Many homebuyers consider school districts when choosing where to live. Even buyers without school-aged children often factor districts into their decision, because of community amenities and long-term resale value. Historically, homes in strong districts have experienced steady buyer demand no matter what the broader market is doing.
The good news is that Monroe County offers eighteen districts to consider, all with competitive academics, arts, and athletics programs. This guide walks through the county’s public school districts in alphabetical order, with a snapshot of what each community offers and a realistic picture of the homes available in every price range.
For details on graduation rates, student expenditures, and class sizes, each district’s published report cards are available through the New York State Education Department.
Brighton Central School District
Brighton is known for its academic programs and offers a variety of educational opportunities. Serving portions of the towns of Brighton and Pittsford just southeast of the city, it pairs a range of academic offerings with smaller class sizes and a walkable community feel, with easy access to both the University of Rochester and the city itself. The town offers historic homes, over 350 acres of parks and recreation areas, sustainable living programs, and the Brighton Farmers’ Market, the only fully organic farmers market in the area. According to NYSED report cards, the district sends a large share of its graduates on to four-year colleges.
Brockport Central School District
Brockport has genuine small-town character, anchored by SUNY Brockport and the Erie Canal village at its center. It is one of the oldest centralized school districts in New York State, serving a wide geographic area spanning the village of Brockport and parts of Clarkson, Hamlin, Ogden, Parma, and Sweden. The district offers many Victorian homes, a quaint Main Street, nine parks, and a close-knit, community-driven setting with easy access to the canal, generally at price points more accessible than the county’s east-side suburbs.
Churchville-Chili Central School District
Churchville-Chili serves Chili, Ogden, Riga, Sweden, and the village of Churchville on the county’s southwest side. According to NYSED data, the district’s graduation rate runs above the state average, with smaller student-teacher ratios. The community is a mix of suburban and semi-rural, with newer housing developments alongside established neighborhoods, keeping a range of price points available.
East Irondequoit Central School District
East Irondequoit serves the eastern half of Irondequoit, is conveniently located just minutes from the city and Lake Ontario, and is surrounded by established, walkable neighborhoods. It is a mid-sized district with a lower student-teacher ratio. The district strives to provide opportunities that will enable all students to develop their talents and pursue individual interests. Lake proximity and mature neighborhoods make it a consistent option for buyers seeking character and location without a west-side commute.
East Rochester Union Free School District
East Rochester is one of the smallest districts in the county, serving the compact, highly walkable village of East Rochester plus small portions of Penfield, Perinton, and Pittsford. Its small scale is central to its character: lower student-teacher ratios, smaller class sizes, and a single combined junior/senior high school. The walkable village setting, with shops and the train station nearby, gives it a distinct sense of place.
Fairport Central School District
Fairport is one of the county’s largest suburban districts, serving Fairport and the town of Perinton on the east side. It offers a range of academic programs alongside arts and athletics offerings, centered on the village of Fairport, known for its lift bridge, canal-side restaurants, and walkable downtown. Community involvement and pride in its schools are hallmarks of the District. The district and village together offer a connected community lifestyle.
Gates Chili Central School District
Gates Chili serves the town of Gates and part of Chili on the county’s west side, offering a well-rounded district in an established suburban setting close to the city and major highways. It offers a broad range of programs and a strong sense of community. The district’s goals are to strengthen connection and community and elevate academic achievement through rigorous, engaging, and data-informed instruction. For buyers, the west side generally means more house for the money than comparable east-side suburbs.
Greece Central School District
Greece is the largest suburban district in Monroe County. Serving the town of Greece, north of the city, it offers a wide range of neighborhoods, price points, and programs, with multiple high schools, each offering themed academies. Greece schools are hubs of community engagement and support, offering a wide range of educational opportunities and extracurricular activities. Whether you’re looking for an affordable starter home or more space near the lake, Greece has options across a range of budgets. The northern edge of the district reaches Lake Ontario, adding waterfront and lake-access neighborhoods to the mix.
