Very Good
#1234 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 26% in state
Lehman Alternative Community School
High School · ITHACA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
111 CHESTNUT ST, Ithaca, NY 14850
Enrollment
271
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
271
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ithaca
#5 of 13
public schools
New York high schools
#306 of 1,160
In district
#5 of 12
ITHACA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Lehman Alternative Community School
Lehman Alternative Community School serves 271 students in grades 6-12 in Ithaca, New York, offering a unique educational environment with an exceptionally low 9:1 student-teacher ratio. With 30 full-time equivalent teachers, this public high school provides personalized attention that's rare in traditional school settings. The school earns a solid 7.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 77th percentile statewide at #1085 out of 4758 New York schools.
Students demonstrate strong reading skills, with 73% achieving proficiency or above in ELA across grade levels. Mathematics presents more of a growth opportunity, with 40% of students reaching proficiency, suggesting the school is focusing on strengthening analytical and computational skills. Located on Chestnut Street, Lehman Alternative serves a diverse community where 70% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting the area's strong educational culture.
The neighborhood shows economic diversity, with median household incomes around $65,000 and a poverty rate of 20.4%, indicating the school works with students from varied socioeconomic backgrounds. This alternative community school operates in Ithaca's small city environment, where the median home value of $320,600 reflects a stable residential area that values both educational innovation and community engagement.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, Lehman Alternative Community 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
View breakdown
View breakdown
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Lehman Alternative Community School — Students at Lehman Alternative Community School score 63% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 10 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: 9.3/10.
How Lehman Alternative Community School Compares
See how Lehman Alternative Community School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 44.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 82% (2021).
Location
111 CHESTNUT ST, Ithaca, NY 14850
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lehman Alternative Community School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ITHACA SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is NEW ROOTS CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, LANSING HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.8/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Lansing), a more accessible option. For more schools in Ithaca, see our Ithaca schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BEVERLY J MARTIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ithaca | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| NEW ROOTS CHARTER SCHOOL Ithaca | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| FALL CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ithaca | 1.4 mi | 4.4 |
| ITHACA SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Ithaca | 1.5 mi | 8.0 |
| SOUTH HILL SCHOOL Ithaca | 1.4 mi | 8.1 |
| BOYNTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Ithaca | 1.8 mi | 4.8 |
| CASCADILLA SCHOOL Ithaca | 1.8 mi | — |
| EAC MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ithaca | 2.4 mi | 6.4 |
| CAYUGA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ithaca | 2.4 mi | 8.4 |
| BELLE SHERMAN SCHOOL Ithaca | 2.1 mi | 7.6 |
| ITHACA WALDORF SCHOOL Ithaca | 3.5 mi | 6.5 |
| NORTHEAST SCHOOL Ithaca | 3.5 mi | 7.2 |
| DEWITT MIDDLE SCHOOL Ithaca | 3.6 mi | 5.8 |
| TOMPKINS-SENECA-TIOGA BOCES Ithaca | 3.7 mi | 7.0 |
| NAMASTE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ithaca | 4.4 mi | 6.3 |
| LANSING MIDDLE SCHOOL Lansing | 7.2 mi | 6.2 |
| RAYMOND C BUCKLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lansing | 7.3 mi | 5.9 |
| LANSING HIGH SCHOOL Lansing | 7.3 mi | 5.8 |
| FINGER LAKES RESIDENTIAL CENTER Lansing | 7.5 mi | — |
| NEWFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL Newfield | 6.8 mi | 4.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 14850 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,689
Median Home Value
$334,800
Median Rent
$1,446/mo
Population
66,495
College Educated
71.8%
Homeownership
44.2%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
18.3%
Median Age
28.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lehman Alternative Community School has a median household income of $69,689. It is a well-educated community where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $334,800, with a median rent of $1,446/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HS-FIN INFO TECH Cambria Heights, NY | 7.4 |
| BLOOMFIELD HIGH SCHOOL Bloomfield, NY | 7.4 |
| BRONX DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION ACADEMY Bronx, NY | 7.4 |
| BROOKLYN THEATRE ARTS HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY | 7.4 |
| CORINTH HIGH SCHOOL Corinth, NY | 7.4 |
| LONGWOOD PREPARATORY ACADEMY Bronx, NY | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lehman Alternative Community School
What grades does Lehman Alternative Community School serve?
Lehman Alternative Community School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Lehman Alternative Community School?
Lehman Alternative Community School has an enrollment of approximately 271 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lehman Alternative Community School?
The student-teacher ratio at Lehman Alternative Community School is 9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lehman Alternative Community School rank in NY?
Lehman Alternative Community School is ranked #1234 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is Lehman Alternative Community School's MySchoolScout rating?
Lehman Alternative Community School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Lehman Alternative Community School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lehman Alternative Community School has 40.5% math proficiency and 72.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lehman Alternative Community School a charter school?
No, Lehman Alternative Community School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lehman Alternative Community School a Title I school?
No, Lehman Alternative Community School is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 271
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Tompkins County
- Phone
- (607) 274-2183
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ITHACA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 5,103
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $28,477
- District Rank
- #5 of 12
Other Schools in This District
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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