Regional School District 13

Regional School District 13 serves approximately 1,100 students across four schools in the Durham and Middlefield communities of Connecticut, with Frederick Brewster School (PK–1), John Lyman School (2–4), Frank Ward Strong School (5–8), and Coginchaug Regional High School (9–12). While the district as a whole ranks near the median of Connecticut districts with a 3-star rating, that overall picture masks significant variation: the high school and middle school are clear academic standouts, while the elementary schools present a mixed picture.

Coginchaug Regional High School is the district's crown jewel, ranking 23rd out of 133 Connecticut high schools with a 4-star rating. It posts exceptional proficiency rates — 77.5% in ELA and 74.2% in science, both roughly 20+ points above state averages — along with a 92.5% graduation rate, a low 8.7% chronic absenteeism rate, and a favorable 8.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Frank Ward Strong School also shines, particularly in English Language Arts, where all four grade levels (5–8) exceeded state averages; 7th grade ELA proficiency reached 72.4% versus 52.2% statewide. The school's state rank improved to 84th with a 4-star rating, and its chronic absenteeism is just 8.2%.

The two elementary schools tell a different story. Frederick Brewster School (PK–1) has no test data but boasts the district's second-lowest chronic absenteeism at 5.1%. John Lyman School (2–4) has the lowest absenteeism in the district at 4.0%, yet its state ranking has declined from the 76th to the 49th percentile over recent years, and math proficiency is a concern — 4th grade math sits at 44.8% versus 52.1% statewide. Frank Ward Strong School shows a similar math dip in 5th grade (35.4% vs. 45.8%), though math scores there improve markedly by 7th grade. Science is an overlooked strength across the district, and with low poverty rates, small class sizes, and excellent attendance district-wide, the foundation is in place to address these elementary math gaps.