2023 Best School Districts in the Rochester Area

• Rochester, NY•

• School District

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  Rating 4.22 out of 5  45 reviews

Junior: It's a very academic school which is great because it offers so many amazing classes but on the other hand there is also enormous pressure placed on students to push themselves into the hardest classes to "look good for college", which can be viewed as both a good and bad thing. We also have free periods which are AMAZING! Basically the same as a study hall but you're not required to stay in a classroom and you can hang out in the hallway with friends and during some periods you can leave campus and go grab lunch or hang out outside. In the middle of the day instead of lunch we have FLEX which works the same as a free but you can go see teachers to study or catch up on school work which I've found really helpful. Overall the atmosphere is great and teachers really do care about their students which is awesome. You really do have to put in the work though, Brighton's curriculum is relentless but you have a great team behind you to help complete it. Athletics are amazing as well.... Read 45 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 4

• Students 3,417

• Pittsford, NY•

• School District

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  Rating 4.1 out of 5  29 reviews

Senior: After switching from a private school to Pittsford Central Schools, the most notable changes were the social and academic opportunities. Academics are my priority, and I found that teachers and classmates are of the same opinion. Varied options for core classes help students thrive and remain engaged. Pittsford's academics are their strongest value, in my opinion. For extracurriculars, there are countless choices for students. I found my place in music groups and Mock Trial, adding variety to my school day. The sports teams are notoriously competitive and successful. Being a Pittsford athlete requires incredible drive and determination, which is not always positive. My complaint with Pittsford is how administration handles difficult subjects, including racist incidents in the district. The typical response is reminding students that we are a connected community without taking any noticeable action. I commend the addition of a diversity committee, but I have not seen them enact change.... Read 29 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 9

• Students 5,591

• Rochester, NY•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  41 reviews

Sophomore: Penfield offers various academic pathways, including many APs, music classes, and extracurriculars. Academic rigor and fields of study are personalized for each student. The district has been awarded for musical access and achievement. The teachers are knowledgeable, supportive, helpful, and personable. Administration provides clear communication to parents and students via email and social media. Sports teams often qualify for states, and the campus is sightly and well maintained. But despite the school’s many great programs and outer appearance, it struggles in the diversity aspect. The majority of students are white, especially because of its suburban location. The school had to hold bias training because of racist comments and interactions. Administration attempts to create a sense of unity, but peer interactions can often infringe on these efforts. Overall, the school could improve student relationships, but it teaches valuable lessons and offers great opportunities... Read 41 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 6

• Students 4,506

• Rochester, NY•

• School District

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  Rating 4.23 out of 5  30 reviews

Alum: For those who want to learn, West Irondequoit is a great district to do so. I had amazing teachers who taught me the information important to learning their specific subject, as well as invaluable life lessons about finances, college, careers, and more. I had access to great art, music, business, and technology classes, helping me explore all the different paths I could take in my future. While most of the teachers pushed their students to work hard, the administration was obsessed with graduating every student. Students who did not meet requirements often still graduated, as the administration forced teachers to inflate grades so that the students would pass. This effectively discouraged hardworking students and made the Irondequoit diploma feel like much less of an accomplishment. For the most part, West Irondequoit has a great staff and opportunities for students, but it needs to change its priorities to producing college or career ready graduates, not just high graduation rates.... Read 30 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 10

• Students 3,621

• Victor, NY•

• School District

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  Rating 3.96 out of 5  48 reviews

Junior: Victor Central Schools is a very competitive, academically fulfilling district with plenty of opportunity for extracurricular involvement. There are some limitations in the elective offerings at the High School level and the technology 1:1 is slow in developing. Otherwise this has been a rewarding district to grow up in.... Read 48 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 5

• Students 4,320

• Fairport, NY•

• School District

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  Rating 4.25 out of 5  44 reviews

