Summary:
Barkhamsted Elementary School is the only elementary school in the Barkhamsted School District, serving 205 students in grades PK through 6 in a small, rural Connecticut community.
For parents considering this school, the standout strengths are strong English Language Arts (ELA) results and exceptionally low chronic absenteeism. In the most recent school year, 6th grade ELA proficiency reached 73.3%, a remarkable 22 points above the state average, and 4th and 5th grade ELA also matched or exceeded state levels in prior years. With a chronic absenteeism rate of just 4.5%—compared to 16.4% statewide—students are clearly showing up and engaged. The school also benefits from a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.2 and relatively high per-student spending of $19,368, suggesting smaller classes and solid resources.
The biggest concern is mathematics. Proficiency in 5th grade math is only 21.2%, compared to 45.8% statewide, and 4th grade math sits at 37.5% versus 52.1% statewide. These gaps have likely contributed to the school’s declining state ranking, which has slipped from the 61st percentile in 2023-2024 to the 42nd percentile in 2025-2026. While the school consistently outperforms the district average, the district itself ranks in the bottom quarter of Connecticut. In short, Barkhamsted Elementary offers a strong literacy environment and excellent attendance, but families should be aware that math achievement lags significantly behind state averages. The school’s path to improvement lies in targeted math instruction, especially in 4th and 5th grades, while preserving its impressive ELA gains.
Thank you for your feedback!