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
Enrollment
346
Student-Teacher
10.8:1
Score
8.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Pawling High School — Students at Pawling High School score 91% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
32.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from NY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.9/10.
How Pawling High School Compares
See how Pawling High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 97.5% (2019) to 97.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 97.5% (2019) to 84.5% (2021).
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
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BARUCH COLLEGE CAMPUS HIGH SCHOOL New York, NY | 8.1 |
| BRONX CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS Bronx, NY | 8.1 |
| CHELSEA CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL New York, NY | 8.1 |
| DIGITAL ARTS AND CINEMA TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY | 8.1 |
| UNITY CENTER FOR URBAN TECHNOLOGIES New York, NY | 8.1 |
| ACADEMY FOR SOFTWARE ENGINEERING New York, NY | 8.2 |
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (845) 855-4620
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
PAWLING CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 1,088
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $35,251
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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
- 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.