For the 2026 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 5,464 students in Cortland County, NY (there are 5 private schools, serving 381 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in Cortland County, NY are educated in public schools (compared to the NY state average of 86%).
The top-ranked public schools in Cortland County, NY are Homer Senior High School, Cortland High School and Cincinnatus High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cortland County, NY public schools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the New York public school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 49% statewide average). Schools in Cortland County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of New York public schools.
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New York public school average of 61% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Cortland County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Homer Senior High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
80 S West St
Homer, NY 13077
(607) 749-7246
Homer, NY 13077
(607) 749-7246
Gr: 9-12 | 558 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #22.
Cortland High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
8 Valley View Dr
Cortland, NY 13045
(607) 758-4100
Cortland, NY 13045
(607) 758-4100
Gr: 9-12 | 582 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #33.
Cincinnatus High School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2809 Cincinnatus Rd
Cincinnatus, NY 13040
(607) 863-3022
Cincinnatus, NY 13040
(607) 863-3022
Gr: 9-12 | 147 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #44.
Marathon High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1 Park St
Marathon, NY 13803
(607) 849-3251
Marathon, NY 13803
(607) 849-3251
Gr: 7-12 | 295 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #55.
Mcgraw Secondary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
10 W Academy St
Mc Graw, NY 13101
(607) 836-3600
Mc Graw, NY 13101
(607) 836-3600
Gr: 7-12 | 234 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #66.
Homer Junior High School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
58 Clinton St
Homer, NY 13077
(607) 749-1240
Homer, NY 13077
(607) 749-1240
Gr: 6-8 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #77.
Mcgraw Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
50 W Academy St
Mc Graw, NY 13101
(607) 836-3650
Mc Graw, NY 13101
(607) 836-3650
Gr: PK-6 | 264 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #88.
William Appleby Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
24 Albro Rd
Marathon, NY 13803
(607) 849-3281
Marathon, NY 13803
(607) 849-3281
Gr: PK-6 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #99.
Cincinnatus Middle School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2809 Cincinnatus Rd
Cincinnatus, NY 13040
(607) 863-3200
Cincinnatus, NY 13040
(607) 863-3200
Gr: 5-8 | 125 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Rank: #1010.
Homer Intermediate School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
58 Clinton St
Homer, NY 13077
(607) 749-1240
Homer, NY 13077
(607) 749-1240
Gr: 3-5 | 443 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1111.
Cortland Junior High School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
8 Valley View Dr
Cortland, NY 13045
(607) 758-4111
Cortland, NY 13045
(607) 758-4111
Gr: 7-8 | 274 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1212.
Randall Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
31 Randall St
Cortland, NY 13045
(607) 758-4170
Cortland, NY 13045
(607) 758-4170
Gr: 5-6 | 272 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1313.
Franklyn S Barry Primary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
20 Raymond Ave
Cortland, NY 13045
(607) 758-4150
Cortland, NY 13045
(607) 758-4150
Gr: PK-2 | 417 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1414.
Fe Smith Intermediate School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
33 Wheeler Ave
Cortland, NY 13045
(607) 758-4180
Cortland, NY 13045
(607) 758-4180
Gr: 3-4 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1515.
Cincinnatus Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2809 Cincinnatus Rd
Cincinnatus, NY 13040
(607) 863-3200
Cincinnatus, NY 13040
(607) 863-3200
Gr: PK-4 | 190 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #1616.
Truxton Academy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
6337 Academy St
Truxton, NY 13158
(607) 842-6252
Truxton, NY 13158
(607) 842-6252
Gr: K-6 | 84 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: n/an/a
9 Central Park Pl
Homer, NY 13077
(607) 749-1250
Homer, NY 13077
(607) 749-1250
Gr: PK-2 | 430 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Cortland County, NY?
The top-ranked public schools in Cortland County, NY include Homer Senior High School, Cortland High School and Cincinnatus High School.
How many public schools are located in Cortland County?
17 public schools are located in Cortland County.
What percentage of students in Cortland County go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in Cortland County are educated in public schools (compared to the NY state average of 86%).
What is the racial composition of students in Cortland County?
Cortland County public schools minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New York public schools average of 61% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Cortland County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Cortland County include: Homer Senior High School vs. Cortland High School, Cortland High School vs. Homer Senior High School, Marathon High School vs. Cortland High School
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.
