Buffalo Public Schools

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. 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 with a history of misconduct investigations against him, 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. 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 • Annex 59, Polonia • Arthur O. Eve School of Distinction, Leroy • Frederick Law Olmsted School, Park Meadow • Roosevelt Early Childhood Center, Riverside • Discovery School, South Abbott • Houghton Academy, Kaisertown • Lorraine Elementary School, Abbott McKinley • Hamlin Park Claude & Ouida Clapp Academy, Hamlin Park • Herman Badillo Bilingual Academy, Columbus • William J. Grabiarz School of Excellence, Military • Highgate Heights School, Kensington • School 81, North Park • Early Childhood Center 82, Kenfield • Health Care Center for Children, Grider • Dr. Lydia T. Wright School of Excellence, Grider • B.U.I.L.D. Community School, MLK Park • Southside Elementary School, Seneca • West Hertel Academy, Military • Waterfront Elementary School, Columbus • Harvey Austin School, Emerson • Stanley Makowski Early Childhood Center, Kingsley Secondary schools Except where noted, all schools serve Grades 9-12 Defunct schools ==References==