Notice: Undefined property: MultipleSchoolsModel::$total in /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/include/srn_lib/psr/controller/county_public_schools_state.inc.php on line 249
Best Public Schools in Jefferson County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Jefferson County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 39 public schools serving 16,927 students in Jefferson County, NY (there are 6 private schools, serving 1,271 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in Jefferson County, NY are educated in public schools (compared to the NY state average of 86%).
The top-ranked public schools in Jefferson County, NY are Thousand Islands High School, South Jefferson High School and Carthage Senior High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Jefferson County, NY public schools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the New York public school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 49% statewide average). Schools in Jefferson County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of New York public schools.
Minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New York public school average of 61% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Jefferson County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Thousand Islands High School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
8481 County Rt 9
Clayton, NY 13624
(315) 686-5594
Gr: 9-12 | 262 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #22.
South Jefferson High School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
11060 Us Rt 11
Adams, NY 13605
(315) 232-4531
Gr: 9-12 | 574 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #33.
Carthage Senior High School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
36500 Nys Rt 26
Carthage, NY 13619
(315) 493-5030
Gr: 9-12 | 887 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #44.
Thousand Islands Middle School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
8487 County Rt 9
Clayton, NY 13624
(315) 686-5594
Gr: 6-8 | 185 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #55.
Watertown Senior High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1335 Washington St
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 785-3800
Gr: 9-12 | 1,181 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #66.
General Brown Junior-senior High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
17643 Cemetery Rd
Dexter, NY 13634
(315) 779-2300
Gr: 7-12 | 675 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #77.
Indian River High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
32925 Us Rt 11
Philadelphia, NY 13673
(315) 642-3427
Gr: 9-12 | 791 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #88.
Black River School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
160 Leray St
Black River, NY 13612
(315) 773-5911
Gr: PK-4 | 572 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #99.
Alexandria Central High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
34 Bolton Ave
Alexandria Bay, NY 13607
(315) 482-5113
Gr: 7-12 | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1010.
La Fargeville Central School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
20414 Sunrise Ave
La Fargeville, NY 13656
(315) 658-2241
Gr: PK-12 | 448 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1111.
Sackets Harbor Central School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
215 S Broad St
Sackets Harbor, NY 13685
(315) 646-3575
Gr: PK-12 | 411 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1212.
Philadelphia Primary School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3 Sand St
Philadelphia, NY 13673
(315) 642-3432
Gr: PK-3 | 122 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1313.
Lyme Central School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
11868 Academy St
Chaumont, NY 13622
(315) 649-2417
Gr: PK-12 | 335 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1414.
Bashaw Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
410 S Esselstyne
Clayton, NY 13624
(315) 654-2142
Gr: PK-5 | 109 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1515.
Indian River Middle School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
32735 County Rt 29
Philadelphia, NY 13673
(315) 642-0125
Gr: 6-8 | 730 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1616.
Alexandria Central Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
34 Bolton Ave
Alexandria Bay, NY 13607
(315) 482-9971
Gr: PK-6 | 243 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1717.
Theresa Primary School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
125 Bridge St
Theresa, NY 13691
(315) 628-4432
Gr: PK-3 | 163 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1818.
Belleville Henderson Central School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
8372 County Rt 75
Adams, NY 13605
(315) 846-5121
Gr: PK-12 | 491 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1919.
Carthage Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
21986 Cole Rd
Carthage, NY 13619
(315) 493-5020
Gr: 5-8 | 925 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #2020.
Calcium Primary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
25440 Indian River Dr
Calcium, NY 13616
(315) 629-1100
Gr: PK-3 | 480 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #2121.
Guardino Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
600 High St
Clayton, NY 13624
(315) 686-5594
Gr: PK-5 | 243 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #2222.
Dexter Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44% )
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
415 E Grove St
Dexter, NY 13634
(315) 779-2300
Gr: PK-2 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Evans Mills Primary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
8442 S Main St
Evans Mills, NY 13637
(315) 629-4331
Gr: PK-3 | 330 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Mannsville Manor Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
423 N Main St
Mannsville, NY 13661
(315) 465-4281
Gr: PK-5 | 338 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #2525.
Clarke Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
11060 Us Rt 11
Adams, NY 13605
(315) 232-4531
Gr: 6-8 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #2626.
Indian River Intermediate School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
32430 Us Rt 11
Philadelphia, NY 13673
(315) 642-0405
Gr: 4-5 | 565 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #2727.
Maynard P Wilson Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
13180 Us Rt 11
Adams Center, NY 13606
(315) 583-5418
Gr: PK-5 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #2828.
Case Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1237 Washington St
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 785-3870
Gr: 7-8 | 586 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #2929.
Brownville School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
771 Main St
Brownville, NY 13615
(315) 779-2300
Gr: 3-6 | 374 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #3030.
Harold T Wiley School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1351 Washington St
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 785-3780
Gr: 5-6 | 614 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #31 - 3331. - 33.
Carthage Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
900 Beaver Ln
Carthage, NY 13619
(315) 493-1570
Gr: PK-4 | 394 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #31 - 3331. - 33.
North Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
171 E Hoard St
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 785-3750
Gr: K-4 | 435 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #31 - 3331. - 33.
West Carthage Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
21568 Cole Rd
Carthage, NY 13619
(315) 493-2400
Gr: PK-4 | 390 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #3434.
Sherman School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
836 Sherman St
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 785-3760
Gr: K-4 | 323 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #3535.
Antwerp Primary School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
6 Academy St
Antwerp, NY 13608
(315) 659-8386
Gr: PK-3 | 145 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 30%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Jefferson County, NY?
The top-ranked public schools in Jefferson County, NY include Thousand Islands High School, South Jefferson High School and Carthage Senior High School.
How many public schools are located in Jefferson County?
39 public schools are located in Jefferson County.
What percentage of students in Jefferson County go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in Jefferson County are educated in public schools (compared to the NY state average of 86%).
What is the racial composition of students in Jefferson County?
Jefferson County public schools minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New York public schools average of 61% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Jefferson County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:

