Average
#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
Enrollment
589
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Jefferson High School — Students at South Jefferson High School score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.0/10.
How South Jefferson High School Compares
See how South Jefferson High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 97.5% (2019) to 92% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 87% (2019) to 92% (2021).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
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
- Phone
- (315) 232-4531
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
SOUTH JEFFERSON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 1,824
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,888
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
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.