Essex School District

The Essex School District contains a single school, Essex Elementary School in Centerbrook, CT, serving grades PK–6 with 307 students. Essex Elementary consistently outperforms Connecticut state averages in nearly every reported grade and subject. In 2025-2026, 6th grade ELA proficiency was 73.8% versus the state's 51.2%, and 3rd grade math was 73.0% versus 52.2%. In 2024-2025, 5th grade science reached 73.2% versus 52.2% statewide. Across all reported tests, the school averaged roughly 67% proficiency in both recent years, compared to about 49% to 52% for the state.

Despite these strong results, the school's statewide ranking has slipped — from 115th of 497 schools (77th percentile, 4 stars) in 2023-2024, to 121st of 493 (75th percentile, 4 stars) in 2024-2025, to 151st of 491 (69th percentile, 3 stars) in 2025-2026. This decline contradicts the test-score picture. With only 307 students, grade cohorts are small, so a few students can swing results noticeably; for example, 4th grade ELA fell from 65.6% to 58.3% while 6th grade ELA rose from 61.0% to 73.8% year over year. The ranking shift likely reflects cohort variation and changing comparison dynamics rather than a dramatic drop in learning.

Attendance is a major strength: the district's chronic absenteeism rate was just 5.8% in 2025-2026 versus 16.4% statewide, and the school's last reported rate was 4.6%. About 21% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and per-student spending was a high $23,127, though that figure dates to 2018-2019. Data gaps remain — the student/teacher ratio is unreported and several 2025-2026 math results are missing — but the overall picture is of a well-resourced, well-attended school with sustained academic strength. Families should expect strong outcomes, while keeping an eye on the state ranking trend in the years ahead.