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Below Average

#3855 of 4,739 schools in NY

Mckinley Vocational High School

High School · BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

1500 ELMWOOD AVE, Buffalo, NY 14207

Enrollment

940

Student-Teacher

10.3:1

Score

4.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Buffalo

#33 of 84

public schools

New York high schools

#1,025 of 1,160

In district

#26 of 59

BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Equity

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Mckinley Vocational High School

McKinley Vocational High School serves 940 students in grades 9-12 in Buffalo, providing specialized career and technical education opportunities. With a student-teacher ratio of 10.3:1 and 91 full-time equivalent teachers, the school offers more individualized attention than many traditional high schools, which can be particularly valuable for hands-on vocational training. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #1810 out of 4758 New York high schools, placing it in the 62nd percentile statewide.

As a vocational institution, McKinley focuses on preparing students for immediate entry into the workforce or further technical training after graduation. Located at 1500 Elmwood Avenue, McKinley serves a diverse urban community where many families face economic challenges. The surrounding 14207 ZIP code has a median household income of $36,966 and a poverty rate of 33.5%, with 18% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

Median home values in the area are $97,800, reflecting the working-class character of the neighborhood. McKinley Vocational High School operates within Buffalo's large city environment, providing students with access to internships, job opportunities, and connections to local industries while preparing them with practical skills for their chosen career paths.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.1Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics8.3Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency66%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Overall Proficiency69%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+24.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
College Readiness2.6Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.3Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,198

Mckinley Vocational High School — Students at Mckinley Vocational High School score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

91.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 72.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 80.0%
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
78%
ELA
88%
2021*
Math
66%
ELA
72%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How Mckinley Vocational High School Compares

See how Mckinley Vocational High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
19th percentile in NY
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
3.1/10
Below average
Environment
6.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
91 teachers

Location

1500 ELMWOOD AVE, Buffalo, NY 14207

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mckinley Vocational High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BUFFALO SEMINARY (rated 8.2/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is NARDIN ACADEMY (rated 6.6/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NICHOLS SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Buffalo, see our Buffalo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
ELMWOOD VILLAGE CHARTER SCHOOL HERTEL Buffalo 0.5 mi 3.8
PS 64 FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED Buffalo 0.5 mi 5.5
TAPESTRY CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo 0.6 mi 3.6
WEST HERTEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Buffalo 0.7 mi 4.6
BUFFALO SEMINARY Buffalo 1.0 mi 8.2
PFC WILLIAM J GRABIARZ #79 Buffalo 1.0 mi 4.0
LAFAYETTE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Buffalo 1.2 mi 4.8
PS 81 Buffalo 1.1 mi 3.5
ELMWOOD-FRANKLIN SCHOOL Buffalo 1.0 mi 7.6
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Buffalo 1.3 mi 3.5
NARDIN ACADEMY Buffalo 1.4 mi 6.6
NICHOLS SCHOOL Buffalo 1.1 mi 6.6
NATIVE AMERICAN MAGNET Buffalo 1.4 mi 4.3
WEST BUFFALO CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo 1.5 mi 3.6
PS 17 Buffalo 1.5 mi 2.8
RIVERSIDE ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL Buffalo 1.4 mi 5.4
CATHOLIC ACADEMY WEST BUFFALO Buffalo 1.8 mi 6.7
PS 65 ROOSEVELT ECC Buffalo 1.7 mi 3.1
STANLEY G FALK SCHOOL - ROOSEVELT SITE Buffalo 2.0 mi 7.1
FRANK A SEDITA SCHOOL #30 Buffalo 2.0 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 14207 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$38,951

Median Home Value

$111,200

Median Rent

$943/mo

Population

25,731

College Educated

18.6%

Homeownership

34%

Avg Commute

20.6 min

Poverty Rate

32.2%

Median Age

33.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mckinley Vocational High School has a median household income of $38,951. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $111,200, with a median rent of $943/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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
CARDINAL HAYES HIGH SCHOOL Bronx, NY 4.9
PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY AT FOWLER Syracuse, NY 4.9
WATERVLIET JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Watervliet, NY 4.9
CARDINAL SPELLMAN HIGH SCHOOL Bronx, NY 5.0
CHARLES W BAKER HIGH SCHOOL Baldwinsville, NY 5.0
LAWRENCE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Cedarhurst, NY 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mckinley Vocational High School

What grades does Mckinley Vocational High School serve?

Mckinley Vocational High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Mckinley Vocational High School?

Mckinley Vocational High School has an enrollment of approximately 940 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mckinley Vocational High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Mckinley Vocational High School is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mckinley Vocational High School rank in NY?

Mckinley Vocational High School is ranked #3855 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is Mckinley Vocational High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mckinley Vocational High 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 Mckinley Vocational High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mckinley Vocational High School has 72.0% math proficiency and 80.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mckinley Vocational High School a charter school?

No, Mckinley Vocational High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mckinley Vocational High School a Title I school?

No, Mckinley Vocational High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mckinley Vocational High School?

91.5% of students at Mckinley Vocational 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

City Safety
High (4,549/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Buffalo). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
940
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
91
Free/Reduced Lunch
91.5%
Type
vocational
Setting
Large City
County
Erie County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
29,866
Schools in District
61
Per-Pupil Spending
$30,022
District Rank
#26 of 59

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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