Veterans Park Elementary School

Public K-5

 8 Governor St.
       Ridgefield, CT  06877-4653


(203) 894-5525

District: Ridgefield School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
20th of 492 Connecticut Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $21,442 Help


Students who attend Veterans Park Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    East Ridge Middle School
High:    Ridgefield High School

Student/teacher ratio:  12.1 Help
Number of students:  250

Racial breakdown:

White:
74.4%
Asian:
8.8%
Hispanic:
8.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  10.4% Help


 See top rated Connecticut elementary schools

 Compare Veterans Park Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Veterans Park Elementary School ranks better than 95.9% of elementary schools in Connecticut. It also ranks 3rd among 6 ranked elementary schools in the Ridgefield School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 91.84. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Veterans Park Elementary School has the smallest elementary school student body size in the Ridgefield School District. Racial makeup is: White (74.4%), Asian (8.8%), Hispanic (8.4%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 10.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Ridgefield School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Veterans Park Elementary School is 12.1, which is the lowest among 6 elementary schools in the Ridgefield School District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Veterans Park Elementary School employs 20.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Veterans Park Elementary School is $21,442, which is the highest among 6 elementary schools in the Ridgefield School District!
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Veterans Park Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Veterans Park Elementary School 20th of 492 Connecticut public elementary schools. (See Veterans Park Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


White students:


Ridgefield School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Ridgefield School District 7th of 151 Connecticut school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Veterans Park Elementary School?

Rank History for Veterans Park Elementary School

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Rank History for all students at Veterans Park Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 82.68 61st 570 89.3%
2007 83.61 34th 568 94.0%
2008 84.28 23rd 565 95.9%
2009 81.26 56th 566 90.1%
2010 83.66 25th 579 95.7%
2011 80.67 77th 565 86.4%
2012 83.11 25th 564 95.6%
2013 82.89 51st 557 90.8%
2015 83.47 96th 551 82.6%
2016 79.94 118th 518 77.2%
2017 83.50 87th 519 83.2%
2018 84.45 83rd 532 84.4%
2019 86.72 65th 522 87.5%
2021 94.61 11th 538 98.0%
2022 92.33 19th 490 96.1%
2023 91.84 20th 491 95.9%
See the entire list of Connecticut Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Female students at Veterans Park Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 77.34 64th 259 75.3%
2021 94.51 9th 455 98.0%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Veterans Park Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 62.70 131st 262 50.0%
2021 91.78 21st 445 95.3%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Veterans Park Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 69.81 88th 296 70.3%
2019 79.16 51st 295 82.7%
2021 90.85 9th 327 97.2%
2022 86.79 15th 252 94.0%
2023 82.35 27th 262 89.7%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Connecticut Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Veterans Park Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Connecticut State Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

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by a parent
Thursday, September 27, 2012

Open Quote By the fall of 2010, I had been long-term unemployed for 4 years, with few prospects.

It was then that I realized the best thing I could do for our son with the money I'd saved would be to invest it in his future; and that meant an early start on his education, in a place with higher standards than Florida schools in general.

It was a decision my wife and I made together, to bring our son to Ridgefield, CT; where our research indicated the school was very highly rated.

He was only 4 at the beginning of the 2010 school year.

At the time, Connecticut schools would allow children his age to begin Kindergarten; provided they turned 5 before the end of the calendar year.

Likewise, Hawaii and Alabama; and since it would just be him and me, my wife nixed Hawaii because it was too far away, and I vetoed Alabama because...well, it's Alabama.

(I held out for Hawaii until 2 weeks before the beginning of the school year...can't explain why in this small space, but I was there 2 months before she became pregnant with him and it's true what they say - you don't come back from Hawaii the same person that arrived.)

Her rationale was the direct flight on JetBlue; she could come up every weekend, if she wanted.

So, we got an apartment in Ridgefield within walking distance to VP. Imagine this; a 51 year old man and a 4-5 year old boy in a 500 square foot efficiency.

What a great experience for him - and an eye-opening one for me!

The Town of Ridgefield itself seems to emphasize primary education. There are museums and cultural centers everywhere. The library is truly the 'town center' and everyone walks there to read books, listen to music, surf the web and socialize.

There are craft shows and concerts across the street in Ballard Park, adjacent to a downtown center with specialty shops ranging from antique furniture stores to new-age psychics...and in a clear homage to Pixar's 'Toy Story', every kid in town wants to go to 'Planet Pizza' for lunch on Saturday.

