Below Average
#4095 of 4,739 schools in NY
West Hertel Elementary School
Elementary School · BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
489 HERTEL AVE, Buffalo, NY 14207
Enrollment
718
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
718
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Buffalo
#44 of 84
public schools
New York elementary schools
#2,148 of 2,549
In district
#33 of 59
BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
About West Hertel Elementary School
West Hertel Elementary School is a public school in Buffalo, New York, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 718 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1, the school has 61 full-time equivalent teachers to support its diverse learning community. Located in a bustling city environment, West Hertel Elementary offers educational programs that cater to the needs of its urban student body.
The academic performance at West Hertel Elementary is currently focusing on student development and improvement. According to MySchoolScout's rating system, the school scores a 3.0 out of 10, ranking it in the 10th percentile among New York state schools. In terms of proficiency rates, only 22% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and just 7% meet this standard in Math.
While these figures highlight areas for academic growth, they also underscore West Hertel Elementary's commitment to fostering a supportive learning environment. West Hertel Elementary School is situated in the heart of Buffalo’s vibrant city life, offering students unique opportunities to engage with their community while receiving the educational support they need.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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West Hertel Elementary School — Students at West Hertel Elementary School score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
94.2%
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: 5.6/10.
How West Hertel Elementary School Compares
See how West Hertel Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 16% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 20% (2019) to 22% (2021).
Location
489 HERTEL AVE, Buffalo, NY 14207
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Hertel Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ELMWOOD-FRANKLIN SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is STANLEY G FALK SCHOOL - ROOSEVELT SITE (rated 7.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HOLMES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 5.8/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Tonawanda), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Buffalo, see our Buffalo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PFC WILLIAM J GRABIARZ #79 Buffalo | 0.3 mi | 4.0 |
| ELMWOOD VILLAGE CHARTER SCHOOL HERTEL Buffalo | 0.3 mi | 3.8 |
| MCKINLEY VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL Buffalo | 0.7 mi | 4.9 |
| PS 65 ROOSEVELT ECC Buffalo | 1.0 mi | 3.1 |
| RIVERSIDE ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL Buffalo | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| PS 64 FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED Buffalo | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| TAPESTRY CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.0 mi | 3.6 |
| STANLEY G FALK SCHOOL - ROOSEVELT SITE Buffalo | 1.5 mi | 7.1 |
| PS 81 Buffalo | 1.2 mi | 3.5 |
| CHARTER SCHOOL FOR APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES Buffalo | 1.6 mi | 3.4 |
| NATIVE AMERICAN MAGNET Buffalo | 1.7 mi | 4.3 |
| LAFAYETTE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.7 mi | 4.8 |
| BUFFALO SEMINARY Buffalo | 1.7 mi | 8.2 |
| WEST BUFFALO CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.8 mi | 3.6 |
| INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.8 mi | 3.5 |
| ELMWOOD-FRANKLIN SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.5 mi | 7.6 |
| HOLMES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tonawanda | 2.1 mi | 5.8 |
| NICHOLS SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.6 mi | 6.6 |
| NARDIN ACADEMY Buffalo | 2.1 mi | 6.6 |
| DR A PANTOJA COMM SCH EXCLLNCE -#18 Buffalo | 2.4 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 14207 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$38,951
Median Home Value
$111,200
Median Rent
$943/mo
Population
25,731
College Educated
18.6%
Homeownership
34%
Avg Commute
20.6 min
Poverty Rate
32.2%
Median Age
33.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Hertel Elementary School has a median household income of $38,951. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $111,200, with a median rent of $943/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.2%, 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 |
|---|---|
| BRONX ACADEMY OF PROMISE CHARTER SCHOOL Bronx, NY | 4.6 |
| EDWARD SMITH K-8 SCHOOL Syracuse, NY | 4.6 |
| ELMWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Monsey, NY | 4.6 |
| ENRICO FERMI SCHOOL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS Yonkers, NY | 4.6 |
| FRICANO PRIMARY SCHOOL Lockport, NY | 4.6 |
| GEORGE F JOHNSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Endicott, NY | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Hertel Elementary School
What grades does West Hertel Elementary School serve?
West Hertel Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend West Hertel Elementary School?
West Hertel Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 718 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Hertel Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at West Hertel Elementary School is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Hertel Elementary School rank in NY?
West Hertel Elementary School is ranked #4095 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is West Hertel Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
West Hertel Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.6 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 West Hertel Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Hertel Elementary School has 6.9% math proficiency and 22.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Hertel Elementary School a charter school?
No, West Hertel Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Hertel Elementary School a Title I school?
No, West Hertel Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Hertel Elementary School?
94.2% of students at West Hertel 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
- 718
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 61
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 94.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Erie County
- Phone
- (716) 816-4150
- 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
- #33 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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