Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

New rankings! SchoolDigger recently updated its Connecticut rankings with newly released test scores for the 2025-26 school year.

Be the first to know when we post new rankings!

Wilbur Cross High School

Public Grades 9-12

119^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 135 Connecticut High Schools

Better than 12% of Connecticut high schools

Summary

Wilbur Cross High School is a large traditional public high school in New Haven, CT, serving 1,742 students in grades 9–12. It is the largest high school in its comparison group and serves a high-poverty community, with about 76% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The school currently ranks 119th out of 133 Connecticut high schools, placing it in the 11th percentile—a notable improvement from last year's 135th-place ranking, but still well below state averages on nearly every measure.

The biggest concerns for parents are graduation, attendance, and academics. Wilbur Cross High School has a graduation rate of 74.6%, well below the state average of 91.2% and the New Haven School District average of 79.9%. Among nearby schools, only James Hillhouse High School graduates a lower share of students (69.1%). Sound School, Eli Whitney Technical High School, and Cooperative High School all graduate more than 93% of students. Chronic absenteeism affects 47.8% of students at the school—about three times the state average of 16.4%. State test results show 22.9% proficiency in ELA, 12.1% in math, and 22.0% in science, all well below state averages. The good news: these numbers have improved recently. Math proficiency rose from 8.3% to 12.1%, science from 13.8% to 22.0%, and the graduation rate jumped by more than 6 percentage points.

Wilbur Cross High School spends about $15,850 per student, among the lowest in the area despite serving one of the highest-need student populations. Hamden High School spends about $22,737 per student, and High School In The Community spends about $20,017. Class sizes are larger too, with a student-teacher ratio of 13.6 compared with 8.3 at Sound School and 9.9 at Common Ground High School. The school has seen real momentum, including strong support for English Learners compared with similar schools statewide. However, low-income students rank near the bottom compared with their peers at other Connecticut schools, showing that gains have not yet reached all groups. Taken together, the picture is of a school in transition—improving but still facing serious structural challenges.

1,742

Students ?

13.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$19,455

Per pupil spending ?

75.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

181 Mitchell Dr.
New Haven, CT 06511

(475) 220-7400

District: New Haven School District

Feeder schools for Wilbur Cross High School:

Elementary:	Bishop Woods Architecture and Design Magnet School
	Clinton Avenue School
	East Rock Community Magnet School
	Fair Haven School
	More...
	Hill Central Music Academy
	John C. Daniels
	John S. Martinez Sea and Sky STEM School
	Nathan Hale School
	Ross/Woodward School
	Truman School
	Worthington Hooker School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

66.6%

African American:

19.1%

White:

9.0%

See top rated Connecticut high schools

Compare Wilbur Cross High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 12th percentile in 2016 → 12th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Connecticut average (19% vs 46% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (12th percentile)

!Graduation rate below the Connecticut average (75% vs 91%)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school19%

District avg24%

Connecticut avg46%

119^th of 135

Connecticut public high schools ?

Bottom 12%▬ steady since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Connecticut High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

