Gates Chili Middle School, Rochester NY

Original Research by School Decision on Gates Chili Middle School

Gates Chili Middle School serves sixth through eighth grade in Rochester and sits within Gates Chili Central School District. The school enrolls a mix of students, with a meaningful share from low-income households and a student body that is racially and ethnically diverse. About half of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, reflecting the economic range of the surrounding area.

On state standardized assessments in 2024-25, the school's performance sits below the midpoint when compared to other middle schools in Monroe County. In math, proficiency rates ranged from the low thirties in sixth grade to the low forties in seventh and eighth grades. English language arts results were comparable, with sixth grade in the upper thirties and grades seven and eight in the low forties, except for eighth grade, which dipped to the low thirties. Eighth-grade science proficiency stood in the low thirties as well. The school maintained strong testing participation in most areas, though eighth-grade participation rates for both math and science were more limited. These results point to academic challenges that a parent may want to look into further with the school, particularly in understanding what instructional strategies are in place and whether targeted support exists for students below proficiency.

Rochester itself is undergoing downtown revitalization and population growth after decades of decline. The city is anchored by healthcare, higher education, and manufacturing employment, with major employers including medical centers, universities, and companies like Xerox. Housing values in the area have been rising gradually, and the rental market remains active, making Gates Chili a community where families are considering both stability and growth. The Olmsted-designed park system, downtown library, and regional transit network shape the civic fabric.

The district has committed to substantial facilities investment through two recent capital referenda, both approved without tax impact. A "Building Brighter Futures" project from 2022 brought upgrades and safety improvements to the middle school and other buildings, with work running into 2025. More recently, in February 2025, voters approved a "Future Ready" capital project that prioritizes repair and maintenance of aging infrastructure—roofing, HVAC, boilers, and cafeteria renovations—across all school buildings, with construction anticipated from spring 2026 through late 2026. This signals a district committed to maintaining and improving facilities, though families transitioning during construction periods will experience the reality of ongoing work.

For a family considering this school, the draw is likely the established, neighborhood-based middle school environment and a district willing to invest in infrastructure. The academic results suggest that students at or above grade-level expectations do well, but that a substantial share of the student body is working below proficiency targets and may need robust intervention. The broad demographic mix creates a peer environment that reflects Rochester's diversity. Families should have clear conversations with the school about how struggling learners are identified and supported, what progress-monitoring looks like, and whether the school's approach aligns with their child's learning profile.

See more original research from School Decision →

Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

New York Regents Exams

2 courses reported · 2024-25

End-of-course exams required for a New York Regents diploma. Each row shows the cohort size and the share of students scoring at the proficient level or higher.

Course	Students tested	% proficient
Math	56	98.0%
Science	54	94.0%

Math

Grade 632%

School 32% · District 32%

▼ 13 pts below state median · ▲ 7 pts above county median

Grade 743%

School 43% · District 42% · ▲ 1 pts above district

▼ 10 pts below state median · ▼ 3 pts below county median

Grade 842%

School 42% · District 41% · ▲ 1 pts above district

▲ 4 pts above state median · ▲ 36 pts above county median

English language arts

Grade 640%

School 40% · District 39%

▼ 6 pts below state median · ▲ 12 pts above county median

Grade 740%

School 40% · District 39% · ▲ 1 pts above district

▼ 7 pts below state median · ▲ 5 pts above county median

Grade 832%

School 32% · District 32%

▼ 16 pts below state median · even with county median

Science

Grade 832%

School 32% · District 32%

▼ 1 pts below state median · ▲ 19 pts above county median

Social studies

Grade 882%

School 82% · district not reported

▲ 4 pts above state median · ▼ 7 pts below county median

This schoolGATES CHILI CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 6Lower-income28%Higher-income59%31 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income28%Higher-income57%29 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income23%Higher-income44%21 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 6Lower-income19%Higher-income54%35 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income33%Higher-income57%24 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income35%Higher-income55%20 pp gap