For the 2025 school year, there are 12 public preschools serving 3,941 students in Tompkins County, NY.
The top ranked public preschools in Tompkins County, NY are Cayuga Heights Elementary School, Raymond C Buckley Elementary School and Groton Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Tompkins County, NY public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the New York public pre school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 41% statewide average). Pre schools in Tompkins County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of New York public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the New York public preschool average of 62% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Tompkins County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Cayuga Heights Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
110 E Upland Rd
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 257-8557
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 257-8557
Grades: PK-5
| 270 students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Raymond C Buckley Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
284 Ridge Rd
Lansing, NY 14882
(607) 533-3020
Lansing, NY 14882
(607) 533-3020
Grades: PK-4
| 423 students
Rank: #33.
Groton Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
516 Elm St
Groton, NY 13073
(607) 898-5853
Groton, NY 13073
(607) 898-5853
Grades: PK-5
| 375 students
Rank: #44.
South Hill School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
520 Hudson St
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-2129
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-2129
Grades: PK-5
| 370 students
Rank: #55.
Trumansburg Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
100 Whig St
Trumansburg, NY 14886
(607) 387-7551
Trumansburg, NY 14886
(607) 387-7551
Grades: PK-4
| 411 students
Rank: #66.
Belle Sherman School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
501 Mitchell St
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-2206
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-2206
Grades: PK-5
| 319 students
Rank: #77.
Caroline Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2439 Slaterville Rd
Slaterville Springs, NY 14881
(607) 539-7155
Slaterville Springs, NY 14881
(607) 539-7155
Grades: PK-5
| 270 students
Rank: #88.
Dryden Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
36 Union St
Dryden, NY 13053
(607) 844-8694
Dryden, NY 13053
(607) 844-8694
Grades: PK-5
| 508 students
Rank: #99.
Fall Creek Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
202 King St
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-2214
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-2214
Grades: PK-5
| 218 students
Rank: #1010.
Newfield Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
247 Main St
Newfield, NY 14867
(607) 564-9955
Newfield, NY 14867
(607) 564-9955
Grades: PK-5
| 322 students
Rank: #1111.
Beverly J Martin Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
302 W Buffalo St
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-2209
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-2209
Grades: PK-5
| 278 students
Rank: #1212.
Enfield School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
20 Enfield Main Rd
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-2221
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-2221
Grades: PK-5
| 177 students
Tompkins County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
400 Peru Rd
Groton, NY 13073
(607) 898-5803
Groton, NY 13073
(607) 898-5803
Grades: 6-8
| 185 students
Group Homes Of Tompkins County (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
225 S Fulton St
Ithaca, NY 14850
Ithaca, NY 14850
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Louis Gossett Junior Res Center (Closed 2008)
Alternative School
250 Auburn Road
Lansing, NY 14882
(607) 533-5061
Lansing, NY 14882
(607) 533-5061
Grades: 7-12
| 136 students
So. Lansing Center - Girls (Closed 2008)
Alternative School
P.o. Box A
Lansing, NY 14882
(607) 533-4262
Lansing, NY 14882
(607) 533-4262
Grades: 7-12
| 78 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public preschools in Tompkins County, NY?
The top ranked public preschools in Tompkins County, NY include Cayuga Heights Elementary School, Raymond C Buckley Elementary School and Groton Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Tompkins County?
12 public preschools are located in Tompkins County.
What is the racial composition of students in Tompkins County?
Tompkins County public preschools minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the New York public preschools average of 62% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Tompkins County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Tompkins County include: South Hill School vs. Belle Sherman School, Caroline Elementary School vs. Belle Sherman School, Beverly J Martin Elementary School vs. Belle Sherman School
Recent Articles
The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.
Florida Governor Calls for More Funding for State’s Public School System
Florida Governor Rick Scott has introduced a state budget for next year that pumps one billion more dollars into the public school system. We’ll look at his reasons for the increase and the responses to the proposal.
Can Your Child’s School Meet the National Standards?
The article discusses the challenges public schools face in meeting national educational standards. It examines current performance trends, identifies key issues affecting student achievement, and explores potential solutions for improving academic outcomes across U.S. public schools.
