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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Columbia County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 6,101 students in Columbia County, NY (there are 5 private schools, serving 481 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in Columbia County, NY are educated in public schools (compared to the NY state average of 86%).
The top-ranked public schools in Columbia County, NY are Ichabod Crane Senior High School, Chatham High School and Ichabod Crane Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbia County, NY public schools have an average math proficiency score of 45% (versus the New York public school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 49% statewide average). Schools in Columbia County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of New York public schools.
Minority enrollment is 30% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New York public school average of 61% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Columbia County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Ichabod Crane Senior High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2910 Rt 9
Valatie, NY 12184
(518) 758-7575
Gr: 9-12 | 557 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #22.
Chatham High School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
50 Woodbridge Ave
Chatham, NY 12037
(518) 392-1570
Gr: 9-12 | 316 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #33.
Ichabod Crane Middle School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2910 Rt 9
Valatie, NY 12184
(518) 758-7675
Gr: 4-8 | 647 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #44.
Germantown Junior-senior High School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
123 Main St
Germantown, NY 12526
(518) 537-6261
Gr: 7-12 | 170 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #55.
Ichabod Crane Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
State Farm Rd
Valatie, NY 12184
(518) 758-7575
Gr: K-3 | 475 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #66.
Hudson High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
215 Harry Howard Ave
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-4360
Gr: 1-12 | 493 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #77.
Germantown Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
123 Main St
Germantown, NY 12526
(518) 537-6281
Gr: PK-6 | 282 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #88.
Taconic Hillsjunior/senior High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
73 County Rte 11a
Craryville, NY 12521
(518) 325-2841
Gr: 7-12 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #99.
Walter B Howard Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1478 Rte 20
New Lebanon, NY 12125
(518) 794-7600
Gr: PK-6 | 238 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1010.
New Lebanon Junior-senior High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
14665 Rte 22
New Lebanon, NY 12125
(518) 794-7600
Gr: 7-12 | 173 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1111.
Taconic Hills Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
73 County Rte 11a
Craryville, NY 12521
(518) 325-2821
Gr: PK-6 | 503 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1212.
Chatham Middle School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
50 Woodbridge Ave
Chatham, NY 12037
(518) 392-1560
Gr: 6-8 | 226 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1313.
Hudson Junior High School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
215 Harry Howard Ave
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-4360
Gr: 6-8 | 340 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1414.
Mary E Dardess Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
50 Woodbridge Ave
Chatham, NY 12037
(518) 392-1530
Gr: PK-5 | 365 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1515.
Montgomery C Smith Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
102 Harry Howard Ave
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-4350
Gr: PK-5 | 689 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: n/an/a
Brookwood Secure Center For Youth
Alternative School
419 Spook Rock Rd
Claverack, NY 12513
(518) 851-3623
Gr: 9-12 | 61 students Minority enrollment: 95%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Columbia County, NY?
The top-ranked public schools in Columbia County, NY include Ichabod Crane Senior High School, Chatham High School and Ichabod Crane Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Columbia County?
16 public schools are located in Columbia County.
What percentage of students in Columbia County go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in Columbia County are educated in public schools (compared to the NY state average of 86%).
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia County?
Columbia County public schools minority enrollment is 30% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New York public schools average of 61% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Columbia County are often viewed compared to one another?

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