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Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School

Q: Is Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School a good school?

Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School ranks 242 nd of 491 Connecticut elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Magnet Grades K-5

242^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 491 Connecticut Elementary Schools

Better than 51% of Connecticut elementary schools

Summary

Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School is an elementary magnet school in Groton, CT, that serves 375 students in grades K-5 and is part of the Groton School District. Despite its district ranking in the lower half of Connecticut, the school stands well apart from its peers: in the 2025-2026 school year it earned a 3-star rating, placed 242nd of 491 schools statewide (51st percentile), and ranks as the top Groton elementary school — ahead of Thames River Magnet School, Charles Barnum Magnet School, and Mystic River Magnet School. The only nearby schools ranked higher are Quaker Hill Elementary School and Great Neck Elementary School in the Waterford School District.

Academically, Catherine Kolnaski exceeds state proficiency averages in most subjects. In 2025-2026, 3rd grade ELA reached 50.9% proficiency (47.3% statewide), 4th grade ELA reached 56.1% (50.9% statewide), and 3rd grade math hit 58.2% (52.2% statewide). The school also posted the strongest 3rd and 4th grade math scores among Groton elementary schools. Science is a particular strength: 5th grade science proficiency has stayed above 66% for three consecutive years, running roughly 13-16 points above the state average. A 5th grade dip in ELA and math is worth watching, but those scores landed near state averages and the same cohort excelled in science, suggesting a class-specific pattern rather than a school-wide concern.

Attendance and equity are bright spots. Chronic absenteeism fell from 31.6% in 2021-2022 to just 9.8% in 2025-2026, well below the district (16.5%) and state (16.4%). The school is especially effective with economically disadvantaged students — it ranks 15th of 69 schools statewide for low-SES students with a 4-star rating — which matters deeply given that about 80% of its students qualify for free/reduced lunch. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.9 and per-student spending around $16,180, these results come from resources typical of its district, not extraordinary funding. The school has also climbed from the 28th percentile in 2015-2016 to the 51st percentile today — a steady upward trajectory worth noting.

375

Students ?

11.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$21,873

Per pupil spending ?

80.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

500 Poquonnock Rd.
Groton, CT 06340

(860) 449-5608

District: Groton School District

Students who attend Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School usually attend:

Middle:	Groton Middle School
High:	Robert E. Fitch High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

38.4%

Hispanic:

30.4%

Two or more races:

17.9%

See top rated Connecticut elementary schools

Compare Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 28th percentile in 2016 → 51st in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 23 percentile points since 2016

✓Above the Connecticut median (51st percentile)

✓Small classes — about 12 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 avg52%

Connecticut avg51%

242^nd of 491

Connecticut public elementary schools ?

Top 49%▲ up 23 pts since 2016

From bottom 28% (2016) to top 49% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Connecticut Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 5Elementary Schools in the Groton School District

105^th of 153Groton 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)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2026	54.5	242 of 491	50.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	53.5	242 of 493	50.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	56.4	220 of 497	55.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	33.3	309 of 491	37.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	47.2	261 of 490	46.7%	★★☆☆☆
2021	43.5	287 of 538	46.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	45.1	290 of 522	44.4%	★★☆☆☆
2018	36.3	342 of 532	35.7%	★★☆☆☆
2017	35.6	336 of 519	35.3%	★★☆☆☆
2016	26.9	375 of 518	27.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	33.2	388 of 551	29.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	20.7	471 of 557	15.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	29.8	450 of 564	20.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	30.7	449 of 565	20.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	38.9	428 of 579	26.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2026	41.5	137 of 225	39.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	39.7	258 of 455	43.3%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2023	68.5	20 of 108	81.5%	★★★★☆
2021	62.1	52 of 173	69.9%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2026	70.1	15 of 69	78.3%	★★★★☆
2021	66.3	75 of 302	75.2%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2026	37.0	155 of 232	33.2%	★★☆☆☆
2021	39.5	254 of 445	42.9%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2021	59.6	128 of 371	65.5%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2026	51.1	150 of 246	39.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	33.2	192 of 248	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

Hispanic (2023)81st percentile+44 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)78th percentile+28 vs school

Special Education (2021)65th percentile+19 vs school

Female (2026)39th percentile-12 vs school

White (2026)39th percentile-12 vs school

Male (2026)33rd percentile-18 vs school

By subject vs Connecticut (2025-2026) ?

