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Average

#384 of 991 private schools in NY

Top 39% of private schools

Nichols School

High School

1250 AMHERST ST, Buffalo, NY 14216

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on NY statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

596

Student-Teacher

7.9:1

Score

6.6

Grades

5th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Buffalo

#10 of 17

public schools

New York high schools

#80 of 191

About Nichols School

NICHOLS SCHOOL is a regular public high school located in the heart of Buffalo, New York. Serving students from grades 5 through 12, Nichols School has an enrollment of 596 students and maintains a supportive student-to-teacher ratio of 7.9:1 with 75 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite not having specific test score data available to reflect academic performance, the school continues to focus on providing robust educational programs that support a diverse range of learners.

Located in a bustling urban setting, Nichols School benefits from being part of a vibrant city community. The surrounding area offers students access to cultural attractions, museums, and libraries, enriching their learning experience beyond the classroom. While the MySchoolScout rating currently stands at 4.2 out of 10, with room for improvement in academic performance, the school remains committed to nurturing its students' growth and development.

Nichols School is situated in a dynamic city environment where students can engage with various community resources and opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.9:1, Nichols 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.

As a private school, Nichols School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$36,147
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$35,218
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.97x — Tight
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
78%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$103.5M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 596 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Nichols School compares to 74 public schools serving similar grades in Buffalo, NY

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.9:1
This School
vs
10.5:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
596
This School
vs
554
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.6
This School
vs
4.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 59.4% vs 0%
Asian 20.3% vs 0%
Black 9.2% vs 0%
Hispanic 3.5% vs 0%
Nichols School Buffalo Public Avg

Nearby High Schools

School Rating
Nichols School (this school) 6.6
TAPESTRY CHARTER SCHOOL 3.6
PS 81 3.5
NORTH PARK COMMUNITY SCHOOL #50 5.0
RESEARCH LABORATORY HS-BIOINFORMATIC 6.2
MCKINLEY VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL 4.9
MIDDLE EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL 7.5
LEWIS J BENNETT HIGH SCHOOL OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLGY 6.0
ACADEMY SCHOOL 7.1
ELMWOOD VILLAGE CHARTER SCHOOL HERTEL 3.8
BURGARD HIGH SCHOOL 4.8
BUFFALO UNITED CHARTER SCHOOL 4.3
PS 84 7.7
WEST HERTEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 4.6
DR LYDIA T WRIGHT SCH OF EXCELLENCE 5.1
PS 74 HAMLIN PARK - CLAUDE AND OUIDA CLAPP ACADEMY 4.1
PFC WILLIAM J GRABIARZ #79 4.0
MATH SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY PREPARATORY SCHOOL AT 197 3.8
BUFFALO ACADEMY FOR THE VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS 5.4
LAFAYETTE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 4.8
COMMUNITY SCHOOL #53 5.0

Showing 20 of 74 schools. View all schools in Buffalo

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in NY.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B+ 6.9 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.9:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.5 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.2 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,123.2
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 8.4 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 59%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B 5.5 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 596
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in NY

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 59.4%
Asian 20.3%
Black 9.2%
Two or More 7.2%
Hispanic 3.5%
Native American 0.2%
Pacific Islander 0.2%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1250 AMHERST ST, Buffalo, NY 14216

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nichols School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BUFFALO SEMINARY (rated 8.2/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MIDDLE EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ACADEMY SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Buffalo, see our Buffalo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
ELMWOOD-FRANKLIN SCHOOL Buffalo 0.2 mi 7.6
TAPESTRY CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo 0.6 mi 3.6
PS 64 FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED Buffalo 0.7 mi 5.5
PS 81 Buffalo 0.9 mi 3.5
NORTH PARK COMMUNITY SCHOOL #50 Buffalo 0.9 mi 5.0
DR GEORGE BLACKMAN ECC Buffalo 0.8 mi 3.4
PRIMARY HALL PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo 0.8 mi 4.0
RESEARCH LABORATORY HS-BIOINFORMATIC Buffalo 0.9 mi 6.2
ST JOSEPH'S COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE Buffalo 1.3 mi 4.3
PS 17 Buffalo 1.4 mi 2.8
ACADEMY SCHOOL Buffalo 1.3 mi 7.1
MCKINLEY VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL Buffalo 1.1 mi 4.9
BUFFALO SEMINARY Buffalo 1.5 mi 8.2
BURGARD HIGH SCHOOL Buffalo 1.4 mi 4.8
CHARLES A LINDBERGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Buffalo 1.7 mi 5.9
PS 74 HAMLIN PARK - CLAUDE AND OUIDA CLAPP ACADEMY Buffalo 1.7 mi 4.1
MIDDLE EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Buffalo 1.3 mi 7.5
LEWIS J BENNETT HIGH SCHOOL OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLGY Buffalo 1.3 mi 6.0
ELMWOOD VILLAGE CHARTER SCHOOL HERTEL Buffalo 1.3 mi 3.8
PS 84 Buffalo 1.5 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 14216 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,260

Median Home Value

$260,700

Median Rent

$1,152/mo

Population

23,221

College Educated

54.1%

Homeownership

46.3%

Avg Commute

19.4 min

Poverty Rate

13.9%

Median Age

34.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Nichols School has a median household income of $70,260. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $260,700, with a median rent of $1,152/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.9%. 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
ACAD FOR COLLEGE PREP AND CAREER EXP Brooklyn, NY 6.6
ALL CITY LEADERSHIP SECONDARY SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY 6.6
AMERICAN DREAM CHARTER SCHOOL Bronx, NY 6.6
BRONX COMPASS HIGH SCHOOL Bronx, NY 6.6
BROOKLYN PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY 6.6
BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Queens Village, NY 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nichols School

What grades does Nichols School serve?

Nichols School serves students in grades 5th through 12th.

How many students attend Nichols School?

Nichols School has an enrollment of approximately 596 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Nichols School?

The student-teacher ratio at Nichols School is 7.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Nichols School rank in NY?

Nichols School is ranked #384 out of 991 private schools in NY.

What is Nichols School's MySchoolScout rating?

Nichols School has a composite rating of 6.6 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.

Is Nichols School a private school?

Yes, Nichols School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Nichols School a religious school?

No, Nichols School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

Explore More Schools

All schools in Buffalo, NY Schools in NY 20 nearby schools
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 PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
5th – 12th
Enrollment
596
Gender Split
57% M / 43% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
75
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7.2 hours
Days Per Year
156 days
Setting
Large City
County
ERIE
Phone
(716) 332-6300
Data Year
2022–2023

Resources & Links

Search for School Website ↗ Google Maps & Reviews ↗ GreatSchools Profile ↗ Niche Reviews ↗ Official NCES Data ↗

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
Data sources
NCES PSSSY 2021-22Census ACS2019-2023AI descriptionMySchoolScout Rankings2024 Full details →

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