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!

Norwich Free Academy

Q: Is Norwich Free Academy a good school?

Norwich Free Academy ranks 74 th of 135 Connecticut high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

74^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 135 Connecticut High Schools

Better than 45% of Connecticut high schools

Summary

Norwich Free Academy is a large public high school in Norwich, CT, serving approximately 2,020 students in grades 9–12. The school operates as its own district, and both the school and the Norwich Free Academy District sit in the middle of statewide rankings, with the school ranked in the 44th percentile of Connecticut high schools for 2025–2026. NFA serves a high-need population, with 58.3% of students qualifying for free/reduced-price lunch, well above the state average, and a chronic absenteeism rate of 23.4% compared to 16.4% statewide. Despite these challenges, the school posts a 92.2% graduation rate, slightly above the state rate of 91.2%.

NFA stands out from nearby schools for its size — enrolling nearly three times as many students as Ledyard High School (731) — and its higher student-to-teacher ratio of 14.8, versus ratios between 8.0 and 11.4 at most neighboring high schools. Academically, NFA trails its neighbors: on the 2025–2026 Grade 11 SAT, 48.7% of students were proficient in ELA and 22.2% in math, compared to state averages of 55.3% and 31.3%. Nearby Bacon Academy posted 66.1% ELA and 41.9% math, while Ledyard High School reached 64.9% ELA and 62.7% science. NFA's science proficiency was 40.4%, notably lower than Norwich Technical High School's 62.7%.

There are encouraging signs: low-income students at NFA have improved from the 25th to the 51st percentile in statewide rankings over three years, and the school previously earned strong marks for English Learner support. However, subgroup outcomes are volatile, with rankings for African American students swinging from the 84th to the 19th percentile in consecutive years, suggesting support systems are not yet stable. Chronic absenteeism remains the most actionable issue — improving from 27.1% to 23.4% but still well above the rates at Wheeler High School (15.7%) and Norwich Technical High School (11.2%). Overall, NFA is a mid-ranking school that successfully graduates its students but struggles with academic proficiency, particularly in math and science.

2,020

Students ?

14.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

58.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

305 Broadway
Norwich, CT 06360

(860) 887-2505

District: Norwich Free Academy District

Feeder schools for Norwich Free Academy:

Elementary:

Fields Memorial School

Racial breakdown:

White:

39.2%

Hispanic:

28.6%

African American:

18.2%

See top rated Connecticut high schools

Compare Norwich Free Academy to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 29th percentile in 2013 → 45th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 16 percentile points since 2013

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Connecticut average (37% vs 46% meeting standards)

!High chronic absenteeism (23% vs 16% Connecticut)

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school37%

District avg36%

Connecticut avg46%

74^th of 135

Connecticut public high schools ?

Bottom 45%▼ down 3 pts since 2017

See the entire ranking list of Connecticut High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

