Summary:
The Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) district in Connecticut is home to 10 public magnet elementary schools serving grades ranging from pre-K to 8th. These schools vary in size, from 118 students at the smallest to 856 students at the largest, and exhibit a range of academic performance levels.
Two schools stand out for their strong academic achievement: Discovery Academy and Montessori Magnet School. Discovery Academy's 3rd-5th grade students score significantly above the CREC district and state averages in both English Language Arts and Mathematics, with 49.2% of 3rd graders proficient or better in Math compared to 33% for the CREC district and 52.2% for the state. Montessori Magnet School also demonstrates high performance, particularly in 3rd and 5th grades, with 42.1% of 3rd graders proficient or better in both ELA and Math, and 48.9% proficient or better in 5th grade Science. While not the top performers, schools like Academy of Aerospace and Engineering Elementary have consistently higher test scores than the CREC district average.
However, the data also reveals significant challenges facing the CREC elementary schools. All schools had a chronic absenteeism rate of 17.7% in 2023-2024, higher than the state average. Additionally, the schools range from 46.39% to 62.38% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high proportion of economically disadvantaged students. The wide range in per-student spending, from $17,067 to $22,853, suggests potential funding inequities that may contribute to the performance gaps between schools. Overall, the CREC elementary schools demonstrate a mix of academic success and areas for improvement, highlighting the need to address chronic absenteeism, socioeconomic challenges, and funding disparities to ensure equitable educational outcomes for all students.
Thank you for your feedback!