Very Good
#1148 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 24% in state
Southern Cayuga Elementary School
Elementary School · SOUTHERN CAYUGA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
2384 RT 34B, Aurora, NY 13026
Enrollment
360
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
360
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Aurora
#1 of 2
public schools
New York elementary schools
#728 of 2,549
In district
#1 of 2
SOUTHERN CAYUGA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Southern Cayuga Elementary School
Southern Cayuga Elementary School serves 360 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in Aurora, New York. This regular public school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1 with 27 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #1045 out of 4,758 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 78th percentile among New York schools.
Students show consistent achievement across core subjects, with 62% scoring proficient or above in both English Language Arts and mathematics. Southern Cayuga Elementary draws from a stable community where the median household income reaches $91,652 and 39% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The low poverty rate of 5.1% reflects the economic stability of the area, with median home values around $179,200.
Located on Route 34B in rural Cayuga County, the school serves a small but close-knit community of approximately 1,737 residents in the surrounding zip code. The rural setting provides students with a peaceful learning environment away from urban distractions while maintaining strong academic standards and community support.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Southern Cayuga Elementary 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Southern Cayuga Elementary School — Students at Southern Cayuga Elementary School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
51.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 12 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: 8.8/10.
How Southern Cayuga Elementary School Compares
See how Southern Cayuga Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 62% (2019) to 62% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 62% (2021).
Location
2384 RT 34B, Aurora, NY 13026
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southern Cayuga Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. TRUMANSBURG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Trumansburg), which scores slightly higher. Another option is MILLARD FILLMORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Moravia), with a very similar rating. Additionally, ANDREW J SMITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Union Springs), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Aurora, see our Aurora schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.7 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 13026 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$96,000
Median Home Value
$202,000
Median Rent
$1,263/mo
Population
1,703
College Educated
38.1%
Homeownership
76.4%
Avg Commute
18.3 min
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Median Age
31.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southern Cayuga Elementary School has a median household income of $96,000. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $202,000, with a median rent of $1,263/month. The local poverty rate of 3.7% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| ARCHER STREET SCHOOL Freeport, NY | 7.5 |
| CASTLETON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Castleton, NY | 7.5 |
| COXSACKIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Coxsackie, NY | 7.5 |
| DEERFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Utica, NY | 7.5 |
| ELBRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Elbridge, NY | 7.5 |
| ELMA PRIMARY SCHOOL Elma, NY | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southern Cayuga Elementary School
What grades does Southern Cayuga Elementary School serve?
Southern Cayuga Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Southern Cayuga Elementary School?
Southern Cayuga Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 360 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Cayuga Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Southern Cayuga Elementary School is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southern Cayuga Elementary School rank in NY?
Southern Cayuga Elementary School is ranked #1148 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is Southern Cayuga Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern Cayuga Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Southern Cayuga Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern Cayuga Elementary School has 62.2% math proficiency and 59.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southern Cayuga Elementary School a charter school?
No, Southern Cayuga Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southern Cayuga Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Southern Cayuga Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southern Cayuga Elementary School?
51.4% of students at Southern Cayuga Elementary 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 – 6th
- Enrollment
- 360
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 51.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Cayuga County
- Phone
- (315) 364-7098
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
SOUTHERN CAYUGA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 667
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,026
- District Rank
- #1 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 methodologyRelated reading
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- 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
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