- PETROVA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades K–5 · 291 students
- BLOOMINGDALE SCHOOL — Grades K–5 · 103 students
- SARANAC LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL — Grades 6–8 · 282 students
- SARANAC LAKE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL — Grades 9–12 · 360 students
| Metric | Saranac Lake Central School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 1,073 | 3,700 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 4 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $26,900/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 5/10 — Average | — | Near average |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 624 rated districts in NY → 41st percentile → 5/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
About Saranac Lake Central School District
Saranac Lake Central School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 12976 in Saranac Lake Central, New York. Serving students from Kindergarten – 12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 12976. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
Public school districts in New York spend approximately $26,900 per student per year on average (state-level estimate; district-level figures vary), well above the national average (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Districts at this funding level typically offer smaller class sizes, broader elective and extracurricular programs, stronger technology infrastructure, and more competitive teacher salaries. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
With 4 schools serving approximately 1,073 students across grades Kindergarten – 12th, Saranac Lake Central School District is a small district. Contact Saranac Lake Central School District to learn about available programs and services.
Understanding the 5/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Saranac Lake Central School District 2 out of 10 — low-rated among New York public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2021–22 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because New York is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Saranac Lake Central School District holds a low overall rating, with reading and math proficiency among the lowest in New York on state assessments. Test results reflect many factors beyond the classroom, including community and economic conditions; a low score is a signal to research carefully, not a verdict on any individual school or teacher. Families in this area should research all available alternatives: inter-district transfers, charter schools, and magnet programs. Contact the district directly to understand exactly what programs are available at your assigned school.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 12976
Children in zip code 12976 are assigned to Saranac Lake Central School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Kindergarten – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 12976, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Saranac Lake Central School District at (518)891-5460 or visit www.slcs.org. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — New York districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Saranac Lake Central
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Saranac Lake Central School District serves zip code 12976, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 12976. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In New York, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Saranac Lake Central School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 12976.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Saranac Lake Central School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 12976 data.