Redding School District

The Redding School District in Connecticut is a small, exceptionally high-performing district made up of two schools — Redding Elementary School (grades PK–4, 471 students) and John Read Middle School (grades 5–8, 381 students) — with no high school, meaning students move on after 8th grade. Both schools earn 5 out of 5 stars, and the district ranks 8th out of 153 districts statewide, placing it in the 95th percentile for Connecticut.

Redding Elementary School ranks 18th out of 491 elementary schools (96th percentile) and has improved dramatically from #50 to #18 over three years. It shines brightest in early math: 89.5% of 3rd graders are proficient in math versus 52.2% statewide, and 3rd grade ELA proficiency is 86.8% versus 47.3% statewide. Its chronic absenteeism rate is just 4.9%. John Read Middle School ranks 19th out of 258 middle schools (93rd percentile), with outstanding science results — 83.3% proficiency in 5th grade and 81.5% in 8th grade, about 30 points above the state average. While the middle school’s math proficiency averages near 73% versus 44% statewide, its lowest area is 6th grade math at 68.6%, and 7th grade ELA at 71.3% is its softest spot. Still, every subject and grade level remains far above Connecticut averages.

The district’s success is supported by very low chronic absenteeism (4.9% elementary, 6.1% middle, versus 16.4% statewide), low free/reduced lunch rates (7.2% and 11.3%), and strong resources — roughly $25,000 in spending per student and a 10:1 student-teacher ratio at both schools. Because there is no high school in the district, students leave after 8th grade, so the data reflects only the elementary and middle years. Even the “weakest” grades remain well above state norms, making this a consistently excellent district for families seeking a strong early academic foundation in an affluent, well-supported community.