111^th of 153Norwich Free Academy 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	36.6	74 of 135	45.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	36.0	76 of 141	46.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	36.6	83 of 145	42.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	35.6	84 of 142	40.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	39.0	118 of 200	41.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	47.4	68 of 121	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	43.5	74 of 121	38.8%	★★☆☆☆
2017	42.9	73 of 140	47.9%	★★☆☆☆
2015	45.0	113 of 196	42.3%	★★☆☆☆
2013	45.9	137 of 193	29.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	42.6	133 of 188	29.3%	★★☆☆☆
2011	47.8	125 of 189	33.9%	★★☆☆☆
2010	50.6	125 of 186	32.8%	★★☆☆☆
2009	49.1	114 of 176	35.2%	★★☆☆☆
2008	54.2	107 of 176	39.2%	★★☆☆☆
2007	63.0	96 of 176	45.5%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2026	32.5	24 of 31	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	80.0	5 of 31	83.9%	★★★★☆
2024	27.0	20 of 24	16.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	44.9	18 of 25	28.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	38.1	34 of 58	41.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	61.9	4 of 13	69.2%	★★★★☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2024	27.3	12 of 15	20.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	27.6	22 of 28	21.4%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2021	57.5	2 of 11	81.8%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2026	34.4	71 of 111	36.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	31.6	64 of 104	38.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	30.4	70 of 102	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	29.4	71 of 103	31.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	28.6	72 of 106	32.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	34.6	116 of 189	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	38.0	63 of 84	25.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	39.0	60 of 79	24.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2025	34.2	40 of 63	36.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	24.5	49 of 63	22.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	27.7	46 of 63	27.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	27.8	44 of 59	25.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	21.1	88 of 104	15.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2026	39.7	33 of 69	52.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	34.3	41 of 70	41.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	26.6	49 of 65	24.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	36.6	33 of 70	52.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	33.4	42 of 63	33.3%	★★☆☆☆
2021	32.1	106 of 155	31.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	40.9	20 of 37	45.9%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2026	31.0	72 of 115	37.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	30.1	73 of 111	34.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	30.9	71 of 100	29.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	26.9	66 of 100	34.0%	★★☆☆☆
2022	28.2	70 of 102	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	39.1	109 of 182	40.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	37.1	60 of 80	25.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	31.6	61 of 78	21.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2021	31.2	125 of 175	28.6%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Connecticut percentile	Rating
2026	26.8	88 of 107	17.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	28.6	88 of 116	24.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	36.2	77 of 116	33.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	22.7	91 of 116	21.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	28.7	88 of 117	24.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	34.6	113 of 155	27.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	33.1	88 of 113	22.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	44.3	73 of 105	30.5%	★★☆☆☆

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 (2021)82nd percentile+41 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)52nd percentile+7 vs school

Male (2026)37th percentile-8 vs school

Hispanic (2025)37th percentile-10 vs school

Female (2026)36th percentile-9 vs school

Special Education (2021)29th percentile-12 vs school

African American (2026)23rd percentile-23 vs school

Asian (2024)20th percentile-23 vs school

White (2026)18th percentile-27 vs school

By subject vs Connecticut (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts49%-7 vs state

Science40%-10 vs state

Math22%-9 vs state

4.7

3 ratings · 3 written reviews

5★2

4★1

3★0

2★0

1★0

Rate Norwich Free Academy

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 parent
Sunday, July 11, 2010

As a parent, my main priority is to make sure that my children get a good education. After looking around for quite some time I chose to move to Norwich just so my children could attend Norwich Free Academy. The school is set up just like an actual college campus and I feel as though this will help my children make their transition to college easier when their time at NFA is complete.
The art program is one of the best in the country. Few can rival it. The school has on site security and has a no tolerance policy of any kind. This year my oldest is a senior and I feel as though she has been prepped well, by her teachers, to make the transition to college.
There is only one flaw with the school. Unfortunately, Norwich is quickly catering to a poverty stricken community, and over the years I have seen a lot of kids go to NFA who really don't have an interest in learning. These types of individuals take away from the students that are truly trying to succeed. Personally, I feel as though a lot of these kids shouldn't be allowed to go there.
I can honestly say that when my children graduate that there is no way that I would continue to live in Norwich. Close Quote

by a student
Tuesday, December 15, 2009

This high school is not like any other high school. The teachers actually care about each and every student and put 110% in their teaching. The school spirit and pride within the students and faculty is amazing to see and the school's unique campus really prepares students for the college environment. This school is amazing. Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, May 22, 2009

I have three sons. One graduated already. Two are currently attending NFA. It is an amazing school. There are so many opportunities. NFA is the best of private and public education!!! Close Quote

