Excellent
#62 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 1% in state
Mills Pond Elementary School
Elementary School · SMITHTOWN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
246 MORICHES RD, St. James, NY 11780
Enrollment
357
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
9.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
357
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
9.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
New York elementary schools
#49 of 2,549
In district
#1 of 12
SMITHTOWN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Mills Pond Elementary School
Mills Pond Elementary serves 357 students in grades K–5 in St. James, New York, earning a composite score of 9.1/10 and the Exceptional label. That score outperforms 99% of public schools across New York State — placing Mills Pond at #62 of 4,739 statewide and #49 among 2,549 elementary schools.
Results at that tier are genuinely rare in a state this size. A student-teacher ratio of 11.5:1 means fewer students per teacher and more direct instructional contact. The growth score of 9.3 is the number worth focusing on: it measures year-over-year student progress independent of incoming skill level, making it a stronger signal of school quality than raw test performance.
The academic score of 8.3 confirms that outcomes are strong across the board. Mills Pond holds the top composite score among all 12 schools in the Smithtown Central School District. For families evaluating K–5 options in the St.
James area, the data leaves little ambiguity — this school leads at the district level and ranks among the best elementary schools in the state.
Score Breakdown
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Mills Pond Elementary School — Students at Mills Pond Elementary School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
12.9%
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 Mills Pond Elementary School Compares
See how Mills Pond Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 72% (2019) to 82% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 77% (2021).
Location
246 MORICHES RD, St. James, NY 11780
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mills Pond Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. DOGWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Smithtown), with a comparable rating. Another option is CAYUGA SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Lake Grove), with a comparable rating. Additionally, WENONAH SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Lake Grove), with a comparable rating. For more schools in St. James, see our St. James schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WILLIAM SIDNEY MOUNT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL East Setauket | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| SAINT JAMES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Saint James | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| HARBOR COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Saint James | 1.4 mi | 8.1 |
| SMITHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL EAST Saint James | 1.4 mi | 8.0 |
| SS PHILIP & JAMES SCHOOL Saint James | 1.4 mi | 5.9 |
| EUGENE AUER MEMORIAL SCHOOL Lake Grove | 1.5 mi | 7.6 |
| ROBERT CUSHMAN MURPHY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL East Setauket | 1.8 mi | 6.1 |
| WENONAH SCHOOL Lake Grove | 2.1 mi | 8.2 |
| TACKAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Nesconset | 2.5 mi | 8.2 |
| NESAQUAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL Saint James | 2.0 mi | 5.4 |
| GREAT HOLLOW MIDDLE SCHOOL Nesconset | 2.5 mi | 6.7 |
| DOGWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Smithtown | 2.3 mi | 8.6 |
| CLEARY SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF Nesconset | 3.0 mi | 7.2 |
| OXHEAD ROAD SCHOOL Centereach | 2.4 mi | 6.1 |
| CAYUGA SCHOOL Lake Grove | 2.9 mi | 8.4 |
| NORTH SHORE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Stony Brook | 3.3 mi | — |
| THE STONY BROOK SCHOOL Stony Brook | 3.3 mi | 6.7 |
| NASSAKEAG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL East Setauket | 3.0 mi | 7.2 |
| DAWNWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL Centereach | 2.7 mi | 4.6 |
| CENTEREACH HIGH SCHOOL Centereach | 2.8 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 11780 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$141,576
Median Home Value
$702,900
Median Rent
$2,322/mo
Population
15,586
College Educated
51.8%
Homeownership
86.7%
Avg Commute
30.3 min
Poverty Rate
2.4%
Median Age
47.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mills Pond Elementary School has a median household income of $141,576. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $702,900, with a median rent of $2,322/month. The local poverty rate of 2.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| CHANCELLOR LIVINGSTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rhinebeck, NY | 9.1 |
| JUDY JACOBS PARKWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Plainview, NY | 9.1 |
| LOCKHART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Massapequa, NY | 9.1 |
| MIDLAND SCHOOL Rye, NY | 9.1 |
| PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kings Park, NY | 9.1 |
| PS 121 NELSON A ROCKEFELLER Brooklyn, NY | 9.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mills Pond Elementary School
What grades does Mills Pond Elementary School serve?
Mills Pond Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Mills Pond Elementary School?
Mills Pond Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 357 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mills Pond Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Mills Pond Elementary School is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mills Pond Elementary School rank in NY?
Mills Pond Elementary School is ranked #62 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is Mills Pond Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mills Pond Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.1 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 Mills Pond Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mills Pond Elementary School has 80.6% math proficiency and 76.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mills Pond Elementary School a charter school?
No, Mills Pond Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mills Pond Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Mills Pond Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mills Pond Elementary School?
12.9% of students at Mills Pond Elementary 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 357
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 12.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Suffolk County
- Phone
- (631) 382-4305
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
SMITHTOWN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 7,705
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $33,507
- District Rank
- #1 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 methodologyRelated reading
- Best Public Schools in New York 2026: Top Districts from NYC to the Suburbsbest schools
- 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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