I could write volumes on how the town as a whole promotes those things that in the past made America great.

Sure, there's school-sponsored sports, music and fine arts; but it's balanced by an early emphasis on scientific investigation and citizenship. Connecticut is the 'Constitution State' and they haven't forgotten that in Ridgefield, which was the site of a Revolutionary War battle.

These are the things that make a town a community; for a kid or an adult.

The three or four months we were there made me nostalgic for my own primary school upbringing on eastern Long Island; at the time, one of the best school districts in New York State.

The whole downtown area turns out for Halloween, Christmas and New Years; clearly with the interests of the kids in mind.

The point of it all is that Veteran's Park is very much the 'heart' of the community - for the children who attend, their young parents, and the old ones like me who long for a time when education and academic achievement were promoted; not just by their parents, but by the community as a whole.

Combined with high academic standards, teachers and administrators who care about reaching them, and a commitment to each student's success, and you have something very special indeed; in Ridgefield, Connecticut.

As for my son, he's on the honor roll at the best public school in Palm Beach County; and has been since completing Kindergarten there 2 years ago, all year during first grade and well on his way to that goal this year. He's in an 'enrichment' program with other high-performers, and is the youngest second-grader in the school district.

His Kindergarten teacher at Veteran's Park - Mrs. Dunphy - was new in the job in 2010, but I think she understands children this age very well; her son is a year younger than mine.

As a result, she did remarkable work with all the children in her class.

Because my son had such a good start, he enjoys going to school, is reading 3-4 books on or above his grade level every week, writes some remarkable stories of his own, builds his own toys out of cardboard and duct tape and expresses an interest in scientific topics that are clearly years ahead of his age.

Sure, his mom and me read to him since the time he could lift his head. I spent 4 years unemployed from the time he was 1 before taking him to Connecticut; and we did everything I could think of to prepare him for school. He was already reading by the time we got to Ridgefield, and doing basic math.

Perhaps my personal commitment to parenthood is why the town of Ridgefield and Veteran's Park so resonated with me. I felt like I wasn't the only parent of the same understanding. I felt like I was 'home'.

I'm finally employed, about 65 miles away. As soon as my wife can get a job in the region, we're relocating - to Ridgefield, CT. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Veterans Park Elementary School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 392 2 7 6 0 n/a n/a 0 407
1989 389 3 7 10 0 n/a n/a 0 409
1990 410 4 5 8 n/a n/a n/a 0 427
1991 437 3 11 6 0 n/a n/a 0 457
1992 468 5 11 3 0 n/a n/a 0 487
1993 483 5 17 3 0 n/a n/a 0 508
1994 503 5 19 2 0 n/a n/a 0 529
1995 398 6 14 8 0 n/a n/a 0 426
1996 398 6 14 8 0 n/a n/a 0 426
1997 406 5 10 10 0 n/a n/a 0 431
1998 412 6 9 12 0 n/a n/a 0 439
1999 420 4 9 12 0 n/a n/a 0 445
2000 437 4 8 15 0 n/a n/a 0 464
2001 452 4 12 9 0 n/a n/a 0 477
2002 474 7 15 17 0 n/a n/a 0 513
2003 474 7 15 17 0 n/a n/a 0 513
2004 347 6 14 17 0 n/a n/a 0 384
2005 332 8 15 20 1 n/a n/a 0 376
2006 373 10 13 17 0 n/a n/a 0 413
2007 327 2 9 14 0 n/a n/a 0 352
2008 313 4 9 15 0 n/a n/a 0 341
2009 310 2 12 13 0 n/a n/a 0 337
2010 299 2 10 13 1 n/a n/a 0 325
2011 316 2 11 14 0 0 1 0 344
2012 313 0 11 19 0 0 6 0 349
2013 297 0 16 18 0 0 5 0 336
2014 291 2 18 11 0 3 8 0 333
2015 283 1 20 14 0 2 10 0 330
2016 246 1 17 21 0 1 17 0 303
2017 233 1 18 18 0 1 21 0 292
2018 227 1 16 22 0 1 15 0 282
2019 214 1 16 25 0 1 20 0 277
2020 197 1 19 28 0 0 19 0 264
2021 171 1 22 21 0 0 18 0 233
2022 189 1 24 22 0 0 17 0 253
2023 186 0 22 21 1 0 20 0 250

