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Horace W. Porter School

Q: Is Horace W. Porter School a good school?

Horace W. Porter School ranks 219 th of 492 Connecticut elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-8

219^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 492 Connecticut Elementary Schools

Better than 55% of Connecticut elementary schools

Summary

Horace W. Porter School serves 440 students in grades PK–8 in Columbia, CT, and is the only school in the Columbia School District, which ranks in the middle of Connecticut districts. The school itself holds a solidly average-to-slightly-above-average position statewide, ranking 219th out of 491 schools (55th percentile) in 2025–2026, with a stable decade-long record hovering between the 48th and 61st percentiles. Porter is well-resourced: its student-teacher ratio of 9.8 is the lowest among nearby schools, and per-pupil spending of $21,347 is second only to Andover Elementary School among its neighbors.

Academically, Porter shows clear bright spots and a few soft spots. Third grade math proficiency is strong at 71.7% compared to 52.2% statewide, 7th grade math reaches 60.4%, and 5th grade science hits 69.0%. Middle school performance is a quiet strength. However, 4th grade ELA has lagged the state for three of the past four years, with 46.2% proficient in 2025–2026, and 5th grade math (41.9%) also trails the state average. Compared to nearby schools, Porter significantly outperforms the Windham-area schools — Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy, Natchaug School, and W. B. Sweeney School — in subjects like 3rd grade math (71.7% vs. 39.0% and 24.3%). Against stronger neighbors, though, Porter trails: its 4th grade ELA is well below Andover Elementary School (76.5%), Mansfield Elementary School (77.1%), and George Hersey Robertson School (78.0%), even though its 3rd grade math is competitive.

Porter's chronic absenteeism is notably low at 7.5% vs. 17.2% statewide, and about 22% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a much lower share than at nearby Windham schools. The school is stable but not improving — its ranking has not broken into Connecticut's upper tier despite high spending and small classes, suggesting resources alone aren't translating into top-tier scores. For parents, Porter offers a well-funded, tightly knit PK–8 environment with strong early math and middle school academics, but uneven ELA and math results in upper elementary grades are worth watching.

440

Students ?

9.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

22.0%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

3 Schoolhouse Road
Columbia, CT 06237

(860) 228-9493

District: Columbia School District

Racial breakdown:

White:

83.4%

Hispanic:

10.7%

Two or more races:

4.5%

See top rated Connecticut elementary schools

Compare Horace W. Porter School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 54th percentile in 2016 → 55th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Connecticut average (55% vs 49% meeting standards)

✓Above the Connecticut median (55th percentile)

✓Small classes — about 10 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school55%

District avg55%

Connecticut avg49%

Elementary school

219^th of 492

Connecticut public elementary schools ?

Top 45%▲ up 1 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Connecticut Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

101^st of 258

Connecticut public middle schools ?

Top 39%▼ down 14 pts since 2016

From top 25% (2016) to top 39% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Connecticut Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

