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

Sprague School

Public Grades PK, KG-5

470^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 492 Connecticut Elementary Schools

Better than 4% of Connecticut elementary schools

Summary

Sprague School is an elementary school in Waterbury, CT, serving 344 students in grades PK–5 as part of the Waterbury School District. The school serves a high-poverty population, with 88.7% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–2025. Chronic absenteeism is a significant concern, with 33.6% of students chronically absent in 2025–2026, roughly double the statewide average of 16.4% and well above the district's 23.1%. The student-teacher ratio is a relatively low 11.8:1.

Academically, Sprague has consistently ranked in the bottom 1–7 percentile of Connecticut elementary schools for over a decade, currently placing in the 4th percentile statewide with a 0-star rating. On the 2025–2026 SBAC assessments, only 18.5% of 3rd graders met proficiency in ELA and 16.9% in math, while just 15.1% of 5th graders reached proficiency in science. Nearby schools with similar demographics show dramatically better outcomes. Regan School, just 1.3 miles away, serves a similarly high-poverty population yet ranks in the 39th percentile, with 60.4% math proficiency and only 4.3% chronic absenteeism. Carrington School, about 2 miles away, ranks in the 40th percentile and posts 4th-grade ELA proficiency of 55.3%.

Sprague's low student-teacher ratio has not translated into stronger results, as nearby schools with higher ratios — including Carrington, Regan, and F. J. Kingsbury School — all outperform it. Per-student spending at Sprague ($13,944) is also lower than several nearby Waterbury elementary schools like Bucks Hill School ($18,180) and Walsh School ($17,978). The comparison with Polk School in the Watertown School District, just 2.1 miles away, is equally striking: Polk ranks in the 45th percentile with math and ELA proficiency rates in the 40–60% range, while Sprague's rates are mostly below 20%. Science achievement is a particularly urgent concern, with 5th-grade science proficiency stuck at 11–15% for several years. The data suggests that addressing attendance, instructional quality, and student support systems will be critical to improving outcomes at Sprague.

344

Students ?

11.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$18,272

Per pupil spending ?

88.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1443 Thomaston Ave.
Waterbury, CT 06704

(203) 574-8189

District: Waterbury School District

Students who attend Sprague School usually attend:

Middle:	North End Middle School
High:	Wilby High School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

75.0%

African American:

16.9%

White:

4.9%

See top rated Connecticut elementary schools

Compare Sprague School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 6th percentile in 2013 → 4th in 2026

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 12 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Connecticut average (17% vs 51% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (4th percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (34% vs 16% Connecticut)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school17%

District avg27%

Connecticut avg51%

470^th of 492

Connecticut public elementary schools ?

Bottom 4%▲ up 2 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Connecticut Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

17^th of 21Elementary Schools in the Waterbury School District

144^th of 153Waterbury 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	6.0	470 of 492	4.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	3.7	488 of 491	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	7.2	455 of 490	7.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	17.3	430 of 538	20.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	4.8	490 of 522	6.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	2.8	524 of 532	1.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	3.1	508 of 519	2.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	3.1	506 of 518	2.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2015	5.1	538 of 551	2.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	6.8	526 of 557	5.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	10.4	518 of 564	8.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	17.4	492 of 565	12.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	15.7	507 of 579	12.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	6.2	535 of 566	5.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2008	5.3	537 of 565	5.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2007	8.3	528 of 568	7.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2006	9.4	528 of 570	7.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2021	13.2	385 of 455	15.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2022	12.1	93 of 99	6.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	57.4	62 of 173	64.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	22.1	92 of 112	17.9%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2021	37.6	183 of 302	39.4%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2021	17.6	362 of 445	18.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2021	35.0	238 of 371	35.8%	★★☆☆☆

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)

Low Socio Economic Status (2021)39th percentile+19 vs school

Special Education (2021)36th percentile+16 vs school

Male (2021)19th percentile~ school

Female (2021)15th percentile-5 vs school

Hispanic (2022)6th percentile~ school

By subject vs Connecticut (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts18%-32 vs state