Senior: I loved working with the dedicated faculty and staff at Fairport High School. The teachers are always willing to help us before school, after school, and during the day. They are passionate about what they do. By providing multiple honors, AP, and SUPA classes, Fairport has prepared its students for the next level in their education. Fairport also offers a variety of clubs, sports, and musical instruments. It Clubs such as the National Honor Society and the Leo club allow students to perform community service throughout the year. Throughout my time at Fairport, I participated in several modified, JV, and Varsity sports. I not only grew as an athlete, but also as a student athlete and a team player. The music program is awesome! The teachers prepare the musicians for pit orchestra, Solofest, All County, All State, and music in college. I am thankful to have gone to Fairport- a school district where everyone is given a chance to contribute to the Fairport community.... Read 44 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 8

• Students 5,574

• Honeoye Falls, NY•

• School District

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  Rating 4.13 out of 5  32 reviews

Senior: I think HF-L has an excellent faculty and staff that make going to school very enjoyable. They offer many different classes to challenge those who are up for it while providing support for those who need. One of the best things they have done is committed to a 1-to-1 device policy, where every student has access to their very own computer, which I think really adds to the HF-L experience. The school lunches are subpar, and would like to see them improved. The diversity is basically none. That's not to knock HF-L, as the surrounding community is mostly White/Caucasian, so I can't really blame them. Overall, HF-L is an awesome learning environment that I think everyone can benefit from, and encourage those going to HF-L to take advantage of the dozens of extracurriculars they offer.... Read 32 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 4

• Students 2,102

• Henrietta, NY•

• School District

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  Rating 4.06 out of 5  51 reviews

Freshman: Rush-Henrietta Central School District is an amazing school district to attend. For starters, Rush-Henrietta is the #1 school district in Monroe County, which shows it has to be a pretty great place. All of the teachers set up the students for success, and students are well prepared for college and any career they will be moving on to achieve. Of course, the food could improve but it still is pretty great and isn't as bad as the average school lunch. Overall, I would recommend it for any parents that want their child to begin life on a path to academic success!... Read 51 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 9

• Students 5,453

• Spencerport, NY•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.42 out of 5  36 reviews

Junior: Spencerport is an amazing district! The quality of education here is fantastic. Teachers go out of their way for their students and are willing to help them any way they can. I stay after school with my teachers often and they always help me to do my best work. Spencerport is also a great school for students who want to be challenged. They offer a number of Advanced Placement and honors classes. All the AP teachers are excellent and have helped to prepare me for my exams. There are a ton of clubs and activities at Spencerport! We have a great Robotics and Music program. You will never be bored after school. Overall, Spencerport is a fantastic district and I would recommend it to anyone.... Read 36 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 6

• Students 3,609

• Webster, NY•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  76 reviews

Senior: Great teachers overall. I would like to see teachers at the high school level more focused on creating challenging assignments. Many teachers let students "do what they want" or don't assign many or challenging assignments, especially for seniors! I had this experience in many technology classes.... Read 76 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 11

• Students 8,120

• Hilton, NY•

• School District

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  Rating 4.23 out of 5  60 reviews

Freshman: I am currently a student in the class of 2022. I love HCSD schools! Most teachers are nice but some are bad apples where they can ramble on about topics and opinions that are not related to learning, but overall, its a great school district. However, some students are absolutely awful! I've seen kids vaping and doing drugs and skipping classes. Swearing is inescapable at the high school but that doesn't bother me. If it bothers you and your kid, then maybe you should look for a different school. Most students are nice however Some students just don't try at all and it's really sad. Anyways enough of that subject. The school provides you Chromebooks from I think 4th grade and forward. I think you no longer are provided Chromebooks from Junior and up, but I'm not 100% sure on that, I just heard that from a student. Its a great school but you just have to watch out for some students.... Read 60 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 5

• Students 4,267

• Canandaigua, NY•

• School District

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  Rating 4.25 out of 5  20 reviews

Alum: While I was in high school I joined clubs to enhance my experience. I was a part of key club where we volunteered around the community, I was in Future Business Leaders of America where I was the treasurer and discussed news and other information in the business field, and I was also a part of Ski club, where we would go to Bristol Mountain one day a week and snowboard ( I didn't know how to before the club). The teachers were wonderful and I made lifelong friendships that I still keep in contact with even while attending my current College. Even though I never played sports while at high school, my friends really loved the programs we had as well as a massive, new field for soccer, lax and football was being put in the year I graduated. I loved my four years and this school really helped me to come out of my shell and helped me turn into the person I am today. I would say I had a fantastic experience and miss the people and the environment that the school provided for me!... Read 20 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 3

