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
Enrollment
482
Student-Teacher
9.8:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Vails Gate Steam Academy — Students at Vails Gate Steam Academy score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 10 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: 8.0/10.
How Vails Gate Steam Academy Compares
See how Vails Gate Steam Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 17% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 21% (2019) to 32% (2021).
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.
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
- Phone
- (845) 563-7900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEWBURGH CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 11,227
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $28,963
- District Rank
- #6 of 12
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
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