Schools Near Norwich Free Academy

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)	SBAC English Language Arts (2026)	SBAC Mathematics (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Norwich Free Academy	Public	9-12	305 Broadway	Norwich	06360	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Norwich Free Academy District	No	No	No	No	(860) 887-2505	2,020	136	14.8	58.3%	792 (39.2%)	367 (18.2%)	578 (28.6%)	142 (7.0%)	19 (0.9%)	6 (0.3%)	102 (5.0%)	36.6	74^th of 135 public high schools	45.2%	36	76^th of 141 public high schools	46.1%	2		40.4	48.7	22.2
Norwich Technical High School	Public	9-12	7 Mahan Drive	Norwich	06360	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Connecticut Technical Education and Career System	No	No	No	No	(860) 889-8453	649	58	11.2	34.8%	406 (62.6%)	28 (4.3%)	157 (24.2%)	5 (0.8%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	48 (7.4%)	44.4	70^th of 135 public high schools	48.1%	34.8	80^th of 141 public high schools	43.3%	10		62.7		7.7					$30,622
Three Rivers Middle College Magnet School	Public, Magnet	11-12	574 New London Turnpike	Norwich	06360	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Learn	No	Yes	No	Yes	(860) 215-9055	92	4	23.0	48.9%	51 (55.4%)	9 (9.8%)	13 (14.1%)	3 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (15.2%)							(n/a)		1097.0		28.2					$16,393
Griswold High School	Public	9-12	267 Slater Ave.	Griswold	06351	Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Griswold School District	No	No	No	Yes	(860) 376-7640	606	53	11.4	52.6%	410 (67.7%)	24 (4.0%)	102 (16.8%)	14 (2.3%)	6 (1.0%)	1 (0.2%)	47 (7.8%)							(n/a)		1106.0							$20,114
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)		49.0							$24,811
Griswold Soule Street Academy	Public	7-12	22 Soule Street	Jewett City	06351	Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Griswold School District	No	No	No	No	(860) 376-9129	19	3	6.3	84.2%	12 (63.2%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (26.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (10.5%)							(n/a)									$38,679
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%)	63.3	47^th of 135 public high schools	65.2%	76.2	36^th of 141 public high schools	74.5%	11		62.7	64.9	28.7					$20,772
Lyman Memorial High School	Public	9-12	917 Exeter Rd.	Lebanon	06249	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Lebanon School District	No	No	No	No	(860) 642-7567	322	36	8.8	28.0%	280 (87.0%)	3 (0.9%)	22 (6.8%)	1 (0.3%)	4 (1.2%)	1 (0.3%)	11 (3.4%)							(n/a)		53.6							$27,219
Bacon Academy	Public	9-12	611 Norwich Ave.	Colchester	06415	Capitol Planning Region	Colchester School District	No	No	No	Yes	(860) 537-2378	572	59	9.7	24.3%	461 (80.6%)	20 (3.5%)	45 (7.9%)	18 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (4.9%)	72.1	39^th of 135 public high schools	71.1%	74.9	39^th of 141 public high schools	72.3%			1106.0	66.1	41.9					$25,384
Wheeler High School	Public	7-12	297 Norwich/Westerly Rd.	North Stonington	06359	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	North Stonington School District	No	No	No	Yes	(860) 535-0377	344	43	8.0	18.6%	306 (89.0%)	1 (0.3%)	20 (5.8%)	4 (1.2%)	3 (0.9%)	1 (0.3%)	9 (2.6%)							(n/a)	819.0	1112.0	73.7		66.0	2601.0	2574.0	60.7	$22,907

Frequently Asked Questions about Norwich Free Academy

How many students attend Norwich Free Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 2,020 students attended Norwich Free Academy.

What district is Norwich Free Academy in?

Norwich Free Academy District

What schools feed into Norwich Free Academy?

Norwich Free Academy is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Fields Memorial School

Is Norwich Free Academy a good school?

Norwich Free Academy ranks 74^th of 135 Connecticut high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Norwich Free Academy?

Students at Norwich Free Academy are 39% White, 29% Hispanic, 18% African American, 7% Asian, 5% Two or more races.

