Sherman School

Sherman School is a K–5 elementary school in Fairfield, CT, serving 385 students in the Fairfield School District. It is one of Connecticut's premier elementary schools: ranked #15 out of 491 schools statewide (97th percentile, 5 stars) for 2025–2026, Sherman has spent multiple years in the top 10 and has not fallen below the 93rd percentile since 2018–2019. Academically, math stands out most: roughly 91% of 3rd–5th graders scored proficient on the latest SBAC, about 40 points above the state average in some grades. ELA proficiency hovers around 83%, with a single 5th-grade cohort dipping to 75.4% after the same grade posted scores above 93% in each of the two previous years.

Sherman leads an already strong cluster of Fairfield elementary schools. It outranks Riverfield School, Osborn Hill School, Mill Hill School, and Holland Hill School — all in the same district — and its math proficiency runs about 10 points higher than its closest peers. Cross the town line into the Bridgeport School District, and the contrast sharpens: Black Rock School, Cesar Batalla School, and Geraldine Claytor Magnet Academy all rank in or below the 25th percentile, while Sherman sits at the 97th. Sherman also posts a chronic absenteeism rate of just 5.7%, less than half the 16.4% statewide rate and far below rates reported at nearby Bridgeport schools.

Sherman's effectiveness also extends across student subgroups: it ranks #3 in Connecticut for outcomes among male students and #20 among female students. Interestingly, the school posted those results while spending less than most of its same-district neighbors in the most recent data available: roughly $15,803 per student, compared with $16,700–$18,400 at several comparable Fairfield elementary schools. For parents, Sherman represents a rare combination of elite academics, consistent year-over-year performance, and efficient use of resources.