Very Good
#147 of 991 private schools in NY
Top 15% of private schools
Universal School
School
1957 GENESEE ST, Buffalo, NY 14211
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
Enrollment
181
Student-Teacher
8.8:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Universal School compares to 85 public schools serving similar grades in Buffalo, NY
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (716) 597-0102
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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