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Average

#2677 of 4,739 schools in NY

Vails Gate Steam Academy

Elementary School · NEWBURGH CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

400 OLD FORGE HILL RD, New Windsor, NY 12553

Enrollment

482

Student-Teacher

9.8:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In New Windsor

#5 of 7

public schools

New York elementary schools

#1,497 of 2,549

In district

#6 of 12

NEWBURGH CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic growth

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Vails Gate Steam Academy

Vails Gate STEAM Academy is an elementary school located in the suburban community of New Windsor, New York. Situated at 400 Old Forge Hill Road, this regular public school serves kindergarten through fifth grade with a student body of 482 students. The school boasts a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention from its team of 49 full-time equivalent teachers.

Vails Gate STEAM Academy focuses on providing a strong educational foundation for young learners through its STEAM curriculum. However, the academic performance data indicates there is room for improvement, with the school ranking at #3702 out of 4758 schools in New York State (22nd percentile) and an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 30% and a Math proficiency rate of 19%. Despite these challenges, the school continues to nurture its students' academic development.

The school is situated in a large suburban area with easy access to local amenities and resources. Vails Gate STEAM Academy serves as a welcoming community hub for families in the neighborhood.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Vails Gate Steam Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, Vails Gate Steam Academy 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+1.62 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics2.6Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Math vs. State Avg-36.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-28.9 pts
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected-28.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,287

Vails Gate Steam Academy — Students at Vails Gate Steam Academy score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 18.6%
School
State
48.1%
ELA Proficiency 29.6%
School
State
57.0%

Based on 10 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
22%
ELA
21%
2021*
Math
17.8%
ELA
31.8%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How Vails Gate Steam Academy Compares

See how Vails Gate Steam Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
44th percentile in NY
Academic
2.6/10
2.6/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
7.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers

Location

400 OLD FORGE HILL RD, New Windsor, NY 12553

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Vails Gate Steam Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CORNWALL-ON-HUDSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Cornwall on Hudson), which scores notably higher. Another option is NEW WINDSOR SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, HORIZON-ON-THE-HUDSON SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Newburgh), with a very similar rating. For more schools in New Windsor, see our New Windsor schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.7 mi
School Distance Rating
KAPLAN CAREER ACADEMY New Windsor 0.5 mi 7.4
HERITAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL New Windsor 1.2 mi 5.1
BLOOMING GROVE ACADEMY LLC New Windsor 0.9 mi
TEMPLE HILL SCHOOL New Windsor 1.3 mi 6.3
CORNWALL CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL New Windsor 1.6 mi 6.6
WILLOW AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cornwall 1.8 mi 6.0
NEW YORK MILITARY ACADEMY Cornwall on Hudson 1.7 mi 8.5
CORNWALL MIDDLE SCHOOL Cornwall 1.8 mi 4.7
CORNWALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cornwall 1.9 mi 6.2
NEW WINDSOR SCHOOL New Windsor 2.1 mi 6.5
CORNWALL-ON-HUDSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cornwall on Hudson 2.4 mi 7.8
SAN MIGUEL ACADEMY OF NEWBURGH Newburgh 2.9 mi 6.5
SOUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL Newburgh 2.9 mi 5.2
NORA CRONIN PRESENTATION ACADEMY Newburgh 2.9 mi 5.3
NEWBURGH FREE ACADEMY Newburgh 3.6 mi 7.0
THE STORM KING SCHOOL Cornwall on Hudson 3.5 mi 9.0
LITTLE BRITAIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL New Windsor 3.1 mi 4.8
GIDNEY AVENUE MEMORIAL SCHOOL Newburgh 3.8 mi 4.0
HORIZON-ON-THE-HUDSON SCHOOL Newburgh 3.9 mi 6.5
MEADOW HILL SCHOOL Newburgh 4.7 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 12553 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$94,207

Median Home Value

$351,200

Median Rent

$1,612/mo

Population

27,300

College Educated

35%

Homeownership

70.5%

Avg Commute

36.5 min

Poverty Rate

6.2%

Median Age

40.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Vails Gate Steam Academy has a median household income of $94,207. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $351,200, with a median rent of $1,612/month. The local poverty rate of 6.2% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 37 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Binghamton, NY 6.2
BROOK AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bay Shore, NY 6.2
BROOKSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Binghamton, NY 6.2
CASIMIR PULASKI SCHOOL Scarsdale, NY 6.2
CHENANGO BRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Binghamton, NY 6.2
CLARENCE CENTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clarence Center, NY 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Vails Gate Steam Academy

What grades does Vails Gate Steam Academy serve?

Vails Gate Steam Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Vails Gate Steam Academy?

Vails Gate Steam Academy has an enrollment of approximately 482 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Vails Gate Steam Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Vails Gate Steam Academy is 9.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Vails Gate Steam Academy rank in NY?

Vails Gate Steam Academy is ranked #2677 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is Vails Gate Steam Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Vails Gate Steam Academy has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Vails Gate Steam Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vails Gate Steam Academy has 18.6% math proficiency and 29.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Vails Gate Steam Academy a charter school?

No, Vails Gate Steam Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Vails Gate Steam Academy a Title I school?

No, Vails Gate Steam Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vails Gate Steam Academy?

67.8% of students at Vails Gate Steam Academy 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 (4/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
482
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

NEWBURGH CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
11,227
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$28,963
District Rank
#6 of 12

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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