Mathematics17%-33 vs state

Science15%-38 vs state

1.0

1 rating

5★0

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

Rate Sprague 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

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Sprague School

Load more schools when map is moved

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 (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 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
Sprague School	Public	PK, KG-5	1443 Thomaston Ave.	Waterbury	06704	Naugatuck Valley Planning Region	Waterbury School District	No	No	No	Yes	(203) 574-8189	344	29	11.8	88.7%	17 (4.9%)	58 (16.9%)	258 (75.0%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.6%)	6	470^th of 492 public elementary schools	4.5%					(n/a)	15.1		18.5	2364.0	2390.0				16.9	2383.0	2399.0				$18,272
F. J. Kingsbury School	Public	PK, KG-5	220 Columbia Blvd.	Waterbury	06710	Naugatuck Valley Planning Region	Waterbury School District	No	No	No	Yes	(203) 574-8172	416	27	15.5	83.2%	17 (4.1%)	119 (28.6%)	244 (58.7%)	12 (2.9%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (5.0%)	8.6	443^rd of 492 public elementary schools	10.0%		12.2	417^th of 493 public elementary schools	15.4%	26	30.0		17.1	19.3	30.0				18.6	13.3	21.7				$17,217
Regan School	Public	K-5	2780 North Main St.	Waterbury	06704	Naugatuck Valley Planning Region	Waterbury School District	No	No	No	Yes	(203) 574-8187	237	17	13.9	77.2%	18 (7.6%)	42 (17.7%)	160 (67.5%)	5 (2.1%)	4 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (3.4%)	37.7	301^st of 492 public elementary schools	38.8%		28.8	327^th of 493 public elementary schools	33.7%	26	52.9		33.3	37.5	48.5				60.4	41.7	2502.0				$16,767
Brass City Charter School	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	289 Willow St.	Waterbury	06710	Naugatuck Valley Planning Region	Brass City Charter School District	Yes	No	No	Yes	(203) 527-5942	401	28	14.2	70.1%	15 (3.7%)	132 (32.9%)	227 (56.6%)	6 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (5.2%)	42.5	274^th of 492 public elementary schools	44.3%		38.1	289^th of 493 public elementary schools	41.4%	15	494.0	22.5	38.5	52.5	68.3	2477.0	2544.0	2564.0	48.7	45.0	46.3	22.5	40.9	22.5	$16,205
Bunker Hill School	Public	PK, KG-5	170 Bunker Hill Ave.	Waterbury	06708	Naugatuck Valley Planning Region	Waterbury School District	No	No	No	Yes	(203) 574-8183	445	30	14.8	78.9%	37 (8.3%)	95 (21.3%)	279 (62.7%)	8 (1.8%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (5.2%)	4.6	485^th of 492 public elementary schools	1.4%		8	458^th of 493 public elementary schools	7.1%	27	487.0		9.5	2390.0	2443.0				12.3	15.4	14.0				$18,215
Bucks Hill School	Public	PK, KG-5	330 Bucks Hill Rd.	Waterbury	06704	Naugatuck Valley Planning Region	Waterbury School District	No	No	No	Yes	(203) 574-8182	283	39	7.2	79.9%	9 (3.2%)	45 (15.9%)	223 (78.8%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.4%)	17.2	386^th of 492 public elementary schools	21.5%		10.2	429^th of 493 public elementary schools	13.0%	43	490.0		18.4	21.8	34.9				38.8	32.7	34.9				$24,953
Driggs School	Public	PK, KG-5	77 Woodlawn Terrace	Waterbury	06710	Naugatuck Valley Planning Region	Waterbury School District	No	No	No	Yes	(203) 574-8160	410	29	13.9	84.4%	25 (6.1%)	99 (24.1%)	254 (62.0%)	6 (1.5%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (5.9%)	6.1	469^th of 492 public elementary schools	4.7%		4.4	487^th of 493 public elementary schools	1.2%	18	20.8		2343.0	2398.0	17.0				2363.0	17.1	11.3				$17,289
Reed School	Public	PK, KG-8	33 Griggs Street	Waterbury	06704	Naugatuck Valley Planning Region	Waterbury School District	No	No	No	Yes	(203) 574-8180	439	29	14.9	89.3%	15 (3.4%)	94 (21.4%)	312 (71.1%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (3.9%)	5.3	476^th of 492 public elementary schools	3.3%		10.3	428^th of 493 public elementary schools	13.2%	48	17.1	761.0	2313.0	2377.0	2402.0	12.0	15.2	2462.0	2324.0	14.3	2420.0	2408.0	2441.0	2407.0	$16,598
Carrington School	Public	PK, KG-8	24 Kenmore Ave.	Waterbury	06708	Naugatuck Valley Planning Region	Waterbury School District	No	No	No	Yes	(203) 574-8184	455	34	13.2	70.3%	79 (17.4%)	99 (21.8%)	241 (53.0%)	9 (2.0%)	6 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (4.6%)	38.3	297^th of 492 public elementary schools	39.6%		34.7	306^th of 493 public elementary schools	37.9%	9	47.1	798.0	2396.0	55.3	45.1	38.9	38.0	41.2	39.1	51.1	31.4	44.4	30.0	17.6	$16,935
Polk School	Public	3-5	435 Buckingham St.	Oakville	06779	Naugatuck Valley Planning Region	Watertown School District	No	No	No	Yes	(860) 945-4840	303	24	12.8	53.1%	209 (69.0%)	16 (5.3%)	49 (16.2%)	6 (2.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (7.3%)	42.9	272^nd of 492 public elementary schools	44.7%		35.6	299^th of 493 public elementary schools	39.4%	27	499.0		51.5	43.2	48.5				52.4	60.2	32.0				$22,059

Frequently Asked Questions about Sprague School

What is the racial makeup of Sprague School?

Students at Sprague School are 75% Hispanic, 17% African American, 5% White, 3% Two or more races.

What district is Sprague School in?

Waterbury School District

How many students attend Sprague School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 344 students attended Sprague School.

Is Sprague School a good school?

Sprague School ranks in the bottom 4.5% of Connecticut elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of Sprague School attend?

Students who attend Sprague School usually go on to attend:

Middle : North End Middle School
High : Wilby High School

Rate Sprague School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

CTConnecticut Elementary School Rankings

CTConnecticut District Rankings

Schools in Waterbury, CT

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Sprague 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.