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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Jefferson County Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public high schools serving 6,510 students in Jefferson County, NY.
The top-ranked public high 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 high schools have an average math proficiency score of 61% (versus the New York public high school average of 55%), and reading proficiency score of 59% (versus the 59% statewide average). High schools in Jefferson County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of New York public high schools.
Jefferson County, NY public high school have a Graduation Rate of 86%, which is less than the New York average of 89%.
The school with highest graduation rate is South Jefferson High School, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in New York or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New York public high school average of 62% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public High 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.
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 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: n/an/a
Jefferson-lewis-hamilton-herkimer-oneida Boces
Special Education School
20104 State Rte 3
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 779-7010
Gr: K-12 | 267 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 16%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public high schools in Jefferson County, NY?
The top-ranked public high schools in Jefferson County, NY include Thousand Islands High School, South Jefferson High School and Carthage Senior High School.
How many public high schools are located in Jefferson County?
12 public high schools are located in Jefferson County.
What is the racial composition of students in Jefferson County?
Jefferson County public high schools minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New York public high schools average of 62% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Jefferson County are often viewed compared to one another?

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