Summary:
Zip code 06098 (Winsted, CT) is served by Northwestern Regional High School, Northwestern Regional Middle School, Pearson School, Mary P. Hinsdale School, The Gilbert School, and Explorations, enrolling roughly 1,864 students across elementary, middle, and high school grades in four separate districts.
Families will find the strongest academics at the two Regional School District 07 schools. Northwestern Regional High School has climbed to the 80th percentile of Connecticut high schools, with a 97% graduation rate and SAT/NGSS scores well above state averages. Its partner, Northwestern Regional Middle School, outperforms the state in every subject and enjoys the lowest student-to-teacher ratio in the zip code. Both schools also serve far fewer low-income students (roughly 22–24% free/reduced lunch) than the other local schools. Meanwhile, Pearson School, part of the lower-ranked Winchester School District and serving grades 3–6, is a mixed bag; its 5th-grade math (61.5% proficient) and science (69.2%) far exceed state averages, even though other grade levels lag behind.
The remaining schools present more significant challenges. The Gilbert School, a unique grade 7–12 hybrid, posts a solid 96.5% graduation rate but scores below state averages in nearly every tested subject, with especially weak 11th-grade math and science. Explorations is the area's greatest concern: a 64% graduation rate, 49.3% chronic absenteeism, and no recent test data. On the positive side, Mary P. Hinsdale School (PK–2) has no standardized testing, but its below-average chronic absenteeism is a healthy sign for the youngest learners. Overall, 06098 shows a clear divide between the high-performing Northwestern schools and the higher-poverty schools in Winchester, Gilbert, and Explorations districts.
Thank you for your feedback!