Poughkeepsie High School is the public high school in the city of Poughkeepsie, New York. It is categorized as an inner city school district as a result of the high percentage of students living in low-income households. In the 2014-2015 school year, 73% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.
Serving 1,161 students in grades 9-12, Poughkeepsie High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in New York for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 20-24% (which is lower than the New York state average of 52%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 70-74% (which is higher than the New York state average of 49%).
The student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is higher than the New York state level of 11:1.
Minority enrollment is 95% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is higher than the New York state average of 60% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,161 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 13:1
- Minority Enrollment: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 63% (Btm 50% in NY)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 20-24% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 70-74% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 65-69% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NY Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Poughkeepsie High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in New York for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
School Overview
Poughkeepsie High School's student population of 1,161 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 92 teachers has grown by 15% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
1,161 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
92 teachers
School Rankings
Poughkeepsie High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 4,346 schools in New York (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Poughkeepsie High School is 0.61, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#2345 out of 4346 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-24%
52%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
70-74%
49%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
65-69%
78%
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
11:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
1%
10%
Hispanic
44%
30%
Black
44%
16%
White
5%
40%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
6%
3%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
63%
87%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
76%
54%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (21-22)
1%
3%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NY Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: The Pioneer
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Poughkeepsie High School's ranking?
Poughkeepsie High School is ranked #2345 out of 4,346 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in New York.
What schools are Poughkeepsie High School often compared to?
Poughkeepsie High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Spackenkill High School, Arlington High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
20-24% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 52% NY state average), while 70-74% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 49% NY state average).
What is the graduation rate of Poughkeepsie High School?
The graduation rate of Poughkeepsie High School is 63%, which is lower than the New York state average of 87%.
How many students attend Poughkeepsie High School?
1,161 students attend Poughkeepsie High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
44% of Poughkeepsie High School students are Black, 44% of students are Hispanic, 6% of students are Two or more races, 5% of students are White, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Poughkeepsie High School?
Poughkeepsie High School has a student ration of 13:1, which is higher than the New York state average of 11:1.
What grades does Poughkeepsie High School offer ?
Poughkeepsie High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Poughkeepsie High School part of?
Poughkeepsie High School is part of Poughkeepsie City School District.
School Reviews
Review Poughkeepsie High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
The 15 Biggest Failures of the American ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.
Florida Governor Calls for More Funding for State’s ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø School System
Florida Governor Rick Scott has introduced a state budget for next year that pumps one billion more dollars into the public school system. We’ll look at his reasons for the increase and the responses to the proposal.
Can Your Child’s School Meet the National Standards?
The article discusses the challenges public schools face in meeting national educational standards. It examines current performance trends, identifies key issues affecting student achievement, and explores potential solutions for improving academic outcomes across U.S. public schools.
