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

No. Use the Dutchess 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 Dutchess 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 Dutchess County?

Start with the 75 listed public schools and 15 district entries, then compare similar grade bands and confirm the address-level rules locally.

Dutchess County Schools & Education

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

Dutchess County, New York

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

School Score

61/100

Percentile-style score

Score Band

Midrange Signal

Graduation Rate

84.5%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

84.5%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 85.3%

Per-Pupil Spending

$15,992

National avg $13,239

State avg $14,719

School Score

61/100

Percentile-style score

State avg 63/100

State Score Position

#38

of 62 counties by score

Education Data Brief: Dutchess County

Measured School Summary

Dutchess County has midrange measured school signals (score: 61/100) with a graduation rate of 84.5%, which warrants review in official state and district records.

Funding Context

With $15,992 per pupil, Dutchess County has adequate funding that generally covers core educational needs and some supplemental services.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 3% below the New York average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 0.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 9% higher than the state norm.

School Data Brief

How to read Dutchess 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

75 public schools and 15 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

61/100

Mixed county signal. Ranks #38 of 62 New York counties with school score data.

Completion

84.5%

0.8 pts below the state average

Funding context

$15,992

$1,273 above the state average

School coverage

15 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

Dutchess County has 75 public schools across 15 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 Dutchess 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.

Large multi-district county

Dutchess County has many school records across many districts. County averages are only the opening screen; neighborhood-level assignment and grade-band fit matter more here.

State position

#38

of 62 New York counties with school score data. The county score is 2 points below 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.

WAPPINGERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Elementary to high school visible

10,289 students

Elementary 10Middle 2High 3Other 0

15 listed schools in this county slice.

ARLINGTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Elementary to high school visible

7,698 students

Elementary 8Middle 2High 1Other 0

11 listed schools in this county slice.

POUGHKEEPSIE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Elementary to high school visible

3,828 students

Elementary 5Middle 1High 1Other 0

7 listed schools in this county slice.

HYDE PARK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Elementary to high school visible

3,320 students

Elementary 4Middle 1High 1Other 0

6 listed schools in this county slice.

District reality check

WAPPINGERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT is the largest listed district slice, with 15 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 Dutchess County?

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

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

Which charter, magnet, or virtual options require a lottery, application window, separate transportation plan, or address eligibility check?

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

Education Overview

About Schools in Dutchess 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 Robust Educational Hub in the Hudson Valley

Dutchess County boasts an extensive network of 75 public schools across 15 districts, serving a massive population of 36,843 students. The infrastructure is heavily weighted toward early education with 45 elementary schools, balanced by 14 middle and 15 high schools. This comprehensive system is one of the largest in the region outside of major metropolitan areas.

Powerhouse Districts Serving Thousands

Wappingers Central is the county's largest district, managing 15 schools and over 10,000 students. Arlington Central and Poughkeepsie City also operate as major hubs, with Arlington alone educating 7,698 students. The county offers diverse choices, including one charter school and one specialized alternative school for varied learning needs.

A Diverse Mix of Suburban and Rural Life

Education in Dutchess County reflects its diverse geography, with 35 schools in suburban settings and 27 in rural areas. Large campuses like Arlington High School serve over 2,500 students, while the countywide average building size is a brisk 491 students. This variety allows families to choose between bustling suburban environments and smaller rural schools.

School Overview

Total Schools

in Dutchess County

Reported Enrollment

36,843

75 schools reporting

School Districts

districts

Charter Schools

1% of total

School Level Breakdown

Elementary45

Middle14

High15

Other1

15 School Districts in Dutchess County

WAPPINGERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

ARLINGTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

POUGHKEEPSIE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

HYDE PARK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

BEACON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

6 schools

2,561 students

RED HOOK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

4 schools

1,585 students

SPACKENKILL UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

4 schools

1,537 students

DOVER UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

4 schools

1,310 students

PAWLING CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

3 schools

1,088 students

RHINEBECK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

3 schools

937 students

75 Public Schools in Dutchess County

Sorted by reported enrollment. Dedicated profile pages are available for 5 high-enrollment schools; every NCES public school remains listed here.