Rate Norwich Free Academy!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

CTConnecticut High School Rankings

CTConnecticut District Rankings

Schools in Norwich, CT

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Norwich Free Academy!

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)	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 8th Grade	NGSS Science 11th Grade	SAT English Language Arts 11th Grade	SAT Math 11th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 7th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 8th Grade	SBAC Mathematics 7th Grade	SBAC Mathematics 8th Grade	Total
Norwich Free Academy	Public	9-12	305 Broadway	Norwich	06360	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Norwich Free Academy District	No	No	No	No	(860) 887-2505	2,020	136	14.8	58.3%	792 (39.2%)	367 (18.2%)	578 (28.6%)	142 (7.0%)	19 (0.9%)	6 (0.3%)	102 (5.0%)	36.6	74^th of 135 public high schools	45.2%		36	76^th of 141 public high schools	46.1%	2		40.4	48.7	22.2
Norwich Technical High School	Public	9-12	7 Mahan Drive	Norwich	06360	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Connecticut Technical Education and Career System	No	No	No	No	(860) 889-8453	649	58	11.2	34.8%	406 (62.6%)	28 (4.3%)	157 (24.2%)	5 (0.8%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	48 (7.4%)	44.4	70^th of 135 public high schools	48.1%		34.8	80^th of 141 public high schools	43.3%	10		62.7		7.7					$30,622
Three Rivers Middle College Magnet School	Public, Magnet	11-12	574 New London Turnpike	Norwich	06360	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Learn	No	Yes	No	Yes	(860) 215-9055	92	4	23.0	48.9%	51 (55.4%)	9 (9.8%)	13 (14.1%)	3 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (15.2%)								(n/a)		1097.0		28.2					$16,393
Griswold High School	Public	9-12	267 Slater Ave.	Griswold	06351	Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Griswold School District	No	No	No	Yes	(860) 376-7640	606	53	11.4	52.6%	410 (67.7%)	24 (4.0%)	102 (16.8%)	14 (2.3%)	6 (1.0%)	1 (0.2%)	47 (7.8%)								(n/a)		1106.0							$20,114
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)		49.0							$24,811
Griswold Soule Street Academy	Public	7-12	22 Soule Street	Jewett City	06351	Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Griswold School District	No	No	No	No	(860) 376-9129	19	3	6.3	84.2%	12 (63.2%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (26.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (10.5%)								(n/a)									$38,679
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%)	63.3	47^th of 135 public high schools	65.2%		76.2	36^th of 141 public high schools	74.5%	11		62.7	64.9	28.7					$20,772
Lyman Memorial High School	Public	9-12	917 Exeter Rd.	Lebanon	06249	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Lebanon School District	No	No	No	No	(860) 642-7567	322	36	8.8	28.0%	280 (87.0%)	3 (0.9%)	22 (6.8%)	1 (0.3%)	4 (1.2%)	1 (0.3%)	11 (3.4%)								(n/a)		53.6							$27,219
Bacon Academy	Public	9-12	611 Norwich Ave.	Colchester	06415	Capitol Planning Region	Colchester School District	No	No	No	Yes	(860) 537-2378	572	59	9.7	24.3%	461 (80.6%)	20 (3.5%)	45 (7.9%)	18 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (4.9%)	72.1	39^th of 135 public high schools	71.1%		74.9	39^th of 141 public high schools	72.3%			1106.0	66.1	41.9					$25,384
Wheeler High School	Public	7-12	297 Norwich/Westerly Rd.	North Stonington	06359	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	North Stonington School District	No	No	No	Yes	(860) 535-0377	344	43	8.0	18.6%	306 (89.0%)	1 (0.3%)	20 (5.8%)	4 (1.2%)	3 (0.9%)	1 (0.3%)	9 (2.6%)								(n/a)	819.0	1112.0	73.7		66.0	2601.0	2574.0	60.7	$22,907