5^th of 7High Schools in the New Haven School District

143^rd of 153New Haven 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	12.9	119 of 135	11.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	7.8	135 of 141	4.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	11.5	126 of 145	13.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	13.8	117 of 142	17.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	10.7	126 of 139	9.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	17.2	164 of 200	18.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	8.7	113 of 121	6.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	15.9	110 of 121	9.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	13.3	124 of 140	11.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	11.6	116 of 132	12.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	11.7	179 of 196	8.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	3.5	179 of 193	7.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	3.1	178 of 188	5.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	11.3	170 of 189	10.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	6.2	172 of 186	7.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2009	2.1	170 of 176	3.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2008	2.6	168 of 176	4.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2007	3.9	165 of 176	6.3%	☆☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2025	19.1	29 of 31	6.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	16.3	24 of 25	4.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	17.9	53 of 58	8.6%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2022	0.0	11 of 17	35.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	0.0	1 of 10	90.0%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2026	13.9	93 of 111	16.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	6.4	104 of 104	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	11.0	91 of 102	10.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	6.1	96 of 103	6.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	8.5	95 of 106	10.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	15.8	160 of 189	15.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	16.4	73 of 79	7.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2026	20.0	58 of 67	13.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	13.0	62 of 63	1.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	21.6	53 of 63	15.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	20.2	55 of 63	12.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	18.5	50 of 59	15.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	22.6	85 of 104	18.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	29.1	15 of 18	16.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2026	14.8	63 of 69	8.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	7.7	70 of 70	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	12.2	66 of 70	5.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	7.5	63 of 63	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	19.3	128 of 155	17.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2026	15.4	95 of 115	17.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	7.3	106 of 111	4.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	7.5	94 of 100	6.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	14.2	85 of 100	15.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	7.9	96 of 102	5.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	17.2	151 of 182	17.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	7.9	75 of 78	3.8%	☆☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2021	17.0	148 of 175	15.4%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2024	26.0	91 of 116	21.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	60.4	62 of 155	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	10.6	109 of 113	3.5%	☆☆☆☆☆

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)

English Language Learner (2022)35th percentile+26 vs school

White (2024)22nd percentile+8 vs school

Male (2026)17th percentile+6 vs school

Female (2026)16th percentile+4 vs school

Special Education (2021)15th percentile-3 vs school

Hispanic (2026)13th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)9th percentile-3 vs school

African American (2025)6th percentile~ school

By subject vs Connecticut (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts23%-32 vs state

Science22%-28 vs state

Math12%-19 vs state

4.0

1 rating · 1 written review

5★0

4★1

3★0

2★0

1★0

Rate Wilbur Cross High School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a student
Saturday, October 24, 2009

Wonderful school especially because I entered in my senior year from a private school. This school has great diversity and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a great community and school spirit! Close Quote

