Elementary Schools in Windsor School District

The Windsor School District is home to 4 elementary schools serving a combined 1,394 students across two grade configurations: primary schools (PK-2) and upper elementary schools (3-5). The district overall ranks in the 20th percentile with a 1-star rating, but its two tested 3-5 schools earn 2-star ratings and rank in the 30th–36th percentile statewide. All four schools serve relatively high-poverty populations, with free/reduced-price lunch eligibility between 45.6% and 52.2%, while per-pupil spending is high, ranging from $19,851 to $22,378. A notable district-wide strength is attendance: every school has chronic absenteeism rates well below the district (14.3%) and state (16.4%) averages.

Among the individual schools, Poquonock Elementary School stands out for exceptional attendance, with just 5.2% chronic absenteeism — roughly one-third the district average. John F. Kennedy School, the largest elementary school with 412 students, posts the strongest overall SBAC performance among tested schools, including the highest single-grade result in the district: 49.6% proficiency in 5th-grade ELA. Clover Street School spends the most per student ($22,378) and has the lowest student-teacher ratio (9.7), yet records the lowest combined SBAC proficiency — likely reflecting its highest-need population. Oliver Ellsworth School spends the least per student ($19,851) but still maintains strong attendance at 9.4% chronic absenteeism.

Parents should note a clear academic pattern: math proficiency declines sharply from 3rd to 5th grade at both tested schools. At JFK, math drops from 42.7% to 29.9%; at Clover Street, it falls from 48.6% to 23.3%. Reading trajectories differ — JFK improves steadily in ELA from 36.8% to 49.6%, while Clover Street starts strong (49.1%) but fades to 36.0% by 5th grade. Both tested schools also saw combined proficiency decline slightly year-over-year. With roughly half of all elementary students eligible for free/reduced lunch, economic need is a central factor, but higher spending at Clover Street does not translate into higher test scores compared to JFK. Overall, Windsor’s elementary schools show strong attendance and high investment, but the consistent drop in upper-grade math proficiency is the clearest area for instructional attention.