For the 2026 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 6,101 students in Columbia County, NY (there are 4 private schools, 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 53%), 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 61% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Columbia County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
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
Gr: 9-12 | 557 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 316 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
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
Gr: 4-8 | 647 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
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
Gr: 7-12 | 170 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
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
Gr: K-3 | 475 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
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
Gr: 1-12 | 493 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
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
Gr: PK-6 | 282 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
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
Gr: 7-12 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
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
Gr: PK-6 | 238 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
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
Gr: 7-12 | 173 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
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
Gr: PK-6 | 503 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
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
Gr: 6-8 | 226 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
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
Gr: 6-8 | 340 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 365 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 689 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 61 students Minority enrollment: 95%
Columbia County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Austin L. Carr Charter School (Closed 2004)
Charter School
7 Cedar Pky
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 822-8540
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 822-8540
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
Gr: 7-12
Columbia Res Center (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
County Route 29
Claverack, NY 12513
(518) 851-3277
Claverack, NY 12513
(518) 851-3277
Gr: 9-12
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
Gr: 9-12 | 6 students Minority enrollment: 84%
158 Union Tpke
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-4305
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-4305
Gr: 3-4 | 275 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Hudson Correctional Facility (Closed 2008)
Alternative School
East Court St
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-4311
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-4311
Gr: Inquire with school | 2 students Minority enrollment: 50%
2910 Rt 9
Valatie, NY 12184
(518) 758-7575
Valatie, NY 12184
(518) 758-7575
Gr: 4-5 | 288 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
360 State St
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-9493
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-9493
Gr: PK-1 | 301 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
3211 Church St
Valatie, NY 12184
(518) 758-7559
Valatie, NY 12184
(518) 758-7559
Gr: 3-5 | 208 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
25 Broad St
Kinderhook, NY 12106
(518) 758-7569
Kinderhook, NY 12106
(518) 758-7569
Gr: 3-5 | 206 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
73 Countyroute 11a
Craryville, NY 12521
(518) 325-2831
Craryville, NY 12521
(518) 325-2831
Gr: 6-8 | 338 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
73 County Rt 11a
Craryville, NY 12521
(518) 325-0350
Craryville, NY 12521
(518) 325-0350
Gr: K-2 | 337 students Minority enrollment: 7%
Warren Street Academy (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
11 Warren St
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 781-3500
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 781-3500
Gr: 7-12
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 61% (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, Germantown Elementary School vs. Germantown Junior-senior High School
Recent Articles
How to Read a School Improvement Plan Before Choosing a School
Learn how to read a school improvement plan, identify meaningful goals, and evaluate whether a school's improvement efforts align with your child's educational needs.
Should You Move for a Better Public School? A Cost vs. Benefit Analysis
Considering a move to a better public school? Explore the financial, academic, and lifestyle tradeoffs before making one of your family's biggest decisions.
When a Higher-Rated School Isn't the Better Fit
Discover why the highest-rated public school may not always be the best choice and learn how to evaluate schools based on your child's unique needs.
