Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#4632 of 4,742 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

3.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New York schools

#4,632 of 4,742

In Albany

#30 of 32

public schools

In district

#15 of 15

ALBANY CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Giffen Memorial Elementary School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Giffen Memorial Elementary School

3.0/10

Elementary School in Albany · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Bishop Maginn High School

5.2/10

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

Kipp Albany Community Charter School

1.9/10

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

About Giffen Memorial Elementary School

Giffen Memorial Elementary School is a public elementary school in Albany, NY, part of ALBANY CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. Giffen Memorial Elementary School serves approximately 406 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Giffen Memorial Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and ranks #4,632 of 4,742 schools in NY.

Structured state assessment records for Giffen Memorial Elementary School show 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 17% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.7 pts below district
  • This school 3.0 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.7
  • NY avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

55% of students at Giffen Memorial 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 Progress3.0Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.58 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics1.6Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11.3% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency9.6% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-42.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-51.3 pts
Overall Proficiency10% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-30.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$28,688
Chronic Absenteeism54.9%

Giffen Memorial Elementary School — Students at Giffen Memorial Elementary School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

82.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 19.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
45.9% (2021 NYSED)
ELA Proficiency 17.3% (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
76%
ELA
47%
2010
Math
41%
ELA
27%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2012
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2013
Math
17%
ELA
8%
2014
Math
6%
ELA
6%
2015
Math
7%
ELA
9%
2016
Math
11%
ELA
8%
2017
Math
8%
ELA
8%
2018
Math
13%
ELA
13%
2019
Math
13%
ELA
13%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
15.2%
ELA
18.2%
2022
Math
11.4%
ELA
9.6%

* 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: 3.0/10.

How Giffen Memorial Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.0/10
2th percentile in NY
Academic
1.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.3/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
54.9%

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. HEBREW ACADEMY OF THE CAPITAL DISTRICT (rated 6.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ALBANY SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES (rated 5.8/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, THOMAS S O'BRIEN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (rated 5.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Albany, see our Albany schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BUFFALO UNITED CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo, NY 3.0
CLYDE-SAVANNAH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clyde, NY 3.0
FAMILY LIFE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Bronx, NY 3.0
FINN ACADEMY: AN ELMIRA CHARTER SCHOOL Elmira, NY 3.0
KENNETH L RUTHERFORD SCHOOL Monticello, NY 3.0
KINGSBOROUGH SCHOOL Gloversville, NY 3.0

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 ranks #4,632 of 4,742 schools in NY.

What is Giffen Memorial Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Giffen Memorial Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 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 Giffen Memorial Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Giffen Memorial Elementary School has 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 17% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
87 Very Walkable
Transit Score
62 Good Transit
Bike Score
61 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
54.9%

District

ALBANY CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
8,329
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$28,688
District Rank
#15 of 15

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.