Notice: Undefined property: MultipleSchoolsModel::$total in /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/include/srn_lib/psr/view/RegionQuickLinksView.inc.php on line 75

Notice: Undefined property: MultipleSchoolsModel::$total in /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/include/srn_lib/psr/view/RegionQuickLinksView.inc.php on line 82

Notice: Undefined property: MultipleSchoolsModel::$total in /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/include/srn_lib/psr/view/RegionQuickLinksView.inc.php on line 88

Notice: Undefined property: MultipleSchoolsModel::$total in /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/include/srn_lib/psr/view/RegionQuickLinksView.inc.php on line 94

Notice: Undefined property: MultipleSchoolsModel::$total in /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/include/srn_lib/psr/view/RegionQuickLinksView.inc.php on line 100

Notice: Undefined property: MultipleSchoolsModel::$total in /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/include/srn_lib/psr/view/RegionQuickLinksView.inc.php on line 106

Notice: Undefined property: MultipleSchoolsModel::$total in /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/include/srn_lib/psr/view/RegionQuickLinksView.inc.php on line 112

Notice: Undefined property: MultipleSchoolsModel::$total in /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/include/srn_lib/psr/view/RegionQuickLinksView.inc.php on line 123
School by Type (NY):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Notice: Javascript file does not exist: /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/javascript/components/popper.min.js in /home/devsarath/workspace/shared/misc/JSCompiler.inc.php on line 242

Notice: Javascript file does not exist: /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/javascript/components/tippy.min.js in /home/devsarath/workspace/shared/misc/JSCompiler.inc.php on line 242

Notice: Directory does not exist in /home/devsarath/workspace/shared/misc/JSCompiler.inc.php on line 242

Notice: Unable to save compiled js file in /home/devsarath/workspace/shared/misc/JSCompiler.inc.php on line 242