Best Public Schools in Waterbury, CT

The city of Waterbury, Connecticut is home to 32 schools, including 22 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 6 high schools, all part of the Waterbury School District. The district is ranked 149 out of 156 districts in the state and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger, indicating significant challenges in the school system.

Among the standout schools in Waterbury are Waterbury Arts Magnet School, a public magnet high school that is the highest-performing school in the district, ranking 103 out of 141 high schools in the state and receiving a 1-star rating. Other notable schools include W. F. Kaynor Technical High School, a public high school that is part of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System and ranks 93 out of 141 high schools, and Waterbury Career Academy, a public high school that ranks 91 out of 141 high schools. At the middle school level, ACES at Chase, a public magnet school, stands out with the highest proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Math among the middle schools.

The data reveals significant performance gaps between the highest-performing schools and the lowest-performing schools in the district, with the schools serving the highest percentages of students from low-income families tending to have the lowest proficiency rates. This suggests a strong correlation between socioeconomic status and academic performance. Overall, the Waterbury school system faces significant challenges, with all schools performing well below the state average in most subjects and grade levels, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and support to improve outcomes for all students.