Empower
em·pow·er (verb): To give someone the authority, confidence or ability to succeed.
Empowerment is at the heart of everything we do at Niskayuna. We help students and staff become leaders by learning together. We use lessons that include everyone and focus on solving real-world problems. By connecting students, teachers and staff, we help our students become graduates who have the confidence to speak up for themselves and others. When we work together to support and grow with one another, our whole school community becomes stronger.
Persevere
per·se·vere (verb): To continue an endeavor despite challenges, obstacles or discouragement. To overcome setbacks to achieve a goal.
In Niskayuna, perseverance is not taught once. We teach it every step of the way by helping students build inner strength through social-emotional programs that encourage a “growth mindset,” the belief that we can always get better. Our educators are committed to helping students manage their feelings and move forward when things get tough. Teachers also build these lessons into classwork, helping students learn to solve hard problems and think for themselves. By doing this, we help our students grow into confident, motivated people who are ready to make a real difference in the future.
Innovate
in·no·vate (verb): To make changes or do something in a new way.
Innovation is a key part of how we grow and prepare for the future in Niskayuna. As a component of our EPIC mission, it touches how we teach, learn and conduct business in a changing world. We make this happen by creating new programs and facing every challenge with curiosity. By teaching students how to solve problems in new ways, we help them think critically and prepare for life after graduation. Niskayuna High School celebrates this through its annual EPIC awards, showing that when we try new ideas, we help students and teachers embrace change with confidence.
Connect
con·nect (verb): To join or link two or more things together.
Connection is a key part of our EPIC mission. At Niskayuna, we believe connection means bringing students, staff, families and the greater community together. We link everyone to their future, their history and each other. This recognition makes our schools places where we share experiences and feel proud of our community. We connect classroom lessons to real-world jobs and service projects to help students prepare for their future. We support our community by hosting events like cultural fairs or community recognition ceremonies, connecting students across grade levels projects, and sharing stories about our district with alumni and parents. By building these strong partnerships both within our district and across our community, we make sure every student can connect with others and feel supported.
We are Niskayuna
Here’s a glimpse at all Niskayuna has to offer
- Our district serves students at five elementary schools, two middle schools and our comprehensive high school. We also offer career and technical programming in partnership with the Capital Region BOCES and a unique, project-based high school experience in partnership with Tech Valley High School.
- Our academic programs (among the most comprehensive academic programs in our region) include advanced courses in technology and engineering, five world languages and the fine and performing arts.
- The New York STEAM Bus mobile classroom, created by students for students, is where kids can learn about science, technology, engineering, art and math concepts. Teachers partner with middle/high school student scientists to bring engaging lessons that can be adapted for students of all ages. The bus frequently visits our five NCSD elementary schools and schools around the region.
- At the high school level, students can choose from among 46 honors and 15 Advanced Placement classes as well as a wide range of interdisciplinary courses and electives.
- Our students have an opportunity to compete on more than 85 club-level and interscholastic athletic teams in the Suburban Council Athletic Conference.
- Students also participate in a wide range of competitive and non-competitive academic, co-curricular and extracurricular clubs and activities.
- Our distinguished alumni (more than 20,400 and growing) are leaders in their professional fields and their communities. More than 76 Niskayuna High School alumni have been elected to our Alumni Hall of Fame.
District Resources
Strategic Plan
The district’s 2024-27 Strategic Plan contains three major areas of focus: Curriculum & Programs, Environment & Culture, and Partnerships.
Budget & Finance
District leaders work to make the most effective use of resources to benefit students, to develop and manage the budget in a responsible and transparent manner, and to be accountable to taxpayers.
Purchasing Office
The goal of procurement activities within the school district is to ensure the prudent and economical use of public funds invested in education.
District Leadership
The administrative leadership team advances the district’s mission and vision and measures progress made among strategic pillars and goals.
Equity at Niskayuna
At Niskayuna, we cultivate learning environments where the diverse voices and identities of our students, families, and staff are actively recognized and embraced.
School Report Card
The New York State Education Department School Report Card provides key enrollment, performance, and demographic data about Niskayuna Central School District.
Student Enrollment
- Total enrollment: 4,370
- Elementary School: 1,940
- Middle School: 1,050
- High School: 1,380
Our Schools
- Five K-5 elementary schools (Birchwood, Craig, Glencliff, Hillside, Rosendale)
- Two grades 6-8 middle schools: (Van Antwerp and Iroquois)
- One grades 9-12 high school: Niskayuna High School
Faculty & Staff
- Total faculty and staff: 805 (full- and part-time)
- Faculty: 401
- Administrators: 28
- Staff: 376
