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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Tompkins County Public Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public preschools serving 3,941 students in Tompkins County, NY.
The top-ranked public preschools in Tompkins County, NY are Cayuga Heights Elementary School, Raymond C Buckley Elementary School and Groton Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Tompkins County, NY public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the New York public pre school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 41% statewide average). Pre schools in Tompkins County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of New York public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the New York public preschool average of 62% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Preschools in Tompkins County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Cayuga Heights Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
110 E Upland Rd
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 257-8557
Gr: PK-5 | 270 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Raymond C Buckley Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
284 Ridge Rd
Lansing, NY 14882
(607) 533-3020
Gr: PK-4 | 392 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #33.
Groton Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
516 Elm St
Groton, NY 13073
(607) 898-5853
Gr: PK-5 | 388 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #44.
South Hill School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
520 Hudson St
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-2129
Gr: PK-5 | 363 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #55.
Trumansburg Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
100 Whig St
Trumansburg, NY 14886
(607) 387-7551
Gr: PK-4 | 409 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #66.
Belle Sherman School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
501 Mitchell St
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-2206
Gr: PK-5 | 347 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #77.
Caroline Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2439 Slaterville Rd
Slaterville Springs, NY 14881
(607) 539-7155
Gr: PK-5 | 273 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #88.
Dryden Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
36 Union St
Dryden, NY 13053
(607) 844-8694
Gr: PK-5 | 500 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #99.
Fall Creek Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
202 King St
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-2214
Gr: PK-5 | 217 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1010.
Newfield Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
247 Main St
Newfield, NY 14867
(607) 564-9955
Gr: PK-5 | 318 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1111.
Beverly J Martin Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
302 W Buffalo St
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-2209
Gr: PK-5 | 258 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1212.
Enfield School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
20 Enfield Main Rd
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-2221
Gr: PK-5 | 165 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 35%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public preschools in Tompkins County, NY?
The top-ranked public preschools in Tompkins County, NY include Cayuga Heights Elementary School, Raymond C Buckley Elementary School and Groton Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Tompkins County?
12 public preschools are located in Tompkins County.
What is the racial composition of students in Tompkins County?
Tompkins County public preschools minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the New York public preschools average of 62% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Tompkins County are often viewed compared to one another?

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