Average
#2565 of 4,739 schools in NY
James Monroe Upper School
High School · ROCHESTER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
164 ALEXANDER ST, Rochester, NY 14607
Enrollment
649
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
6.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
649
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
6.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rochester
#18 of 108
public schools
New York high schools
#687 of 1,160
In district
#4 of 45
ROCHESTER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About James Monroe Upper School
JAMES MONROE UPPER SCHOOL is a regular public high school located in Rochester, New York. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 649 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1 with 67 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at JAMES MONROE UPPER SCHOOL is reflective of ongoing development efforts, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and state ranking of #1609 among New York’s schools, placing it in the 66th percentile.
In terms of proficiency rates, 36% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 44% meet these standards in math. These scores suggest areas for improvement but also highlight a foundation on which to build. JAMES MONROE UPPER SCHOOL is situated in the heart of a mid-size city, where it forms an integral part of the local educational landscape.
The school's setting offers students access to urban resources and diverse community experiences while fostering a sense of belonging within the Rochester area.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, James Monroe Upper School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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James Monroe Upper School — Students at James Monroe Upper School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
91.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 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: 9.8/10.
How James Monroe Upper School Compares
See how James Monroe Upper School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 30% (2019) to 57% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 30% (2019) to 42% (2021).
Location
164 ALEXANDER ST, Rochester, NY 14607
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James Monroe Upper School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HILLSIDE CHILDREN'S CENTER -ANDREWS TRAHEY CAMPUS (rated 6.8/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is TALMUDICAL INSTITUTE OF UPSTATE NY (rated 6.8/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, SCHOOL WITHOUT WALLS (rated 5.8/10, 0.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Rochester, see our Rochester schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 14607 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,270
Median Home Value
$304,100
Median Rent
$1,129/mo
Population
17,577
College Educated
59.5%
Homeownership
16.9%
Avg Commute
16.6 min
Poverty Rate
15.7%
Median Age
31.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding James Monroe Upper School has a median household income of $56,270. It is a well-educated community where 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $304,100, with a median rent of $1,129/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| ARCHIMEDES ACAD-MATH SCI TECH Bronx, NY | 6.3 |
| CHENANGO FORKS HIGH SCHOOL Binghamton, NY | 6.3 |
| CORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL Cortland, NY | 6.3 |
| EAST NEW YORK FAMILY ACADEMY Brooklyn, NY | 6.3 |
| GRAND ISLAND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Grand Island, NY | 6.3 |
| GRIFFITH INSTITUTE HIGH SCHOOL Springville, NY | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James Monroe Upper School
What grades does James Monroe Upper School serve?
James Monroe Upper School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend James Monroe Upper School?
James Monroe Upper School has an enrollment of approximately 649 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Monroe Upper School?
The student-teacher ratio at James Monroe Upper School is 9.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James Monroe Upper School rank in NY?
James Monroe Upper School is ranked #2565 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is James Monroe Upper School's MySchoolScout rating?
James Monroe Upper School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 James Monroe Upper School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Monroe Upper School has 43.5% math proficiency and 36.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James Monroe Upper School a charter school?
No, James Monroe Upper School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James Monroe Upper School a Title I school?
No, James Monroe Upper School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Monroe Upper School?
91.4% of students at James Monroe Upper 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
- City Safety
- High (3,924/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rochester). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 649
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 67
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 91.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Monroe County
- Phone
- (585) 232-1530
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ROCHESTER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 22,164
- Schools in District
- 46
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $34,307
- District Rank
- #4 of 45
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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