For the 2026 school year, there are 13 public middle schools serving 6,883 students in Rensselaer County, NY.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Rensselaer County, NY are Howard L Goff School, Maple Hill Junior/senior High School and Algonquin Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Rensselaer County, NY public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 51% (versus the New York public middle school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 51% statewide average). Middle schools in Rensselaer County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of New York public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the New York public middle school average of 64% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Rensselaer County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Howard L Goff School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
35 Gilligan Rd
East Greenbush, NY 12061
(518) 207-2430
East Greenbush, NY 12061
(518) 207-2430
Gr: 6-8 | 948 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #22.
Maple Hill Junior/senior High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1216 Maple Hill Rd
Castleton On Hudson, NY 12033
(518) 732-7701
Castleton On Hudson, NY 12033
(518) 732-7701
Gr: 7-12 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #33.
Algonquin Middle School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
333 Ny Rt 351
Averill Park, NY 12018
(518) 674-7100
Averill Park, NY 12018
(518) 674-7100
Gr: 6-8 | 608 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #44.
Tamarac Middle School High School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3992 Ny Rt 2
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 279-4600
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 279-4600
Gr: PK-12 | 576 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #55.
Gardner-dickinson School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
25 East Ave
Wynantskill, NY 12198
(518) 283-4600
Wynantskill, NY 12198
(518) 283-4600
Gr: PK-8 | 306 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #66.
Hoosic Valley Junior Senior High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Rt 67
Schaghticoke, NY 12154
(518) 753-4432
Schaghticoke, NY 12154
(518) 753-4432
Gr: 2-12 | 388 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #77.
Kipp Troy Preparatory Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2 Polk St
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 445-3100
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 445-3100
Gr: K-12 | 762 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #88.
Berlin Middle School/high School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
17400 Ny 22
Cherry Plain, NY 12040
(518) 658-1500
Cherry Plain, NY 12040
(518) 658-1500
Gr: 6-12 | 323 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #99.
Troy Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1976 Burdett Ave
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 328-5301
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 328-5301
Gr: 6-8 | 733 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1010.
Knickerbacker Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
320 7th Ave
Troy, NY 12182
(518) 233-6811
Troy, NY 12182
(518) 233-6811
Gr: 6-8 | 474 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1111.
Rensselaer Junior/senior High School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
25 Van Rensselaer Dr
Rensselaer, NY 12144
(518) 436-8561
Rensselaer, NY 12144
(518) 436-8561
Gr: 6-12 | 462 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: n/an/a
21187 Ny Rt 22
Hoosick Falls, NY 12090
(518) 686-7321
Hoosick Falls, NY 12090
(518) 686-7321
Gr: 5-8 | 329 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: n/an/a
Rensselaer-columbia-greene Boces
Special Education School
10 Empire State Blvd-2nd Fl
Castleton On Hudson, NY 12033
(518) 477-8771
Castleton On Hudson, NY 12033
(518) 477-8771
Gr: K-12 | 506 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Rensselaer County, NY?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Rensselaer County, NY include Howard L Goff School, Maple Hill Junior/senior High School and Algonquin Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Rensselaer County?
13 public middle schools are located in Rensselaer County.
What is the racial composition of students in Rensselaer County?
Rensselaer County public middle schools minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the New York public middle schools average of 64% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
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
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
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.