Schools Near Wilbur Cross High School

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

School	Students/Teachers	Ranking (2026)	Ranking (2025)	NGSS Science (2026)	SAT English Language Arts (2026)	SAT Math (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Wilbur Cross High School	Public	9-12	181 Mitchell Dr.	New Haven	06511	South Central Connecticut Planning Region	New Haven School District	No	No	No	No	(475) 220-7400	1,742	127	13.6	75.7%	157 (9.0%)	333 (19.1%)	1,161 (66.6%)	51 (2.9%)	2 (0.1%)	36 (2.1%)	12.9	119^th of 135 public high schools	11.9%	7.8	135^th of 141 public high schools	4.3%	16	22.0	22.9	12.1	$19,455
New Haven Academy	Public, Magnet	9-12	444 Orange Street	New Haven	06511	South Central Connecticut Planning Region	New Haven School District	No	Yes	No	No	(475) 220-6600	321	24	13.3	63.2%	49 (15.3%)	141 (43.9%)	116 (36.1%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (3.7%)							(n/a)	1089.0		20.3	$21,333
James Hillhouse High School	Public	9-12	480 Sherman Parkway	New Haven	06511	South Central Connecticut Planning Region	New Haven School District	No	No	No	Yes	(475) 220-7500	1,124	84	13.3	81.4%	66 (5.9%)	525 (46.7%)	451 (40.1%)	45 (4.0%)	2 (0.2%)	30 (2.7%)	12	122^nd of 135 public high schools	9.6%	7.1	136^th of 141 public high schools	3.5%	14	21.4	19.7	11.6	$21,211
Metropolitan Business Academy	Public, Magnet	9-12	115 Water Street	New Haven	06511	South Central Connecticut Planning Region	New Haven School District	No	Yes	No	No	(475) 220-7700	380	33	11.5	80.5%	35 (9.2%)	116 (30.5%)	205 (53.9%)	14 (3.7%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.6%)	7.9	131^st of 135 public high schools	3.0%				(n/a)	17.4	26.2		$22,391
High School In The Community	Public, Magnet	9-12	175 Water St.	New Haven	06511	South Central Connecticut Planning Region	New Haven School District	No	Yes	No	Yes	(475) 220-6200	251	25	10.0	80.1%	24 (9.6%)	102 (40.6%)	108 (43.0%)	7 (2.8%)	1 (0.4%)	8 (3.2%)							(n/a)	26.2			$25,371
Cooperative High School - Inter-District Magnet	Public, Magnet	9-12	177 College Street	New Haven	06511	South Central Connecticut Planning Region	New Haven School District	No	Yes	No	No	(475) 220-2400	560	48	11.6	72.3%	69 (12.3%)	239 (42.7%)	219 (39.1%)	9 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (3.6%)	13.2	118^th of 135 public high schools	12.6%	20.5	106^th of 141 public high schools	24.8%	12	16.7	26.4	13.6	$22,452
Hill Regional Career High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	140 Legion Ave.	New Haven	06519	South Central Connecticut Planning Region	New Haven School District	No	Yes	No	No	(475) 220-5000	625	55	11.3	82.1%	56 (9.0%)	245 (39.2%)	282 (45.1%)	28 (4.5%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (2.1%)	27.3	86^th of 135 public high schools	36.3%	18.2	109^th of 141 public high schools	22.7%	23	42.2		8.5	$23,110
Eli Whitney Technical High School	Public	9-12	100 Fairview Ave	Hamden	06514	South Central Connecticut Planning Region	Connecticut Technical Education and Career System	No	No	No	Yes	(203) 397-4031	586	57	10.2	70.0%	26 (4.4%)	183 (31.2%)	351 (59.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (3.2%)	11	124^th of 135 public high schools	8.1%				(n/a)	24.4	25.6	4.7	$34,155
Common Ground High School	Public, Charter	9-12	358 Springside Ave.	New Haven	06515	South Central Connecticut Planning Region	Common Ground High School District	Yes	No	No	Yes	(203) 389-4333	221	22	9.9	64.3%	33 (14.9%)	72 (32.6%)	103 (46.6%)	4 (1.8%)	1 (0.5%)	7 (3.2%)							(n/a)	1095.0			$20,127
Hamden High School	Public	9-12	2040 Dixwell Ave.	Hamden	06514	South Central Connecticut Planning Region	Hamden School District	No	No	No	No	(203) 407-2040	1,609	119	13.5	46.9%	357 (22.2%)	571 (35.5%)	464 (28.8%)	109 (6.8%)	3 (0.2%)	102 (6.3%)							(n/a)	34.9			$26,088

Frequently Asked Questions about Wilbur Cross High School

How many students attend Wilbur Cross High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,742 students attended Wilbur Cross High School.

What is the racial makeup of Wilbur Cross High School?

Students at Wilbur Cross High School are 67% Hispanic, 19% African American, 9% White, 3% Asian, 2% Two or more races.

Is Wilbur Cross High School a good school?

Wilbur Cross High School ranks in the bottom 11.9% of Connecticut high schools.

What schools feed into Wilbur Cross High School?

Wilbur Cross High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Bishop Woods Architecture and Design Magnet School
Elementary : Clinton Avenue School
Elementary : East Rock Community Magnet School
Elementary : Fair Haven School
Elementary : Hill Central Music Academy
Elementary : John C. Daniels
Elementary : John S. Martinez Sea and Sky STEM School
Elementary : Nathan Hale School
Elementary : Ross/Woodward School
Elementary : Truman School
Elementary : Worthington Hooker School

What district is Wilbur Cross High School in?

New Haven School District

Rate Wilbur Cross High School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

CTConnecticut High School Rankings

CTConnecticut District Rankings

Schools in New Haven, CT

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Wilbur Cross High School!

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.

