For the 2025 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 6,101 students in Columbia County, NY (there are , serving 471 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in Columbia County, NY are educated in public schools (compared to the NY state average of 85%).
The top ranked public schools in Columbia County, NY are Ichabod Crane Senior High School, Chatham High School and Ichabod Crane Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbia County, NY public schools have an average math proficiency score of 45% (versus the New York public school average of 52%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 49% statewide average). Schools in Columbia County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of New York public schools.
Minority enrollment is 30% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New York public school average of 60% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Columbia County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Ichabod Crane Senior High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2910 Rt 9
Valatie, NY 12184
(518) 758-7575
Valatie, NY 12184
(518) 758-7575
Grades: 9-12
| 561 students
Rank: #22.
Chatham High School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
50 Woodbridge Ave
Chatham, NY 12037
(518) 392-1570
Chatham, NY 12037
(518) 392-1570
Grades: 9-12
| 309 students
Rank: #33.
Ichabod Crane Middle School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2910 Rt 9
Valatie, NY 12184
(518) 758-7675
Valatie, NY 12184
(518) 758-7675
Grades: 4-8
| 648 students
Rank: #44.
Germantown Junior-senior High School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
123 Main St
Germantown, NY 12526
(518) 537-6261
Germantown, NY 12526
(518) 537-6261
Grades: 7-12
| 200 students
Rank: #55.
Ichabod Crane Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
State Farm Rd
Valatie, NY 12184
(518) 758-7575
Valatie, NY 12184
(518) 758-7575
Grades: K-3
| 462 students
Rank: #66.
Hudson High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
215 Harry Howard Ave
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-4360
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-4360
Grades: 9-12
| 462 students
Rank: #77.
Germantown Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
123 Main St
Germantown, NY 12526
(518) 537-6281
Germantown, NY 12526
(518) 537-6281
Grades: PK-6
| 278 students
Rank: #88.
Taconic Hillsjunior/senior High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
73 County Rte 11a
Craryville, NY 12521
(518) 325-2841
Craryville, NY 12521
(518) 325-2841
Grades: 7-12
| 494 students
Rank: #99.
Walter B Howard Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1478 Rte 20
New Lebanon, NY 12125
(518) 794-7600
New Lebanon, NY 12125
(518) 794-7600
Grades: PK-6
| 220 students
Rank: #1010.
New Lebanon Junior-senior High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
14665 Rte 22
New Lebanon, NY 12125
(518) 794-7600
New Lebanon, NY 12125
(518) 794-7600
Grades: 7-12
| 191 students
Rank: #1111.
Taconic Hills Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
73 County Rte 11a
Craryville, NY 12521
(518) 325-2821
Craryville, NY 12521
(518) 325-2821
Grades: PK-6
| 538 students
Rank: #1212.
Chatham Middle School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
50 Woodbridge Ave
Chatham, NY 12037
(518) 392-1560
Chatham, NY 12037
(518) 392-1560
Grades: 6-8
| 205 students
Rank: #1313.
Hudson Junior High School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
215 Harry Howard Ave
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-4360
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-4360
Grades: 6-8
| 376 students
Rank: #1414.
Mary E Dardess Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
50 Woodbridge Ave
Chatham, NY 12037
(518) 392-1530
Chatham, NY 12037
(518) 392-1530
Grades: PK-5
| 381 students
Rank: #1515.
Montgomery C Smith Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
102 Harry Howard Ave
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-4350
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-4350
Grades: PK-5
| 719 students
Rank: n/an/a
Brookwood Secure Center For Youth
Alternative School
419 Spook Rock Rd
Claverack, NY 12513
(518) 851-3623
Claverack, NY 12513
(518) 851-3623
Grades: 9-12
| 57 students
Columbia County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Austin L. Carr Charter School (Closed 2004)
Charter School
7 Cedar Pky
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 822-8540
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 822-8540
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Berkshire Junior-senior High School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
13640 Rt 22
Canaan, NY 12029
(518) 781-3500
Canaan, NY 12029
(518) 781-3500
Grades: 7-12
| n/a students
Columbia County Jail (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
70 N Third St
Hudson, NY 12534
Hudson, NY 12534
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Columbia Res Center (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
County Route 29
Claverack, NY 12513
(518) 851-3277
Claverack, NY 12513
(518) 851-3277
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Columbia Secure Center For Girls (Closed 2021)
Alternative School
419 Spook Rock Rd
Claverack, NY 12513
(518) 851-3211
Claverack, NY 12513
(518) 851-3211
Grades: 9-12
| 6 students
123 Main St
Germantown, NY 12526
(518) 537-6281
Germantown, NY 12526
(518) 537-6281
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
158 Union Tpke
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-4305
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-4305
Grades: 3-4
| 275 students
Hudson Correctional Facility (Closed 2008)
Alternative School
East Court St
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-4311
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-4311
Grades: Inquire with school
| 2 students
2910 Rt 9
Valatie, NY 12184
(518) 758-7575
Valatie, NY 12184
(518) 758-7575
Grades: 4-5
| 288 students
360 State St
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-9493
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-9493
Grades: PK-1
| 301 students
3211 Church St
Valatie, NY 12184
(518) 758-7559
Valatie, NY 12184
(518) 758-7559
Grades: 3-5
| 208 students
25 Broad St
Kinderhook, NY 12106
(518) 758-7569
Kinderhook, NY 12106
(518) 758-7569
Grades: 3-5
| 206 students
Special Needs Inc (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
400 Town Hall Dr
Hudson, NY 12534
Hudson, NY 12534
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
73 Countyroute 11a
Craryville, NY 12521
(518) 325-2831
Craryville, NY 12521
(518) 325-2831
Grades: 6-8
| 338 students
73 County Rt 11a
Craryville, NY 12521
(518) 325-0350
Craryville, NY 12521
(518) 325-0350
Grades: K-2
| 337 students
Warren Street Academy (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
11 Warren St
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 781-3500
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 781-3500
Grades: 7-12
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Columbia County, NY?
The top ranked public schools in Columbia County, NY include Ichabod Crane Senior High School, Chatham High School and Ichabod Crane Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Columbia County?
16 public schools are located in Columbia County.
What percentage of students in Columbia County go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in Columbia County are educated in public schools (compared to the NY state average of 85%).
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia County?
Columbia County public schools minority enrollment is 30% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New York public schools average of 60% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Columbia County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Columbia County include: New Lebanon Junior-senior High School vs. Chatham High School, Walter B Howard Elementary School vs. Mary E Dardess Elementary School, Ichabod Crane Elementary School vs. Taconic Hills Elementary School
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