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#3416 of 4,739 schools in NY

Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts

High School · BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

450 MASTEN AVE, Buffalo, NY 14209

Enrollment

575

Student-Teacher

8.3:1

Score

5.4

Grades

5th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Buffalo

#22 of 84

public schools

New York high schools

#916 of 1,160

In district

#18 of 59

BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Equity

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts

Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts serves 575 students in grades 5 through 12 on Masten Avenue in Buffalo. This specialized public school offers an exceptionally small student-teacher ratio of 8.3:1, with 69 full-time equivalent teachers providing personalized attention that many larger schools cannot match. The academy demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks in the 74th percentile statewide at #1238 out of 4758 New York schools.

Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 49% scoring proficient or above, while mathematics presents opportunities for continued growth with 34% proficiency rates. As a visual and performing arts-focused institution, the school likely attracts students passionate about creative disciplines while maintaining academic rigor across traditional subjects. The intimate class sizes allow teachers to provide individualized support and mentorship that can be especially valuable for students developing both artistic talents and academic skills.

The school serves a diverse community where 45% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting an educated population that values both academic achievement and artistic expression. Located in Buffalo's urban landscape, the academy provides students with access to the cultural richness and opportunities that come with big-city living.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.3:1, Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.3Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-4.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg+29.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+29.3 pts
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected+21.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College Readiness3.1Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation8.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.3Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,198

Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts — Students at Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 33.6%
School
State
34.3%
ELA Proficiency 49.2%
School
State
54.9%

Based on 11 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
46%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
30.5%
ELA
48.8%

* 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: 4.3/10.

How Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts Compares

See how Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
28th percentile in NY
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
4.3/10
Below average
Environment
6.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
69 teachers

Location

450 MASTEN AVE, Buffalo, NY 14209

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BUFFALO SEMINARY (rated 8.2/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is NARDIN ACADEMY (rated 6.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CITY HONORS SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Buffalo, see our Buffalo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
LEONARDO DA VINCI HIGH SCHOOL Buffalo 0.3 mi 5.6
HEALTH SCIENCES CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo 0.4 mi 5.0
PS 17 Buffalo 0.5 mi 2.8
CATHOLIC ACADEMY WEST BUFFALO Buffalo 0.5 mi 6.7
CITY HONORS SCHOOL Buffalo 0.8 mi 6.2
COMMUNITY SCHOOL #53 Buffalo 0.6 mi 5.0
STANLEY MAKOWSKI EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Buffalo 0.8 mi 3.3
NARDIN ACADEMY Buffalo 0.7 mi 6.6
STANLEY G FALK SCHOOL Buffalo 0.8 mi 7.2
PS 74 HAMLIN PARK - CLAUDE AND OUIDA CLAPP ACADEMY Buffalo 0.7 mi 4.1
MARVA J DANIEL FUTURES PREPARATORY SCHOOL Buffalo 1.1 mi 4.4
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR #48 Buffalo 1.1 mi 3.2
BUFFALO SEMINARY Buffalo 1.0 mi 8.2
BUFFALO COMMONS CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo 1.3 mi
PS 59 DR CHARLES DREW SCIENCE MAGNET Buffalo 1.1 mi 4.4
REACH ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo 1.6 mi 5.2
DR GEORGE BLACKMAN ECC Buffalo 1.5 mi 3.4
ERIE COUNTY DETENTION FACILITY Buffalo 1.3 mi
PATHWAYS ACADEMY Buffalo 1.3 mi 5.7
LAFAYETTE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Buffalo 1.3 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 14209 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,359

Median Home Value

$408,600

Median Rent

$1,025/mo

Population

8,373

College Educated

46.1%

Homeownership

34.1%

Avg Commute

20.3 min

Poverty Rate

25%

Median Age

35.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts has a median household income of $49,359. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $408,600, with a median rent of $1,025/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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
ADIRONDACK HIGH SCHOOL Boonville, NY 5.4
BOYS AND GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY 5.4
CHEEKTOWAGA HIGH SCHOOL Cheektowaga, NY 5.4
CHRIST THE KING HIGH SCHOOL Middle Village, NY 5.4
EAST UPPER HIGH SCHOOL Rochester, NY 5.4
FRANK MCCOURT HIGH SCHOOL New York, NY 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts

What grades does Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts serve?

Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts serves students in grades 5th through 12th.

How many students attend Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts?

Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts has an enrollment of approximately 575 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts?

The student-teacher ratio at Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts is 8.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts rank in NY?

Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts is ranked #3416 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts's MySchoolScout rating?

Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts has 33.6% math proficiency and 49.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts a charter school?

No, Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts a Title I school?

No, Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts?

67.5% of students at Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts 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

City Safety
High (4,549/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 12th
Enrollment
575
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
69
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Erie County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
29,866
Schools in District
61
Per-Pupil Spending
$30,022
District Rank
#18 of 59

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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