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Excellent

#546 of 4,739 schools in NY

Top 12% in state

Pawling High School

High School · PAWLING CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

30 WAGNER RD, Pawling, NY 12564

Enrollment

346

Student-Teacher

10.8:1

Score

8.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pawling

#1 of 3

public schools

New York high schools

#122 of 1,160

In district

#1 of 3

PAWLING CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Pawling High School

Pawling High School serves 346 students in grades 9-12 with an impressive academic track record that places it among New York's top-performing high schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10, the school ranks #318 out of 4,758 schools statewide, landing in the 93rd percentile. The school's academic excellence is particularly evident in its standardized test performance, where students demonstrate exceptional proficiency with 91% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and an outstanding 98% in mathematics.

This strong academic foundation is supported by a favorable student-teacher ratio of 10.8:1, allowing for more personalized attention among the 32 full-time equivalent teachers. Pawling High School draws students from a well-educated community where 42% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding area has a median household income of $113,026 and a low poverty rate of 4.6%, reflecting the economic stability that often supports educational achievement.

With a median home value of $402,600, the neighborhood demonstrates the kind of investment in community that typically correlates with strong schools. Located on Wagner Road, Pawling High School sits in a rural setting near the town of Pawling in Dutchess County, offering students a close-knit educational environment within a picturesque Hudson Valley community.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Pawling High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-3.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics9.4Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency97.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency84.5%
Overall Proficiency91%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+26.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile90th
College Readiness8.7Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation33.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$32,769

Pawling High School — Students at Pawling High School score 91% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 97.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 91.0%
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
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2021*
Math
97.5%
ELA
84.5%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How Pawling High School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.1/10
89th percentile in NY
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
4.9/10
Below average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

30 WAGNER RD, Pawling, NY 12564

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pawling High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BREWSTER HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.7/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Brewster), which scores slightly higher. Another option is New Fairfield High School (rated 7.1/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby New Fairfield), with a comparable rating. Additionally, DOVER HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Dover Plains), a more accessible option. For more schools in Pawling, see our Pawling schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.2 mi
School Distance Rating
PAWLING MIDDLE SCHOOL Pawling 0.2 mi 4.9
PAWLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pawling 1.0 mi 7.9
MIZZENTOP DAY SCHOOL Pawling 1.3 mi 7.3
DUANE LAKE ACADEMY Pawling 1.3 mi
MATTHEW PATERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Patterson 5.1 mi 6.5
WINGDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wingdale 5.1 mi 6.6
Sherman School Sherman 4.6 mi 8.5
DOVER HIGH SCHOOL Dover Plains 7.5 mi 5.9
DOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL Dover Plains 7.5 mi 6.2
MISSION CHURCH ACADEMY AND PRESCHOOL Holmes 6.9 mi
BEEKMAN SCHOOL Poughquag 6.6 mi 6.7
GREEN CHIMNEYS SCHOOL Brewster 8.8 mi 8.4
KENT PRIMARY SCHOOL Carmel 7.8 mi 5.6
KENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Carmel 7.8 mi 8.2
BREWSTER HIGH SCHOOL Brewster 9.4 mi 8.7
JOHN F KENNEDY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brewster 9.6 mi 8.0
New Fairfield Middle School New Fairfield 9.0 mi 7.5
New Fairfield High School New Fairfield 9.0 mi 7.1
C V STARR INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Brewster 9.9 mi 8.8
Consolidated School New Fairfield 9.2 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 12564 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$111,683

Median Home Value

$420,900

Median Rent

$1,309/mo

Population

7,910

College Educated

39.7%

Homeownership

76.9%

Avg Commute

34.9 min

Poverty Rate

4.6%

Median Age

46.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pawling High School has a median household income of $111,683. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $420,900, with a median rent of $1,309/month. The local poverty rate of 4.6% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pawling High School

What grades does Pawling High School serve?

Pawling High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Pawling High School?

Pawling High School has an enrollment of approximately 346 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pawling High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pawling High School is 10.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pawling High School rank in NY?

Pawling High School is ranked #546 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is Pawling High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pawling High School has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Pawling High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pawling High School has 97.5% math proficiency and 91.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pawling High School a charter school?

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

Is Pawling High School a Title I school?

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

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

32.9% of students at Pawling 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

Walk Score
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
12 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (118/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
346
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Dutchess County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

PAWLING CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
1,088
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$35,251
District Rank
#1 of 3

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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