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#3215 of 4,739 schools in NY

South Jefferson High School

High School · SOUTH JEFFERSON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

PO BOX 10, Adams, NY 13605

Enrollment

589

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

5.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Adams

#1 of 3

public schools

New York high schools

#860 of 1,160

In district

#1 of 4

SOUTH JEFFERSON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic performance

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About South Jefferson High School

South Jefferson High School serves 589 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of Adams, New York. With 39 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more personalized attention. The school demonstrates exceptional academic performance, earning an impressive 8.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #421 out of 4,758 New York high schools, placing it in the 91st percentile statewide.

Students consistently excel in core subjects, with 90% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and an outstanding 95% meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in mathematics. South Jefferson High School's strong academic results reflect both dedicated teaching and a supportive community environment. The surrounding area shows stability with a median household income of $71,250 and median home values around $174,900, while maintaining a relatively low poverty rate of 8.6% among the ZIP code's 5,261 residents.

This high-performing school provides students with a solid foundation for post-secondary success in Jefferson County's rural setting, where families value education and community connections foster student achievement.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, South Jefferson 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 Progress7.0Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendStable
Academics9.6Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency92%
Reading/ELA Proficiency92%
Overall Proficiency92%
Expected (poverty-adj.)61%
vs. Expected+31.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
College Readiness3.3Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,542

South Jefferson High School — Students at South Jefferson High School score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 94.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 89.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
97.5%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
92%
ELA
92%

* 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: 7.0/10.

How South Jefferson High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.6/10
32th percentile in NY
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
2.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers

Location

PO BOX 10, Adams, NY 13605

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Jefferson High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SANDY CREEK HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Sandy Creek), which scores notably higher. Another option is IMMACULATE HEART CENTRAL JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Watertown), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, WATERTOWN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.3/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Watertown), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Adams, see our Adams schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.9 mi
School Distance Rating
CLARKE MIDDLE SCHOOL Adams 0.0 mi 4.7
MAYNARD P WILSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Adams Center 2.2 mi 4.3
BELLEVILLE HENDERSON CENTRAL SCHOOL Adams 5.7 mi 5.3
MANNSVILLE MANOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mannsville 8.1 mi 3.2
JEFFERSON-LEWIS-HAMILTON-HERKIMER-ONEIDA BOCES Watertown 10.1 mi 6.6
SACKETS HARBOR CENTRAL SCHOOL Sackets Harbor 9.5 mi 5.2
IMMACULATE HEART CENTRAL JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Watertown 9.9 mi 6.0
IHC INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL GRADES K-5 Watertown 10.5 mi 5.7
WATERTOWN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Watertown 10.3 mi 5.3
HAROLD T WILEY SCHOOL Watertown 10.3 mi 5.0
CASE MIDDLE SCHOOL Watertown 10.4 mi 4.0
SHERMAN SCHOOL Watertown 10.6 mi 5.0
KNICKERBOCKER SCHOOL Watertown 10.8 mi 3.9
BROWNVILLE SCHOOL Brownville 12.1 mi 5.3
IMMACULATE HEART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GRADES Watertown 11.4 mi 5.9
DEXTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dexter 12.7 mi 3.8
GENERAL BROWN JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Dexter 12.9 mi 2.7
FAITH FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watertown 11.6 mi 5.9
SANDY CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sandy Creek 12.9 mi 7.4
SANDY CREEK HIGH SCHOOL Sandy Creek 12.9 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 13605 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,947

Median Home Value

$188,200

Median Rent

$744/mo

Population

5,106

College Educated

22.4%

Homeownership

75.1%

Avg Commute

22.9 min

Poverty Rate

7.2%

Median Age

38.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Jefferson High School has a median household income of $70,947. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $188,200, with a median rent of $744/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
BRONX RIVER HIGH SCHOOL Bronx, NY 5.6
CHARLES D'AMICO HIGH SCHOOL Albion, NY 5.6
CHENANGO VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Binghamton, NY 5.6
COBLESKILL-RICHMONDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Richmondville, NY 5.6
EQUALITY CHARTER SCHOOL Bronx, NY 5.6
HIGH SCHOOL 560 CITY-AS-SCHOOL New York, NY 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Jefferson High School

What grades does South Jefferson High School serve?

South Jefferson High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend South Jefferson High School?

South Jefferson High School has an enrollment of approximately 589 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Jefferson High School?

The student-teacher ratio at South Jefferson High School is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Jefferson High School rank in NY?

South Jefferson High School is ranked #3215 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is South Jefferson High School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Jefferson High School has a composite rating of 5.6 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 South Jefferson High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Jefferson High School has 94.8% math proficiency and 89.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Jefferson High School a charter school?

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

Is South Jefferson High School a Title I school?

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

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

44.0% of students at South Jefferson 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 (128/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
589
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Jefferson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SOUTH JEFFERSON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
1,824
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,888
District Rank
#1 of 4

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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