Bridgeport School District

Bridgeport School District serves approximately 19,800 students across 36 schools — 29 elementary schools and 7 high schools — in one of Connecticut's most challenging urban districts, where the average free/reduced-price lunch rate is 87.4% and the district ranks 147 out of 153 districts with a 0-star rating. Several elementary schools serve PK-8, housing middle-grade students. Chronic absenteeism affects 31.3% of students versus 16.4% statewide, and test proficiency trails state averages by 30 to 40 percentage points in nearly every grade and subject. Yet these figures mask a divided system with pockets of success.

At the elementary level, Multicultural Magnet School is the district's strongest performer, ranking in the 38th percentile statewide with 2 stars despite an 89.7% free/reduced lunch rate. It has the lowest chronic absenteeism in the district at 9.2% and posts 6th-grade ELA (76.6%) and math (70.2%) proficiency rates above state averages. Interdistrict Discovery Magnet School also stands out with 9.8% chronic absenteeism and strong ELA scores across multiple grades. Among traditional neighborhood schools, John Winthrop School is the strongest, with 7th- and 8th-grade ELA above state averages. Among high schools, Information Technology & Software Engineering Magnet, Aerospace/Hydrospace Engineering & Physical Sciences Magnet, Biotechnology Research & Zoological Studies Magnet, and Bridgeport Military Academy all post graduation rates above 90%, while large comprehensive high schools like Central High School and Warren Harding High School lag behind.

At the other end, Bassick High School has the lowest graduation rate in the district at 64.7% and the highest chronic absenteeism at 50.5%. Cesar Batalla School, James J. Curiale School, and Wilbur Cross School rank near the bottom of the state, with multiple grade-level test cells at 0% proficiency despite some spending above the $13,793 district average. Math is the weakest subject districtwide — just 9.4% of 5th graders are proficient versus 45.8% statewide. Chronic absenteeism is the clearest differentiator: the best schools all have absenteeism below 15%, while the worst exceed 40%. Higher spending does not guarantee better outcomes, and the magnet-versus-traditional divide suggests school structure and climate matter enormously. Reducing absenteeism and strengthening math instruction should be top priorities.