• Students 3,337

• Churchville, NY•

• School District

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  Rating 4.02 out of 5  57 reviews

Senior: Churchville is a quiet community. My parents both attended Churchville School District, as did I and my younger brother. Churchville has a family setting, a very comfortable atmosphere, not too big and not too small. They were advocated for me throughout my entire time there. The counselors and staff were very attuned to my needs in Intervention as well as with my 504 plan. The district offers a number of extra curricular activities, and sports. They also offer opportunities over the summer. Churchville recognizes their students for accomplishments. Its a good feeling knowing I feel comfortable, almost a home away from home.... Read 57 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 5

• Students 3,739

• Ontario Center, NY•

• School District

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  Rating 3.84 out of 5  38 reviews

Senior: Wayne Central is a small school - meaning the teachers and staff are very personable! A small student body makes class size smaller, making it easier to get one-on-one learning. Extracurricular activities provide a huge community space at Wayne. Sports and other events are popular and have a dedicated student fan section. Clubs and the music/art programs are also appreciated and are well focused on! Wayne is a great and friendly district if you prefer a casual and comfortable school experience.... Read 38 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 4

• Students 2,042

• Rochester, NY•

• School District

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  18 reviews

Senior: My overall experience learning in East Irondequoit Central School District has been very good. Our district is very diverse which allows for students to have friends of all types of race and learn about different cultures. We are also a 1:1 district which means from grades first through eighth the kids are given iPads and the high schoolers are given laptops. This has helped tremendously with my learning especially during a time like this. The one thing I would change about East Irondequoit Central School District is the amount of AP classes they offer. The district has less than 5 AP classes for high school students to take. That is due to the fact that since we are an IB district they supplement the need for AP classes with offering more IB classes.... Read 18 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 6

• Students 2,924

• Le Roy, NY•

• School District

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  Rating 4.56 out of 5  16 reviews

Senior: I am currently a high school senior at Le Roy Jr/SR High School. I have had a great experience learning, participating in sports, taking college classes and making friends. Le Roy is a smaller school that has 78 faculty and about 560 students. The teachers at the high school go out of their way to ensure that each person is doing the best they can and continue to help in anyway they can. The smaller classes allows the teachers to get to know and care about us. The only change I would like to see at the high school is the lunches. Honestly, the lunches are not that great. They could be improved upon. I would suggest to have more options or a local restaurant to come in and offer food during that time. Le Roy has excellent school spirit and it shows at every athletic event. We are proud of each other in every sport and we are the Cavalry that stands behind our Knights. It is an amazing experience to be an Oatkan Knight!... Read 16 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 2

• Students 1,184

• Bloomfield, NY•

• School District

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  Rating 4.75 out of 5  4 reviews

Middle School Student: As a middle school student at BCS, I think that the school brings out a lot of differences from the other schools throughout the city of Rochester, NY. Although I put 5 stars on the list doesn't mean that it is the best. The food is pretty average but needs to improve. The pizza pies were the best. But this school is awesome besides the food problem. At Bloomfield, we care about the individuals in the district. I would recommend this school for its academics, sports, and Music/Arts programs. Our track is new, and the best to walk/run on. This school is not competitive, which brings out the best of our students. We appreciate and cherish the wins that we get.... Read 4 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 3

• Students 859

• Caledonia, NY•

• School District

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  12 reviews

Senior: Cal-Mum is a very good school for its size, with a wide variety of classes offered for all skill levels. This includes Advanced Placement courses, duel enrollment through Genesee Community College, and technical education through our local BOCES program. From that, it can provide something for all students.... Read 12 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 3

