Average
#2927 of 4,739 schools in NY
Giffen Memorial Elementary School
Elementary School · ALBANY CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
274 S PEARL ST, Albany, NY 12202
Enrollment
406
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
406
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Albany
#17 of 32
public schools
New York elementary schools
#1,610 of 2,549
In district
#10 of 15
ALBANY CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Giffen Memorial Elementary School
Giffen Memorial Elementary School is a regular public school located in Albany, New York. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 406 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.7:1 with 32 full-time equivalent teachers. With its focus on foundational learning, Giffen Memorial provides a supportive environment where young learners can grow academically and socially.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.7 out of 10, reflecting room for improvement in academic performance according to state standards. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 17%, while the Math proficiency rate is 15%. These scores suggest that Giffen Memorial is focusing on student development and growth rather than just test scores.
Situated in a mid-size city setting, Giffen Memorial Elementary School is part of a larger community with various resources and opportunities for students to engage outside of the classroom.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Giffen Memorial Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Giffen Memorial Elementary School — Students at Giffen Memorial Elementary School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
82.8%
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: 8.0/10.
How Giffen Memorial Elementary School Compares
See how Giffen Memorial Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 13% (2019) to 17% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 13% (2019) to 22% (2021).
Location
274 S PEARL ST, Albany, NY 12202
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Giffen Memorial Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ALBANY SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES (rated 7.1/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is THOMAS S O'BRIEN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (rated 6.8/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, HEBREW ACADEMY OF THE CAPITAL DISTRICT (rated 6.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Albany, see our Albany schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 12202 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$49,684
Median Home Value
$139,800
Median Rent
$1,012/mo
Population
9,500
College Educated
32.6%
Homeownership
25.7%
Avg Commute
21.3 min
Poverty Rate
25.9%
Median Age
35
Community Profile
The community surrounding Giffen Memorial Elementary School has a median household income of $49,684. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $139,800, with a median rent of $1,012/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| A A GATES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Port Byron, NY | 5.9 |
| CAMDEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Camden, NY | 5.9 |
| CHARLES A LINDBERGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Buffalo, NY | 5.9 |
| DEWITT ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Webster, NY | 5.9 |
| EAST NEW YORK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE Brooklyn, NY | 5.9 |
| ELM STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Waverly, NY | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Giffen Memorial Elementary School
What grades does Giffen Memorial Elementary School serve?
Giffen Memorial Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Giffen Memorial Elementary School?
Giffen Memorial Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 406 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Giffen Memorial Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Giffen Memorial Elementary School is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Giffen Memorial Elementary School rank in NY?
Giffen Memorial Elementary School is ranked #2927 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is Giffen Memorial Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Giffen Memorial Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Giffen Memorial Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Giffen Memorial Elementary School has 14.8% math proficiency and 17.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Giffen Memorial Elementary School a charter school?
No, Giffen Memorial Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Giffen Memorial Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Giffen Memorial Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Giffen Memorial Elementary School?
82.8% of students at Giffen Memorial 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,693/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Albany). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 406
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 82.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Albany County
- Phone
- (518) 475-6650
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ALBANY CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 8,329
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $28,688
- District Rank
- #10 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
- Best Public Schools in New York 2026: Top Districts from NYC to the Suburbsbest schools
- 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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