92^nd of 153Columbia School District among Connecticut districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2026	60.8	219 of 492	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	46.6	258 of 493	47.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	52.5	239 of 497	51.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	48.0	250 of 491	49.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	59.6	207 of 490	57.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	45.7	279 of 538	48.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	62.5	213 of 522	59.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	62.9	222 of 532	58.3%	★★★☆☆
2017	62.2	203 of 519	60.9%	★★★☆☆
2016	56.6	237 of 518	54.2%	★★★☆☆
2015	66.5	211 of 551	61.7%	★★★☆☆
2013	72.9	186 of 557	66.6%	★★★☆☆
2012	74.3	169 of 564	70.0%	★★★★☆
2011	72.0	196 of 565	65.3%	★★★☆☆
2010	68.6	240 of 579	58.5%	★★★☆☆
2009	62.1	295 of 566	47.9%	★★☆☆☆
2008	62.6	287 of 565	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2007	51.5	354 of 568	37.7%	★★☆☆☆
2006	54.6	337 of 570	40.9%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2021	37.1	268 of 455	41.1%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2026	66.2	107 of 234	54.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	50.5	220 of 445	50.6%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2026	32.0	197 of 246	19.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	16.7	223 of 248	10.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	21.2	211 of 250	15.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	18.7	232 of 262	11.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	19.5	229 of 252	9.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	14.5	296 of 327	9.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	37.1	212 of 295	28.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	49.7	171 of 296	42.2%	★★☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2026	60.3	101 of 258	60.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	58.9	98 of 252	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	62.3	92 of 250	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	48.9	123 of 249	50.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	50.4	112 of 250	55.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	48.6	132 of 275	52.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	65.8	98 of 259	62.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	61.4	111 of 249	55.4%	★★★☆☆
2017	57.2	107 of 250	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2016	76.3	61 of 246	75.2%	★★★★☆
2015	78.9	67 of 280	76.1%	★★★★☆
2013	80.0	33 of 278	88.1%	★★★★☆
2012	72.2	96 of 272	64.7%	★★★☆☆
2011	74.4	75 of 269	72.1%	★★★★☆
2010	66.6	115 of 268	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2009	65.6	118 of 255	53.7%	★★★☆☆
2008	71.7	90 of 252	64.3%	★★★☆☆
2007	63.6	116 of 250	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2006	61.2	120 of 248	51.6%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2021	45.2	118 of 224	47.3%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2026	30.9	107 of 150	28.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	26.6	113 of 153	26.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	35.9	100 of 154	35.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	30.4	128 of 175	26.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	50.2	85 of 166	48.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	44.2	98 of 168	41.7%	★★☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

Male (2026)54th percentile~ school

Female (2021)41st percentile-7 vs school

White (2026)20th percentile-36 vs school

Middle school

Male (2021)47th percentile-5 vs school

White (2026)29th percentile-32 vs school

By subject vs Connecticut (2025-2026) ?