Science66%+13 vs state

Mathematics53%+3 vs state

English Language Arts52%~ state avg

★

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Schools Near Catherine Kolnaski Magnet 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/Discounted Lunch Recipients	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	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 Mathematics 3rd Grade	SBAC Mathematics 4th Grade	SBAC Mathematics 5th Grade	SBAC Mathematics 6th Grade	Total
Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School	Public, Magnet	K-5	500 Poquonnock Rd.	Groton	06340	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Groton School District	No	Yes	No	Yes	(860) 449-5608	375	31	11.9	80.3%	144 (38.4%)	18 (4.8%)	114 (30.4%)	30 (8.0%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	67 (17.9%)	54.5	242^nd of 491 public elementary schools	50.7%		53.5	242^nd of 493 public elementary schools	50.9%		66.1	50.9	56.1	50.0		58.2	54.4	46.4		$21,873
Thames River Magnet School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	250 Brandegee Avenue	Groton	06340	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Groton School District	No	Yes	No	No	(860) 980-8230	501	41	12.2	74.3%	200 (39.9%)	48 (9.6%)	127 (25.3%)	39 (7.8%)	5 (1.0%)	1 (0.2%)	81 (16.2%)	52.8	247^th of 491 public elementary schools	49.7%		51.5	247^th of 493 public elementary schools	49.9%			54.1	49.2	61.2		53.2	48.3	53.7		$22,566
Regional Multicultural Magnet School	Public, Magnet	1-6	1 Bulkeley Place	New London	06320	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Learn	No	Yes	No	Yes	(860) 437-7775	469	35	13.5	70.6%	88 (18.8%)	43 (9.2%)	264 (56.3%)	6 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	68 (14.5%)	17.7	384^th of 491 public elementary schools	21.8%		21.8	363^rd of 493 public elementary schools	26.4%	21	31.7	26.6	36.5	41.3	38.3	29.1	24.3	20.6	25.5	$19,820
C.B. Jennings International Elementary Magnet	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	50 Mercer Street	New London	06320	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	New London School District	No	Yes	No	Yes	(860) 447-6050	406	43	9.4	91.6%	26 (6.4%)	81 (20.0%)	266 (65.5%)	3 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	28 (6.9%)	4.1	487^th of 491 public elementary schools	0.8%		4.6	486^th of 493 public elementary schools	1.4%	1	21.3	11.8	13.6	17.0		10.4	10.6			$26,349
Winthrop STEM Elementary Magnet School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	74 Grove Street	New London	06320	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	New London School District	No	Yes	No	Yes	(860) 447-6070	449	42	10.8	73.9%	74 (16.5%)	75 (16.7%)	243 (54.1%)	5 (1.1%)	4 (0.9%)	1 (0.2%)	47 (10.5%)	15.1	398^th of 491 public elementary schools	18.9%		22.8	355^th of 493 public elementary schools	28.0%	43	33.9	29.7	22.9	27.9		38.4	25.7	19.7		$23,813
Charles Barnum Magnet School	Public	K-5	68 Briar Hill Rd.	Groton	06340	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Groton School District	No	No	No	No	(860) 449-5640	339	29	11.7	51.3%	174 (51.3%)	24 (7.1%)	93 (27.4%)	8 (2.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	39 (11.5%)	34.4	315^th of 491 public elementary schools	35.8%		37.5	295^th of 493 public elementary schools	40.2%	20		45.2	32.8	46.8		50.0		44.7		$22,716
Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	37 Beech Drive	New London	06320	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	New London School District	No	Yes	No	Yes	(860) 447-6060	445	56	8.0	77.1%	69 (15.5%)	61 (13.7%)	242 (54.4%)	8 (1.8%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	63 (14.2%)	7.6	453^rd of 491 public elementary schools	7.7%		7	469^th of 493 public elementary schools	4.9%	16	31.4	18.5	17.7	27.5		14.8		11.8		$25,644
Mystic River Magnet School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	160 Fishtown Rd	Mystic	06355	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Groton School District	No	Yes	No	No	(860) 980-8300	520	44	11.9	81.3%	224 (43.1%)	38 (7.3%)	160 (30.8%)	35 (6.7%)	3 (0.6%)	2 (0.4%)	58 (11.2%)	34.4	316^th of 491 public elementary schools	35.6%		34.6	307^th of 493 public elementary schools	37.7%	9	47.8	37.5	50.7	41.8		43.1	45.1	34.3		$23,852
The Friendship School	Public, Magnet	PK-K	24 Rope Ferry Rd.	Waterford	06385	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Learn	No	Yes	No	Yes	(860) 447-4049	460	26	17.6	66.7%	138 (30.0%)	50 (10.9%)	195 (42.4%)	11 (2.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	65 (14.1%)								(n/a)										$18,767
Great Neck Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	165 Great Neck Rd.	Waterford	06385	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Waterford School District	No	No	No	Yes	(860) 442-2593	309	30	10.2	29.1%	220 (71.2%)	4 (1.3%)	51 (16.5%)	5 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.0%)	26 (8.4%)	56.9	231^st of 491 public elementary schools	53.0%		65.8	199^th of 493 public elementary schools	59.6%	32			40.6	66.7			54.7	63.3		$25,350

Frequently Asked Questions about Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School

How many students attend Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 375 students attended Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School.

Is Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School a good school?

Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School ranks 242^nd of 491 Connecticut elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School in?

Groton School District

What is the racial makeup of Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School?

Students at Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School are 38% White, 30% Hispanic, 18% Two or more races, 8% Asian, 5% African American.

What schools do graduates of Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School attend?

Students who attend Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Groton Middle School
High : Robert E. Fitch High School

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Latest Connecticut data All new data »

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

2025–26 NGSS, SAT & SBAC test scoresNewAug 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.