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Needs Improvement

#4671 of 4,742 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

2.8

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New York schools

#4,671 of 4,742

In Niagara Falls

#9 of 13

public schools

In district

#7 of 11

NIAGARA FALLS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

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Cataract Elementary School

2.8/10

Elementary School in Niagara Falls · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lasalle Preparatory School

4.3/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Seventy Ninth Street School

3.5/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Cataract Elementary School

Cataract Elementary School is a public elementary school in Niagara Falls, NY, part of NIAGARA FALLS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. Cataract Elementary School serves approximately 534 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Cataract Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and ranks #4,671 of 4,742 schools in NY.

Structured state assessment records for Cataract Elementary School show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 2.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 2.8
  • NY avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

61% of students at Cataract Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.8 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.4% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency20.9% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-33.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-40 pts
Overall Proficiency21% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-23.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
Resources & Environment3.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,705
Chronic Absenteeism60.5%

Cataract Elementary School — Students at Cataract Elementary School score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

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 EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 29.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
45.9% (2021 NYSED)
ELA Proficiency 28.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
58.4% (2021 NYSED)

Based on 36 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
93%
ELA
71%
2010
Math
61%
ELA
48%
2011
Math
61%
ELA
50%
2012
Math
13%
ELA
13%
2013
Math
20%
ELA
17%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
13%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
22%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
23%
2017
Math
31%
ELA
30%
2018
Math
40%
ELA
24%
2019
Math
40%
ELA
24%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
12.6%
ELA
25.2%
2022
Math
20.4%
ELA
20.9%

* 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: 2.5/10.

How Cataract Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
2.8/10
2th percentile in NY
Academic
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.4/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
60.5%

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. CHARLOTTE SIDWAY SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Grand Island), 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, HUTH ROAD SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Grand Island), 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 4.3
SEVENTY NINTH STREET SCHOOL Niagara Falls 0.8 mi 3.5
CATHOLIC ACADEMY OF NIAGARA FALLS Niagara Falls 1.3 mi 6.0
NIAGARA FALLS HIGH SCHOOL Niagara Falls 1.7 mi 6.0
GERALDINE J MANN SCHOOL Niagara Falls 1.9 mi 4.1
GASKILL PREPARATORY SCHOOL Niagara Falls 2.0 mi 2.7
BLONEVA BOND PRIMARY SCHOOL Niagara Falls 2.1 mi 3.3
HYDE PARK SCHOOL Niagara Falls 2.4 mi 2.8
HUTH ROAD SCHOOL Grand Island 2.8 mi 6.5
COLONIAL VILLAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Niagara Falls 3.7 mi 5.0
HENRY J KALFAS MAGNET SCHOOL Niagara Falls 3.3 mi 1.5
CHARLOTTE SIDWAY SCHOOL Grand Island 4.1 mi 7.0
NIAGARA CHARTER SCHOOL Niagara Falls 3.7 mi 5.2
HARRY F ABATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Niagara Falls 3.3 mi 2.2
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 2.4
VERONICA E CONNOR MIDDLE SCHOOL Grand Island 4.4 mi 5.7
GRAND ISLAND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Grand Island 4.4 mi 8.2
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ACHIEVEMENT FIRST LINDEN CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY 2.8
BEDFORD PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bronx, NY 2.8
FLEETWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chestnut Ridge, NY 2.8
GOUVERNEUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gouverneur, NY 2.8
HYDE PARK SCHOOL Niagara Falls, NY 2.8
JAMES WELDON JOHNSON SCHOOL New York, NY 2.8

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 ranks #4,671 of 4,742 schools in NY.

What is Cataract Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cataract Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 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 Cataract Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cataract Elementary School has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Walk Score
51 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
27 Some Transit
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
60.5%

District

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

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