ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — U.S. News & World Report has released its 2026 Best Elementary and Middle School rankings. The publication analyzed and ranked about 47,000 public elementary schools and 23,000 middle schools.
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“The 2026 Best Elementary and Middle Schools rankings highlight institutions that excel in fostering student achievement and providing exceptional learning environments for all,” said LaMont Jones, Ed.D., managing editor for Education at U.S. News. “These rankings offer communities and families valuable insights into schools dedicated to preparing students for future success.”
U.S. News looked at state assessment scores almost exclusively to determine the rankings, while also accounting for student backgrounds. Student-teacher ratios were looked at to break ties in the overall score.
Here are the top-ranked public elementary and middle schools in the Capital Region. To view the full report, your can visit the U.S. News & World Report website.
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Elementary schools
10. Fonda-Fultonville Elementary School
- Overall score: 82.54/100
- Fonda-Fultonville Central School District
- Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
- Math proficiency: 77%
- Reading proficiency: 57%
- Ranked 416th in New York Elementary Schools
9. Berne-Knox-Westerlo Elementary School
- Overall score: 82.92/100
- Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District
- Student/teacher ratio: 11:1
- Math proficiency: 77%
- Reading proficiency: 57%
- Ranked 407th in New York Elementary Schools
8. Citizen Edmond Genet School
- Overall score: 84.18/100
- East Greenbush Central School District
- Student/teacher ratio: 11:1
- Math proficiency: 79%
- Reading proficiency: 60%
- Ranked 377th in New York Elementary Schools
7. Tesago Elementary School
- Overall score: 86.87/100
- Shenendehowa Central School District
- Student/teacher ratio: 15:1
- Math proficiency: 82%
- Reading proficiency: 67%
- Ranked 313th in New York Elementary Schools
6. Lake Avenue Elementary School
- Overall score: 88.51/100
- Saratoga Springs City School District
- Student/teacher ratio: 11:1
- Math proficiency: 76%
- Reading proficiency: 72%
- Ranked 274th in New York Elementary Schools
5. Bell Top School
- Overall score: 88.81/100
- East Greenbush Central School District
- Student/teacher ratio: 12:1
- Math proficiency: 82%
- Reading proficiency: 67%
- Ranked 267th in New York Elementary Schools
4. Kensington Road School
- Overall score: 89.61/100
- Glens Falls City School District
- Student/teacher ratio: 12:1
- Math proficiency: 77%
- Reading proficiency: 67%
- Ranked 246th in New York Elementary Schools
3. Skano Elementary School
- Overall score: 91.84/100
- Shenendehowa Central School District
- Student/teacher ratio: 15:1
- Math proficiency: 85%
- Reading proficiency: 68%
- Ranked 195th in New York Elementary Schools
2. Chango Elementary School
- Overall score: 95.41/100
- Shenendehowa Central School District
- Student/teacher ratio: 14:1
- Math proficiency: 89%
- Reading proficiency: 74%
- Ranked 110th in New York Elementary Schools
1. Elsmere Elementary School
- Overall score: 95.88/100
- Bethlehem Central School District
- Student/teacher ratio: 12:1
- Math proficiency: 87%
- Reading proficiency: 77%
- Ranked 96th in New York Elementary Schools
Middle schools
10. Lake George Junior-Senior High School
- Overall score: 77.74/100
- Lake George Central School District
- Student/teacher ratio: 7:1
- Math proficiency: 77%
- Reading proficiency: 77%
- Ranked 310th in New York Middle Schools
9. Voorheesville Middle School
- Overall score: 81.2/100
- Voorheesville Central School District
- Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
- Math proficiency: 68%
- Reading proficiency: 76%
- Ranked 262nd in New York Middle Schools
8. Van Antwerp Middle School
- Overall score: 82.28/100
- Niskayuna Central School District
- Student/teacher ratio: 10:1
- Math proficiency: 70%
- Reading proficiency: 66%
- Ranked 247th in New York Middle Schools
7. Maple Avenue Middle School
- Overall score: 84.15/100
- Saratoga Springs City School District
- Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
- Math proficiency: 74%
- Reading proficiency: 66%
- Ranked 219th in New York Middle Schools
6. Shaker Middle School
- Overall score: 85.95/100
- North Colonie Central School District
- Student/teacher ratio: 12:1
- Math proficiency: 73%
- Reading proficiency: 68%
- Ranked 196th in New York Middle Schools
5. Koda Middle School
- Overall score: 87.18/100
- Shenendehowa Central School District
- Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
- Math proficiency: 75%
- Reading proficiency: 71%
- Ranked 177th in New York Middle Schools
4. Howard L. Goff Middle School
- Overall score: 88.33/100
- East Greenbush Central School District
- Student/teacher ratio: 11:1
- Math proficiency: 76%
- Reading proficiency: 68%
- Ranked 163rd in New York Middle Schools
3. Iroquois Middle School
- Overall score: 89.63/100
- Niskayuna Central School District
- Student/teacher ratio: 12:1
- Math proficiency: 73%
- Reading proficiency: 74%
- Ranked 145th in New York Middle Schools
2. Acadia Middle School
- Overall score: 91.93/100
- Shenendehowa Central School District
- Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
- Math proficiency: 79%
- Reading proficiency: 73%
- Ranked 113th in New York Middle Schools
1. Gowana Middle School
- Overall score: 92.72/100
- Shenendehowa Central School District
- Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
- Math proficiency: 79%
- Reading proficiency: 80%
- Ranked 102nd in New York Middle Schools
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