New Haven School District

The New Haven School District serves approximately 17,464 students across 35 schools — 25 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 9 high schools — and is ranked 143rd out of 153 Connecticut districts, placing it in the 7th percentile statewide.

The district is not uniformly low-performing, however. Engineering – Science University Magnet School (ESUMS) is the clear academic standout, ranking in the 69th percentile among high schools with a 98.8% graduation rate and proficiency rates that exceed state averages in ELA, math, and science. Worthington Hooker School is the top elementary school, ranking in the 75th percentile with the district's lowest chronic absenteeism rate (6.5%) and strongest test scores. Sound School achieves a 96.1% graduation rate with the district's lowest student-teacher ratio (8.3:1), while Hill Regional Career High School has jumped from the 10th to 35th percentile in three years. Mauro-Sheridan Magnet School proves high-poverty schools can succeed, matching state averages in several subjects despite a 70.95% FRPL rate.

At the other end of the spectrum, Fair Haven School ranks 490th of 491 elementary schools, and Clinton Avenue School recorded 0% proficiency in 8th grade math. Chronic absenteeism is a district-wide crisis at 30.6% — nearly double the state rate — with 31 of 35 schools exceeding the state average. Math is the weakest subject district-wide, with SAT math proficiency at just 13.9% compared to 30.7% in ELA. High spending doesn't guarantee results: High School In The Community spends the most per pupil ($20,017) but has 47.7% chronic absenteeism, while Worthington Hooker spends below the district average and achieves the best outcomes. The district's three priorities should be reducing absenteeism, strengthening math instruction, and learning from its few high-performing outlier schools.