One of the greatest strengths of the Schenectady School District is the rich diversity among the student body.  Schenectady is comprised of a population of students who speak more than 27 different languages including Spanish, Pashto and Farsi.

Since 2007, the district has opened two Early Childhood Education Centers, designed to educate pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and pre-first grade students.

Both centers are fully staffed and focus heavily on  developing the reading skills and literacy of four, five and six year old children. 

One of the goals of the program is to help the students attain appropriate grade level literacy skills before they enter first grade,  diagnose any potential learning problems and address individual student needs beginning at these early ages.

Opening Three New Schools in '08

As the result of a steady increase in enrollment and overcrowding in some schools, the Schenectady City School District opened three new elementary schools in September 2008.  William C. Keane, Katharine Burr Blodgett and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, were added as the 13^th, 14^th and 15^th elementary schools in the district.  The new schools will help accommodate the steady increase of enrollment as well as achieve the district's Strategic Plan to keep sixth graders in the elementary school building and reduce class sizes at all levels.  The district enrollment has grown by more than 2,400 students since 1994 and all indicators show that enrollment will continue to rise.  All three school facilities are leased from the Albany Diocese.

Excellent Educators

More than 11% of the district's teachers have continued their education and obtained a Doctorate Degree or 30 hours beyond a Master's Degree. 

Schenectady has the highest number of teachers in New York State who  achieved  National Board Certification.   National Board Certification is the highest symbol of professional teaching excellence.  NBC has set rigorous standards for teachers and developed a national certification system that recognizes, rewards and helps retain highly accomplished teachers.

The process, which only four of ten teachers pass on the first try, takes most candidates 200 – 400 hours and up to three years to complete.  Candidates must pass subject-matter assessments and submit a portfolio that includes videotapes of classroom instruction and assessment of student work.

Opportunities and Options  

The opportunities offered in the classroom and outside of the classroom are vast and extraordinary.  The district offers hundreds of clubs and extra-curricular options for students with all interests.

Schenectady High School which includes more than 2,700 students offers learners a choice of five Smaller Learning Communities or school-within-a-school.  Schenectady High School has built a culture of team teaching across disciplines which serves as the template for the each smaller learning  community.

Schenectady offers four advanced academic programs one of which is the International Baccalaureate Program.  Schenectady is the only school district in the area to offer this rigorous program for very motivated students. 

The Schenectady City School District offers one of finest Fine Arts programs in the state.  The high school's Sayles School of Fine Arts offers curricular and extra-curricular opportunities in drama, music, art, dance, television production, film-making and more.  The school has an on-site television studio, recording and editing suite as well as a district TV station.

School Board Won State and National Award

In 2007 , the Board of Education was  named winner of the New York State School Board Recognition Award for demonstrating outstanding support for and commitment to high quality sequential arts education programs.  The award is presented each year by the New York State Alliance for Arts Education (NYSAAE) and the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA).  

On March 31, 2008, The Schenectady City School District was named the winner of the national award presented by the Kennedy Center Education Network (KCAAEN) and National School Board Association (NSBA).

The 20^th annual award and $10,000 prize was presented to the school board before more than 9,000 attendees  at the National School Boards Association annual conference in Orlando Florida.  Schenectady, selected by a national review panel, was singled out for outstanding support of high-quality arts education.   The KCAAEN and NSBA award is presented to one school district in the country each year.  

Elementary School

All of the district's elementary schools provide full-day kindergarten. 

Schenectady has moved sixth grade back in to the district elementary schools. The transition to K - 6 elementary schools  was part of the district's Strategic Plan.  Studies have proven that other K-6 and K-8 schools across the country have had success decreasing discipline problems, improving attendance and improving test scores and grades.

Among the district elementary schools are five magnet schools, each centered around a different theme.   The Academy of Culture and Communication at Pleasant Valley and Yates Arts-in Education Magnet School serve students through grades six.  In 2009, the Schenectady City School District expanded Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Math Science Technology and Invention to become a K-8 school.  Howe International Magnet School and Central Park Middle School merged to become Central Park International Magnet School, also a K-8 school. Central Park International Magnet School and King Math, Science, Technology and Invention Magnet School serve students through grade eight.

All of the district elementary and middle schools offer clubs, activities and fine arts opportunities. 

Where We Are
The capital region which includes Albany, Schenectady, Troy, and Saratoga is easily accessed by the New York State thruway, the Northway, and I-88.   Schenectady is also a short distance from many major cities including Boston, Buffalo, Cape Cod, Montreal, New York City, and Niagara Falls.

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