2020 Best Schools in Albany CountyAbout this List

The Albany Academies

• Private School
• Albany, NY
• PK, K-12
• 53 reviews

Sophomore: The Albany academies is a fine school. The teachers in my experience have been fantastic. The small class sizes really allow for bonds to form with your teachers, and really support students who are struggling. There’s a lot of rich white people and the students focus a lot on each other’s socioeconomic class. If your wealthy you’re going to be fine, but if you’re going in not knowing anyone good luck, because most new kids know students from outside. Also the required sports are not actually that horrible, the school budgets time to do homework during the day so that you are never to overwhelmed. I think the administration has fairly good communication with the parents and study body, especially under the new leadership.
Read 53 Reviews

• A+

• 840 Students
• 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Bethlehem Central Senior High School

• Bethlehem Central School District, NY
• 9-12
• 187 reviews

Senior: Bethlehem offers many opportunities for their students, including a wide range of class selection opportunities, accessible support outside of school with teachers and a positive student body and community. Teachers are mostly very good except for the stray few. The school makes an active effort to help out every student in the school. They offer tutors, guidance counselors, a library, and gym. The only downside of Bethlehem is that there is little to no diversity.
Read 187 Reviews

• A+

• 1,612 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Shaker High School

• North Colonie Central School District, NY
• 9-12
• 120 reviews

Senior: Shaker is the epitome of a rich kid school a fact I was just recently mulling over. Other students complain about the callous staff but in my experience the staff of Shaker are very nice! Over my four years I bonded with both my counselors and select teachers. The wide variety of classes available for student perusal touched upon many interests though I did find it disappointing that I was not allowed to take all the English classes I wanted and had to instead take a class I wasn't that interested in.
Read 120 Reviews

• A+

• 1,918 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Southgate School

• North Colonie Central School District, NY
• K-6

• A

• 378 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Shaker Junior High School

• North Colonie Central School District, NY
• 7-8

• A

• 869 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Menands School

• Public School
• Menands, NY
• K-8
• 10 reviews

Niche User: My overall experience at this school was pleasant. The teachers put forth much effort to instill the fundamentals of every subject before setting us off to high school. As long as you go to class eager to learn and with a no nonsense attitude, classes will be pleasant. Teachers and principals are often on top of things going on within the school and always enjoy seeing their alumni and sharing encouragement and wisdom.
Read 10 Reviews

• A

• 254 Students
• 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Boght Hills School

• North Colonie Central School District, NY
• K-6

• A

• 522 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Loudonville School

• North Colonie Central School District, NY
• K-6

• A

• 309 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Academy of the Holy Names

• Private School
• Albany, NY
• 6-12
• 37 reviews

Senior: While my years at Holy Names have prepared me well for my college journey, I wish there was more opportunities to student focus on visual and preforming arts studies rather than mostly focusing on science and mathematics courses. That being said, the school administration is constantly working to improve the school’s environment and present their students with an ever-evolving learning environment throughout the introduction of new technology and by hiring teachers that are enthusiastic and focused on developing each girl to their greatest potential.
Read 37 Reviews

• A

• 218 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Guilderland High School

• Guilderland Central School District, NY
• 9-12
• 233 reviews

Senior: I have been in Guilderland from kindergarten to entering my senior year this fall. It is a great school where any student could find a group or community that they enjoy being a part of. It has a very diverse student body and teacher population. There are many groups that are safe spaces, and teachers that try to make their classrooms safe spaces very successfully. The music and theater programs are extremely high quality with very supportive and helpful staff. They always have something helpful to teach their students. The guidance counselors are very good at helping students with college readiness, advice, and helping students find the schedule that works best for them with classes. The teachers always work to help students understand the material and the way they run their classes is very fair. The higher level courses that are for college or AP credit it are very well taught. I've loved my time at GHS and can't believe it's really about to be my last year.
Read 233 Reviews

• A

• 1,550 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Latham Ridge School

• North Colonie Central School District, NY
• K-6

• A

• 492 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Bethlehem Central Middle School

• Bethlehem Central School District, NY
• 6-8

• A

• 1,061 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Glenmont Elementary School

• Bethlehem Central School District, NY
• K-5

• A

• 365 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Blue Creek School

• North Colonie Central School District, NY
• K-6

• A

• 499 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Voorheesville Elementary School

• Voorheesville Central School District, NY
• K-5

• A

• 511 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Slingerlands Elementary School

• Bethlehem Central School District, NY
• K-5

• A

• 499 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Forts Ferry School

• North Colonie Central School District, NY
• K-6

• A

• 493 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Eagle Elementary School

• Bethlehem Central School District, NY
• K-5

• A

• 410 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Westmere Elementary School

• Guilderland Central School District, NY
• K-5
• 1 review

Parent: Westmere provides my child with everything they need to succeed and is very community oriented. They provide updated technology, great extracurricular activities, and some of the most caring teachers.
Read 1 Review

• A

• 478 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Elsmere Elementary School

• Bethlehem Central School District, NY
• K-5

• A

• 275 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Christian Brothers Academy

• Private School
• Albany, NY
• 5-12
• 21 reviews

Alum: I feel very fortunate to have attended CBA. It was a very welcoming community that felt like a brotherhood. In terms of academics, I felt I was challenged and had great, caring teachers. I felt that I was more than prepared for the transition to college. While many others seemed to struggle around me with the new college workload and lifestyle, I felt more than prepared and if anything, I felt like it was an extension of my experience at CBA. I was also very impressed with the administration and their commitment to making the CBA experience the best possible. They were caring and were available to help you all the time. The JROTC aspect seemed daunting at first, but was very enjoyable. It was a great way to build camaraderie and I felt like it gave me confidence and leadership skills. I would most definitely recommend the school to prospective parents if they're looking for a safe, inclusive community with a great academic program and much more to offer.
Read 21 Reviews

• A-

• 555 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Clayton A. Bouton High School

• Voorheesville Central School District, NY
• 9-12
• 43 reviews

Senior: I overall enjoyed my time at vville, especially homecoming, spirit weeks, prom, and my experiences on the sports teams. On the other hand, I wish we had more students, better lunches, and better facilities. Like every high school, it’s more or less fun depending on who your friends are. My outgoing advice is to join lots of clubs and/or sports, they help you make friends!
Read 43 Reviews

• A-

• 396 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Voorheesville Middle School

• Voorheesville Central School District, NY
• 6-8
• 1 review

• A-

• 269 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Farnsworth Middle School

• Guilderland Central School District, NY
• 6-8

• A-

• 1,152 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Pine Bush Elementary School

• Guilderland Central School District, NY
• K-5

• A-

• 389 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio