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Waterford High School

Q: Is Waterford High School a good school?

Waterford High School ranks 29 th of 141 Connecticut high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

29^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 141 Connecticut High Schools

Better than 79% of Connecticut high schools

Summary

Waterford High School is a public high school serving grades 9-12 in Waterford, Connecticut, with a total enrollment of 713 students. The school is part of the Waterford School District, which is ranked 65 out of 156 districts in the state and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Waterford High School consistently performs well academically, ranking in the top 30 high schools in Connecticut for the past several years. In the 2024-2025 school year, the school ranked 29th out of 141 Connecticut high schools and received a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. This is a significant achievement, as the school outperforms the state average in key academic areas like SAT/English Language Arts (77.3% proficient or better vs. 58% statewide) and SAT/Math (57.5% proficient or better vs. 31.1% statewide). The school also maintains a strong four-year graduation rate, ranging from 88.4% to 93.9% over the past few years, which is on par with or exceeding the graduation rates of nearby high schools like Ledyard High School and Montville High School.

While Waterford High School has experienced some fluctuations in chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 9.4% to 20.0%, the school's overall performance in this metric is generally better than the nearby high schools, which have reported chronic absenteeism rates of around 17.7%. Additionally, Waterford High School has shown strong performance across different student subgroups, with the school's female students consistently ranking in the top 26 out of 103-104 Connecticut high schools, and the school's Hispanic and White student populations also performing well, ranking in the top 19 and 26-48 out of 104-116 Connecticut high schools, respectively.

713

Students ?

11.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$29,429

Per pupil spending ?

30.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

20 Rope Ferry Rd.
Waterford, CT 06385

(860) 437-6956

District: Waterford School District

Feeder schools for Waterford High School:

Elementary:	Great Neck Elementary School
	Oswegatchie Elementary School
	Quaker Hill Elementary School
Middle:	Clark Lane Middle School

Racial breakdown:

White:

73.6%

Hispanic:

11.2%

Two or more races:

6.5%

See top rated Connecticut high schools

Compare Waterford High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 82nd percentile in 2013 → 79th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Connecticut average (64% vs 46% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 21% of Connecticut high schools

✓93% graduate in 4 years — above the Connecticut average (89%)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school64%

District avg64%

Connecticut avg46%

29^th of 141

Connecticut public high schools ?

Top 21%▲ up 4 pts since 2015

From top 24% (2015) to top 21% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Connecticut High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

65^th of 156Waterford 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
2025	80.7	29 of 141	79.4%	★★★★☆
2024	84.7	21 of 145	85.5%	★★★★☆
2023	79.3	29 of 142	79.6%	★★★★☆
2022	67.0	50 of 139	64.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	71.3	66 of 200	67.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	72.0	45 of 121	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	73.0	41 of 121	66.1%	★★★☆☆
2016	69.7	46 of 132	65.2%	★★★☆☆
2015	73.5	48 of 196	75.5%	★★★★☆
2013	78.1	34 of 193	82.4%	★★★★☆
2012	77.8	36 of 188	80.9%	★★★★☆
2011	74.8	50 of 189	73.5%	★★★★☆
2010	66.1	83 of 186	55.4%	★★★☆☆
2009	67.7	66 of 176	62.5%	★★★☆☆
2008	71.3	60 of 176	65.9%	★★★☆☆
2007	75.3	42 of 176	76.1%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2025	80.3	26 of 104	75.0%	★★★★☆
2023	79.2	26 of 103	74.8%	★★★★☆
2022	67.1	43 of 106	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	68.8	68 of 189	64.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	68.5	39 of 84	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	60.6	51 of 79	35.4%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2021	82.3	19 of 104	81.7%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2022	61.2	18 of 63	71.4%	★★★★☆
2021	51.8	68 of 155	56.1%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2025	70.6	40 of 111	64.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	61.4	45 of 100	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	56.3	53 of 102	48.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	68.6	65 of 182	64.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	70.1	36 of 78	53.8%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2021	49.0	86 of 175	50.9%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2025	68.8	36 of 116	69.0%	★★★★☆
2024	72.1	26 of 116	77.6%	★★★★☆
2023	60.1	48 of 116	58.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	47.0	65 of 117	44.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	57.1	69 of 155	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	46.0	73 of 113	35.4%	★★☆☆☆
2018	60.0	44 of 105	58.1%	★★★☆☆

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 (2021)82nd percentile+15 vs school

Female (2025)75th percentile-4 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2022)71st percentile+7 vs school

White (2025)69th percentile-10 vs school

Male (2025)64th percentile-15 vs school

Special Education (2021)51st percentile-16 vs school

By subject vs Connecticut (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts77%+19 vs state

Math57%+26 vs state

Science56%+8 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a student
Saturday, October 23, 2010

Now that I am in college I realize how much being a student at Waterford High School has helped. The school truely teaches and prepares you for college and/or the real world. Close Quote

Schools Near Waterford High School

School	Students/Teachers	Ranking (2025)	Ranking (2024)	NGSS Science (2025)	SAT English Language Arts (2025)	SAT Math (2025)	SBAC English Language Arts (2025)	SBAC Mathematics (2025)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Waterford High School	Public	9-12	20 Rope Ferry Rd.	Waterford	06385	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Waterford School District	No	No	No	Yes	(860) 437-6956	713	64	11.0	30.6%	525 (73.6%)	16 (2.2%)	80 (11.2%)	41 (5.8%)	3 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	46 (6.5%)	80.7	29^th of 141 public high schools	79.4%	84.7	21^st of 145 public high schools	85.5%	8		55.6	77.3	57.5					$29,429
New London High School	Public	9-12	20 Chester Street	New London	06320	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	New London School District	No	No	No	Yes	(860) 437-6400	605	44	13.6	91.2%	35 (5.8%)	97 (16.0%)	428 (70.7%)	5 (0.8%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.2%)	37 (6.1%)	2.4	141^st of 141 public high schools	0.0%				(n/a)		6.4	11.7						$23,639
Science and Technology Magnet Pathway for High School Grades	Public, Magnet	9-12	20 Chester Street	New London	06320	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	New London School District	No	Yes	No	Yes	(860) 447-6400	171	13	13.2	78.4%	31 (18.1%)	35 (20.5%)	74 (43.3%)	3 (1.8%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (15.8%)							(n/a)		18.8							$23,639
New London Visual and Performing Arts Magnet Pathway	Public, Magnet	6-12	36 Waller Street	New London	06320	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	New London School District	No	Yes	No	Yes	(860) 449-6800	268	24	11.0	81.3%	47 (17.5%)	47 (17.5%)	115 (42.9%)	3 (1.1%)	3 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	52 (19.4%)							(n/a)	43.8				30.2	29.8	9.5	17.4	$24,173
Marine Science Magnet High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	130 Shennecossett Road	Groton	06340	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Learn	No	Yes	No	No	(860) 434-4800	274	26	10.5	30.7%	166 (60.6%)	4 (1.5%)	52 (19.0%)	15 (5.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (12.4%)	85.4	23^rd of 141 public high schools	83.7%	76.3	35^th of 145 public high schools	75.9%	12		71.6	77.8	49.2					$20,375
East Lyme High School	Public	9-12	30 Chesterfield Rd.	East Lyme	06333	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	East Lyme School District	No	No	No	No	(860) 739-6946	890	90	9.9	24.3%	645 (72.5%)	17 (1.9%)	90 (10.1%)	88 (9.9%)	4 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	43 (4.8%)	86.5	19^th of 141 public high schools	86.5%	80.7	25^th of 145 public high schools	82.8%	6		69.8	82.4	48.9					$25,597
Ella T. Grasso Technical High School	Public	9-12	189 Fort Hill Rd.	Groton	06340	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Connecticut Technical Education and Career System	No	No	No	No	(860) 448-0220	684	59	11.6	51.6%	253 (37.0%)	52 (7.6%)	285 (41.7%)	6 (0.9%)	7 (1.0%)	1 (0.1%)	73 (10.7%)	30.7	86^th of 141 public high schools	39.0%	38.3	82^nd of 145 public high schools	43.4%	4		48.1	43.0	11.5					$30,082
Robert E. Fitch High School	Public	9-12	101 Groton Long Point Road	Groton	06340	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Groton School District	No	No	No	No	(860) 449-7200	942	84	11.1	60.0%	400 (42.5%)	85 (9.0%)	244 (25.9%)	67 (7.1%)	11 (1.2%)	4 (0.4%)	127 (13.5%)							(n/a)		43.0							$23,650
Montville High School	Public	9-12	800 Old Colchester Rd.	Oakdale	06370	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Montville School District	No	No	No	No	(860) 848-9208	491	53	9.2	43.0%	284 (57.8%)	23 (4.7%)	74 (15.1%)	37 (7.5%)	3 (0.6%)	2 (0.4%)	68 (13.8%)							(n/a)		45.7							$24,811
Ledyard High School	Public	9-12	24 Gallup Hill Rd.	Ledyard	06339	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Ledyard School District	No	No	No	No	(860) 464-9600	731	64	11.4	27.9%	516 (70.6%)	21 (2.9%)	89 (12.2%)	19 (2.6%)	10 (1.4%)	2 (0.3%)	72 (9.8%)	76.2	36^th of 141 public high schools	74.5%	58.2	62^nd of 145 public high schools	57.2%	26			78.6	38.2					$20,772

Frequently Asked Questions about Waterford High School

What schools feed into Waterford High School?

Waterford High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Great Neck Elementary School
Elementary : Oswegatchie Elementary School
Elementary : Quaker Hill Elementary School
Middle : Clark Lane Middle School

What is the racial makeup of Waterford High School?

Students at Waterford High School are 74% White, 11% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 6% Asian, 2% African American.

What district is Waterford High School in?

Waterford School District

Is Waterford High School a good school?

