Very Good
#1265 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 27% in state
Shelter Island School
School · SHELTER ISLAND UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
33 N FERRY RD, Shelter Island, NY 11964
Enrollment
193
Student-Teacher
5.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
193
Student-Teacher
5.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
New York schools
#20 of 245
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Shelter Island School
Shelter Island School serves 193 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in this unique island community in Suffolk County. With just 37 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low 5.2:1 student-teacher ratio, ensuring personalized attention that's rare in most educational settings. The school earns a solid 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 78th percentile statewide at #1044 out of 4758 New York schools.
Students perform well in English Language Arts, with 68% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Math performance shows room for growth at 43% proficiency, providing opportunities for the school's small class sizes to make a meaningful impact on student development. As the sole school serving this island community, Shelter Island School operates in an environment where 57% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $98,409.
The low 3.6% poverty rate reflects the community's economic stability, though median home values of $934,900 indicate the challenges of island living costs. This distinctive school sits in a rural setting near the town center, serving families who have chosen the unique lifestyle of year-round island living off the coast of Long Island's East End.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 193 students, Shelter Island School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 5.2:1, Shelter Island 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.
Located in a rural area, Shelter Island 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
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Shelter Island School — Students at Shelter Island School score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
35.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 15 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 Shelter Island School Compares
See how Shelter Island School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 52% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 62% (2021).
Location
33 N FERRY RD, Shelter Island, NY 11964
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Shelter Island School may also want to explore other schools in the area. ROSS SCHOOL (rated 9.0/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby East Hampton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BRIDGEHAMPTON SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Bridgehampton), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Shelter Island, see our Shelter Island schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GREENPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Greenport | 2.8 mi | 8.1 |
| GREENPORT HIGH SCHOOL Greenport | 2.8 mi | 4.6 |
| OYSTERPONDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Orient | 5.6 mi | 8.4 |
| SAG HARBOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sag Harbor | 5.5 mi | 7.1 |
| PIERSON MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL Sag Harbor | 5.7 mi | 7.2 |
| HARBOR WALDORF SCHOOL Sag Harbor | 6.0 mi | — |
| SOUTHOLD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Southold | 4.8 mi | 8.2 |
| SOUTHOLD JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Southold | 4.9 mi | 5.1 |
| THE HAYGROUND SCHOOL Bridgehampton | 8.8 mi | 6.5 |
| BRIDGEHAMPTON SCHOOL Bridgehampton | 9.2 mi | 6.4 |
| ROSS SCHOOL East Hampton | 8.4 mi | 9.0 |
| MATTITUCK-CUTCHOGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cutchogue | 7.5 mi | 8.6 |
| SAGAPONACK SCHOOL Sagaponack | 10.0 mi | — |
| NEW SUFFOLK SCHOOL New Suffolk | 8.8 mi | — |
| WAINSCOTT SCHOOL Wainscott | 10.3 mi | — |
| EAST HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL East Hampton | 9.9 mi | 8.6 |
| JOHN M MARSHALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL East Hampton | 10.5 mi | 8.5 |
| SOUTHAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL Southampton | 12.4 mi | 8.9 |
| SOUTHAMPTON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Southampton | 12.4 mi | 6.6 |
| EAST HAMPTON MIDDLE SCHOOL East Hampton | 10.5 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 11964 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$129,826
Median Home Value
$998,700
Population
2,858
College Educated
52.3%
Homeownership
93.9%
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Median Age
42.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Shelter Island School has a median household income of $129,826. 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 $998,700. The local poverty rate of 3.7% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ANDALUSIA SCHOOL Yonkers, NY | 7.4 |
| OTSEGO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Otego, NY | 7.4 |
| OTSEGO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Otego, NY | 7.4 |
| THE HOMESTEAD SCHOOL Glen Spey, NY | 7.4 |
| DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES INSTITUTE Smithtown, NY | 7.5 |
| SCHECHTER SCHOOL OF LONG ISLAND Williston Park, NY | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Shelter Island School
What grades does Shelter Island School serve?
Shelter Island School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Shelter Island School?
Shelter Island School has an enrollment of approximately 193 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Shelter Island School?
The student-teacher ratio at Shelter Island School is 5.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Shelter Island School rank in NY?
Shelter Island School is ranked #1265 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is Shelter Island School's MySchoolScout rating?
Shelter Island School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Shelter Island School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shelter Island School has 44.4% math proficiency and 64.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Shelter Island School a charter school?
No, Shelter Island School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Shelter Island School a Title I school?
No, Shelter Island School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Shelter Island School?
35.2% of students at Shelter Island 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 193
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 5.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 35.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Suffolk County
- Phone
- (631) 749-0302
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
SHELTER ISLAND UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 194
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $65,080
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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
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