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Average

#2533 of 4,739 schools in NY

Cortland High School

High School · CORTLAND CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

8 VALLEY VIEW DR, Cortland, NY 13045

Enrollment

592

Student-Teacher

10.4:1

Score

6.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cortland

#3 of 5

public schools

New York high schools

#681 of 1,160

In district

#3 of 5

CORTLAND CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic performance

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Cortland High School

Cortland High School serves 592 students in grades 9-12 with an impressive academic reputation that places it among New York's top-performing high schools. Ranked #302 out of 4,758 schools statewide, the school earns a strong 8.2 out of 10 rating and sits in the 94th percentile for academic achievement. The school's standout feature is its exceptional test performance, with 95% of students achieving proficiency or above in mathematics and 92% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts.

These results reflect the quality instruction provided by 57 full-time equivalent teachers, who maintain a favorable 10.4-to-1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more personalized attention. Cortland High School draws from a community where the median household income is $63,762 and median home values average $152,200. About 30% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, contributing to an environment that values education.

While the area has a 15.8% poverty rate, the school's strong academic outcomes demonstrate its effectiveness in supporting students from diverse economic backgrounds. Located at 8 Valley View Drive, this regular public school operates in Cortland's town setting within Cortland County, serving a ZIP code population of 28,157 residents in this established upstate New York community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics9.6Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency92%
Reading/ELA Proficiency92%
Overall Proficiency92%
Expected (poverty-adj.)60%
vs. Expected+31.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
College Readiness4.0Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,224

Cortland High School — Students at Cortland High School score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 94.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 92.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 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
97.5%
ELA
92%
2021*
Math
92%
ELA
92%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Cortland High School Compares

See how Cortland High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
47th percentile in NY
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
57 teachers

Location

8 VALLEY VIEW DR, Cortland, NY 13045

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cortland High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. MCGRAW SECONDARY SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Mcgraw), which scores slightly higher. Another option is HOMER SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Homer), with a very similar rating. Additionally, GEORGE JUNIOR REPUBLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Freeville), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Cortland, see our Cortland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.3 mi
School Distance Rating
CORTLAND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Cortland 0.0 mi 6.1
RANDALL MIDDLE SCHOOL Cortland 0.4 mi 7.4
ST MARY'S SCHOOL Cortland 1.2 mi 6.6
FRANKLYN S BARRY PRIMARY SCHOOL Cortland 0.9 mi 3.9
FE SMITH INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Cortland 1.8 mi 6.8
CORTLAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cortland 1.7 mi 5.8
HOMER SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Homer 3.0 mi 6.4
HOMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Homer 3.3 mi 5.6
HOMER INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Homer 3.8 mi 7.2
HOMER JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Homer 3.8 mi 5.2
MCGRAW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mcgraw 3.7 mi 7.5
MCGRAW SECONDARY SCHOOL Mcgraw 4.0 mi 7.1
CASSAVANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dryden 6.6 mi 7.0
SUNNY MEADOWS PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Groton 7.1 mi
DRYDEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dryden 9.2 mi 5.0
DRYDEN HIGH SCHOOL Dryden 9.2 mi 6.3
DRYDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL Dryden 9.2 mi 5.9
GEORGE JUNIOR REPUBLIC SCHOOL Freeville 9.9 mi 6.4
GROTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Groton 9.4 mi 7.2
TRUXTON ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Truxton 11.3 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 13045 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,028

Median Home Value

$162,700

Median Rent

$905/mo

Population

28,388

College Educated

29.7%

Homeownership

58%

Avg Commute

18.5 min

Poverty Rate

15.5%

Median Age

32.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cortland High School has a median household income of $67,028. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $162,700, with a median rent of $905/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.5%. 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
ARCHIMEDES ACAD-MATH SCI TECH Bronx, NY 6.3
CHAUTAUQUA LAKE SECONDARY SCHOOL Mayville, NY 6.3
CHENANGO FORKS HIGH SCHOOL Binghamton, NY 6.3
EAST NEW YORK FAMILY ACADEMY Brooklyn, NY 6.3
GRIFFITH INSTITUTE HIGH SCHOOL Springville, NY 6.3
INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL Bronx, NY 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cortland High School

What grades does Cortland High School serve?

Cortland High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Cortland High School?

Cortland High School has an enrollment of approximately 592 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cortland High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cortland High School is 10.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cortland High School rank in NY?

Cortland High School is ranked #2533 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is Cortland High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cortland High School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Cortland High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cortland High School has 94.8% math proficiency and 92.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cortland High School a charter school?

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

Is Cortland High School a Title I school?

No, Cortland High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cortland High School?

44.9% of students at Cortland 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,198/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
592
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
57
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Cortland County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

CORTLAND CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
1,970
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,076
District Rank
#3 of 5

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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