For the 2026 school year, there are 5 public preschools serving 2,136 students in Columbia County, NY.
The top-ranked public preschools in Columbia County, NY are Germantown Elementary School, Walter B Howard Elementary School and Taconic Hills Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbia County, NY public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the New York public pre school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 41% statewide average). Pre schools in Columbia County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of New York public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 30% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New York public preschool average of 62% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Columbia County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Germantown Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
123 Main St
Germantown, NY 12526
(518) 537-6281
Germantown, NY 12526
(518) 537-6281
Gr: PK-6 | 278 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #22.
Walter B Howard Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1478 Rte 20
New Lebanon, NY 12125
(518) 794-7600
New Lebanon, NY 12125
(518) 794-7600
Gr: PK-6 | 220 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #33.
Taconic Hills Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
73 County Rte 11a
Craryville, NY 12521
(518) 325-2821
Craryville, NY 12521
(518) 325-2821
Gr: PK-6 | 538 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #44.
Mary E Dardess Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
50 Woodbridge Ave
Chatham, NY 12037
(518) 392-1530
Chatham, NY 12037
(518) 392-1530
Gr: PK-5 | 381 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #55.
Montgomery C Smith Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
102 Harry Howard Ave
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-4350
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-4350
Gr: PK-5 | 719 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Columbia County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Berkshire Junior-senior High School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
13640 Rt 22
Canaan, NY 12029
(518) 781-3500
Canaan, NY 12029
(518) 781-3500
Gr: 7-12
Columbia Res Center (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
County Route 29
Claverack, NY 12513
(518) 851-3277
Claverack, NY 12513
(518) 851-3277
Gr: 9-12
Columbia Secure Center For Girls (Closed 2021)
Alternative School
419 Spook Rock Rd
Claverack, NY 12513
(518) 851-3211
Claverack, NY 12513
(518) 851-3211
Gr: 9-12 | 6 students Minority enrollment: 84%
158 Union Tpke
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-4305
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-4305
Gr: 3-4 | 275 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Hudson Correctional Facility (Closed 2008)
Alternative School
East Court St
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-4311
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-4311
Gr: Inquire with school | 2 students Minority enrollment: 50%
2910 Rt 9
Valatie, NY 12184
(518) 758-7575
Valatie, NY 12184
(518) 758-7575
Gr: 4-5 | 288 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
360 State St
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-9493
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-9493
Gr: PK-1 | 301 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
3211 Church St
Valatie, NY 12184
(518) 758-7559
Valatie, NY 12184
(518) 758-7559
Gr: 3-5 | 208 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
25 Broad St
Kinderhook, NY 12106
(518) 758-7569
Kinderhook, NY 12106
(518) 758-7569
Gr: 3-5 | 206 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
73 Countyroute 11a
Craryville, NY 12521
(518) 325-2831
Craryville, NY 12521
(518) 325-2831
Gr: 6-8 | 338 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
73 County Rt 11a
Craryville, NY 12521
(518) 325-0350
Craryville, NY 12521
(518) 325-0350
Gr: K-2 | 337 students Minority enrollment: 7%
Warren Street Academy (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
11 Warren St
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 781-3500
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 781-3500
Gr: 7-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Columbia County, NY?
The top-ranked public preschools in Columbia County, NY include Germantown Elementary School, Walter B Howard Elementary School and Taconic Hills Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Columbia County?
5 public preschools are located in Columbia County.
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia County?
Columbia County public preschools minority enrollment is 30% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New York public preschools average of 62% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Columbia County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Columbia County include: Walter B Howard Elementary School vs. Mary E Dardess Elementary School, Taconic Hills Elementary School vs. Mary E Dardess Elementary School, Mary E Dardess Elementary School vs. Taconic Hills Elementary School
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