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Veterans Park Elementary School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 407 25.0 16.2 n/a
1989 409 24.0 17.0 n/a
1990 427 23.0 18.5 n/a
1991 457 23.5 19.4 n/a
1992 487 24.6 19.7 1.4
1993 508 26.1 19.5 0.2
1994 529 27.6 19.2 2.8
1995 426 28.8 14.8 4.2
1996 426 28.8 14.8 4.2
1997 431 23.1 18.7 2.3
1998 439 25.7 17.1 1.1
1999 445 25.9 17.2 0.9
2000 464 28.2 16.5 1.3
2001 477 27.9 17.1 n/a
2002 513 32.1 16.0 1
2003 513 32.1 16.0 1
2004 384 24.1 15.9 1
2005 376 22.4 16.8 n/a
2006 413 20.5 20.1 1.5
2007 352 22.5 15.6 1.1
2008 341 24.6 13.9 2.1
2009 337 25.7 14.3 3.6
2010 325 22.9 14.1 2.5
2011 344 25.6 13.4 2
2012 349 26.5 13.1 3.7
2013 336 24.2 13.8 5.1
2014 333 25.2 13.2 4.2
2015 330 24.0 13.7 4.8
2016 303 23.0 13.1 5.3
2017 292 21.5 13.5 4.5
2018 282 23.3 12.1 4.6
2019 277 24.3 11.3 10.1
2020 264 21.3 12.3 12.9
2021 233 18.0 12.9 12.9
2022 253 19.5 12.9 13.8
2023 250 20.6 12.1 10.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Veterans Park Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 407 25.0 16.2 n/a
1989 409 24.0 17.0 n/a
1990 427 23.0 18.5 n/a
1991 457 23.5 19.4 n/a
1992 487 24.6 19.7 1.4
1993 508 26.1 19.5 0.2
1994 529 27.6 19.2 2.8
1995 426 28.8 14.8 4.2
1996 426 28.8 14.8 4.2
1997 431 23.1 18.7 2.3
1998 439 25.7 17.1 1.1
1999 445 25.9 17.2 0.9
2000 464 28.2 16.5 1.3
2001 477 27.9 17.1 n/a
2002 513 32.1 16.0 1
2003 513 32.1 16.0 1
2004 384 24.1 15.9 1
2005 376 22.4 16.8 n/a
2006 413 20.5 20.1 1.5
2007 352 22.5 15.6 1.1
2008 341 24.6 13.9 2.1
2009 337 25.7 14.3 3.6
2010 325 22.9 14.1 2.5
2011 344 25.6 13.4 2
2012 349 26.5 13.1 3.7
2013 336 24.2 13.8 5.1
2014 333 25.2 13.2 4.2
2015 330 24.0 13.7 4.8
2016 303 23.0 13.1 5.3
2017 292 21.5 13.5 4.5
2018 282 23.3 12.1 4.6
2019 277 24.3 11.3 10.1
2020 264 21.3 12.3 12.9
2021 233 18.0 12.9 12.9
2022 253 19.5 12.9 13.8
2023 250 20.6 12.1 10.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Veterans Park Elementary School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2018 $18,197
2019 $18,849
2020 $19,711
2021 $21,442

Data source: Connecticut Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Veterans Park Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 65th of 522 Elementary schoolsRanks 20th of 491 Elementary schools
 8.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Veterans Park Elementary School)8081.6
 1.6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Ridgefield School District)85.473.7
 11.7%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Connecticut)54.345.5
 8.8%
4th Grade Mathematics (Veterans Park Elementary School)85.776.9
 8.8%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Ridgefield School District)85.982
 3.9%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Connecticut)52.548.3
 4.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Veterans Park Elementary School)77.683.7
 6.1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Ridgefield School District)87.581.8
 5.7%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Connecticut)58.151.3
 6.8%
5th Grade Mathematics (Veterans Park Elementary School)71.981.4
 9.5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Ridgefield School District)76.579.7
 3.2%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Connecticut)46.541.8
 4.7%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students277250
 9.7%
African American10
 100%
American Indian01
Asian1622
 37.5%
Hispanic2521
 16%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White214186
 13.1%
Two or More Races2020
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients10.1%10.4%
 0.3%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Veterans Park Elementary School

Yes! Veterans Park Elementary School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 20th of 492 Connecticut elementary schools.

Students at Veterans Park Elementary School are 74% White, 9% Asian, 8% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races.

Students who attend Veterans Park Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : East Ridge Middle School
High : Ridgefield High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 250 students attended Veterans Park Elementary School.


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

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.





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