Needs Improvement
#4624 of 4,739 schools in NY
Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School
High School · CATO-MERIDIAN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
2851 STATE RTE 370, Cato, NY 13033
Enrollment
374
Student-Teacher
10.7:1
Score
3.5
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
374
Student-Teacher
10.7:1
Score
3.5
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cato
#2 of 2
public schools
New York high schools
#1,156 of 1,160
In district
#2 of 2
CATO-MERIDIAN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
About Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School
Cato-Meridian Junior-Senior High School is a regular public high school located in the rural community of Cato, New York, within Cayuga County. The school serves students from seventh through twelfth grade with an enrollment of 374 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 10.7:1. There are 35 full-time equivalent teachers on staff to support the diverse needs of its students.
Academically, Cato-Meridian Junior-Senior High School has room for improvement as indicated by its MySchoolScout Rating of 4.1 out of 10 and a state ranking of #3526 out of 4758 schools in New York (26th percentile). In terms of proficiency rates, 55% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 44% are proficient or above in Math. The school focuses on developing its curriculum and resources to better serve the academic needs of its students.
Cato-Meridian Junior-Senior High School is nestled in a quiet rural setting where students have access to small-town charm and close-knit community support.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School — Students at Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.9%
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
↓ 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: 1.1/10.
How Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School Compares
See how Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 95% (2019) to 47% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 95% (2019) to 57% (2021).
Location
2851 STATE RTE 370, Cato, NY 13033
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. JORDAN-ELBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Jordan), which scores notably higher. Another option is G RAY BODLEY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Fulton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HANNIBAL HIGH SCHOOL (rated 4.7/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Hannibal), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cato, see our Cato schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CATO-MERIDIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cato | 0.3 mi | 5.6 |
| WEEDSPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Weedsport | 8.3 mi | 6.7 |
| WEEDSPORT JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Weedsport | 8.4 mi | 3.9 |
| JORDAN-ELBRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Jordan | 8.1 mi | 6.9 |
| CONQUEST MENNONITE SCHOOL Port Byron | 7.3 mi | 5.0 |
| FAIRLEY SCHOOL Hannibal | 9.8 mi | 7.5 |
| KENNEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Hannibal | 9.9 mi | 5.8 |
| JORDAN-ELBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL Jordan | 9.4 mi | 7.0 |
| A A GATES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Port Byron | 9.6 mi | 5.9 |
| PORT BYRON SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Port Byron | 9.6 mi | 4.5 |
| HANNIBAL HIGH SCHOOL Hannibal | 10.3 mi | 4.7 |
| ELBRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Elbridge | 10.8 mi | 7.5 |
| FULTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Fulton | 11.1 mi | 4.7 |
| RED CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL Red Creek | 9.8 mi | 6.6 |
| RED CREEK HIGH SCHOOL Red Creek | 9.8 mi | 4.3 |
| MARGARET W CUYLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Red Creek | 9.9 mi | 6.8 |
| G RAY BODLEY HIGH SCHOOL Fulton | 11.4 mi | 5.6 |
| J E LANIGAN SCHOOL Fulton | 11.8 mi | 5.4 |
| HILLSIDE CHILDRENS CENTER - FINGER LAKES CAMPUS Auburn | 13.6 mi | 5.9 |
| GRANBY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fulton | 12.6 mi | 3.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 13033 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$80,234
Median Home Value
$166,300
Median Rent
$950/mo
Population
3,660
College Educated
18.5%
Homeownership
85.5%
Avg Commute
30.4 min
Poverty Rate
10.2%
Median Age
38.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School has a median household income of $80,234. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $166,300, with a median rent of $950/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.2%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| AECI II: NYC CHARTER HS Bronx, NY | 3.5 |
| ALEXANDER MIDDLE SCHOOL-HIGH SCHOOL Alexander, NY | 3.5 |
| ALTMAR-PARISH-WILLIAMSTOWN JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Parish, NY | 3.5 |
| EMERSON SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY Buffalo, NY | 3.5 |
| SCHOHARIE HIGH SCHOOL Schoharie, NY | 3.6 |
| GALWAY JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Galway, NY | 3.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School
What grades does Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School serve?
Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School?
Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 374 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School is 10.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School rank in NY?
Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School is ranked #4624 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School has a composite rating of 3.5 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 Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School has 44.0% math proficiency and 55.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School a charter school?
No, Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School a Title I school?
No, Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cato-meridian Junior-senior High School?
44.9% of students at Cato-meridian Junior-senior High 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
- County Safety
- Low (134/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 374
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 44.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Cayuga County
- Phone
- (315) 626-3439
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
CATO-MERIDIAN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 878
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,227
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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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- Best Schools in New York, NY — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- 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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