Essex County Schools & Education

Essex County, New York

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

81/100

Higher = better

Rating

High Performing

Graduation Rate

91.4%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

91.4%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 85.3%

Per-Pupil Spending

$18,638

National avg $13,239

State avg $14,719

School Score

81/100

Higher = better

State avg 63/100

Student-Teacher Ratio

N/A

National avg 15.8 : 1

Free Lunch (Median)

N/A

National median 48.2%

State School Rank

#4

of 62 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Essex County

School Verdict

Essex County is a high-performing district with a school score of 81/100 and a graduation rate of 91.4%, reflecting strong academic outcomes.

Funding Context

Essex County invests $18,638 per student annually, reflecting robust funding that typically supports smaller class sizes, competitive teacher salaries, and enriched programming.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Essex County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 28% above the New York average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 6.1 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 27% higher than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Essex County, New York

Exceptional Quality in a Rural Setting

Essex County manages 16 public schools across 11 school districts, serving a student population of 3,834. The infrastructure includes six elementary and four high schools, with several 'other' level buildings spanning K-12. This small-scale system is highly focused on providing quality education to the Adirondack region's residents.

Premier Academic Outcomes and Investment

Essex County leads the region with a staggering 91.4% graduation rate, far exceeding both state and national averages. This success is fueled by an industry-leading per-pupil expenditure of $18,638, ensuring students have access to world-class resources. The composite school score of 79.4 is the highest in this group, signaling elite performance.

Elite Districts in the Heart of the Mountains

AuSable Valley Central is the largest district, serving 1,182 students across four schools. Lake Placid and Moriah also maintain strong local presences, contributing to the county's reputation for academic excellence. Traditional public schools are the sole focus here, with zero charter schools operating in the county.

The State's Most Intimate Learning Environment

With 13 of 16 schools located in rural areas and an average school size of only 240, Essex County offers unmatched individual attention. Moriah Elementary is the largest school with just 385 students, creating a tight-knit environment where no child is anonymous. This rural character provides a peaceful, focused backdrop for student development.

Secure an Elite Education for Your Family

If you are looking for the best academic outcomes in the region, Essex County's 91% graduation rate is a compelling reason to move here. Homes in AuSable Valley or Lake Placid offer access to some of the highest-funded and highest-scoring schools in New York. Prioritize your family's future by finding a home in these top-tier districts.

School Overview

Total Schools

16

in Essex County

Total Enrollment

3,834

students

School Districts

11

districts

Charter Schools

0

0% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary6
Middle0
High4
Other6

11 School Districts in Essex County

AUSABLE VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

4 schools
1,182 students

TICONDEROGA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

2 schools
719 students

MORIAH CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

2 schools
701 students

LAKE PLACID CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

2 schools
538 students

BOQUET VALLEY CSD

2 schools
399 students

CROWN POINT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

1 school
322 students

WILLSBORO CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

1 school
251 students

SCHROON LAKE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

1 school
238 students

KEENE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

1 school
167 students

MINERVA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

1 school
119 students

16 Public Schools in Essex County

MORIAH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

MORIAH CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

PK–6Primary385 students
TICONDEROGA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

TICONDEROGA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

PK–6Primary360 students
TICONDEROGA JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

TICONDEROGA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

7–12High359 students
CROWN POINT CENTRAL SCHOOL

CROWN POINT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

PK–12Other322 students
MORIAH JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

MORIAH CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

7–12High316 students
LAKE PLACID JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

LAKE PLACID CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

6–12High294 students
WILLSBORO CENTRAL SCHOOL

WILLSBORO CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

PK–12Other251 students
LAKE PLACID ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

LAKE PLACID CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

KG–5Primary244 students
SCHROON LAKE CENTRAL SCHOOL

SCHROON LAKE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

PK–12Other238 students
AUSABLE FORKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

AUSABLE VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

PK–6Primary225 students
LAKE VIEW CAMPUS

BOQUET VALLEY CSD

PK–5Primary207 students
MOUNTAIN VIEW CAMPUS

BOQUET VALLEY CSD

6–12High192 students
KEENE CENTRAL SCHOOL

KEENE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

KG–12Other167 students
MINERVA CENTRAL SCHOOL

MINERVA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

PK–12Other119 students
BLOOMINGDALE SCHOOL

SARANAC LAKE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

KG–5Primary100 students
NEWCOMB CENTRAL SCHOOL

NEWCOMB CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

1–12Other55 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$18,638

State avg $14,719

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Essex County rate?
Essex County has a school score of 81/100, which is considered high performing. This score is calculated from graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and educational attainment data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the graduation rate in Essex County?
The high school graduation rate in Essex County is 91.4%, which is above 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 Essex County spend per student?
Essex County spends $18,638 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. This includes instructional costs, support services, and capital expenditures allocated across the student population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Essex County, New York — FAQ

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

Essex County manages 16 public schools across 11 school districts, serving a student population of 3,834. The infrastructure includes six elementary and four high schools, with several 'other' level buildings spanning K-12. This small-scale system is highly focused on providing quality education to the Adirondack region's residents.

How do schools in Essex County perform academically?

Essex County leads the region with a staggering 91.4% graduation rate, far exceeding both state and national averages. This success is fueled by an industry-leading per-pupil expenditure of $18,638, ensuring students have access to world-class resources. The composite school score of 79.4 is the highest in this group, signaling elite performance.

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

AuSable Valley Central is the largest district, serving 1,182 students across four schools. Lake Placid and Moriah also maintain strong local presences, contributing to the county's reputation for academic excellence. Traditional public schools are the sole focus here, with zero charter schools operating in the county.

What is the school experience like in Essex County?

With 13 of 16 schools located in rural areas and an average school size of only 240, Essex County offers unmatched individual attention. Moriah Elementary is the largest school with just 385 students, creating a tight-knit environment where no child is anonymous. This rural character provides a peaceful, focused backdrop for student development.

How can I find homes near good schools in Essex County, New York?

If you are looking for the best academic outcomes in the region, Essex County's 91% graduation rate is a compelling reason to move here. Homes in AuSable Valley or Lake Placid offer access to some of the highest-funded and highest-scoring schools in New York. Prioritize your family's future by finding a home in these top-tier districts.

Counties with Similar School Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.

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