Cincinnatus Central School District, NY

Original Research by School Decision on Cincinnatus Central School District

Cincinnatus Central School District is a small rural district in Cortland County serving grades pre-K through 12 across three buildings: an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. The district's enrollment sits at about mid-size for its region, with stable numbers across the grade bands. The district serves a predominantly white student population, with very small numbers of students from other racial and ethnic backgrounds.

In state testing across math and English language arts, Cincinnatus shows mixed results that vary considerably by grade. In the earliest tested grades, third and fourth graders score around the midpoint of proficiency in both subjects, with third-grade math and English both holding steady. Fourth grade is stronger in English than math. By fifth grade, proficiency climbs slightly in both subjects. Sixth grade represents a significant dip, particularly in math where proficiency drops notably. Seventh and eighth grades recover: seventh-grade math jumps to a stronger level, though seventh-grade English remains more modest; eighth grade shows solid proficiency in both subjects. Science testing occurs only in grades five and eight, where both cohorts reach proficiency levels above most of the district's other grade-and-subject pairs.

Among the five districts in Cortland County, Cincinnatus ranks in the top quartile overall for proficiency across all tested subjects and grades. This distinction reflects consistent middle-range performance across multiple grades rather than a few standout results. The district's per-pupil spending is above the median for its county, situating it in the upper range of district investment. Chronic absenteeism sits slightly below the county midpoint, a mixed signal that suggests attendance is reasonably managed but not among the strongest in the county.

The housing market in the district's service area is affordable relative to state and national benchmarks. Home values center around the mid-100,000s range, with year-over-year appreciation in the double digits. Monthly mortgage estimates remain under a thousand dollars at current rates, making entry to ownership accessible compared to broader state and national patterns. The local economy shows modest unemployment and median household income slightly above the national figure.

A significant development for the district is a capital project approved by voters in December 2024 that funds over twenty facilities improvements. The project carries no additional tax burden to residents because it is underwritten by state building aid, capital reserves, and unencumbered funds. Construction is expected between 2026 and 2027, with completion in fall 2027. This investment signals the district's confidence in its long-term future and gives families planning to settle in the area visibility into facility upgrades coming without a tax increase.

State testing data does not include graduation rates, so a reader cannot assess how the district's secondary students fare in reaching diploma and beyond. District budget information and curriculum changes were not available in accessible sources.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

525

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 1%

Black 0%

White 98%

Asian 0%

Two+ 1%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr EOC

85%

—

Gr 3

47%

42%

Gr 4

56%

Gr 5

53%

67%

Gr 6

38%

50%

Gr 7

50%

67%

Gr 8

64%

55%

Math

Gr EOC

88%

—

Gr 3

37%

92%

Gr 4

50%

38%

Gr 5

50%

58%

Gr 6

33%

25%

Gr 7

58%

71%

Gr 8

42%

73%

Science

Gr EOC

—

Gr 5

69%

75%

Gr 8

69%

75%

Social studies

Gr EOC

82%

—

Schools in this District

3 schools are officially reported under this district.

CINCINNATUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

CINCINNATUS HIGH SCHOOL

CINCINNATUS MIDDLE SCHOOL

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

6 grades reported

58%

Grade 3

44%

Grade 4

54%

Grade 5

28%

Grade 6

63%

Grade 7

57%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

45%

Grade 3

56%

Grade 4

59%

Grade 5

45%

Grade 6

57%

Grade 7

60%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

71%

Grade 5

71%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$161,478

Year-over-year change+10.7%

Range across 11 ZIP codes$114K to $245K

vs. state typical0.32x

vs. national typical0.44x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (11 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
13040	Cincinnatus	$171K	+10.6%	54.9%
13801	McDonough	$146K	+10.7%	16.7%
13136	Pitcher	$114K	+11.2%	8.6%
13863	Willet	$142K	+13.9%	8.0%
13844	Norwich	$154K	+11.1%	3.7%
13052	De Ruyter	$245K	+6.6%	3.6%
13803	Marathon	$196K	+9.7%	1.9%
13155	South Otselic	$120K	+5.6%	1.0%
13841	Smithville Flats	$145K	+5.0%	0.8%
13158	Cuyler	$191K	+6.8%	0.6%
13862	Whitney Point	$191K	+4.8%	0.2%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$815/mo

Home price / national median income1.9x

Comparison

State typical home value$510,449 (+5.0% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.