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About Us

Uniquely Galway
Galway Central School District has so many activities, events, and new opportunities that make our district an enticing place for families to live! We have outstanding faculty and staff members; an abundance of educational opportunities for students; an amazing social-emotional learning program; a cool educational nature trail; and activities that engage the entire community. Some favorite activities include our famous Homecoming Weekend, Memorial Day parades, Rosie's Walk for Diabetes, the Andrew Izzo Memorial Run, Rocket Day, band and choral concerts, music festivals, Odyssey of the Mind tournaments, sporting events, Science Fairs, Rainbow Classic, book fairs, plays, and musicals.

There are many factors that make Galway Central School District special!

  • The district has made concerted efforts over the past decade to create a coordinated, articulated curriculum for all students K-12 featuring multiple pathways to graduation
  • Galway’s Pathways to Graduation include art, business, engineering, and three pathways within the Curriculum for Agricultural Science (CASE) including animal systems, natural resources, and plant systems
  • While it is a relatively small, rural school with limited resources, Galway offers Junior and Senior High School students extensive opportunities with over 60 electives from which to choose, including over 20 college-credit bearing courses
  • Class sizes in Galway are small with the average being around 20 students
  • The district has a commitment to include students with disabilities in mainstream classes and has a comprehensive and state-recognized program for Academic Intervention Service, offering a quick response to intervention
  • All of our students PreK-12 receive age-appropriate, hands-on, project-based learning in science, math, engineering, and technology through Project Lead the Way
  • Galway students have excelled in regional, state, and world Odyssey of the Mind tournaments for generations!!!
  • Every year, our fifth graders have an outdoor educational experience at Camp Chingachgook to establish a better understanding of our natural world, facilitate stronger social relationships among students, and have fun in a comfortable outdoor setting while engaging in outdoor recreation
  • Students can start learning to play instruments in fifth grade ~ we have Junior and Senior High School bands and chorus, along with Jazz Band and Marching Band (our Galway band can out-play some of the larger schools in parades!) 
  • The PTSA sponsors a year-long dance program in addition to all the events they host including Fall and Spring Book Fairs, contests, picnics, and more!
  • The newly refurbished auditorium is home to the High School Drama Club and the Galway Players Community Theater
  • For many years, Galway has had foreign exchange students from Sweden, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Spain, and more, ensuring that our students have cultural awareness and appreciation

The school enjoys tremendous community support and is proud to be the center of the community!
See the latest New York State Report Card findings on the district.

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Superintendent's Office

Welcome to the Galway Central School District, a supportive community with well-rounded students, engaged families, exemplary educators, and a caring Board of Education. Through our vision, mission, values, and goals, we strive to empower generations of learners to embrace optimal wellness; sustain a thoughtful, informed, and inquisitive perspective; and think, communicate, and interact with the world. 

The Galway Central School Community believes that all students can succeed in learning. We accept the responsibility to provide the proper atmosphere and opportunity so that each student can attain his or her maximum potential. Under the leadership of our Board of Education and Administrative team and in partnership with parents and teachers, we are educating all students to their highest level of academic performance while fostering positive growth in social/emotional behavior and attitudes.

Students’ educational journey begins in the Joseph Henry Elementary School, which is named after the prominent American scientist who grew up here and attended the school that now bears his name. The district has a strong Project Lead the Way K-12 Pathway in which all students build knowledge and skills in STEM while they are learning to read, write, and understand math concepts. We are proud to say that our students have a truly cross-disciplinary learning experience. 

As students progress to the Junior/Senior High School, they have the opportunity to take a coordinated, articulated pathway to graduation. Galway’s Pathways to Graduation include Project Lead the Way, Agricultural Science, Computer Science, Art, Business, History, Language, Math, Music, Science, Career and Technical Education, and Family and Consumer Science. 

The district recently completed a $26.7 million capital improvement project that made our school district healthier, safer, and more energy efficient. The two-year project replaced infrastructure; upgraded mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems; renovated learning spaces; and completely reconfigured the bus drop-off and pick-up area. We invite you to see our recently renovated learning spaces by clicking here. 

If you would like more information or a tour, please reach out. We are happy to share our Eagle Pride! 

A headshot of a person in a blue blazer.

Dr. Brita Donovan
Superintendent of Schools
518-882-1033 ext. 3224

A Brief History

Galway was originally named “New Galloway” by the Scottish immigrants who settled here from Galloway Shire, Scotland. It was later misspelled as "Galway" when recorded in the Ballston county registry.  

Galway was a stopping point for tourists traveling by stagecoach from Schenectady to Sacandaga and Amsterdam. Just before entering the town (on the corner of Sacandaga Rd. and Donnan Rd.), there was a pub for travelers to enjoy "refreshments" because such facilities were deemed unsavory to have within the village boundaries.  

On the corner of Ballston/Galway Rd. and Sacandaga Rd., there was the Denison General Store. A spark from an oil lantern caused the building to catch on fire, which burned half the village in 1908. The Galway Market now stands where this store was originally located.  

There is a cistern in the woods behind St. Mary's Catholic church that supplied water to the entire town. In the Village Park, there is the original watering trough for the horses and dogs, which is now painted green and holds geraniums.

As you head towards the new fire station, there is a green house on the right where the town physician/veterinarian/dentist once lived. The hitching post with a metal ring is still out front to tie up the horses. 

On Parkis Mills Rd., there are the foundations of the old Galway grist mill that produced "Jolly Farmer Griddle Cake Flour.” The mill was later sold to the Parkis family (hence the name of the road), and the product name became known as "Parkis Prepared Pancake Flour" (say that 5 times fast). 

Galway is a village in the town of Galway in Saratoga County, New York. The total population in the town of Galway is 3,751, according to American Community Survey 2005-09, and 128 in the village. The village is located north of Schenectady.

Galway Lake, a vacation area, is west of the village. According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.3 square miles (0.7 km²). None of the area is covered with water.

Galway is at the junction of County Road 45 (East Street/West Street) and New York State Route 147 (North Street/South Street) in the central part of the town.

Galway - Surrounding Towns

Galway Central School District serves the following eight townships: