Very Good
#1135 of 4,742 schools in NY
Top 24% in state
Birchwood Elementary School
Elementary School · NISKAYUNA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
897 BIRCHWOOD LN, Schenectady, NY 12309
Enrollment
388
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
388
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New York schools
#1,135 of 4,742
In Schenectady
#4 of 32
public schools
In district
#3 of 8
NISKAYUNA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic performance
8.1 / 10
Excellent
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Birchwood Elementary School
Elementary School in Schenectady · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Veeder Elementary School
1.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Lisha Kill Middle School
1.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Birchwood Elementary School
Birchwood Elementary School is a public elementary school in Schenectady, NY, part of NISKAYUNA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT. Birchwood Elementary School serves approximately 388 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Birchwood Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,135 of 4,742 schools in NY.
Structured state assessment records for Birchwood Elementary School show 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.6 · Very Good
- District avg 6.9
- NY avg 5.9
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Birchwood Elementary School — Students at Birchwood Elementary School score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
16.8%
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: 7.5/10.
How Birchwood Elementary School Compares
See how Birchwood Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
897 BIRCHWOOD LN, Schenectady, NY 12309
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Birchwood Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ROSENDALE SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is HILLSIDE SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 3.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, FORTS FERRY SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Latham), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Schenectady, see our Schenectady schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| VEEDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Albany | 1.7 mi | 5.4 |
| LISHA KILL MIDDLE SCHOOL Albany | 1.9 mi | 6.4 |
| CAP DIST JUVENILE SECURE DETENTION Albany | 1.8 mi | — |
| IROQUOIS MIDDLE SCHOOL Schenectady | 2.1 mi | 7.1 |
| ROSENDALE SCHOOL Schenectady | 2.2 mi | 7.9 |
| ALBANY-SCHOHARIE-SCHENECTADY-SARATOGA BOCES Albany | 2.6 mi | 5.2 |
| ANNUR ISLAMIC SCHOOL Schenectady | 2.2 mi | 7.3 |
| SADDLEWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Albany | 2.9 mi | 5.5 |
| FOREST PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Albany | 3.8 mi | 6.5 |
| RIVER RUN COMMUNITY MONTESSORI Schenectady | 3.1 mi | — |
| BROWN SCHOOL Schenectady | 3.1 mi | 6.9 |
| BRIGHT HOPE ACADEMY CENTER Schenectady | 3.1 mi | — |
| ST KATERI PARISH SCHOOL Schenectady | 3.4 mi | 6.2 |
| HILLSIDE SCHOOL Schenectady | 3.5 mi | 7.3 |
| WOODLAWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Schenectady | 3.2 mi | 5.1 |
| PAIGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Schenectady | 3.3 mi | 2.7 |
| OUR WORLD MONTESSORI Niskayuna | 3.7 mi | — |
| FORTS FERRY SCHOOL Latham | 3.3 mi | 7.3 |
| VAN ANTWERP MIDDLE SCHOOL Schenectady | 3.7 mi | 6.5 |
| NISKAYUNA HIGH SCHOOL Schenectady | 4.0 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 12309 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$119,830
Median Home Value
$301,100
Median Rent
$1,472/mo
Population
32,996
College Educated
59%
Homeownership
82.7%
Avg Commute
20.6 min
Poverty Rate
4.3%
Median Age
41.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A F PALMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL / WINDSOR CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Windsor, NY | 7.6 |
| BABYLON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Babylon, NY | 7.6 |
| BABYLON MEMORIAL GRADE SCHOOL Babylon, NY | 7.6 |
| CHANCELLOR LIVINGSTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rhinebeck, NY | 7.6 |
| DAVID N DINKINS SCHOOL Jamaica, NY | 7.6 |
| ELMWOOD-FRANKLIN SCHOOL Buffalo, NY | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Birchwood Elementary School
What grades does Birchwood Elementary School serve?
Birchwood Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Birchwood Elementary School?
Birchwood Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 388 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Birchwood Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Birchwood Elementary School is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Birchwood Elementary School rank in NY?
Birchwood Elementary School ranks #1,135 of 4,742 schools in NY.
What is Birchwood Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Birchwood Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 Birchwood Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Birchwood Elementary School has 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Birchwood Elementary School a charter school?
No, Birchwood Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Birchwood Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Birchwood Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Birchwood Elementary School?
16.8% of students at Birchwood Elementary 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 388
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 16.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Schenectady County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 13.7%
- Phone
- (518) 344-2910
Resources & Links
District
NISKAYUNA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 4,363
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,046
- District Rank
- #3 of 8
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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