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Best Public Schools in Rensselaer County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Rensselaer County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 41 public schools serving 19,306 students in Rensselaer County, NY (there are 14 private schools, serving 2,754 private students). 88% of all K-12 students in Rensselaer County, NY are educated in public schools (compared to the NY state average of 86%).
The top-ranked public schools in Rensselaer County, NY are Columbia High School, Bell Top School and Howard L Goff School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Rensselaer County, NY public schools have an average math proficiency score of 53% (versus the New York public school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 49% statewide average). Schools in Rensselaer County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of New York public schools.
Minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the New York public school average of 61% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Rensselaer County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Columbia High School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
962 Luther Rd
East Greenbush, NY 12061
(518) 207-2010
Gr: 9-12 | 1,272 student Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #22.
Bell Top School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
39 Reynolds Rd
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 207-2600
Gr: K-5 | 304 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #33.
Howard L Goff School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
35 Gilligan Rd
East Greenbush, NY 12061
(518) 207-2430
Gr: 6-8 | 948 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #44.
Averill Park High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
146 Gettle Rd
Averill Park, NY 12018
(518) 674-7000
Gr: 9-12 | 870 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #55.
Troy High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1950 Burdett Ave
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 328-5401
Gr: 9-12 | 1,193 student Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #66.
Citizen Edmond Genet School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
29 Englewood Ave
East Greenbush, NY 12061
(518) 207-2680
Gr: PK-5 | 493 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #77.
Lansingburgh Senior High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
320 7th Ave
Troy, NY 12182
(518) 233-6806
Gr: 9-12 | 625 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #88.
Castleton Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
80 Scott Ave
Castleton On Hudson, NY 12033
(518) 732-7755
Gr: K-6 | 443 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #99.
Red Mill School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
225 Mccullough Pl
Rensselaer, NY 12144
(518) 207-2660
Gr: PK-5 | 473 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1010.
Maple Hill Junior/senior High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1216 Maple Hill Rd
Castleton On Hudson, NY 12033
(518) 732-7701
Gr: 7-12 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1111.
Algonquin Middle School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
333 Ny Rt 351
Averill Park, NY 12018
(518) 674-7100
Gr: 6-8 | 608 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1212.
Donald P Sutherland School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4 John St
Nassau, NY 12123
(518) 207-2620
Gr: PK-5 | 250 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1313.
Green Meadow School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
234 Schuurman Rd
Castleton On Hudson, NY 12033
(518) 207-2640
Gr: PK-5 | 345 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1414.
Poestenkill Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1 School Rd
Poestenkill, NY 12140
(518) 674-7125
Gr: K-5 | 334 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1515.
Miller Hill School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
8439 Miller Hill Rd
Averill Park, NY 12018
(518) 674-7075
Gr: K-5 | 377 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1616.
West Sand Lake Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
24 Meeler Rd
West Sand Lake, NY 12196
(518) 674-7175
Gr: K-5 | 354 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1717.
Tamarac Middle School High School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3992 Ny Rt 2
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 279-4600
Gr: PK-12 | 576 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1818.
Gardner-dickinson School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
25 East Ave
Wynantskill, NY 12198
(518) 283-4600
Gr: PK-8 | 306 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1919.
Hoosic Valley Junior Senior High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rt 67
Schaghticoke, NY 12154
(518) 753-4432
Gr: 2-12 | 388 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #2020.
Kipp Troy Preparatory Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2 Polk St
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 445-3100
Gr: K-12 | 762 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #2121.
P.s. 16
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
40 Collins Ave
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 328-5101
Gr: PK-5 | 249 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #2222.
Berlin Middle School/high School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
17400 Ny 22
Cherry Plain, NY 12040
(518) 658-1500
Gr: 6-12 | 323 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #2323.
Hoosick Falls High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
21187 Ny Rt 22
Hoosick Falls, NY 12090
(518) 686-7321
Gr: 9-12 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #2424.
Tamarac Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3992 Ny Rt 2
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 279-4600
Gr: PK-5 | 505 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #2525.
Berlin Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
53 School St
Berlin, NY 12022
(518) 658-2127
Gr: PK-5 | 256 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #2626.
Hoosick Falls Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
21187 Ny Rt 22
Hoosick Falls, NY 12090
(518) 686-9492
Gr: PK-4 | 407 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #2727.
P.s. 18
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
412 Hoosick St
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 328-5501
Gr: K-5 | 313 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #2828.
P.s. 14
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1700 Tibbits Ave
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 328-5801
Gr: PK-5 | 460 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Hoosic Valley Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
22 Pleasant Ave
Schaghticoke, NY 12154
(518) 753-4491
Gr: K-6 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Troy Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1976 Burdett Ave
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 328-5301
Gr: 6-8 | 733 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #3131.
Knickerbacker Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
320 7th Ave
Troy, NY 12182
(518) 233-6811
Gr: 6-8 | 474 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #3232.
Rensselaer Junior/senior High School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
25 Van Rensselaer Dr
Rensselaer, NY 12144
(518) 436-8561
Gr: 6-12 | 462 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #3333.
Van Rensselaer Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
25 Van Rensselaer Dr
Rensselaer, NY 12144
(518) 436-4618
Gr: PK-5 | 487 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #3434.
P.s. 2
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
470 10th St
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 328-5601
Gr: PK-5 | 249 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #3535.
Rensselaer Park Elementary School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
70 110th St
Troy, NY 12182
(518) 233-6823
Gr: K-5 | 419 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 48%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Rensselaer County, NY?
The top-ranked public schools in Rensselaer County, NY include Columbia High School, Bell Top School and Howard L Goff School.
How many public schools are located in Rensselaer County?
41 public schools are located in Rensselaer County.
What percentage of students in Rensselaer County go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in Rensselaer County are educated in public schools (compared to the NY state average of 86%).
What is the racial composition of students in Rensselaer County?
Rensselaer County public schools minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the New York public schools average of 61% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Rensselaer County are often viewed compared to one another?

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