Average
#2518 of 4,742 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
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
771
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New York schools
#2,518 of 4,742
In Buffalo
#21 of 85
public schools
In district
#18 of 59
BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
8.1 / 10
Excellent
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Waterfront Elementary School
Elementary School in Buffalo · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hutchinson Central Technical High School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Waterfront Elementary School
Waterfront Elementary School is a public elementary school in Buffalo, NY, part of BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. Waterfront Elementary School serves approximately 771 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 11.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Waterfront Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #2,518 of 4,742 schools in NY.
Structured state assessment records for Waterfront Elementary School show 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 21% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 6.1 · Average
- District avg 4.9
- NY avg 5.9
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Waterfront Elementary School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
68% of students at Waterfront Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Waterfront Elementary School — Students at Waterfront Elementary School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
95.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 32 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: 8.1/10.
How Waterfront Elementary School Compares
See how Waterfront Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. BUFFALO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY (rated 5.5/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is MARVA J DANIEL FUTURES PREPARATORY SCHOOL (rated 5.4/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, DR A PANTOJA COMM SCH EXCLLNCE -#18 (rated 4.9/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ALBANY AVENUE SCHOOL Lindenhurst, NY | 6.1 |
| ANDREW T MORROW SCHOOL Islandia, NY | 6.1 |
| BRONX CHARTER SCHOOL FOR EXCELLENCE Bronx, NY | 6.1 |
| CHURCH STREET SCHOOL White Plains, NY | 6.1 |
| CORDELLO AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Central Islip, NY | 6.1 |
| EXPLORE CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY | 6.1 |
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 ranks #2,518 of 4,742 schools in NY.
What is Waterfront Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Waterfront Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Waterfront Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Waterfront Elementary School has 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 21% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 67.8%
- Phone
- (716) 816-3900
Resources & Links
District
BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 29,866
- Schools in District
- 61
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $30,022
- District Rank
- #18 of 59
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
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