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				NGSS Science (2026)	SAT English Language Arts (2026)	SAT Math (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 (2025)	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 11th Grade	SAT English Language Arts 11th Grade	SAT Math 11th Grade	Total
Wilbur Cross High School	Public	9-12	181 Mitchell Dr.	New Haven	06511	South Central Connecticut Planning Region	New Haven School District	No	No	No	No	(475) 220-7400	1,742	127	13.6	75.7%	157 (9.0%)	333 (19.1%)	1,161 (66.6%)	51 (2.9%)	2 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (2.1%)	12.9	119^th of 135 public high schools	11.9%		7.8	135^th of 141 public high schools	4.3%	16	22.0	22.9	12.1	$19,455
New Haven Academy	Public, Magnet	9-12	444 Orange Street	New Haven	06511	South Central Connecticut Planning Region	New Haven School District	No	Yes	No	No	(475) 220-6600	321	24	13.3	63.2%	49 (15.3%)	141 (43.9%)	116 (36.1%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (3.7%)								(n/a)	1089.0		20.3	$21,333
James Hillhouse High School	Public	9-12	480 Sherman Parkway	New Haven	06511	South Central Connecticut Planning Region	New Haven School District	No	No	No	Yes	(475) 220-7500	1,124	84	13.3	81.4%	66 (5.9%)	525 (46.7%)	451 (40.1%)	45 (4.0%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (2.7%)	12	122^nd of 135 public high schools	9.6%		7.1	136^th of 141 public high schools	3.5%	14	21.4	19.7	11.6	$21,211
Metropolitan Business Academy	Public, Magnet	9-12	115 Water Street	New Haven	06511	South Central Connecticut Planning Region	New Haven School District	No	Yes	No	No	(475) 220-7700	380	33	11.5	80.5%	35 (9.2%)	116 (30.5%)	205 (53.9%)	14 (3.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.6%)	7.9	131^st of 135 public high schools	3.0%					(n/a)	17.4	26.2		$22,391
High School In The Community	Public, Magnet	9-12	175 Water St.	New Haven	06511	South Central Connecticut Planning Region	New Haven School District	No	Yes	No	Yes	(475) 220-6200	251	25	10.0	80.1%	24 (9.6%)	102 (40.6%)	108 (43.0%)	7 (2.8%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (3.2%)								(n/a)	26.2			$25,371
Cooperative High School - Inter-District Magnet	Public, Magnet	9-12	177 College Street	New Haven	06511	South Central Connecticut Planning Region	New Haven School District	No	Yes	No	No	(475) 220-2400	560	48	11.6	72.3%	69 (12.3%)	239 (42.7%)	219 (39.1%)	9 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (3.6%)	13.2	118^th of 135 public high schools	12.6%		20.5	106^th of 141 public high schools	24.8%	12	16.7	26.4	13.6	$22,452
Hill Regional Career High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	140 Legion Ave.	New Haven	06519	South Central Connecticut Planning Region	New Haven School District	No	Yes	No	No	(475) 220-5000	625	55	11.3	82.1%	56 (9.0%)	245 (39.2%)	282 (45.1%)	28 (4.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (2.1%)	27.3	86^th of 135 public high schools	36.3%		18.2	109^th of 141 public high schools	22.7%	23	42.2		8.5	$23,110
Eli Whitney Technical High School	Public	9-12	100 Fairview Ave	Hamden	06514	South Central Connecticut Planning Region	Connecticut Technical Education and Career System	No	No	No	Yes	(203) 397-4031	586	57	10.2	70.0%	26 (4.4%)	183 (31.2%)	351 (59.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (3.2%)	11	124^th of 135 public high schools	8.1%					(n/a)	24.4	25.6	4.7	$34,155
Common Ground High School	Public, Charter	9-12	358 Springside Ave.	New Haven	06515	South Central Connecticut Planning Region	Common Ground High School District	Yes	No	No	Yes	(203) 389-4333	221	22	9.9	64.3%	33 (14.9%)	72 (32.6%)	103 (46.6%)	4 (1.8%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (3.2%)								(n/a)	1095.0			$20,127
Hamden High School	Public	9-12	2040 Dixwell Ave.	Hamden	06514	South Central Connecticut Planning Region	Hamden School District	No	No	No	No	(203) 407-2040	1,609	119	13.5	46.9%	357 (22.2%)	571 (35.5%)	464 (28.8%)	109 (6.8%)	3 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	102 (6.3%)								(n/a)	34.9			$26,088