Below Average
#3654 of 4,742 schools in NY
Belle Sherman School
Elementary School · ITHACA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
501 MITCHELL ST, Ithaca, NY 14850
Enrollment
319
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
319
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New York schools
#3,654 of 4,742
In Ithaca
#10 of 13
public schools
In district
#9 of 12
ITHACA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
8.4 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Belle Sherman School?
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Belle Sherman School
Elementary School in Ithaca · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cascadilla School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
South Hill School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Belle Sherman School
Belle Sherman School is a public elementary school in Ithaca, NY, part of ITHACA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. Belle Sherman School serves approximately 319 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 9.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Belle Sherman School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #3,654 of 4,742 schools in NY.
Structured state assessment records for Belle Sherman School show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.9 · Below Average
- District avg 5.2
- NY avg 5.9
What Parents Should Know
At 9.4:1 students to teachers, Belle Sherman School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Belle Sherman School — Students at Belle Sherman School score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
31.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 34 test records from NY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 3.1/10.
How Belle Sherman School Compares
See how Belle Sherman School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. NORTHEAST SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is RAYMOND C BUCKLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Lansing), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SOUTH HILL SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 6.4 |
| NEW ROOTS CHARTER SCHOOL Ithaca | 1.1 mi | 8.5 |
| FALL CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ithaca | 1.3 mi | 4.3 |
| BEVERLY J MARTIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ithaca | 1.3 mi | 3.7 |
| ITHACA SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Ithaca | 1.6 mi | 8.5 |
| CAYUGA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ithaca | 2.1 mi | 5.3 |
| BOYNTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Ithaca | 1.9 mi | 7.0 |
| EAC MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ithaca | 2.3 mi | 6.4 |
| NORTHEAST SCHOOL Ithaca | 2.5 mi | 7.3 |
| DEWITT MIDDLE SCHOOL Ithaca | 2.7 mi | 7.5 |
| TOMPKINS-SENECA-TIOGA BOCES Ithaca | 2.7 mi | 5.6 |
| LEHMAN ALTERNATIVE COMMUNITY SCHOOL Ithaca | 2.1 mi | 6.4 |
| ITHACA WALDORF SCHOOL Ithaca | 3.3 mi | 6.4 |
| 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 | 6.8 |
| LANSING HIGH SCHOOL Lansing | 7.9 mi | 8.3 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ALLEN ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL North Syracuse, NY | 4.9 |
| BGLIG-SHIRLEY RODRIGUEZ-REMENESKI CS Bronx, NY | 4.9 |
| CARROLL HILL SCHOOL Troy, NY | 4.9 |
| CHESTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chester, NY | 4.9 |
| FE SMITH INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Cortland, NY | 4.9 |
| GEORGE ROSS MACKENZIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Glen Spey, NY | 4.9 |
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 ranks #3,654 of 4,742 schools in NY.
What is Belle Sherman School's MySchoolScout rating?
Belle Sherman School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Belle Sherman School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Belle Sherman School has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 26.3%
- Phone
- (607) 274-2206
Resources & Links
District
ITHACA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 5,103
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $28,477
- District Rank
- #9 of 12
Other Schools in This District
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.
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