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

Search schools

Level

Sort

Showing 20 of 75 matching schools

Public schools in Dutchess County, including district, location, profile availability, grades, type, and enrollment.
School Name	Profile	District	Location	Grades	Type / Flags	Reported Enrollment
ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL	Profile	ARLINGTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	LAGRANGEVILLE, 12540Rural: Fringe	9–12	High	2,547
JOHN JAY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL	Profile	WAPPINGERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	HOPEWELL JUNCTION, 12533Suburb: Large	9–12	High	1,837
ROY C KETCHAM SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL	Profile	WAPPINGERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	WAPPINGERS FALLS, 12590Suburb: Large	9–12	High	1,612
POUGHKEEPSIE HIGH SCHOOL	Profile	POUGHKEEPSIE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT	POUGHKEEPSIE, 12603City: Small	9–12	High	1,165
FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL	Profile	HYDE PARK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	HYDE PARK, 12538Rural: Fringe	9–12	High	1,136
UNION VALE MIDDLE SCHOOL	Record	ARLINGTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	LAGRANGEVILLE, 12540Suburb: Large	6–8	Middle	907
POUGHKEEPSIE MIDDLE SCHOOL	Record	POUGHKEEPSIE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT	POUGHKEEPSIE, 12603City: Small	6–8	Middle	877
LAGRANGE MIDDLE SCHOOL	Record	ARLINGTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	LAGRANGEVILLE, 12540Rural: Fringe	6–8	Middle	865
VAN WYCK JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL	Record	WAPPINGERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	WAPPINGERS FALLS, 12590Rural: Fringe	7–8	Middle	843
GAYHEAD SCHOOL	Record	WAPPINGERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	HOPEWELL JUNCTION, 12533Suburb: Large	KG–6	Primary	835
BEACON HIGH SCHOOL	Record	BEACON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT	BEACON, 12508Suburb: Large	9–12	High	830
MYERS CORNERS SCHOOL	Record	WAPPINGERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	WAPPINGERS FALLS, 12590Suburb: Large	KG–6	Primary	825
HAVILAND MIDDLE SCHOOL	Record	HYDE PARK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	HYDE PARK, 12538Suburb: Large	6–8	Middle	759
WAPPINGERS JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL	Record	WAPPINGERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	WAPPINGERS FALLS, 12590Suburb: Large	7–8	Middle	735
VAIL FARM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL	Record	ARLINGTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	LAGRANGEVILLE, 12540Suburb: Large	KG–5	Primary	669
ROMBOUT MIDDLE SCHOOL	Record	BEACON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT	BEACON, 12508Suburb: Large	6–8	Middle	615
SHEAFE ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL	Record	WAPPINGERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	WAPPINGERS FALLS, 12590Suburb: Large	KG–6	Primary	575
BRINCKERHOFF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL	Record	WAPPINGERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	FISHKILL, 12524Suburb: Large	KG–6	Primary	570
FISHKILL PLAINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL	Record	WAPPINGERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	WAPPINGERS FALLS, 12590Suburb: Large	PK–6	Primary	562
RED HOOK SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL	Record	RED HOOK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	RED HOOK, 12571Town: Fringe	9–12	High	547

ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL

ARLINGTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

LAGRANGEVILLE, 12540 / Rural: Fringe

Profile9–12High2,547 students

JOHN JAY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

WAPPINGERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

HOPEWELL JUNCTION, 12533 / Suburb: Large

Profile9–12High1,837 students

ROY C KETCHAM SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

WAPPINGERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

WAPPINGERS FALLS, 12590 / Suburb: Large

Profile9–12High1,612 students

POUGHKEEPSIE HIGH SCHOOL

POUGHKEEPSIE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

POUGHKEEPSIE, 12603 / City: Small

Profile9–12High1,165 students

FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

HYDE PARK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

HYDE PARK, 12538 / Rural: Fringe

Profile9–12High1,136 students

UNION VALE MIDDLE SCHOOL

ARLINGTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

LAGRANGEVILLE, 12540 / Suburb: Large

Record6–8Middle907 students

POUGHKEEPSIE MIDDLE SCHOOL

POUGHKEEPSIE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

POUGHKEEPSIE, 12603 / City: Small

Record6–8Middle877 students

LAGRANGE MIDDLE SCHOOL

ARLINGTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

LAGRANGEVILLE, 12540 / Rural: Fringe

Record6–8Middle865 students

VAN WYCK JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

WAPPINGERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

WAPPINGERS FALLS, 12590 / Rural: Fringe

Record7–8Middle843 students

GAYHEAD SCHOOL

WAPPINGERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

HOPEWELL JUNCTION, 12533 / Suburb: Large

RecordKG–6Primary835 students

BEACON HIGH SCHOOL

BEACON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

BEACON, 12508 / Suburb: Large

Record9–12High830 students

MYERS CORNERS SCHOOL

WAPPINGERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

WAPPINGERS FALLS, 12590 / Suburb: Large

RecordKG–6Primary825 students

HAVILAND MIDDLE SCHOOL

HYDE PARK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

HYDE PARK, 12538 / Suburb: Large

Record6–8Middle759 students

WAPPINGERS JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

WAPPINGERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

WAPPINGERS FALLS, 12590 / Suburb: Large

Record7–8Middle735 students

VAIL FARM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

ARLINGTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

LAGRANGEVILLE, 12540 / Suburb: Large

RecordKG–5Primary669 students

ROMBOUT MIDDLE SCHOOL

BEACON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

BEACON, 12508 / Suburb: Large

Record6–8Middle615 students

SHEAFE ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

WAPPINGERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

WAPPINGERS FALLS, 12590 / Suburb: Large

RecordKG–6Primary575 students

BRINCKERHOFF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

WAPPINGERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

FISHKILL, 12524 / Suburb: Large

RecordKG–6Primary570 students

FISHKILL PLAINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

WAPPINGERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

WAPPINGERS FALLS, 12590 / Suburb: Large

RecordPK–6Primary562 students

RED HOOK SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

RED HOOK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

RED HOOK, 12571 / Town: Fringe

Record9–12High547 students

Education Funding Detail

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$15,992

State avg $14,719

Compare Nearby Counties

Review Dutchess 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 Dutchess County?

Dutchess County has a school score of 61/100, 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 Dutchess County?

The high school graduation rate in Dutchess County is 84.5%, 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 Dutchess County spend per student?

Dutchess County spends $15,992 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 Dutchess County, New York — FAQ

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

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

What is the school experience like in Dutchess County?

Counties with Similar School Profile

Broome County

New York

+0 pts

61/100

School score

Herkimer County

New York

+1 pts

61/100

School score

Monroe County

New York

-1 pts

60/100

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.

Explore more data for Dutchess County

Property Tax Cost of Living Crime Rate Income Health Disaster Risk Water Quality Weather County Score