Frederick Law Olmsted School

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.

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.School Days of Yesterday Buffalo Public School History, by Morton Weed, copyright 2001 G. Morton Reed 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.

Allegations of cover-up

On April 26, 2025, Richard Hy, a detective and Special Victims Unit officer with the Buffalo Police Department, alleged that the Buffalo Public Schools district covered-up and refused to work with law enforcement with cases of sexual assaults and abuse on the Unsubscribe Podcast. 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. This information was released in a YouTube video entitled "Your Kids Are In Danger - SVU Detective Exposes Buffalo School System" which has over 1 million views as of April 29th, 2025. 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. After these allegations were made, Shane Cronin, 30, was charged with second-degree kidnapping, two counts of luring a child to commit a felony, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, four counts of burglary and five counts of assault causing injury on school ground after being accused of kidnapping a student from Dr. Charles R. Drew Science Magnet School in February 2025. In May 2025, Richard Hy appeared on the Unsubscribe Podcast again where he stated an alleged student rape was mishandled by multiple teachers, the leader of the Buffalo Teachers Federation, Rich Nigro, spoke out about these allegations stating "Anytime some accusation of child abuse surfaces, I think it should surprise anybody,".

In May 2025, despite the presence of Student Resource Officers (SROs) in Buffalo schools, there is no formal, signed agreement between the Buffalo Police Department and the Buffalo School District outlining the terms of their relationship. This lack of an agreement includes details on SRO roles, emergency response protocols, and financial arrangements. A school board resolution in December 2024 called for such an agreement, but one has not materialized. The existing situation is described as a “handshake deal.” The district claims they are working to finalize a memorandum of understanding. Payment delays to the Police Department for SRO services have also been reported.

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

External links

*
New York State Education DepartmentBuffalo City Schools New York State Report Card 2007

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1838 establishments in New York (state)
Education in Buffalo, New York
School districts established in 1838
School districts in Erie County, New York