman School — Students at Belle Sherman School score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 59.0%
School
State
48.1%
ELA Proficiency 58.8%
School
State
57.0%

Based on 10 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
62%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
58.3%
ELA
61.8%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.4/10.

How Belle Sherman School Compares

See how Belle Sherman School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
79th percentile in NY
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
8.4/10
Above average
Environment
7.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

501 MITCHELL ST, Ithaca, NY 14850

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Belle Sherman School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CAYUGA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is SOUTH HILL SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, NORTHEAST SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 2.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Ithaca, see our Ithaca schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.9 mi
School Distance Rating
CASCADILLA SCHOOL Ithaca 0.5 mi
SOUTH HILL SCHOOL Ithaca 0.8 mi 8.1
NEW ROOTS CHARTER SCHOOL Ithaca 1.1 mi 7.1
FALL CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ithaca 1.3 mi 4.4
BEVERLY J MARTIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ithaca 1.3 mi 5.4
ITHACA SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Ithaca 1.6 mi 8.0
CAYUGA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ithaca 2.1 mi 8.4
BOYNTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Ithaca 1.9 mi 4.8
EAC MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ithaca 2.3 mi 6.4
NORTHEAST SCHOOL Ithaca 2.5 mi 7.2
DEWITT MIDDLE SCHOOL Ithaca 2.7 mi 5.8
TOMPKINS-SENECA-TIOGA BOCES Ithaca 2.7 mi 7.0
LEHMAN ALTERNATIVE COMMUNITY SCHOOL Ithaca 2.1 mi 7.4
ITHACA WALDORF SCHOOL Ithaca 3.3 mi 6.5
NAMASTE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ithaca 6.1 mi 6.3
FINGER LAKES RESIDENTIAL CENTER Lansing 7.6 mi
CAROLINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Slaterville Springs 6.2 mi 6.3
COVENANT LOVE COMMUNITY SCHOOL Freeville 6.3 mi 6.7
RAYMOND C BUCKLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lansing 7.9 mi 5.9
LANSING HIGH SCHOOL Lansing 7.9 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 14850 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,689

Median Home Value

$334,800

Median Rent

$1,446/mo

Population

66,495

College Educated

71.8%

Homeownership

44.2%

Avg Commute

19 min

Poverty Rate

18.3%

Median Age

28.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Belle Sherman School has a median household income of $69,689. It is a well-educated community where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $334,800, with a median rent of $1,446/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CHAZY CENTRAL RURAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chazy, NY 7.6
D B BUNCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pavilion, NY 7.6
EDWARDS-KNOX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hermon, NY 7.6
ELMWOOD-FRANKLIN SCHOOL Buffalo, NY 7.6
EUGENE AUER MEMORIAL SCHOOL Lake Grove, NY 7.6
FOREST PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Albany, NY 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Belle Sherman School

What grades does Belle Sherman School serve?

Belle Sherman School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Belle Sherman School?

Belle Sherman School has an enrollment of approximately 319 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Belle Sherman School?

The student-teacher ratio at Belle Sherman School is 9.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Belle Sherman School rank in NY?

Belle Sherman School is ranked #1010 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is Belle Sherman School's MySchoolScout rating?

Belle Sherman School has a composite rating of 7.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Belle Sherman School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Belle Sherman School has 59.0% math proficiency and 58.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Belle Sherman School a charter school?

No, Belle Sherman School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Belle Sherman School a Title I school?

No, Belle Sherman School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Belle Sherman School?

31.7% of students at Belle Sherman School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
64 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
64 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,421/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ithaca). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
319
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
31.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Tompkins County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

ITHACA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
5,103
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$28,477
District Rank
#4 of 12

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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