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Norwich Free Academy

Q: Is Norwich Free Academy a good school?

Norwich Free Academy ranks 76 th of 141 Connecticut high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

76^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 141 Connecticut High Schools

Better than 46% of Connecticut high schools

Summary

Norwich Free Academy is a public high school located in Norwich, Connecticut, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 2,001 students. The school is part of the Norwich Free Academy District, which is ranked 111 out of 156 districts in Connecticut and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Norwich Free Academy faces several challenges, including a below-average statewide ranking, typically between 60-120 out of around 140-200 schools, and a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger over the past several years, indicating below-average performance compared to other high schools in the state. The school's academic performance, as measured by standardized test scores, is generally below the state average, with proficiency rates in SAT/English Language Arts (53%), SAT/Math (18.7%), and NGSS/Science (40.8%) all lower than the Connecticut state averages. Additionally, the school's performance has been declining over time, with proficiency rates in most subject areas decreasing from the 2020-2021 school year to the 2024-2025 school year.

However, the school's performance varies significantly across different student subgroups. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, Bacon Academy, located in Colchester, and Wheeler High School, in North Stonington, consistently outperform Norwich Free Academy across various metrics, including statewide ranking, academic achievement, and graduation rates. In contrast, the New London Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School, which serves a high-needs population, struggles with even lower academic achievement compared to Norwich Free Academy.

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 2012 → 46th in 2025

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 17 percentile points since 2012

Worth a look

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

!High chronic absenteeism (27% vs 17% Connecticut)

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

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school37%

District avg36%

Connecticut avg46%

76^th of 141

Connecticut public high schools ?

Bottom 46%▲ up 4 pts since 2015

From bottom 42% (2015) to bottom 46% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Connecticut High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

111^th of 156Norwich 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
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
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
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
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
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
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)

African American (2025)84th percentile+38 vs school

English Language Learner (2021)82nd percentile+41 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)41st percentile-5 vs school

Female (2025)38th percentile-8 vs school

Hispanic (2025)37th percentile-10 vs school

Male (2025)34th percentile-12 vs school

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

White (2025)24th percentile-22 vs school

Asian (2024)20th percentile-23 vs school

By subject vs Connecticut (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts53%-5 vs state

Science41%-7 vs state

Math19%-12 vs state

4.7

3 ratings · 3 written reviews

5★2

4★1

3★0

2★0

1★0

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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

School	Students/Teachers	Ranking (2025)	Ranking (2024)	NGSS Science (2025)	SAT English Language Arts (2025)	SAT Math (2025)	SBAC English Language Arts (2025)	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	76^th of 141 public high schools	46.1%	36.6	83^rd of 145 public high schools	42.8%	7	40.8	53.0	18.7
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%)	34.8	80^th of 141 public high schools	43.3%	54.3	66^th of 145 public high schools	54.5%	14	54.1	38.9	16.1			$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%)	59.4	58^th of 141 public high schools	58.9%	70.9	42^nd of 145 public high schools	71.0%	16		65.9	31.7			$16,393
Griswold High School	Public	9-12	267 Slater Ave.	Griswold	06351	Southeastern 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)	41.5					$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)	45.7					$24,811
Griswold Soule Street Academy	Public	7-12	22 Soule Street	Jewett City	06351	Southeastern 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%)	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
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)						$27,219
Bacon Academy	Public	9-12	611 Norwich Ave.	Colchester	06415	Southeastern Connecticut 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%)	74.9	39^th of 141 public high schools	72.3%	63.7	54^th of 145 public high schools	62.8%	15	65.2	68.3	42.3			$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)		81.6		68.9	60.4	$22,907

Frequently Asked Questions about Norwich Free Academy

What schools feed into Norwich Free Academy?

Norwich Free Academy is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Fields Memorial School

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.

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

Is Norwich Free Academy a good school?

Norwich Free Academy ranks 76^th of 141 Connecticut high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Rate Norwich Free Academy!

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CTConnecticut High School Rankings

CTConnecticut District Rankings

Schools in Norwich, 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)		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 11th Grade	SAT English Language Arts 11th Grade	SAT Math 11th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 7th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 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	76^th of 141 public high schools	46.1%		36.6	83^rd of 145 public high schools	42.8%	7	40.8	53.0	18.7
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%)	34.8	80^th of 141 public high schools	43.3%		54.3	66^th of 145 public high schools	54.5%	14	54.1	38.9	16.1			$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%)	59.4	58^th of 141 public high schools	58.9%		70.9	42^nd of 145 public high schools	71.0%	16		65.9	31.7			$16,393
Griswold High School	Public	9-12	267 Slater Ave.	Griswold	06351	Southeastern 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)	41.5					$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)	45.7					$24,811
Griswold Soule Street Academy	Public	7-12	22 Soule Street	Jewett City	06351	Southeastern 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%)	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
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)						$27,219
Bacon Academy	Public	9-12	611 Norwich Ave.	Colchester	06415	Southeastern Connecticut 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%)	74.9	39^th of 141 public high schools	72.3%		63.7	54^th of 145 public high schools	62.8%	15	65.2	68.3	42.3			$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)		81.6		68.9	60.4	$22,907