Hilton Central School District
Hilton serves the northwest corner of the county, covering Hilton, Parma, and Hamlin up to the Lake Ontario shoreline. It has a strong community identity and a semi-rural feel that appeal to buyers seeking more space. The district focuses on innovation, including a comprehensive International Baccalaureate (IB) program which prepares students to think critically, lead with confidence, and succeed in a global society. The area offers larger lots and lakefront and acreage options, often at more accessible prices than the county’s east-side suburbs.
Honeoye Falls-Lima Central School District
Honeoye Falls-Lima serves the southern edge of Monroe County, extending into Livingston County, offering a small-town, semi-rural lifestyle within reach of the city. The District lies within a rolling countryside, amid a mix of established farms, modern homes, and historic town dwellings. Community residents play an integral role in the design of district program budgets, strategic planning, policy, curriculum, and staff selection. The historic village of Honeoye Falls, with its waterfalls, mill buildings, and walkable downtown, anchors a close-knit community. For buyers who want space and a quieter pace, HF-L is worth considering.
Penfield Central School District
Penfield is a long-standing east-side district serving the town of Penfield, Brighton, Perinton, Pittsford, Macedon, and Walworth, with established neighborhoods and easy access to shopping, parks, and other east-side amenities. Historically, homes in the district have experienced strong buyer demand, which has contributed to their resale value. The district serves approximately 4,600 students in grades K-12 at its six schools. Penfield students are challenged to achieve high academic and personal standards so that they can make a difference in their lives and in the communities in which they live.
Pittsford Central School District
Pittsford is among the highest-performing districts in New York State according to NYSED data. Serving the town of Pittsford, it operates two high schools (Mendon and Sutherland) and offers an extensive academic program alongside arts and athletics. The historic village of Pittsford, set on the Erie Canal, adds walkable charm. Homes here generally command a premium, and buyers are paying for a reliable combination of schools and resale value in the region.
Rochester City School District
The Rochester City School District is the county’s largest, serving the city of Rochester. Its scale brings specialized and magnet programs, including the School of the Arts and Wilson Magnet, that draw interest for their focused offerings. The district also encompasses the widest range of housing in the county, from affordable starter homes and city doubles to the historic mansions of the East Avenue and Park Avenue neighborhoods. For buyers who value walkability and urban living, the city offers housing options the suburbs don’t.
Rush-Henrietta Central School District
Rush-Henrietta serves Henrietta and Rush on the county’s south side, an area anchored by Rochester Institute of Technology and a hub of shopping, dining, and employment. It is a large district with a strong athletics tradition and a convenient location near major amenities and highways. For buyers, the south side offers a mix of established neighborhoods and newer construction, with a broad range of price points.
Spencerport Central School District
Spencerport serves Spencerport and the town of Ogden on the west side, along the Erie Canal. It has a strong community identity, with canal-side events and school activities that draw community involvement. The walkable village offers a connected, small-town feel at west-side prices, which typically stretch a budget further than the east side.
Webster Central School District
Webster serves the growing northeast corner of the county, covering the town of Webster and part of Penfield, with Lake Ontario frontage to the north. It is a large district with two high schools (Thomas and Schroeder) and a reputation for strong academics and athletics. The combination of schools, a walkable village center, and lake access has made Webster one of the county’s steadily growing communities.
West Irondequoit Central School District
West Irondequoit serves the western half of Irondequoit, between the city and Lake Ontario. It is a well-established district known for solid academics, smaller average class sizes, and a convenient location that keeps both downtown and the lakeshore just minutes away. The mature, walkable neighborhoods make it a consistent choice for buyers seeking character and convenience.
Wheatland-Chili Central School District
Wheatland-Chili is one of the smallest districts in Monroe County, serving Scottsville and the rural southwest corner. Its size shapes its character: smaller class sizes, lower student-teacher ratios, and a close-knit community. For buyers drawn to country living and more land while staying within Monroe County, Wheatland-Chili is worth a look.
Finding the Right Home in the Right School District
The right district for you doesn’t necessarily come down to a single number. Some buyers prioritize smaller class sizes and a walkable village. Others want the widest range of programs, a broad range of housing options, or strong long-term resale value.
If you’d like help comparing housing inventory, home prices, commute times, neighborhood amenities, and publicly available information about Monroe County school districts, we’d be happy to help. We know these communities street by street, and we can show you what your money buys in each one.
