For the sixth year in a row, the Bethlehem Central School District has been named the number one school district in the Capital Region by the Albany Business Review.

The district is featured in the local business publication’s annual “Schools Report,” which ranks 92 school districts in the 11-county greater Capital Region using data from the New York State Education Department. The Albany Business Review used the department’s School Report Cards for the 2020-21 school year to tabulate its rankings. Data includes test scores in grades 3-8, Regents test results, graduation rates and the percentage of graduates with advanced Regents diplomas.

“It feels good when you get to the end of a year like this one– when you were never quite sure what to expect next — to be able to celebrate this accomplishment,” said Superintendent Monroe. “It takes a lot of hard work from a lot of people to ensure we are serving the needs of our students in all four of our goal areas: academics, character, community and wellness. It’s both commitment and continuity by instructional and support staff, along with a supportive community and dedicated students, that make each one of our schools a place where kids can thrive.”

While maintaining its number one spot as the area’s best district for academics, Bethlehem also performed well when it comes to value per education dollar. For the second year in a row, the district placed in the bottom half of the publication’s rankings when it comes to spending. Out of 90 districts, BC was ranked #66 in the Capital Region in spending per pupil for the 2020-21 school year ($24,277 per pupil). The year before, the district had been at #48 on the spending list.

The Albany Business Review’s Schools Report is available as a printed publication. It is also available online for those with a subscription. The Schools Report also features several photos taken earlier this month at Eagle Elementary School. The online photo album can be viewed here.