Very Good
#1098 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 23% in state
Black River School
Elementary School · CARTHAGE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
PO BOX 218, Black River, NY 13612
Enrollment
546
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
546
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
New York elementary schools
#695 of 2,549
In district
#1 of 5
CARTHAGE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Black River School
Black River School is a charming elementary school located in the small suburban area of Black River, New York. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, the school has an enrollment of 546 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.6:1 with 47 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is part of Jefferson County's public education system and offers a supportive learning environment that focuses on foundational skills and early childhood development.
While Black River School currently ranks as the 1756th out of 4758 schools in New York, placing it around the 63rd percentile statewide, there are areas for growth. Students perform particularly well in English Language Arts, with 62% reaching proficiency or above, while math scores stand at 38%. Despite these figures, Black River School continues to work diligently on academic improvement and student development.
Black River is a close-knit community where students benefit from the tight-knit nature of its suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
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Black River School — Students at Black River School score 54% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
34.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 8 test records from NY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.6/10.
How Black River School Compares
See how Black River School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 42% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 67% (2021).
Location
PO BOX 218, Black River, NY 13612
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Black River School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. IMMACULATE HEART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GRADES (rated 5.9/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Watertown), a more accessible option. Another option is IHC INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL GRADES K-5 (rated 5.7/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Watertown), a more accessible option. Additionally, OHIO STREET SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Watertown), a more accessible option. For more schools in Black River, see our Black River schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CALCIUM PRIMARY SCHOOL Calcium | 3.1 mi | 3.1 |
| EVANS MILLS PRIMARY SCHOOL Evans Mills | 4.8 mi | 4.4 |
| OHIO STREET SCHOOL Watertown | 5.2 mi | 5.6 |
| FAITH FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watertown | 5.5 mi | 5.9 |
| STARBUCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Watertown | 5.3 mi | 3.8 |
| NORTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Watertown | 5.5 mi | 5.2 |
| IMMACULATE HEART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GRADES Watertown | 6.0 mi | 5.9 |
| KNICKERBOCKER SCHOOL Watertown | 6.5 mi | 3.9 |
| HAROLD T WILEY SCHOOL Watertown | 6.9 mi | 5.0 |
| CASE MIDDLE SCHOOL Watertown | 6.9 mi | 4.0 |
| WATERTOWN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Watertown | 6.9 mi | 5.3 |
| SHERMAN SCHOOL Watertown | 6.9 mi | 5.0 |
| IHC INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL GRADES K-5 Watertown | 7.3 mi | 5.7 |
| INDIAN RIVER INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Philadelphia | 9.0 mi | 4.6 |
| IMMACULATE HEART CENTRAL JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Watertown | 7.8 mi | 6.0 |
| WEST CARTHAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Carthage | 7.5 mi | 4.2 |
| CHAMPION PEAK SCHOOL Copenhagen | 9.8 mi | — |
| INDIAN RIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL Philadelphia | 9.6 mi | 4.7 |
| INDIAN RIVER HIGH SCHOOL Philadelphia | 9.8 mi | 7.0 |
| CARTHAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Carthage | 7.8 mi | 3.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 13612 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,106
Median Home Value
$195,000
Median Rent
$942/mo
Population
2,940
College Educated
24.4%
Homeownership
69.5%
Avg Commute
17.6 min
Poverty Rate
14.7%
Median Age
43.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Black River School has a median household income of $67,106. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $195,000, with a median rent of $942/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| ARCHER STREET SCHOOL Freeport, NY | 7.5 |
| BROOKLYN ARBOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY | 7.5 |
| BURR INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Commack, NY | 7.5 |
| CASTLETON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Castleton, NY | 7.5 |
| CHEROKEE STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ronkonkoma, NY | 7.5 |
| DEERFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Utica, NY | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Black River School
What grades does Black River School serve?
Black River School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Black River School?
Black River School has an enrollment of approximately 546 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Black River School?
The student-teacher ratio at Black River School is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Black River School rank in NY?
Black River School is ranked #1098 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is Black River School's MySchoolScout rating?
Black River School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Black River School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Black River School has 37.5% math proficiency and 61.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Black River School a charter school?
No, Black River School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Black River School a Title I school?
No, Black River School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Black River School?
34.4% of students at Black River 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 546
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 34.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Jefferson County
- Phone
- (315) 773-5911
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
CARTHAGE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 3,127
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,094
- District Rank
- #1 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Student-Teacher Ratio by State: Complete 2026 Rankingsdata insights
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