Best Public Schools in New Haven, CT

The city of New Haven, Connecticut is home to 42 schools, including 29 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 9 high schools, and 3 alternative schools, all part of the New Haven School District, except for 4 public charter schools that have their own districts. The data reveals a stark contrast in academic performance across the district, with some standout schools like Worthington Hooker School consistently ranking among the top in the state, while the district as a whole struggles with low proficiency rates and declining performance.

The Amistad Academy and Elm City College Preparatory School, both public charter schools, stand out with strong academic performance, exceeding state averages in English Language Arts proficiency. In contrast, many traditional district schools, such as Wilbur Cross High School and James Hillhouse High School, have proficiency rates well below the state average, highlighting significant achievement gaps within the district.

The data also reveals stark disparities in resource allocation, with per-student spending ranging from around $16,000 on average to as high as $20,000 at some schools, and student-teacher ratios varying from a low of 7.7 at Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School to a high of 16.6 at Elm City College Preparatory School. These disparities appear to be closely linked to the racial and socioeconomic makeup of the schools, with higher-performing schools serving more affluent and less diverse student populations.