• Students 797

• Rochester, NY•

• School District

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  51 reviews

Senior: I have been attending GatesChili Central school District since kindergarten. When I tell you I made the best memories throughout the last twelve years of my life with friends and the entire school experience, I really mean it. Gates is a wonderful school district that values respect, responsibility, compassion, and education. Above all, I have formed many relationships with staff members who have helped me succeed throughout grade school. I am grateful to have attended such a supportive school who cares about my well-being and setting me up for a successful future.... Read 51 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 6

• Students 3,698

• Bergen, NY•

• School District

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  Rating 4.56 out of 5  9 reviews

Senior: I love Byron Bergen Central School District! The teachers are very friendly and are always willing to help! At a smaller school like Byron Bergen it is a very tight knit community where everyone looks out for each other! I am very proud to be a Byron Bergen Bee!... Read 9 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 2

• Students 844

• Palmyra, NY•

• School District

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  Rating 4 out of 5  27 reviews

Junior: Compared to the stories you hear about neighboring districts, the stories told from pal mac do not mirror that same atmosphere, and in a positive way. Being a smaller school, the school community reflects the tight knit community that is Palmyra and Macedon, where everyone knows everything and everyone is grown up with each other. Oftentimes, when you hear that, the negative ideas surrounding small towns come to mind, but unlike those, Pal-Mac seems to milk out the good aspects of small towns. Though interall issues tend to plague the schools such as bullying, comparatively to surrounding schools, pal mac handles issues better, and as a result provides a more positive experience for its students. From our outstanding dollars for scholars program, the support for families during times of crisis, and the overwhelming support for all levels of the community, such as veterans, athletes, small business owners, and musicians, really set pal mac apart from other small town schools.... Read 27 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 4

• Students 1,827

• Brockport, NY•

• School District

• •
  Rating 3.5 out of 5  40 reviews

Senior: I honestly really loved the opportunities I was given at Brockport. Ever since eighth grade, I have been given the chance to take advanced courses and begin to get regents out of the way early. Because of this, I already had way more credits as a junior than needed to graduate. As a senior, I am now enrolled in a program called 313. This program allows me to spend my senior year taking both college courses at Suny Brockport and high school classes. Certain classes at the high school are approved by Suny Brockport to also provide more college credit. Because of this program, I will be able to apply as a transfer student to college with enough credits to put me mid way through my sophomore year. Overall, I loved the multitude of elective options and the classes they provided to support each student's unique career path. I am excited to see how successful I can become in the future and can proudly say that Brockport enabled me to have such success.... Read 40 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 5

• Students 3,197

• Avon, NY•

• School District

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  Rating 4.5 out of 5  10 reviews

Senior: Avon high school has done nothing but help shape me as an individual these past four years. High school can be hard, but with teachers here have their students best interest in mind. If you are struggling they are always open to helping you succeed and will help you to the best of your ability. Every time i was suffering in a subject my teachers were more than happy to let me stay after and work out the kinks. Avon high school radiates positive energy and the staff here is amazing. During these uncertain time, we have seen them adjust and put in the extra effort to help us the best that they can. As graduates nears, i like to think that we will leave a mark on the school. I remember entering high school my freshman year thinking how will i ever survive the next four years, and i can proudly say that the staff and fellow students have made my experience truly enjoyable.... Read 10 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 3

• Students 961

• Walworth, NY•

• School District

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  Rating 2.83 out of 5  6 reviews

Parent: I cant wait until I move,,,,,,,the Gananda school district was so nice to me today,,,,,called and had a question and they we’re all answer,,,,,,,,,,niceness of people draws me every time... Read 6 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 3

• Students 912

• Williamson, NY•

• School District

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  Rating 4.09 out of 5  11 reviews

Senior: I have grown up in Williamson my whole entire life. The school always has very personal teachers that are constantly there. When ever I have a problem, the teachers strive to be there and help. Also the kids there are awesome, they are always kind and polite. These kids do make this school feel like home and thank goodness most of the kids don't act like it's a drama TV show. However some kids have some problems and the school sometimes like to act like it isn't happening. Overall, the school has been a good experience and I will miss it greatly.... Read 11 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 3

• Students 1,064