Can I use Columbia County's school score to choose a house?

No. Use the Columbia County school score as a first-pass county screen, then verify the exact district, attendance boundary, transfer rules, and grade pathway for any address you are considering.

Does SchoolsByCounty confirm school attendance boundaries in Columbia County?

No. SchoolsByCounty publishes NCES and Census-backed public-school records. Attendance zones, magnet eligibility, charter lotteries, transportation, and transfer rules must be confirmed with local districts.

How should parents compare public schools in Columbia County?

Start with the 16 listed public schools and 6 district entries, then compare similar grade bands and confirm the address-level rules locally.

Columbia County Schools & Education

Name: Columbia County, New York Education Data
Creator: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

Columbia County, New York

NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance data

School Score

67/100

Percentile-style score

Score Band

Midrange Signal

Graduation Rate

87.0%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

87.0%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 85.3%

Per-Pupil Spending

$16,979

National avg $13,239

State avg $14,719

School Score

67/100

Percentile-style score

State avg 63/100

State Score Position

#20

of 62 counties by score

Education Data Brief: Columbia County

Measured School Summary

Columbia County performs at an average level with a school score of 67/100 and a solid graduation rate of 87.0%.

Funding Context

With $16,979 per pupil, Columbia County has adequate funding that generally covers core educational needs and some supplemental services.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 6% above the New York average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 1.7 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 15% higher than the state norm.

School Data Brief

How to read Columbia County before comparing districts

County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.

Local context that changes the interpretation

16 public schools and 6 districts are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.

Overall screen

67/100

Mixed county signal. Ranks #20 of 62 New York counties with school score data.

Completion

87.0%

1.7 pts above the state average

Funding context

$16,979

$2,260 above the state average

School coverage

6 districts represented in the county school list.

Start with measured county context

This county needs a closer look at district mix, school level, and local context. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.

Check the local school mix

Columbia County has 16 public schools across 6 districts, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.

Verify local rules

Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.

View Public Schools Compare Counties

Parent decision brief

What Columbia County school data means before you move

County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.

Mixed school landscape

Columbia County has enough school-level records to compare the local mix, but no single county metric should be treated as the answer. Use district shape, grade span, and data coverage together.

State position

#20

of 62 New York counties with school score data. The county score is 4 points above the state average.

Data confidence

Usable

3 of 5 county signals are present, and 100% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.

K-12 continuity check

These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.

KINDERHOOK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Elementary to high school visible

1,691 students

Elementary 1Middle 1High 1Other 0

3 listed schools in this county slice.

HUDSON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Elementary to high school visible

1,561 students

Elementary 1Middle 1High 1Other 0

3 listed schools in this county slice.

TACONIC HILLS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Elementary and high visible

1,064 students

Elementary 1Middle 0High 1Other 0

2 listed schools in this county slice.

CHATHAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Elementary to high school visible

869 students

Elementary 1Middle 1High 1Other 0

3 listed schools in this county slice.

District reality check

CHATHAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT is the largest listed district slice, with 3 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.

What the data cannot tell you

NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.

Questions to ask before choosing an address

Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in Columbia County?

Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Columbia County district systems?

What changes at the elementary-to-middle and middle-to-high transitions in the district pathway we would likely use?

If we need a program not visible in the NCES flags, which district office can confirm current offerings?

Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?

Education Overview

About Schools in Columbia County, New York

This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.

A Streamlined and Efficient School System

Columbia County manages a focused network of 16 public schools across six districts, serving a total of 6,171 students. The landscape features six elementary schools and seven high schools, providing a clear path for students from early childhood to college prep. This streamlined structure allows for specialized attention across the county's academic offerings.

Leading Districts in Columbia County

Kinderhook Central and Hudson City are the heavy hitters, serving 1,691 and 1,561 students respectively. These districts, along with Chatham Central, manage the bulk of the county's enrollment with no charter schools competing for resources. Each district maintains a high standard of traditional public education with modern facilities.

Intimate Classrooms in a Rural Haven

Schooling in Columbia County is defined by its rural character, with 13 of the 16 schools set in country environments. Montgomery C Smith Elementary is the largest building with 723 students, but the overall county average is a modest 386. The presence of specialized schools, including one alternative school, ensures diverse needs are met in these quiet settings.

School Overview

Total Schools

in Columbia County

Reported Enrollment

6,171

16 schools reporting

School Districts

districts

Charter Schools

0% of total

School Level Breakdown

Elementary6

Middle3

High7

Other0

6 School Districts in Columbia County

KINDERHOOK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

3 schools

1,691 students

HUDSON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

3 schools

1,561 students

TACONIC HILLS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

2 schools

1,064 students

CHATHAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

3 schools

869 students

GERMANTOWN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

2 schools

485 students

NEW LEBANON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

2 schools

413 students

16 Public Schools in Columbia County

Sorted by reported enrollment. Every NCES public school remains listed here; no school-level profile pages are included in the current generated coverage for this county.

NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance data

Search schools

Level

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Showing 16 of 16 matching schools

Public schools in Columbia County, including district, location, profile availability, grades, type, and enrollment.
School Name	Profile	District	Location	Grades	Type / Flags	Reported Enrollment
MONTGOMERY C SMITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL	Record	HUDSON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT	HUDSON, 12534Town: Distant	PK–5	Primary	723
ICHABOD CRANE MIDDLE SCHOOL	Record	KINDERHOOK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	VALATIE, 12184Rural: Fringe	4–8	Middle	650
TACONIC HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL	Record	TACONIC HILLS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	CRARYVILLE, 12521Rural: Distant	PK–6	Primary	562
ICHABOD CRANE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL	Record	KINDERHOOK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	VALATIE, 12184Rural: Fringe	9–12	High	555
TACONIC HILLSJUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL	Record	TACONIC HILLS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	CRARYVILLE, 12521Rural: Distant	7–12	High	502
ICHABOD CRANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL	Record	KINDERHOOK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	VALATIE, 12184Rural: Fringe	KG–3	Primary	486
HUDSON HIGH SCHOOL	Record	HUDSON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT	HUDSON, 12534Town: Distant	9–12	High	454
HUDSON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL	Record	HUDSON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT	HUDSON, 12534Town: Distant	6–8	Middle	384
MARY E DARDESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL	Record	CHATHAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	CHATHAM, 12037Rural: Distant	PK–5	Primary	360
CHATHAM HIGH SCHOOL	Record	CHATHAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	CHATHAM, 12037Rural: Distant	9–12	High	323
GERMANTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL	Record	GERMANTOWN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	GERMANTOWN, 12526Rural: Fringe	PK–6	Primary	276
WALTER B HOWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL	Record	NEW LEBANON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	NEW LEBANON, 12125Rural: Distant	PK–6	Primary	230
GERMANTOWN JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL	Record	GERMANTOWN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	GERMANTOWN, 12526Rural: Fringe	7–12	High	209
CHATHAM MIDDLE SCHOOL	Record	CHATHAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	CHATHAM, 12037Rural: Distant	6–8	Middle	186
NEW LEBANON JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL	Record	NEW LEBANON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	NEW LEBANON, 12125Rural: Fringe	7–12	High	183
BROOKWOOD SECURE CENTER FOR YOUTH	Record	NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES (OCFS)	CLAVERACK, 12513Rural: Fringe	9–12	Alternative	88

MONTGOMERY C SMITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

HUDSON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

HUDSON, 12534 / Town: Distant

RecordPK–5Primary723 students

ICHABOD CRANE MIDDLE SCHOOL

KINDERHOOK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

VALATIE, 12184 / Rural: Fringe

Record4–8Middle650 students

TACONIC HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

TACONIC HILLS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

CRARYVILLE, 12521 / Rural: Distant

RecordPK–6Primary562 students

ICHABOD CRANE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

KINDERHOOK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

VALATIE, 12184 / Rural: Fringe

Record9–12High555 students

TACONIC HILLSJUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

TACONIC HILLS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

CRARYVILLE, 12521 / Rural: Distant

Record7–12High502 students

ICHABOD CRANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

KINDERHOOK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

VALATIE, 12184 / Rural: Fringe

RecordKG–3Primary486 students

HUDSON HIGH SCHOOL

HUDSON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

HUDSON, 12534 / Town: Distant

Record9–12High454 students

HUDSON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

HUDSON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

HUDSON, 12534 / Town: Distant

Record6–8Middle384 students

MARY E DARDESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

CHATHAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

CHATHAM, 12037 / Rural: Distant

RecordPK–5Primary360 students

CHATHAM HIGH SCHOOL

CHATHAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

CHATHAM, 12037 / Rural: Distant

Record9–12High323 students

GERMANTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

GERMANTOWN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

GERMANTOWN, 12526 / Rural: Fringe

RecordPK–6Primary276 students

WALTER B HOWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

NEW LEBANON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

NEW LEBANON, 12125 / Rural: Distant

RecordPK–6Primary230 students

GERMANTOWN JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

GERMANTOWN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

GERMANTOWN, 12526 / Rural: Fringe

Record7–12High209 students

CHATHAM MIDDLE SCHOOL

CHATHAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

CHATHAM, 12037 / Rural: Distant

Record6–8Middle186 students

NEW LEBANON JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

NEW LEBANON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

NEW LEBANON, 12125 / Rural: Fringe

Record7–12High183 students

BROOKWOOD SECURE CENTER FOR YOUTH

NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES (OCFS)

CLAVERACK, 12513 / Rural: Fringe

Record9–12Alternative88 students

Education Funding Detail

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$16,979

State avg $14,719

Compare Nearby Counties

Review Columbia County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.

Open Compare

Browse Public Schools

See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.

View Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

Which New York counties have the highest graduation rates?

Putnam County (93.4%), Genesee County (92.5%), and Schuyler County (91.8%) currently lead New York among counties with available NCES four-year adjusted cohort graduation-rate data. This answer is generated from the same dataset used in the county table and can change when federal data refreshes.

What is per-pupil spending like in New York?

Across New York counties with available NCES district-finance data, average per-pupil spending is $14,719. The highest current county values are Hamilton County ($26,327), New York County ($21,940), and Putnam County ($19,993). Compare counties in the table before treating the statewide average as representative of a local district.

How should I read the school score in Columbia County?

Columbia County has a school score of 67/100, which is a midrange measured signal in this county-level index. This score is calculated from available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance data, with school-level records shown separately below.

What is the graduation rate in Columbia County?

The high school graduation rate in Columbia County is 87.0%, which is below the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.

How much does Columbia County spend per student?

Columbia County spends $16,979 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. Current operating spending per fall enrollment, including instruction, support services, administration, transportation, and operations. It excludes capital outlays and debt service in the SchoolsByCounty methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Columbia County, New York — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Columbia County, New York?

What are the major school districts in Columbia County, New York?

What is the school experience like in Columbia County?

Counties with Similar School Profile

Cattaraugus County

New York

+1 pts

67/100

School score

Schoharie County

New York

+1 pts

68/100

School score

Ulster County

New York

-2 pts

65/100

School score

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated May 13, 2026Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.

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