Summary:
Preston School District, located in southeastern Connecticut, is served by a single elementary school, Preston Veterans' Memorial School, which enrolls 284 students in grades PK–5 and represents the district’s entire elementary program. This small school has shown remarkable academic growth, rising from the 48th percentile of Connecticut elementary schools in 2023–2024 to the 82nd percentile in 2025–2026, making it a standout performer within the state.
Parents will find that Preston Veterans' Memorial School excels in the early grades, with 3rd-grade SBAC proficiency rates far exceeding state averages: 81.6% proficient in English Language Arts versus 47.3% statewide, and 79.6% proficient in math versus 52.2% statewide. Fourth- and fifth-grade ELA scores also remain above state averages (62.2% and 75.0% respectively), though a notable red flag is the 2024–2025 5th-grade math score of 28.9% proficiency, well below the state’s 44.9%. No current-year 5th-grade math data was reported, so it is unclear if this weakness persists. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.9 and a relatively low free/reduced lunch eligibility rate of 28.17%, yet chronic absenteeism is a serious concern at 28.9%—about 76% higher than the state rate of 16.4%. Per-student spending is high at $19,562, likely supporting small class sizes and resources.
Since Preston Veterans' Memorial School is the only elementary school in Preston School District, school-level and district-level results are nearly identical—for example, 4th-grade ELA proficiency is 62.2% at both the school and district level. This means the school single-handedly drives the district’s elementary reputation. Overall, this is an improving, small school with strong early-grade academics, but families should keep an eye on attendance rates and upper-elementary math performance. If those issues are addressed, the school has strong potential to become one of Connecticut’s top elementary schools.
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