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Below Average

#3886 of 4,739 schools in NY

Gowana Middle School

Middle School · SHENENDEHOWA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

970 RT 146, Clifton Park, NY 12065

Enrollment

745

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

4.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Clifton Park

#10 of 11

public schools

New York middle schools

#604 of 785

In district

#11 of 12

SHENENDEHOWA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic performance

7.1 / 10

Strong

About Gowana Middle School

Gowana Middle School serves 745 students in grades 6-8 in Clifton Park, offering a solid educational foundation with a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1 supported by 58 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks in the 79th percentile statewide, placing 988th out of 4,758 New York schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10. Academically, Gowana Middle School demonstrates strong performance in English Language Arts, where 76% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels.

Mathematics shows room for growth, with 53% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards. The school's overall academic score of 7.9 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student achievement in this competitive educational landscape. The school benefits from its location in an affluent suburban community where 54% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $112,512.

With a poverty rate of just 3% and median home values around $335,600, the surrounding neighborhood provides a supportive environment for educational success. Gowana Middle School operates in Clifton Park's large suburban setting in Saratoga County, where families value education and community involvement, creating an environment conducive to middle school students' academic and personal development.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.1Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-4.81 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics7.1Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency76%
Math vs. State Avg+17.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.2 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected-4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
Resources & Environment3.2Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,954

Gowana Middle School — Students at Gowana Middle School score 66% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

13%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 58.8%
School
State
33.6%
ELA Proficiency 74.8%
School
State
57.2%

Based on 10 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
79%
ELA
70%
2021*
Math
53.8%
ELA
76%

* 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: 4.1/10.

How Gowana Middle School Compares

See how Gowana Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
18th percentile in NY
Academic
7.1/10
7.1/10
Growth
4.1/10
Below average
Environment
3.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
13%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
58 teachers

Location

970 RT 146, Clifton Park, NY 12065

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gowana Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ACADIA MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.2/10, 0.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is IROQUOIS MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 4.9/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Schenectady), with a very similar rating. Additionally, KODA MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 4.4/10, 0.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Clifton Park, see our Clifton Park schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.3 mi
School Distance Rating
ACADIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Clifton Park 0.1 mi 5.2
KODA MIDDLE SCHOOL Clifton Park 0.1 mi 4.4
ORENDA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clifton Park 0.2 mi 7.9
KARIGON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clifton Park 0.2 mi 7.1
THE SARA MARIE SCHOOL Clifton Park 0.2 mi 5.2
SKANO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clifton Park 0.3 mi 7.4
TESAGO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clifton Park 0.4 mi 6.0
SHENENDEHOWA HIGH SCHOOL Clifton Park 0.4 mi 6.2
ARONGEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clifton Park 1.1 mi 7.3
SHATEKON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clifton Park 1.1 mi 7.8
OKTE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clifton Park 3.5 mi 6.8
LEARNING TO KNOW EDUCATIONAL CENTER Clifton Park 3.7 mi
MOTHER TERESA ACADEMY Halfmoon 3.5 mi 4.4
CHANGO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ballston Lake 4.6 mi 7.0
FRANCIS L STEVENS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ballston Lake 4.8 mi 7.0
GLENCLIFF SCHOOL Rexford 4.4 mi 6.3
IROQUOIS MIDDLE SCHOOL Schenectady 5.5 mi 4.9
ROSENDALE SCHOOL Schenectady 5.5 mi 7.5
CRAIG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Schenectady 4.8 mi 6.6
NISKAYUNA HIGH SCHOOL Schenectady 5.3 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 12065 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$115,681

Median Home Value

$356,900

Median Rent

$1,419/mo

Population

44,726

College Educated

52.9%

Homeownership

71.1%

Avg Commute

25.5 min

Poverty Rate

3%

Median Age

41.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gowana Middle School has a median household income of $115,681. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $356,900, with a median rent of $1,419/month. The local poverty rate of 3.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
CAMDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL Camden, NY 4.9
COHOES MIDDLE SCHOOL Cohoes, NY 4.9
FELIX FESTA DETERMINATION MIDDLE SCHOOL West Nyack, NY 4.9
GATES CHILI MIDDLE SCHOOL Rochester, NY 4.9
IROQUOIS MIDDLE SCHOOL Schenectady, NY 4.9
MONT PLEASANT MIDDLE SCHOOL Schenectady, NY 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gowana Middle School

What grades does Gowana Middle School serve?

Gowana Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Gowana Middle School?

Gowana Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 745 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gowana Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Gowana Middle School is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gowana Middle School rank in NY?

Gowana Middle School is ranked #3886 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is Gowana Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gowana Middle School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Gowana Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gowana Middle School has 58.8% math proficiency and 74.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Gowana Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Gowana Middle School a Title I school?

No, Gowana Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gowana Middle School?

13.0% of students at Gowana Middle 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

County Safety
Average (454/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
745
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
58
Free/Reduced Lunch
13.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Saratoga County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SHENENDEHOWA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
9,328
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,723
District Rank
#11 of 12

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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