Onondaga County Schools & Education
Onondaga County, New York
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
58/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
83.5%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
83.5%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 85.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,194
National avg $13,239
State avg $14,719
School Score
58/100
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
#46
of 62 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Onondaga County
School Verdict
Onondaga County has average school quality (score: 58/100) with a graduation rate of 83.5%, indicating room for improvement in student outcomes.
Funding Context
With $13,194 per pupil, Onondaga County has adequate funding that generally covers core educational needs and some supplemental services.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Onondaga County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 8% below the New York average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 1.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 10% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Onondaga County, New York
A Major Educational Hub in Central New York
Onondaga County manages a massive system of 123 public schools serving over 67,000 students across 24 districts. The landscape is dominated by 69 elementary schools, supported by a balanced secondary system of 24 middle and 24 high schools. This infrastructure makes it one of the largest educational networks in the state.
Competitive Spending and Performance Benchmarks
The county invests $13,194 per pupil, exceeding the national average of $13,000 but sitting below the New York state average. The graduation rate of 83.5% lags behind the national 87.0% benchmark. However, a composite school score of 63.5 signifies that many local districts outperform the national median of 50.0.
Syracuse City and Suburban Giants
Syracuse City School District is the county's largest, educating 18,352 students across 31 different schools. Four charter schools operate in the area, representing a small but distinct 3.3% share of the total school count. Other major districts include North Syracuse and Liverpool, which together serve over 14,000 students.
Suburban Focus and Large High Schools
With 63 schools in suburban locales, Onondaga offers a classic neighborhood school feel with an average enrollment of 545 students. Liverpool High School is the county's largest facility, housing 2,124 students in a single building. The area maintains a strong suburban identity, though 36 schools serve the urban Syracuse core.
Targeting the Right District for Your Family
The wide range of 24 districts means homebuyers have diverse choices in academic environment and local tax rates. Top-rated suburban districts like Fayetteville-Manlius and West Genesee continue to be primary drivers for regional real estate demand. Exploring these high-performing areas is a smart first step for families relocating to the Syracuse region.
School Overview
Total Schools
123
in Onondaga County
Total Enrollment
67,059
students
School Districts
24
districts
Charter Schools
4
3% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
24 School Districts in Onondaga County
SYRACUSE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
NORTH SYRACUSE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
LIVERPOOL CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BALDWINSVILLE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
WEST GENESEE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
FAYETTEVILLE-MANLIUS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
CENTRAL SQUARE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
EAST SYRACUSE MINOA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
JAMESVILLE-DEWITT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
WESTHILL CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
123 Public Schools in Onondaga County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LIVERPOOL HIGH SCHOOL | LIVERPOOL CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 2,124 |
| CICERO-NORTH SYRACUSE HIGH SCHOOL | NORTH SYRACUSE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | 10–12 | High | 1,764 |
| HENNINGER HIGH SCHOOL | SYRACUSE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 1,499 |
| FAYETTEVILLE-MANLIUS SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | FAYETTEVILLE-MANLIUS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 1,416 |
| WEST GENESEE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | WEST GENESEE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 1,357 |
| CHARLES W BAKER HIGH SCHOOL | BALDWINSVILLE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | 10–12 | High | 1,281 |
| NORTH SYRACUSE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL | NORTH SYRACUSE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | 8–9 | Other | 1,272 |
| CORCORAN HIGH SCHOOL | SYRACUSE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 1,252 |
| NOTTINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL | SYRACUSE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 1,226 |
| EAST SYRACUSE MINOA CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL | EAST SYRACUSE MINOA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 1,183 |
| PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY AT FOWLER | SYRACUSE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 1,075 |
| GILLETTE ROAD MIDDLE SCHOOL | NORTH SYRACUSE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | 5–7 | Middle | 1,053 |
| ONONDAGA-CORTLAND-MADISON BOCES | ONONDAGA-CORTLAND-MADISON BOCES | KG–12 | Special Education | 1,035 |
| SYRACUSE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE CHARTER SCHOOL | SYRACUSE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE CHARTER SCHOOL | KG–12 | Charter | 1,003 |
| HUNTINGTON K-8 SCHOOL | SYRACUSE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–8 | Primary | 889 |
| JAMESVILLE-DEWITT HIGH SCHOOL | JAMESVILLE-DEWITT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 870 |
| DONALD S RAY SCHOOL | BALDWINSVILLE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | 6–7 | Middle | 846 |
| THEODORE R DURGEE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL | BALDWINSVILLE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | 8–9 | Other | 834 |
| HURLBUT W SMITH K-8 SCHOOL | SYRACUSE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–8 | Primary | 776 |
| FRAZER K-8 SCHOOL | SYRACUSE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–8 | Primary | 770 |
FAYETTEVILLE-MANLIUS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
EAST SYRACUSE MINOA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
SYRACUSE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE CHARTER SCHOOL
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$13,194
State avg $14,719
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Onondaga County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Onondaga County?
How much does Onondaga County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Onondaga County, New York — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Onondaga County, New York?
Onondaga County manages a massive system of 123 public schools serving over 67,000 students across 24 districts. The landscape is dominated by 69 elementary schools, supported by a balanced secondary system of 24 middle and 24 high schools. This infrastructure makes it one of the largest educational networks in the state.
How do schools in Onondaga County perform academically?
The county invests $13,194 per pupil, exceeding the national average of $13,000 but sitting below the New York state average. The graduation rate of 83.5% lags behind the national 87.0% benchmark. However, a composite school score of 63.5 signifies that many local districts outperform the national median of 50.0.
What are the major school districts in Onondaga County, New York?
Syracuse City School District is the county's largest, educating 18,352 students across 31 different schools. Four charter schools operate in the area, representing a small but distinct 3.3% share of the total school count. Other major districts include North Syracuse and Liverpool, which together serve over 14,000 students.
What is the school experience like in Onondaga County?
With 63 schools in suburban locales, Onondaga offers a classic neighborhood school feel with an average enrollment of 545 students. Liverpool High School is the county's largest facility, housing 2,124 students in a single building. The area maintains a strong suburban identity, though 36 schools serve the urban Syracuse core.
How can I find homes near good schools in Onondaga County, New York?
The wide range of 24 districts means homebuyers have diverse choices in academic environment and local tax rates. Top-rated suburban districts like Fayetteville-Manlius and West Genesee continue to be primary drivers for regional real estate demand. Exploring these high-performing areas is a smart first step for families relocating to the Syracuse region.
Counties with Similar School Profile
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.