Best Public Schools in Windsor Locks, CT

The Windsor Locks School District serves the city of Windsor Locks, Connecticut, through four public schools enrolling roughly 1,378 students across a PK–12 grade-band structure: North Street School (PK–2), South Elementary School (3–5), Windsor Locks Middle School (6–8), and Windsor Locks High School (9–12). The district ranks 130th out of 153 Connecticut districts, placing it in the 15th percentile with an overall 1-star rating, and roughly 45–51% of students at each school qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

Academically, Windsor Locks Middle School is the clear standout, ranking in the 45th percentile among Connecticut middle schools (2 stars) and earning the district's only above-state scores: 7th grade ELA (53.6% vs. 52.2%) and 7th grade math (47.2% vs. 44.1%). It also has the lowest secondary chronic absenteeism rate at 14.8%. Windsor Locks High School posts a strong 92.0% graduation rate and the district's highest per-student spending ($23,429) with a favorable 8.8:1 student-teacher ratio, but its 30.9% chronic absenteeism is nearly double the state average. South Elementary School has the district's best attendance (11.9% chronic absenteeism) yet has fallen sharply from the 43rd to the 25th percentile in state rankings over two years. North Street School, serving the youngest students, has no ranking data but the largest enrollment at 396 students.

Two findings stand out for parents. First, per-student spending rises steadily from $18,415 at North Street to $23,429 at the high school, yet academic proficiency remains below state averages in nearly every grade and subject — higher spending and smaller class sizes are not translating into stronger outcomes. Second, the middle school shows notable volatility: 6th grade math proficiency dropped from 40.3% to 30.1% in one year, while 8th grade math sits at just 31.6% versus 41.9% statewide. The only consistent bright spot is 7th grade performance. Despite the high school's absenteeism challenge, its graduation rate remains solid, suggesting credit recovery may be offsetting attendance issues. For parents, the middle school's 7th grade results are encouraging, but early elementary academics and high school attendance deserve close attention.