Summary:
The Cheshire School District is home to one middle school, Dodd Middle School, which serves grades 7 and 8 with an enrollment of 660 students. Dodd Middle School is a standout performer, ranked 13th out of 258 Connecticut middle schools for both 2024-2025 and 2025-2026, placing it in the 95th percentile with a 5-star rating. The school also improved significantly from a rank of 27th in 2023-2024, showing sustained academic progress. The Cheshire School District itself ranks 16th out of 153 districts statewide, reflecting the strength of Dodd as its sole middle school.
Academically, Dodd Middle School dramatically outperforms state averages across all subjects. In 2025-2026, 7th-grade ELA proficiency was 83.1% compared to the state average of 52.2%, while 7th-grade math reached 75.9% versus the state's 44.1%. Eighth-grade scores were similarly strong, with ELA at 76.3%, math at 71.2%, and science at 77.2% — all well above state averages. Year-over-year trends show 7th-grade ELA improved by 3 points, while 8th-grade ELA declined by 3.1 points. A consistent grade-level gap favors 7th graders in both ELA and math, with the largest gap in ELA (6.8 points), suggesting the 8th-grade experience may warrant closer attention.
Dodd Middle School also stands out for its low chronic absenteeism rate of 9.0%, nearly half the state average of 16.4%, though slightly above the district's 8.4%. The school serves a relatively advantaged population, with 18.33% of students eligible for free/reduced lunch, and maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.5. With strong science outcomes, top-tier state rankings, and clear improvement over recent years, Dodd Middle School is an excellent choice for families seeking high-quality middle-level education in Cheshire.
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