Buffalo Public Schools serves approximately 31,000 students in Buffalo, New York, It is located in Erie County of western New York and operates nearly 70 facilities.
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History
The Buffalo Public School System was started in 1838, 13 years after the completion of the Erie Canal and only 6 years after the 1832 incorporation of the City of Buffalo. Buffalo was the first city in the state of New York to have a free public education system supported by local taxes. Although New York City had a free public education system prior to 1838, NYC obtained additional funding through private donations and sources. Buffalo Public Schools' first Superintendent of Schools, Oliver Gray Steele (1805–1879), was a prominent and successful businessman. Originally from Connecticut, Steele relocated to Buffalo in 1827. He held three different terms as Superintendent between 1838 and 1852, during which twelve new elementary facilities were built, bringing the total to 15 elementary buildings. A building for a dedicated high school was also purchased during this time. Steele is credited as being the "Father of the Public Schools of Buffalo" as his reorganization of the schools in Buffalo enabled children to have access to a free public education. Over 35 people have held the position of Superintendent of Buffalo Public Schools since that time.
Between 1870 and 1900, the population of Buffalo more than doubled. The school population grew along with it, straining existing facilities. Around this time, the city embarked on a campaign of expansion, constructing four public high schools in the first decades of the twentieth century. Additionally, several primary schools were designed by the architectural firm of Louise Bethune, the first woman to be a professional architect in the United States.
On April 26, 2025, Richard Hy, a detective with the Buffalo Police Department, claimed on the Unsubscribe podcast that the Buffalo Public Schools district covered up and refused to work with law enforcement with cases of sexual assaults and abuse. Hy also stated that Buffalo Public Schools officials and attorneys obstructed evidence and ignored subpoenas and court orders to cover up child abuse and sexual abuse within the district. Hy also stated that the Erie County District Attorney's office and his superiors were also frustrated to which they replied no comment with concerns about compromising ongoing investigations. In May 2025, Richard Hy again made additional allegations of misconduct. Representatives of Buffalo Public Schools and the Buffalo Teachers Federation have disputed Hy's claims. In late May 2025, Missouri-based lawyer Kayla Ferrel Onder was retained by 12 clients to who claimed they had been abused by BPS to file a legal complaint. In June, the School Board selected Rupp Pfalzgraf LLC to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations.
In February 2026, BPS reached a settlement with the New York Attorney General's Office to overhaul disciplinary procedures after an investigation found that the district disproportionally took action against students of color, students with disabilities, and students with English difficulties. Rupp Pfalzgraff released their report that same month, containing several redactions with purpose of maintaining student privacy. The report stated that while the investigators did not find evidence of coverups or obstruction, they did find "systemic challenges requiring attention, including communication protocols, evidence-preservation procedures, training, and coordination between schools and law enforcement and related entities." The report was criticized by parents for lacking new information. At the school board meeting following the release of the report, the report was not a topic on the agenda, though the district stated that changes were being made but would likely not be discussed publicly to maintain school safety and protocols. In April, the district sought feedback on a new district-wide safety plan.
Administration
The Board of Education of the Buffalo City School District is the policy-making body for the Buffalo Public Schools, as provided by the Constitution of New York, and is under the general supervision of the New York State Education Department. The board consists of nine members elected by popular vote of District residents.
Schools
Elementary schools
Except where noted, all schools serve Grades PreK-8
D'Youville Porter Campus School, Front Park
Buffalo Elementary School of Technology, Willert Park
Early Childhood Center 17, Cold Springs
Dr. Antonia Pantoja Community School of Academic Excellence, Front Park
Native American Magnet School, Grant Ferry
Hillery Park Elementary School, Seneca
Frank A. Sedita Academy, Front Park
Harriet Ross Tubman School, Emslie
Bennett Park Montessori School, Willert Park
Bilingual Center, First Ward
Marva J. Daniel Futures Preparatory School, Medical Park
Lovejoy Discovery School, Lovejoy
International School, Grant Ferry
School 48 @ MLK, Medical Park
North Park Community School, North Park
Community School, Kingsley
Dr. George E. Blackman School of Excellence, #54, Parkside
Dr. Charles R. Drew Science Magnet, MLK Park
Secondary schools
Except where noted, all schools serve Grades 9-12