The hallmark of Tompkins County is its education institutions, Cornell University, Ithaca College, and Tompkins Cortland Community College. These excellent academic institutions bring more than 25,000 students to the county. There are six public school districts within the county: Dryden, Groton, Ithaca City, Lansing, Newfield and Trumansburg.

Higher Education:

Cornell University was founded in 1865 by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White. A member of the Ivy League, its 745-acre campus includes 260 major buildings with 13 different colleges and schools within the University. It is a leader in cutting edge technologies such as supercomputing, biotechnology, high-energy synchrotoron studies, mathematical sciences, nanofabrication and nuclear studies. Cornell ranks among the top universities in research funding from the National Science Foundation. For more information, please visit www.info.cornell.edu or call 607-254-INFO.

     

Ithaca College was originally founded as the Ithaca Conservatory of Music in 1892. Currently offering over 2,000 courses and 100 programs in its five different schools, the student to instructor ratio is 12:1. Ithaca College boasts the perfect blend of liberal arts education and professional preparation and is known nationally as one of the best music schools available. Challenging academic programs promote critical thinking and hands-on learning, where students work closely with experienced and accomplished faculty. Located in one of America’s top college towns, Ithaca College boasts a lively and sophisticated residential community that takes full advantage of its stunning backdrop—blue lake, waterfalls, and gorges—and a local community rich in culture and resources. Visit www.ithaca.edu or call 607-274-3011.

     

Tompkins Cortland Community College, often referred to as TC3, and is one of the highest rated community colleges in the state. Founded in 1968 and a college of the State of New York (SUNY), TC3 offers 26 associate degree programs for its annual 3,000 enrollment. A large number of TC3’s students transfer to four-year schools as TC3 has articulation agreements that facilitate transfer to Cornell University, Ithaca College, Rochester Institute of Technology and Wells College. With extension centers located in the downtown areas of Ithaca and Cortland, TC3’s primary campus is located on 220 acres in Dryden. Major areas of study include business administration, accounting, hotel/restaurant management, travel/tourism, engineering science, communications, electronics and computer information systems. A specialty of the college is an organization called TC3.biz which evolved from the organization and training center and is dedicated to corporate training and business development. Visit www.sunytccc.edu or call 607-844-8211.

State University of New York College at Cortland, often called SUNY Cortland, is nestled atop one of the rolling hills in central New York’s picturesque “City of Seven Valleys".  The State University of New York College at Cortland was founded in 1868 as the Cortland Normal School. Since its inception, SUNY Cortland has played a vital role in educating New York State’s teachers. It is home to the largest comprehensive teacher education program in New York State and the 22nd largest program in the United States. SUNY Cortland offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts and professional fields. Students can choose from 70 majors and 44 minors within the Schools of Arts and Sciences, Education and Professional Studies. Visit www.cortland.edu or call 607-753-4711.

Public Schools:
Tompkins County encompasses six public school districts in the towns of Dryden, Groton, Ithaca, Lansing, Newfield and Trumansburg. Enrollment ranges from roughly 1,000 to 5,500 students.  The Ithaca City School District (ICSD) is the largest.  ICSD contains 8 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and Ithaca High School, as well as The Lehman Alternative Community School (LACS), which includes grades 7 through 12.  The County also has a Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) and special education programs.  The Franziska Racker Centers offer a wide range of programs and support services to people with disabilities and their families.

Private Schools:
Within Tompkins County, there are currently four private elementary schools; three in Ithaca and one in Freeville. Ithaca boasts two private high schools. For further information on private education, please visit www.private schoolreview.com/county_private_schools/stateid/NY.