Saranac Lake Central School District, NY

Original Research by School Decision on Saranac Lake Central School District

Saranac Lake Central School District serves prekindergarten through grade twelve across a spread of upstate New York communities centered on the high-elevation town of Saranac Lake, which sits in Franklin County's Adirondack region. The district enrolls a small student body across four buildings: two elementary schools, a middle school, and a senior high school, with the enrollment distributed somewhat evenly across grade bands, though the total count reflects a district in contraction.

The racial composition of the district is predominantly white, with very small numbers of students of other races. Demographic data on students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch and on special populations such as students with IEPs or English learners was not available, limiting a full picture of student need.

State testing results from the most recent year show proficiency rates that cluster in the middle range across both English language arts and mathematics. Third grade stands out with stronger math proficiency, while fourth grade shows considerably weaker math results. In the middle grades, performance varies by subject and grade; eighth grade shows solid proficiency in both ELA and science, while seventh grade ELA is weaker. Science results are available for grades five and eight, with mixed outcomes. These results position the district in the top quartile among Franklin County's districts on overall proficiency, a meaningful distinction given the rural county context. A graduation rate was not available in the data provided, which may reflect the timing of data collection or other factors.

Attendance data shows chronic absenteeism of below the county median, a strength in keeping students engaged with school. The district spends moderately above the median per-pupil amount among county districts, in the upper half of that range.

The district faces a significant enrollment decline that is driving structural decisions. In early 2026, the school board voted unanimously to close Bloomingdale Elementary School at the end of the 2025-26 school year, a move the board publicly tied to falling enrollment and rising operational costs. As part of the reorganization, middle school grades will shift into the high school building, and Petrova Elementary will expand to serve prekindergarten through grade six. This consolidation will change the schools that students in different areas attend and carries real weight for families deciding where to live, especially those in Bloomingdale. The board also approved a restructured bus schedule that will run all grades together in consolidated morning and afternoon runs.

Housing values in the service area range widely across the district's multiple zip codes and towns. Saranac Lake itself, the district's namesake, commands higher home values than some outlying areas; meanwhile communities like Saint Regis Falls and Saranac sit at the lower end of the district's housing range. Overall weighted home values are below both state and national benchmarks, making the area relatively affordable, though estimated monthly mortgage payments are still substantial relative to median household income in the state. The area has seen modest year-over-year home value appreciation.

The district has faced budget pressures for several years, with budgets set at the state tax-cap limit and staff reductions occurring as a result. In May 2024, voters approved a project to convert the high school's grass field to artificial turf with lights and scoreboard, a decision that drew community debate over PFAS concerns in artificial turf materials. The project was funded largely through the district's capital reserve rather than a new tax levy.

Looking ahead, the district expects enrollment pressures to persist, which will continue to shape staffing, program offerings, and the structure of school buildings. Families considering the district should understand that it is in a period of consolidation and structural change driven by demographic headwinds, not growth.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

1,064

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 1%

Black 1%

White 98%

Asian 0%

Two+ 1%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr EOC

84%

—

Gr 3

38%

68%

Gr 4

35%

55%

Gr 5

33%

57%

Gr 6

44%

81%

Gr 7

33%

52%

Gr 8

49%

69%

Math

Gr EOC

100%

—

Gr 3

46%

78%

Gr 4

21%

58%

Gr 5

33%

63%

Gr 6

41%

60%

Gr 7

49%

73%

Gr 8

45%

64%

Science

Gr EOC

67%

—

Gr 5

35%

66%

Gr 8

45%

67%

Social studies

Gr EOC

83%

—

Schools in this District

4 schools are officially reported under this district.

PETROVA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

SARANAC LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL

SARANAC LAKE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

BLOOMINGDALE SCHOOL

Academic Performance

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

Mathematics

6 grades reported

65%

Grade 3

39%

Grade 4

48%

Grade 5

51%

Grade 6

61%

Grade 7

55%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

56%

Grade 3

45%

Grade 4

45%

Grade 5

63%

Grade 6

43%

Grade 7

61%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

50%

Grade 5

57%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

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

Home Values

Typical home value$277,881

Year-over-year change+4.8%

Range across 11 ZIP codes$95K to $407K

vs. state typical0.54x

vs. national typical0.75x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (11 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
12989	Vermontville	$246K	+5.5%	23.4%
12983	Saranac Lake	$337K	+4.3%	19.5%
12970	Paul Smiths	$310K	+6.8%	18.2%
12986	Tupper Lake	$208K	+4.4%	16.5%
12945	Lake Clear	$297K	+3.3%	5.7%
12913	Bloomingdale	$247K	+1.8%	5.1%
12976	Rainbow Lake	$407K	+4.9%	4.7%
12980	Saint Regis Falls	$95K	+1.5%	1.8%
12946	Lake Placid	$375K	+3.3%	1.5%
12912	Au Sable Forks	$204K	+4.2%	1.3%
12981	Saranac	$186K	+2.0%	1.0%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$1,402/mo

Home price / national median income3.3x

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.