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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+5.64 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics6.4Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Math vs. State Avg-1.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.1 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected-6.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
College Readiness5.1Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation18.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$62,035

Shelter Island School — Students at Shelter Island School score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 44.4%
School
State
44.9%
ELA Proficiency 64.3%
School
State
57.1%

Based on 15 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
44.8%
ELA
66.7%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.4/10
73th percentile in NY
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
5:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (3/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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