The Ballston Spa Central School District serves several of Malta Development's communities and, according to the New York State Education Department; it is one of the notable districts in the state. The district includes four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. There are 4,400 students enrolled in the district.
Each year, the Education Department prepares a Report Card for every one of the 4,700 public schools in the state. Criteria include enrollment figures, staff numbers, student test performance, achievement gaps and four-year cohort high school graduation rates. According to the Report Card: Ballston Spa elementary schools and middle schools received excellent student performance numbers (75% of students for math, 90% of students for science, and 70% of students for English received a B or better on standardized tests). The high school also received great student performance numbers (86% of students for math and 82% of students for English received a B or better in standardized tests). The high school had a 96% graduation rate, with 83% of students planning on continuing their education after graduation. Any child would be thrilled with a Report Card like that.
US News and World Report, the Washington Post, and Newsweek Magazine have recognized Ballston Spa High School over the past three years on their nationwide “Best High Schools” lists. In 2012, an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program was launched, focusing on college and career readiness.
In October 2013, Buffalo Business First reported on the results of a study done of all schools districts across upstate New York. The study concluded that our local school district ranked in the top 25% of the 429 upstate New York school districts and in the top 15% in science.
The Ballston Spa Central Schools District takes its motto “Educating Everyone Takes Everyone” seriously, involving parents, volunteers, service organizations and local business and industry in supporting school programs. In 2013, The Ballston Spa schools were among community organizations selected to receive funding from Global Foundries' Foundation for a new robotics program of study. The high school also has a Clean Technologies & Sustainable Industries Early College High School program, in collaboration with Hudson Valley Community College, NYSERDA, and 25 business and industry partners.
We are proud of our schools, and rightly so. They appear to be reaching their mission and serving our children with a quality education and the proper tools with which to learn so that each student can achieve a bright future.