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Needs Improvement

#4705 of 4,739 schools in NY

Cataract Elementary School

Elementary School · NIAGARA FALLS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

6431 GIRARD AVE, Niagara Falls, NY 14304

Enrollment

534

Student-Teacher

14.1:1

Score

2.9

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Niagara Falls

#12 of 13

public schools

New York elementary schools

#2,517 of 2,549

In district

#11 of 11

NIAGARA FALLS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

About Cataract Elementary School

Cataract Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Niagara Falls, New York. With an enrollment of 534 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1, the school provides a moderate level of individual attention to each child. The school offers education from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, covering a broad range of foundational learning years.

Cataract Elementary School is situated in a large suburban area, offering a quieter setting compared to more urban locations while still being close to city amenities and resources. Despite its MySchoolScout Rating of 2.4 out of 10 and a state ranking of #4601 out of 4758 schools (3rd percentile), the school focuses on student development and community engagement, with room for academic growth in both ELA/Reading (25% proficiency) and Math (17% proficiency). Cataract Elementary School is part of a larger suburban neighborhood that values education and community support.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.3Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-6.55 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics2.0Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Math vs. State Avg-41.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-33.9 pts
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected-31.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.2Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,997

Cataract Elementary School — Students at Cataract Elementary School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 17.2%
School
State
45.9%
ELA Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
58.4%

Based on 12 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
40%
ELA
24%
2021*
Math
12.6%
ELA
25.2%

* 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: 3.3/10.

How Cataract Elementary School Compares

See how Cataract Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.9/10
1th percentile in NY
Academic
2.0/10
2.0/10
Growth
3.3/10
Below average
Environment
3.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

Location

6431 GIRARD AVE, Niagara Falls, NY 14304

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cataract Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. COLONIAL VILLAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST STEPHEN SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Grand Island), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CATHOLIC ACADEMY OF NIAGARA FALLS (rated 6.0/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Niagara Falls, see our Niagara Falls schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.2 mi
School Distance Rating
LASALLE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Niagara Falls 1.0 mi 5.3
SEVENTY NINTH STREET SCHOOL Niagara Falls 0.8 mi 3.4
CATHOLIC ACADEMY OF NIAGARA FALLS Niagara Falls 1.3 mi 6.0
NIAGARA FALLS HIGH SCHOOL Niagara Falls 1.7 mi 5.5
GERALDINE J MANN SCHOOL Niagara Falls 1.9 mi 3.7
GASKILL PREPARATORY SCHOOL Niagara Falls 2.0 mi 4.4
BLONEVA BOND PRIMARY SCHOOL Niagara Falls 2.1 mi 3.3
HYDE PARK SCHOOL Niagara Falls 2.4 mi 3.5
HUTH ROAD SCHOOL Grand Island 2.8 mi 5.7
COLONIAL VILLAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Niagara Falls 3.7 mi 7.4
HENRY J KALFAS MAGNET SCHOOL Niagara Falls 3.3 mi 4.3
CHARLOTTE SIDWAY SCHOOL Grand Island 4.1 mi 5.3
NIAGARA CHARTER SCHOOL Niagara Falls 3.7 mi 1.9
HARRY F ABATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Niagara Falls 3.3 mi 4.2
ST PETER'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Sanborn 4.0 mi 5.8
ST STEPHEN SCHOOL Grand Island 4.8 mi 6.6
MAPLE AVENUE SCHOOL Niagara Falls 4.2 mi 2.9
VERONICA E CONNOR MIDDLE SCHOOL Grand Island 4.4 mi 3.8
GRAND ISLAND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Grand Island 4.4 mi 6.3
HOLY GHOST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Niagara Falls 4.2 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 14304 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,756

Median Home Value

$151,500

Median Rent

$901/mo

Population

28,965

College Educated

25.4%

Homeownership

73.4%

Avg Commute

19.3 min

Poverty Rate

12.4%

Median Age

42.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cataract Elementary School has a median household income of $64,756. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $151,500, with a median rent of $901/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.4%. 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
DEAUVILLE GARDENS EAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Copiague, NY 2.9
HEBREW LANGUAGE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY 2.9
MAPLE AVENUE SCHOOL Niagara Falls, NY 2.9
WESTMINSTER COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo, NY 2.9
BROWNSVILLE ASCEND CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY 3.0
CALIFORNIA AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Uniondale, NY 3.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cataract Elementary School

What grades does Cataract Elementary School serve?

Cataract Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Cataract Elementary School?

Cataract Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 534 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cataract Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cataract Elementary School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cataract Elementary School rank in NY?

Cataract Elementary School is ranked #4705 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is Cataract Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cataract Elementary School has a composite rating of 2.9 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 Cataract Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cataract Elementary School has 17.2% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cataract Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Cataract Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Cataract Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cataract Elementary School?

72.3% of students at Cataract 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,326/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
534
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Niagara County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

NIAGARA FALLS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
7,029
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,705
District Rank
#11 of 11

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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