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Very Good

#1457 of 4,739 schools in NY

Top 31% in state

James I O'neill High School

High School · HIGHLAND FALLS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

PO BOX 287, Highland Falls, NY 10928

Enrollment

433

Student-Teacher

10.1:1

Score

7.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Highland Falls

#2 of 3

public schools

New York high schools

#366 of 1,160

In district

#2 of 3

HIGHLAND FALLS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About James I O'neill High School

James I O'Neill High School serves 433 students in grades 9-12 in Highland Falls, New York, with a notably small class environment supported by a 10.1:1 student-teacher ratio and 43 full-time equivalent teachers. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 76th percentile among New York high schools at #1164 out of 4,758 schools statewide. Students at O'Neill High School excel particularly in mathematics, with 90% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels, while 84% demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and reading.

This solid academic foundation reflects the school's commitment to preparing students for post-secondary success. The school draws from a stable community where the median household income reaches $83,884 and 37% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a low poverty rate of 7% and median home values around $277,700, the surrounding neighborhood of 5,208 residents provides a supportive environment for educational achievement.

O'Neill High School is situated in Highland Falls, a town positioned on the fringe of an urban area in Orange County, offering students access to both small-town community connections and broader metropolitan opportunities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-8.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics8.4Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency87%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69.5%
Overall Proficiency78%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected+13.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
College Readiness8.2Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation26.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$33,057

James I O'neill High School — Students at James I O'neill High School score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 89.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 83.5%
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
92%
ELA
97.5%
2021*
Math
87%
ELA
69.5%

* 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: 2.7/10.

How James I O'neill High School Compares

See how James I O'neill High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
69th percentile in NY
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
2.7/10
Below average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers

Location

PO BOX 287, Highland Falls, NY 10928

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering James I O'neill High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. THE STORM KING SCHOOL (rated 9.0/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Cornwall on Hudson), which scores notably higher. Another option is HALDANE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Cold Spring), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HENDRICK HUDSON HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Montrose), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Highland Falls, see our Highland Falls schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.1 mi
School Distance Rating
FORT MONTGOMERY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Highland Falls 1.3 mi 8.0
HIGHLAND FALLS INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Highland Falls 1.4 mi 6.6
GARRISON SCHOOL Garrison 2.8 mi 7.2
HALDANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cold Spring 5.1 mi 7.9
HALDANE HIGH SCHOOL Cold Spring 5.1 mi 8.6
HALDANE MIDDLE SCHOOL Cold Spring 5.1 mi 8.3
MANITOU SCHOOL Cold Spring 5.0 mi 7.3
URIAH HILL SCHOOL Peekskill 4.6 mi 5.3
OAKSIDE SCHOOL Peekskill 4.8 mi 6.4
THE STORM KING SCHOOL Cornwall on Hudson 5.3 mi 9.0
ST COLUMBANUS SCHOOL Cortlandt Manor 4.6 mi 6.9
PEEKSKILL MIDDLE SCHOOL Peekskill 5.2 mi 8.6
PEEKSKILL HIGH SCHOOL Peekskill 5.3 mi 5.0
HILLCREST SCHOOL Peekskill 5.1 mi 6.5
WOODSIDE SCHOOL Peekskill 5.8 mi 6.7
BUCHANAN-VERPLANCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Buchanan 6.4 mi 8.1
CORNWALL-ON-HUDSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cornwall on Hudson 6.8 mi 7.8
PUTNAM VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Putnam Valley 5.4 mi 7.5
HENDRICK HUDSON HIGH SCHOOL Montrose 7.0 mi 7.8
FRANK G LINDSEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Montrose 7.1 mi 9.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 10928 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$96,106

Median Home Value

$307,800

Median Rent

$1,717/mo

Population

5,273

College Educated

32.8%

Homeownership

59.4%

Avg Commute

24.8 min

Poverty Rate

8.6%

Median Age

42.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding James I O'neill High School has a median household income of $96,106. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $307,800, with a median rent of $1,717/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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-TECH HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY 7.2
ACADEMY OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY Brooklyn, NY 7.2
ALL HALLOWS HIGH SCHOOL Bronx, NY 7.2
BRONX COLLABORATIVE HIGH SCHOOL Bronx, NY 7.2
CAMBRIA HEIGHTS ACADEMY Hollis, NY 7.2
COBBLE HILL SCHOOL OF AMERICAN STUDIES Brooklyn, NY 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about James I O'neill High School

What grades does James I O'neill High School serve?

James I O'neill High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend James I O'neill High School?

James I O'neill High School has an enrollment of approximately 433 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at James I O'neill High School?

The student-teacher ratio at James I O'neill High School is 10.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does James I O'neill High School rank in NY?

James I O'neill High School is ranked #1457 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is James I O'neill High School's MySchoolScout rating?

James I O'neill High School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 James I O'neill High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, James I O'neill High School has 89.5% math proficiency and 83.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is James I O'neill High School a charter school?

No, James I O'neill High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is James I O'neill High School a Title I school?

No, James I O'neill High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James I O'neill High School?

31.9% of students at James I O'neill 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

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
6 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (4/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
433
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Free/Reduced Lunch
31.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

HIGHLAND FALLS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
1,022
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$36,703
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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