Very Good
#1375 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 29% in state
Gayhead School
Elementary School · WAPPINGERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
PO BOX 307, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533
Enrollment
831
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
831
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hopewell Junction
#1 of 3
public schools
New York elementary schools
#849 of 2,549
In district
#1 of 15
WAPPINGERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Gayhead School
Gayhead School serves kindergarten through sixth grade students in Hopewell Junction, a large suburban community in Dutchess County. With 831 students and 57 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1, allowing for reasonable class sizes and individual attention. The school's academic performance shows mixed results.
In English Language Arts, 67% of students score at proficient levels or above, indicating solid reading and writing skills across grade levels. Mathematics presents more of a challenge, with 52% of students achieving proficiency or higher, suggesting an area where additional support may benefit learners. Overall, Gayhead School ranks in the 66th percentile statewide among New York's roughly 4,700 schools, placing it #1,622 in the state.
The school's MySchoolScout rating of 6.6/10 reflects these academic trends, with room for growth in core subject mastery. As a regular public school, Gayhead provides a traditional educational environment for the early elementary years through middle school transition. The large suburban setting offers families a neighborhood school option within a developed residential area of Hopewell Junction.
Score Breakdown
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Gayhead School — Students at Gayhead School score 62% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
25%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 12 test records from NY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.2/10.
How Gayhead School Compares
See how Gayhead School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 49% (2019) to 53% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 70% (2021).
Location
PO BOX 307, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gayhead School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. NOXON ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Poughkeepsie), which scores notably higher. Another option is VAIL FARM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Lagrangeville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, MYERS CORNERS SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Wappingers Falls), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Hopewell Junction, see our Hopewell Junction schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST DENIS-ST COLUMBA SCHOOL Hopewell Junction | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| VAN WYCK JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Wappingers Falls | 2.7 mi | 6.5 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hopewell Junction | 3.0 mi | — |
| JOHN JAY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Hopewell Junction | 2.8 mi | 6.4 |
| FISHKILL PLAINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wappingers Falls | 2.9 mi | 7.0 |
| ORCHARD VIEW ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL Hopewell Junction | 3.3 mi | 5.2 |
| BRINCKERHOFF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fishkill | 3.9 mi | 6.5 |
| NOXON ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Poughkeepsie | 5.2 mi | 8.4 |
| MYERS CORNERS SCHOOL Wappingers Falls | 4.6 mi | 7.3 |
| LAGRANGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Lagrangeville | 6.1 mi | 7.8 |
| BEEKMAN SCHOOL Poughquag | 5.1 mi | 6.7 |
| ROY C KETCHAM SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Wappingers Falls | 5.2 mi | 6.3 |
| UNION VALE MIDDLE SCHOOL Lagrangeville | 6.4 mi | 8.4 |
| ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL Lagrangeville | 7.1 mi | 6.2 |
| VAIL FARM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lagrangeville | 6.7 mi | 7.8 |
| VASSAR ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Poughkeepsie | 6.6 mi | 4.0 |
| FISHKILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fishkill | 5.8 mi | 6.4 |
| KINRY ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Poughkeepsie | 6.7 mi | 5.4 |
| JAMES S EVANS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wappingers Falls | 6.1 mi | 6.6 |
| ST MARY SCHOOL Fishkill | 6.3 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 12533 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$134,950
Median Home Value
$440,800
Median Rent
$1,643/mo
Population
26,770
College Educated
45.8%
Homeownership
89.9%
Avg Commute
37.9 min
Poverty Rate
4.7%
Median Age
41.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Gayhead School has a median household income of $134,950. 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 $440,800, with a median rent of $1,643/month. The local poverty rate of 4.7% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 38 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ANDREW T MORROW SCHOOL Islandia, NY | 7.3 |
| ARONGEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clifton Park, NY | 7.3 |
| BIRCH SCHOOL Merrick, NY | 7.3 |
| ENDERS ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Manlius, NY | 7.3 |
| MAPLE WEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Williamsville, NY | 7.3 |
| MAPLEWOOD INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Huntington Station, NY | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Gayhead School
What grades does Gayhead School serve?
Gayhead School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Gayhead School?
Gayhead School has an enrollment of approximately 831 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gayhead School?
The student-teacher ratio at Gayhead School is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Gayhead School rank in NY?
Gayhead School is ranked #1375 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is Gayhead School's MySchoolScout rating?
Gayhead School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Gayhead School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gayhead School has 52.3% math proficiency and 66.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Gayhead School a charter school?
No, Gayhead School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Gayhead School a Title I school?
No, Gayhead School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gayhead School?
25.0% of students at Gayhead 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 831
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 57
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 25.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Dutchess County
- Phone
- (845) 227-1756
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
WAPPINGERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 10,614
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $24,771
- District Rank
- #1 of 15
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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