Below Average
#4447 of 4,739 schools in NY
Waterfront Elementary School
Elementary School · BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
95 FOURTH ST, Buffalo, NY 14202
Enrollment
771
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
771
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Buffalo
#59 of 84
public schools
New York elementary schools
#2,346 of 2,549
In district
#46 of 59
BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
About Waterfront Elementary School
Waterfront Elementary School serves grades pre-K through 8 in Buffalo, New York, enrolling 771 students with a student-teacher ratio of 11.3:1. The school has 68 full-time equivalent teachers supporting learners across a wide age range. The school is currently focused on academic development, with proficiency rates showing room for growth.
In English Language Arts, 27% of students are performing at or above proficiency levels, while mathematics proficiency stands at 8% across grade levels. These results reflect challenges the school is working to address as it supports its diverse student body. Located in Buffalo's large city setting on Fourth Street, Waterfront Elementary serves as a neighborhood anchor for families in the area.
The regular public school structure provides accessible education to the community it serves.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Waterfront Elementary School — Students at Waterfront Elementary School score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
95.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 8 test records from NY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.3/10.
How Waterfront Elementary School Compares
See how Waterfront Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 19% (2019) to 5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 24.5% (2021).
Location
95 FOURTH ST, Buffalo, NY 14202
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Waterfront Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HERMAN BADILLO BILINGUAL ACADEMY (rated 5.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is REACH ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 5.2/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, FRANK A SEDITA SCHOOL #30 (rated 5.0/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Buffalo, see our Buffalo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 14202 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$47,990
Median Home Value
$495,800
Median Rent
$709/mo
Population
3,764
College Educated
45.2%
Homeownership
24.5%
Poverty Rate
17.1%
Median Age
38.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Waterfront Elementary School has a median household income of $47,990. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $495,800, with a median rent of $709/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.1%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ACADEMY OF THE CITY CHARTER SCHOOL Woodside, NY | 4.0 |
| ACHIEVEMENT FIRST LINDEN CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY | 4.0 |
| BIG TREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hamburg, NY | 4.0 |
| GIDNEY AVENUE MEMORIAL SCHOOL Newburgh, NY | 4.0 |
| PFC WILLIAM J GRABIARZ #79 Buffalo, NY | 4.0 |
| SALEM HYDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Syracuse, NY | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Waterfront Elementary School
What grades does Waterfront Elementary School serve?
Waterfront Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Waterfront Elementary School?
Waterfront Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 771 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Waterfront Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Waterfront Elementary School is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Waterfront Elementary School rank in NY?
Waterfront Elementary School is ranked #4447 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is Waterfront Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Waterfront Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Waterfront Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Waterfront Elementary School has 8.5% math proficiency and 26.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Waterfront Elementary School a charter school?
No, Waterfront Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Waterfront Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Waterfront Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waterfront Elementary School?
95.3% of students at Waterfront 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,549/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Buffalo). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 771
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 68
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 95.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Erie County
- Phone
- (716) 816-3900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 29,866
- Schools in District
- 61
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $30,022
- District Rank
- #46 of 59
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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