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Below Average

#4260 of 4,739 schools in NY

Rensselaer Junior/senior High School

High School · RENSSELAER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

25 VAN RENSSELAER DR, Rensselaer, NY 12144

Enrollment

478

Student-Teacher

9.6:1

Score

4.4

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rensselaer

#3 of 3

public schools

New York high schools

#1,112 of 1,160

In district

#2 of 2

RENSSELAER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

About Rensselaer Junior/senior High School

Rensselaer Junior/Senior High School is a regular public school located in the suburban area of Rensselaer, New York. The school covers grades 6 through 12 and enrolls 478 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 9.6:1. With 50 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Rensselaer Junior/Senior High School provides personalized attention to its students.

The academic performance at the school is currently ranked in the 12th percentile among New York State schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.6 out of 10. In terms of proficiency rates, only 26% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 23% are proficient or above in Math. Despite these challenges, the school is focused on student development and continuous improvement to help its learners succeed both academically and personally.

The suburban setting provides a comfortable environment for learning and growth, with easy access to resources within Rensselaer County.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, Rensselaer Junior/senior High 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.9Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-11.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Math vs. State Avg+1.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27.2 pts
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected-20.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,751

Rensselaer Junior/senior High School — Students at Rensselaer Junior/senior High School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 23.3%
School
State
30.6%
ELA Proficiency 26.3%
School
State
54.5%

Based on 8 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
40%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
17.7%
ELA
20%

* 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: 1.9/10.

How Rensselaer Junior/senior High School Compares

See how Rensselaer Junior/senior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.4/10
10th percentile in NY
Academic
3.7/10
3.7/10
Growth
1.9/10
Below average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
50 teachers

Location

25 VAN RENSSELAER DR, Rensselaer, NY 12144

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rensselaer Junior/senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby East Greenbush), which scores notably higher. Another option is BISHOP MAGINN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.2/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Albany), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, GREEN TECH HIGH CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 3.8/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Albany), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Rensselaer, see our Rensselaer schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
VAN RENSSELAER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rensselaer 0.0 mi 4.9
DOANE STUART SCHOOL Rensselaer 0.5 mi 8.1
NORTH ALBANY ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL Albany 1.6 mi 4.0
WOODLAND HILL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Rensselaer 1.6 mi 6.6
ARBOR HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Albany 1.6 mi 4.1
RED MILL SCHOOL Rensselaer 2.2 mi 5.1
MENANDS SCHOOL Menands 2.3 mi 5.5
GIFFEN MEMORIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Albany 2.0 mi 5.9
KIPP TECH VALLEY CHARTER SCHOOL Albany 2.1 mi 3.0
BELL TOP SCHOOL Troy 2.2 mi 6.4
BISHOP MAGINN HIGH SCHOOL Albany 2.1 mi 5.2
COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL East Greenbush 2.5 mi 6.3
SHERIDAN PREPARATORY ACADEMY Albany 2.4 mi 6.4
KIPP ALBANY COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL Albany 2.6 mi 2.4
CASTLE ISLAND BILINGUAL MONTESSORI Albany 2.5 mi
THOMAS S O'BRIEN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Albany 2.5 mi 6.8
WILLIAM S HACKETT MIDDLE SCHOOL Albany 2.5 mi 6.8
BRIGHTER CHOICE CHARTER SCHOOL FOR BOYS Albany 2.6 mi 4.8
BRIGHTER CHOICE CHARTER SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Albany 2.6 mi 4.5
GREEN TECH HIGH CHARTER SCHOOL Albany 2.7 mi 3.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 12144 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$88,357

Median Home Value

$235,300

Median Rent

$1,379/mo

Population

21,631

College Educated

38.3%

Homeownership

59.1%

Avg Commute

21.1 min

Poverty Rate

11.8%

Median Age

40.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Rensselaer Junior/senior High School has a median household income of $88,357. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $235,300, with a median rent of $1,379/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. 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
CANISTEO-GREENWOOD HIGH SCHOOL Canisteo, NY 4.4
FALCONER MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL Falconer, NY 4.4
FANNIE LOU HAMER FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL Bronx, NY 4.4
FREWSBURG JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Frewsburg, NY 4.4
JOHN V LINDSAY WILDCAT ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL New York, NY 4.4
LOWVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Lowville, NY 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rensselaer Junior/senior High School

What grades does Rensselaer Junior/senior High School serve?

Rensselaer Junior/senior High School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Rensselaer Junior/senior High School?

Rensselaer Junior/senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 478 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rensselaer Junior/senior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Rensselaer Junior/senior High School is 9.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rensselaer Junior/senior High School rank in NY?

Rensselaer Junior/senior High School is ranked #4260 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is Rensselaer Junior/senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Rensselaer Junior/senior High School has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Rensselaer Junior/senior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rensselaer Junior/senior High School has 23.3% math proficiency and 26.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Rensselaer Junior/senior High School a charter school?

No, Rensselaer Junior/senior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Rensselaer Junior/senior High School a Title I school?

No, Rensselaer Junior/senior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rensselaer Junior/senior High School?

67.6% of students at Rensselaer Junior/senior 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

County Safety
Low (104/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
478
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
50
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Rensselaer County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

RENSSELAER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
1,005
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,900
District Rank
#2 of 2

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 methodology

Related reading

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