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Very Good

#147 of 991 private schools in NY

Top 15% of private schools

Universal School

School

1957 GENESEE ST, Buffalo, NY 14211

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on NY statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

181

Student-Teacher

8.8:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Buffalo

#4 of 17

public schools

New York schools

#59 of 277

About Universal School

Universal School is a K-12 regular public school located in Buffalo, New York. With an enrollment of 181 students and a student-teacher ratio of 8.8:1, the school offers personalized attention to each student. The dedicated faculty consists of 20 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their diverse student body.

While detailed academic performance data is not available, Universal School holds steady with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks as the 302nd school in New York state among 991 schools. The school focuses on nurturing students' development beyond test scores, offering a supportive environment where learners can grow academically and personally. Universal School is situated in a large city setting, providing access to various cultural and educational resources.

This urban location offers unique opportunities for students to engage with the community and explore different aspects of city life.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 181 students, Universal 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 8.8:1, Universal 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.

As a private school, Universal School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$7,143
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$7,159
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.00x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
84%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$681,678

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 181 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Universal School compares to 85 public schools serving similar grades in Buffalo, NY

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.8:1
This School
vs
10.6:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
181
This School
vs
527
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.5
This School
vs
4.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

Asian 54.7% vs 0%
White 35.4% vs 0%
Black 8.3% vs 0%
Universal School Buffalo Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Universal School (this school) 7.5
BUFFALO ACADEMY OF SCIENCE CHARTER SCHOOL II 4.7
KING CENTER CHARTER SCHOOL 3.2
PERSISTENCE PREPARATORY ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL 1.9
HARVEY AUSTIN SCHOOL #97 3.8
BUILD COMMUNITY SCHOOL 5.7
PS 82 3.1
FREDERICK OLMSTED #156 5.2
MATH SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY PREPARATORY SCHOOL AT 197 3.8
ERIE COUNTY DETENTION FACILITY
EAST COMMUNITY SCHOOL 5.8
PATHWAYS ACADEMY 5.7
CHARTER SCHOOL OF INQUIRY 2.6
DR LYDIA T WRIGHT SCH OF EXCELLENCE 5.1
PS 84 7.7
PS 61 ARTHUR O EVE SCHOOL OF DISTINCTION 4.1
LOVEJOY DISCOVERY SCHOOL #43 3.4
BURGARD HIGH SCHOOL 4.8
PS 59 DR CHARLES DREW SCIENCE MAGNET 4.4
WESTMINSTER COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL 2.9
PS 74 HAMLIN PARK - CLAUDE AND OUIDA CLAPP ACADEMY 4.1

Showing 20 of 85 schools. View all schools in Buffalo

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in NY.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B 6.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.3 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,314
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 8.2 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 57%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 181
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in NY

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Asian 54.7%
White 35.4%
Black 8.3%
Two or More 1.7%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1957 GENESEE ST, Buffalo, NY 14211

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Universal School may also want to explore other schools in the area. DARUL ULOOM AL MADANIA (rated 6.7/10, 1.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, BUFFALO ACADEMY OF SCIENCE CHARTER SCHOOL II (rated 4.7/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Buffalo, see our Buffalo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
BUFFALO ACADEMY OF SCIENCE CHARTER SCHOOL II Buffalo 0.3 mi 4.7
KING CENTER CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo 0.4 mi 3.2
HARVEY AUSTIN SCHOOL #97 Buffalo 0.9 mi 3.8
PS 82 Buffalo 1.0 mi 3.1
PERSISTENCE PREPARATORY ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo 0.8 mi 1.9
BUILD COMMUNITY SCHOOL Buffalo 0.9 mi 5.7
FREDERICK OLMSTED #156 Buffalo 1.2 mi 5.2
CHARTER SCHOOL OF INQUIRY Buffalo 1.4 mi 2.6
SAINTS TABERNACLE SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE Buffalo 1.2 mi
NATIVITYMIGUEL MIDDLE SCHOOL, ST MONICA CAMPUS Buffalo 1.6 mi 6.1
WOODROW WILSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sloan 1.5 mi 3.6
MATH SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY PREPARATORY SCHOOL AT 197 Buffalo 1.3 mi 3.8
LOVEJOY DISCOVERY SCHOOL #43 Buffalo 1.7 mi 3.4
WESTMINSTER COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo 1.8 mi 2.9
ERIE COUNTY DETENTION FACILITY Buffalo 1.3 mi
PS 61 ARTHUR O EVE SCHOOL OF DISTINCTION Buffalo 1.6 mi 4.1
EAST COMMUNITY SCHOOL Buffalo 1.4 mi 5.8
PATHWAYS ACADEMY Buffalo 1.4 mi 5.7
DARUL ULOOM AL MADANIA Buffalo 1.6 mi 6.7
DR LYDIA T WRIGHT SCH OF EXCELLENCE Buffalo 1.5 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 14211 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$34,490

Median Home Value

$91,600

Median Rent

$1,008/mo

Population

23,951

College Educated

15.5%

Homeownership

44.7%

Avg Commute

21 min

Poverty Rate

34.7%

Median Age

34.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Universal School has a median household income of $34,490. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $91,600, with a median rent of $1,008/month. The area has a poverty rate of 34.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES INSTITUTE Smithtown, NY 7.5
SUMMIT SCHOOL Jamaica, NY 7.5
THE CENTER FOR DISCOVERY Monticello, NY 7.5
WEST VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL West Valley, NY 7.5
WHITESVILLE CENTRAL SCHOOL Whitesville, NY 7.5
CRESCENT SCHOOL Hempstead, NY 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Universal School

What grades does Universal School serve?

Universal School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Universal School?

Universal School has an enrollment of approximately 181 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Universal School?

The student-teacher ratio at Universal School is 8.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Universal School rank in NY?

Universal School is ranked #147 out of 991 private schools in NY.

What is Universal School's MySchoolScout rating?

Universal 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.

Is Universal School a private school?

Yes, Universal School is a private coeducational school with a Islamic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Universal School a religious school?

Universal School has a Islamic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
69 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
47 Some Transit
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,549/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Buffalo). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
181
Gender Split
49% M / 51% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Islamic
School Day
7.3 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Large City
County
ERIE
Data Year
2022–2023

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

Related reading

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