East Haven School District

East Haven School District in Connecticut serves about 2,833 students across 8 schools, including one high school, one middle school, and six elementary-level schools with varied grade spans from Pre-K through 8th grade. The district overall ranks in the 11th percentile statewide, but individual schools vary widely, and some are much stronger than the district ranking suggests.

At the secondary level, East Haven High School is a clear bright spot, ranking in the 47th percentile among Connecticut high schools with a 90.1% graduation rate and science proficiency that exceeds the state average. However, math is a major weakness there, with only 15.9% proficient versus 31.3% statewide. Joseph Melillo Middle School struggles more, with math scores consistently 10–15 points below state averages and chronic absenteeism above district and state rates. Among elementary schools, Dominick H. Ferrara School stands out as the best performer, ranking in the 32nd percentile and posting near-state scores in 3rd grade math and 4th grade ELA despite a high-poverty population. Momauguin School also impresses, particularly in 5th grade, where its ELA and science scores nearly match state averages—even though it has the district’s highest free/reduced lunch rate. By contrast, Grove J. Tuttle School is the lowest-ranked elementary school with current data, sitting in the 15th percentile and scoring below district averages in nearly every subject.

Chronic absenteeism is a mixed story. Carbone School/East Haven Academy posts an exceptional 8.2% chronic absenteeism rate—far below the district’s 15.2%—but this strong attendance has not translated into high test scores. Meanwhile, Deer Run School and Overbrook Early Learning Center lack test data due to their early-grade focus, making it hard to fully evaluate the youngest learners. The district’s fragmented structure—where students often switch buildings multiple times before middle school—adds another layer of complexity. Overall, the most urgent districtwide challenge is math proficiency, while science and strong attendance at certain schools offer promising foundations to build upon. Parents should look closely at individual schools, as the district’s low ranking masks several relative bright spots.