St. Lawrence County Schools & Education
St. Lawrence County, New York
School Score
63/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
86.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
86.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 85.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,888
National avg $13,239
State avg $14,719
School Score
63/100
Higher = better
State avg 63/100
State School Rank
#31
of 62 counties (1 = best)
Explore St. Lawrence County across the ByCounty Network
Education Overview
About Schools in St. Lawrence County, New York
A Vast Educational Network in Northern New York
St. Lawrence County manages 39 public schools across 18 distinct districts, serving a total of 14,156 students. The infrastructure is diverse, featuring 14 elementary schools, 12 high schools, and seven multi-level campuses. This expansive system supports a large geographic area with a focus on local community access.
Strong Graduation Rates and High Investment
The county achieves an 86.0% graduation rate, outperforming the New York state average of 85.3%. Per-pupil expenditure is robust at $14,888, which is nearly $1,900 higher than the national median spending. These investments contribute to a healthy school score of 68.5, indicating a strong return on educational funding.
Massena and Gouverneur Anchor the Region
Massena Central School District is the county's largest, overseeing five schools and 2,428 students. Gouverneur Central and Canton Central also serve significant populations with 1,445 and 1,117 students respectively. The county maintains a traditional educational landscape with zero charter schools currently in operation.
A Mix of Rural and Town Campuses
Education here is deeply rural, with 24 schools situated in countryside locales and 15 in town settings. Massena Senior High School is the largest single facility with 826 students, while the average school size across the county is a modest 363. This balance allows for specialized programming in larger towns while maintaining accessible rural schoolhouses.
Relocate to a High-Performing Rural Community
St. Lawrence County offers a unique combination of high graduation rates and affordable rural living. Families can find excellent value in homes located within the Massena or Canton school districts. Prioritizing school performance is a smart move for your children's future and your home's long-term equity.
School Overview
Total Schools
39
in St. Lawrence County
Total Enrollment
14,156
students
School Districts
18
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
School Type Breakdown
18 School Districts in St. Lawrence County
MASSENA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
OGDENSBURG CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
GOUVERNEUR CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
POTSDAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
CANTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BRASHER FALLS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
NORWOOD-NORFOLK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
MADRID-WADDINGTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
LISBON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
HEUVELTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
39 Public Schools in St. Lawrence County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MASSENA SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | MASSENA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 826 |
| OGDENSBURG FREE ACADEMY | OGDENSBURG CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | 7–12 | High | 714 |
| LISBON CENTRAL SCHOOL | LISBON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–12 | Other | 561 |
| HEUVELTON CENTRAL SCHOOL | HEUVELTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–12 | Other | 552 |
| LAWRENCE AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | POTSDAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–4 | Primary | 551 |
| GOUVERNEUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | GOUVERNEUR CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–4 | Primary | 506 |
| GOUVERNEUR MIDDLE SCHOOL | GOUVERNEUR CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | 5–8 | Middle | 472 |
| GOUVERNEUR HIGH SCHOOL | GOUVERNEUR CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 467 |
| JOHN F KENNEDY SCHOOL | OGDENSBURG CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–6 | Primary | 462 |
| F S BANFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | CANTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–4 | Primary | 434 |
| MADISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MASSENA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–6 | Primary | 422 |
| JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MASSENA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–6 | Primary | 410 |
| NIGHTENGALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MASSENA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–6 | Primary | 402 |
| HERMON-DEKALB CENTRAL SCHOOL | HERMON-DEKALB CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–12 | Other | 381 |
| COLTON-PIERREPONT CENTRAL SCHOOL | COLTON-PIERREPONT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–12 | Other | 373 |
| POTSDAM SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | POTSDAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 372 |
| J WILLIAM LEARY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL | MASSENA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | 7–8 | Middle | 368 |
| A A KINGSTON MIDDLE SCHOOL | POTSDAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | 5–8 | Middle | 368 |
| NORWOOD-NORFOLK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | NORWOOD-NORFOLK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–4 | Primary | 363 |
| SAINT LAWRENCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | BRASHER FALLS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–4 | Primary | 363 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$14,888
State avg $14,719
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in St. Lawrence County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
Search on Zillow →Find a Tutor in St. Lawrence County
Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.
Find a Tutor →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in St. Lawrence County, New York — FAQ
What does the school system look like in St. Lawrence County, New York?
St. Lawrence County manages 39 public schools across 18 distinct districts, serving a total of 14,156 students. The infrastructure is diverse, featuring 14 elementary schools, 12 high schools, and seven multi-level campuses. This expansive system supports a large geographic area with a focus on local community access.
How do schools in St. Lawrence County perform academically?
The county achieves an 86.0% graduation rate, outperforming the New York state average of 85.3%. Per-pupil expenditure is robust at $14,888, which is nearly $1,900 higher than the national median spending. These investments contribute to a healthy school score of 68.5, indicating a strong return on educational funding.
What are the major school districts in St. Lawrence County, New York?
Massena Central School District is the county's largest, overseeing five schools and 2,428 students. Gouverneur Central and Canton Central also serve significant populations with 1,445 and 1,117 students respectively. The county maintains a traditional educational landscape with zero charter schools currently in operation.
What is the school experience like in St. Lawrence County?
Education here is deeply rural, with 24 schools situated in countryside locales and 15 in town settings. Massena Senior High School is the largest single facility with 826 students, while the average school size across the county is a modest 363. This balance allows for specialized programming in larger towns while maintaining accessible rural schoolhouses.
How can I find homes near good schools in St. Lawrence County, New York?
St. Lawrence County offers a unique combination of high graduation rates and affordable rural living. Families can find excellent value in homes located within the Massena or Canton school districts. Prioritizing school performance is a smart move for your children's future and your home's long-term equity.
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.