Schools in Buffalo: A Comprehensive Guide

Buffalo, New York, is home to a range of schools, from public to private and elementary to high school. Buffalo also offers kick start programs as well for those toddlers heading into Pre-k next year. This is a huge benefit for the parents instead of paying all that money in day care every week. With a population of over 250,000 people, not including the suburbs, there is a significant need for quality education in the region. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to schools in Buffalo, and the suburbs of buffalo, including statistics to help you and your family make a sound decision on your kids future. 

Public Schools

There are  ALOT of public schools around the city of buffalo, and statistically they do not always rank the best among other high schools around the city. Buffalo Public Schools (BPS) is the largest school district in Western New York, serving over 29,629 students across 64 schools, based on stats from June of 2021. The district has a student-teacher ratio of 12:1 and an average class size of 23 students, which helps give the one on one focus to the children who need it. BPS serves a very diverse population of students, with over 80% of students coming from low-income households. If there is one area that I hope continues to make head forward progress, it's within the city schools. They have a reputation as a collective for not being the highest ranking, beside City Honors, Frederick Olmstead, Hutch Tech and Leonardo da Vinci High School. In 2022, BPS had a graduation rate of 79%, an increase from the previous year's rate of 78.5%. The district also had an attendance rate of 92.8%, a slight decrease from the previous year. Here are the top ranked schools according to US NEWS and their rankings here.

Private Schools

Buffalo is home to a range of private schools, including Catholic, Montessori, and independent schools. These schools offer an alternative to public education and often have smaller class sizes and more individualized attention.

One of the top private schools in Buffalo is the Buffalo Seminary, an all-girls school that has been in operation since 1851. The school has a student-teacher ratio of 6:1 and an average class size of 10 students. Buffalo Seminary has a 100% college acceptance rate and offers a range of extracurricular activities, including athletics, music, and theater. If you are raising young men, St Joseph's Collegiate Institute and Canisius are two of the finest institutes we have for private schools in the city of buffalo ny.

Charter Schools

Charter schools are public schools that operate independently of the local school district. In Buffalo, there are several charter schools, including the Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School, which serves over 1,000 students in grades K-12. The school has a student-teacher ratio of 11:1 and an average class size of 24 students.

In 2019, the Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School had a graduation rate of 98%, compared to the state average of 83%.

Homeschooling

Homeschooling is an alternative to traditional schooling, where parents or guardians take on the responsibility of educating their children at home. In Buffalo, there are several resources available for homeschooling families, including the Homeschoolers Association of Buffalo and Erie County, which offers support and resources for homeschooling families.

According to data from the New York State Education Department, there were 1,529 homeschooled students in Erie County in the 2019-2020 school year, representing 1.2% of the total student population.

Conclusion

Buffalo offers a range of educational options for families, from public to private and charter schools, as well as homeschooling resources. While public schools in the area face challenges due to the high poverty rate, efforts are being made to improve graduation rates and attendance. Private and charter schools offer an alternative to public education, with smaller class sizes and more individualized attention. Ultimately, the best choice for a family will depend on their individual needs and priorities.