Waterford High School ranks 29^th of 141 Connecticut high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Waterford High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 713 students attended Waterford High School.

Rate Waterford High School!

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CTConnecticut High School Rankings

CTConnecticut District Rankings

Schools in Waterford, CT

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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.

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 (2025)				Ranking (2024)				NGSS Science (2025)		SAT English Language Arts (2025)	SAT Math (2025)	SBAC English Language Arts (2025)		SBAC Mathematics (2025)		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 (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	NGSS Science 8th Grade	NGSS Science 11th Grade	SAT English Language Arts 11th Grade	SAT Math 11th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 6th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 7th Grade	SBAC Mathematics 6th Grade	SBAC Mathematics 7th Grade	Total
Waterford High School	Public	9-12	20 Rope Ferry Rd.	Waterford	06385	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Waterford School District	No	No	No	Yes	(860) 437-6956	713	64	11.0	30.6%	525 (73.6%)	16 (2.2%)	80 (11.2%)	41 (5.8%)	3 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	46 (6.5%)	80.7	29^th of 141 public high schools	79.4%		84.7	21^st of 145 public high schools	85.5%	8		55.6	77.3	57.5					$29,429
New London High School	Public	9-12	20 Chester Street	New London	06320	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	New London School District	No	No	No	Yes	(860) 437-6400	605	44	13.6	91.2%	35 (5.8%)	97 (16.0%)	428 (70.7%)	5 (0.8%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.2%)	37 (6.1%)	2.4	141^st of 141 public high schools	0.0%					(n/a)		6.4	11.7						$23,639
Science and Technology Magnet Pathway for High School Grades	Public, Magnet	9-12	20 Chester Street	New London	06320	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	New London School District	No	Yes	No	Yes	(860) 447-6400	171	13	13.2	78.4%	31 (18.1%)	35 (20.5%)	74 (43.3%)	3 (1.8%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (15.8%)								(n/a)		18.8							$23,639
New London Visual and Performing Arts Magnet Pathway	Public, Magnet	6-12	36 Waller Street	New London	06320	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	New London School District	No	Yes	No	Yes	(860) 449-6800	268	24	11.0	81.3%	47 (17.5%)	47 (17.5%)	115 (42.9%)	3 (1.1%)	3 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	52 (19.4%)								(n/a)	43.8				30.2	29.8	9.5	17.4	$24,173
Marine Science Magnet High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	130 Shennecossett Road	Groton	06340	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Learn	No	Yes	No	No	(860) 434-4800	274	26	10.5	30.7%	166 (60.6%)	4 (1.5%)	52 (19.0%)	15 (5.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (12.4%)	85.4	23^rd of 141 public high schools	83.7%		76.3	35^th of 145 public high schools	75.9%	12		71.6	77.8	49.2					$20,375
East Lyme High School	Public	9-12	30 Chesterfield Rd.	East Lyme	06333	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	East Lyme School District	No	No	No	No	(860) 739-6946	890	90	9.9	24.3%	645 (72.5%)	17 (1.9%)	90 (10.1%)	88 (9.9%)	4 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	43 (4.8%)	86.5	19^th of 141 public high schools	86.5%		80.7	25^th of 145 public high schools	82.8%	6		69.8	82.4	48.9					$25,597
Ella T. Grasso Technical High School	Public	9-12	189 Fort Hill Rd.	Groton	06340	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Connecticut Technical Education and Career System	No	No	No	No	(860) 448-0220	684	59	11.6	51.6%	253 (37.0%)	52 (7.6%)	285 (41.7%)	6 (0.9%)	7 (1.0%)	1 (0.1%)	73 (10.7%)	30.7	86^th of 141 public high schools	39.0%		38.3	82^nd of 145 public high schools	43.4%	4		48.1	43.0	11.5					$30,082
Robert E. Fitch High School	Public	9-12	101 Groton Long Point Road	Groton	06340	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Groton School District	No	No	No	No	(860) 449-7200	942	84	11.1	60.0%	400 (42.5%)	85 (9.0%)	244 (25.9%)	67 (7.1%)	11 (1.2%)	4 (0.4%)	127 (13.5%)								(n/a)		43.0							$23,650
Montville High School	Public	9-12	800 Old Colchester Rd.	Oakdale	06370	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Montville School District	No	No	No	No	(860) 848-9208	491	53	9.2	43.0%	284 (57.8%)	23 (4.7%)	74 (15.1%)	37 (7.5%)	3 (0.6%)	2 (0.4%)	68 (13.8%)								(n/a)		45.7							$24,811
Ledyard High School	Public	9-12	24 Gallup Hill Rd.	Ledyard	06339	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Ledyard School District	No	No	No	No	(860) 464-9600	731	64	11.4	27.9%	516 (70.6%)	21 (2.9%)	89 (12.2%)	19 (2.6%)	10 (1.4%)	2 (0.3%)	72 (9.8%)	76.2	36^th of 141 public high schools	74.5%		58.2	62^nd of 145 public high schools	57.2%	26			78.6	38.2					$20,772