Welcome to South Colonie
Mission
The mission of the South Colonie Central School District is to educate all students to their highest level of academic achievement, realize their full potential and prepare them to become responsible citizens in a global society.
About Us
Approximately 4,800 students attend school in South Colonie located in Colonie, New York – a suburb of Albany, the state’s capital, in the middle of Tech Valley. Located in Albany County, South Colonie is one of the largest school districts in the Capital Region, serving a community of 80,000 residents in a 60-square-mile area.
The district’s goal is simple: To offer unlimited learning opportunities, to maintain high student expectations for success and to provide taxpayers with an educational system they can be proud of and afford.
The district’s longstanding purpose is to graduate students who have the knowledge, skills, attitude and self-esteem to succeed in the real world of the 21st century. A talented staff of some 500 teachers, librarians, guidance counselors, nurses, psychologists, social workers and more are dedicated to making this happen. And a very active community and parent population continue to help shape the district’s direction.
It’s those extra opportunities South Colonie Central Schools offer its students that sets this district apart from the rest. From their pre-school and full-day kindergarten programs for youngsters to their multitude of Advanced Placement and college-level courses for high school students to their comprehensive Continuing Education classes frequented by our senior citizens, South Colonie Schools have it all.
A Brief History of the South Colonie
As South Colonie celebrates its 75th anniversary year, we reflect on the remarkable journey of progress and growth that has shaped this district throughout the decades. At one time, the Town of Colonie was wilderness. Through three centuries, it progressed from a Dutch patroonship to a fairly prosperous farming community to a major suburb and commercial center.
The present-day South Colonie Central School District emerged from six common school districts: West Albany, Roessleville, Colonie Village, Maywood, Karner, and Shaker Road. These districts shared the Union Free Roessleville High School, which saw its first graduation class in 1933, serving grades 7 to 12 with half-day sessions for much of its existence.
In 1949, a significant milestone was reached as the six common districts were centralized, and the new district was approved by voters with a margin of 1,083 to 680. With an initial budget of $437,070, the district welcomed 1,953 children across its six schools. Back then, the district owned three buses, with two others under contract. Salaries for teachers ($2,650/yr), substitute teachers ($12 a day), and bus drivers ($1.50 an hr.) were vastly different from what we see today, yet the dedication to education was just as strong.
In 1950, the South Colonie Board of Education made a visionary decision to purchase 55 acres of land at the end of Hackett Boulevard. The construction of Colonie Central High School took place on this land, ultimately replacing Roessleville High School in 1954, and marking another milestone in the district’s growth.
Over the years, the district continued to adapt to changing populations by opening new schools, expanding existing ones, closing some, reopening others, and even selling a few. Enrollments saw fluctuations, with about 8,750 students in the early 1970s, decreasing to around 5,200 in the mid-1980s, and experiencing growth once more to nearly 6,000 students during the 50th-anniversary celebration in 1999. Today, the district serves a little under 5,000 students, dedicated to providing quality education and fostering a bright future for the community.
As we embark on a year-long celebration throughout the 2023-24 school year to honor the 75th anniversary of the South Colonie Central School District, let us cherish our history, embrace our achievements, and look forward to the continued progress and excellence in education that lies ahead.
Read more about this milestone and year long celebration here.
Public Access to District Records
Under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), the public is entitled to inspect certain school district records. The Committee on Open Government is responsible for overseeing and advising with regard to the Freedom of Information, Open Meetings and Personal Privacy Protection Laws. Contact the district’s FOIL Officer Christopher Robilotti at robilottic@scolonie.org.