Summary:
Groton School District in Connecticut operates five elementary magnet schools serving grades PK/K through 5, with a combined enrollment of 2,127 students and individual school sizes ranging from 339 to 520. The Groton School District ranks 105th of 153 Connecticut districts (31st percentile), earning a 2-star rating. Across the five elementary schools, state rankings range from the 36th to 64th percentile, chronic absenteeism averages 11.7%, and the average free/reduced lunch rate is 64.8%.
Northeast Academy Magnet School stands out as the district's top performer, ranking 178th in the state (64th percentile) with the highest ELA (61.2%) and math (61.8%) proficiency averages, the lowest chronic absenteeism at 6.9%, and the lowest poverty rate at 36.7%. At the opposite end, Mystic River Magnet School faces the biggest challenges with 17.3% chronic absenteeism, 81.35% free/reduced lunch eligibility, and the lowest math proficiency (40.8%). Charles Barnum Magnet School shows a concerning decline, falling from the 49th to 36th percentile over three years and posting just 32.8% for 4th-grade ELA proficiency. Thames River Magnet School (50th percentile) and Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School (51st percentile) sit in the middle, with Catherine Kolnaski achieving strong 5th-grade science results (66.1%) despite its 80.27% poverty rate.
Several key findings emerge. Poverty does not fully predict performance: Catherine Kolnaski thrives in science despite high poverty, while Charles Barnum struggles despite a moderate 51.33% poverty rate. Science is a relative strength district-wide, with several schools exceeding the state average of about 52.9%. Attendance aligns closely with achievement, as Northeast Academy's 6.9% absenteeism pairs with its top test scores. However, every elementary school has declined in state percentile since 2023-24, signaling a district-wide concern. Targeted support in ELA, math, and attendance could benefit all of Groton's elementary students.
Thank you for your feedback!