Science69%+17 vs state

English Language Arts56%+5 vs state

Mathematics52%+5 vs state

5.0

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Schools Near Horace W. Porter School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				NGSS Science (2026)		SBAC English Language Arts (2026)						SBAC Mathematics (2026)						Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	NGSS Science 5th Grade	NGSS Science 8th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 3rd Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 4th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 5th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 6th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 7th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 8th Grade	SBAC Mathematics 3rd Grade	SBAC Mathematics 4th Grade	SBAC Mathematics 5th Grade	SBAC Mathematics 6th Grade	SBAC Mathematics 7th Grade	SBAC Mathematics 8th Grade	Total
Horace W. Porter School	Public	PK, KG-8	3 Schoolhouse Road	Columbia	06237	Capitol Planning Region	Columbia School District	No	No	No	Yes	(860) 228-9493	440	45	9.8	22.0%	367 (83.4%)	2 (0.5%)	47 (10.7%)	2 (0.5%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (4.5%)	60.8	219^th of 492 public elementary schools	55.5%		46.6	258^th of 493 public elementary schools	47.7%	39	69.0	808.0	62.3	46.2	58.1	58.2	54.2	2584.0	71.7	2495.0	41.9	45.5	60.4	40.7	$24,686
Andover Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	35 School Rd.	Andover	06232	Capitol Planning Region	Andover School District	No	No	No	No	(860) 742-7339	239	22	10.7	28.0%	203 (84.9%)	2 (0.8%)	27 (11.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.9%)	83.4	82^nd of 492 public elementary schools	83.3%		74.3	151^st of 493 public elementary schools	69.4%	69	506.0		2443.0	76.5	68.0	2595.0			76.0	79.4	2523.0	2596.0			$19,205
George Hersey Robertson School	Public	3-5	227 Cross Street	Coventry	06238	Capitol Planning Region	Coventry School District	No	No	No	No	(860) 742-7341	370	30	12.5	26.5%	316 (85.4%)	3 (0.8%)	27 (7.3%)	4 (1.1%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (5.1%)	77.3	129^th of 492 public elementary schools	73.8%		79.6	113^th of 493 public elementary schools	77.1%	16	79.5		50.4	78.0	77.8				63.2	64.2	76.2				$16,429
W. B. Sweeney School	Public	K-4	60 Oak Hill Dr.	Willimantic	06226	Capitol Planning Region	Windham School District	No	No	No	Yes	(860) 465-2420	212	21	10.0	84.4%	35 (16.5%)	11 (5.2%)	158 (74.5%)	3 (1.4%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.9%)								(n/a)			2342.0	18.4					2374.0	18.9					$25,537
Hebron Elementary School	Public	3-6	92 Church St.	Hebron	06248	Capitol Planning Region	Hebron School District	No	No	No	Yes	(860) 228-9465	364	33	11.0	16.8%	323 (88.7%)	5 (1.4%)	15 (4.1%)	7 (1.9%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (3.3%)	76.8	137^th of 492 public elementary schools	72.2%		77	130^th of 493 public elementary schools	73.6%	7	65.2		59.8	65.3	75.0	75.6			66.3	60.0	67.4	74.4			$20,038
Natchaug School	Public	K-4	123 Jackson St.	Willimantic	06226	Capitol Planning Region	Windham School District	No	No	No	Yes	(860) 465-2380	234	23	10.1	72.6%	26 (11.1%)	12 (5.1%)	186 (79.5%)	5 (2.1%)	1 (0.4%)	1 (0.4%)	3 (1.3%)	7.9	451^st of 492 public elementary schools	8.3%		10.8	427^th of 493 public elementary schools	13.4%	24			16.2	2375.0					24.3	18.8					$22,384
Gilead Hill School	Public	PK, KG-2	580 Gilead St.	Hebron	06248	Capitol Planning Region	Hebron School District	No	No	No	Yes	(860) 228-9458	317	29	11.1	17.7%	275 (86.8%)	1 (0.3%)	20 (6.3%)	3 (0.9%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (5.0%)								(n/a)															$21,890
Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy	Public, Magnet	K-8	141 Tuckie Road	North Windham	06256	Capitol Planning Region	Windham School District	No	Yes	No	Yes	(860) 465-2610	535	47	11.3	48.2%	236 (44.1%)	10 (1.9%)	261 (48.8%)	5 (0.9%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (3.9%)	26.7	346^th of 492 public elementary schools	29.7%		45.8	261^st of 493 public elementary schools	47.1%	85	68.3	59.0	20.3	41.3	48.3	40.3	47.5	54.1	39.0	42.9	33.3	23.9	2520.0	34.4	$21,568
Lebanon Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	479 Exeter Rd.	Lebanon	06249	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Lebanon School District	No	No	No	No	(860) 642-7593	366	31	11.9	25.4%	308 (84.2%)	4 (1.1%)	37 (10.1%)	6 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (3.0%)	74.1	153^rd of 492 public elementary schools	68.9%		64.8	203^rd of 493 public elementary schools	58.8%	50			68.9	68.3					62.3	2498.0					$21,715
Coventry Grammar School	Public	K-2	3453 Main Street	Coventry	06238	Capitol Planning Region	Coventry School District	No	No	No	Yes	(860) 742-7313	361	29	12.3	31.3%	308 (85.3%)	5 (1.4%)	31 (8.6%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (4.2%)								(n/a)															$17,860

Frequently Asked Questions about Horace W. Porter School

What is the racial makeup of Horace W. Porter School?

Students at Horace W. Porter School are 83% White, 11% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races.

What district is Horace W. Porter School in?

Columbia School District

How many students attend Horace W. Porter School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 440 students attended Horace W. Porter School.

Is Horace W. Porter School a good school?

Horace W. Porter School ranks 219^th of 492 Connecticut elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

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Latest Connecticut data All new data »

2024–25 through 2025–26 attendance data & graduation ratesAug 31, 2026

2025–26 NGSS, SAT & SBAC test scoresAug 31, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataApr 2, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataNov 6, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Connecticut Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.