Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 06108

Zip code 06108 in East Hartford, Connecticut is served by two middle schools—East Hartford Middle School and the Academy of Computer Science and Engineering Middle School—both covering grades 6 through 8 and together enrolling about 1,640 students. While both schools operate in the same zip code, they belong to different districts: East Hartford Middle is part of the East Hartford School District, while the Academy of Computer Science and Engineering is run by the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC).

Academically, East Hartford Middle School is the stronger of the two, though neither school is close to state averages. East Hartford Middle ranks 189th out of 258 Connecticut middle schools (27th percentile), while the Academy of Computer Science and Engineering ranks 202nd (22nd percentile). On 2025–26 state tests, East Hartford Middle posted a combined English and math proficiency rate of 27.6%, compared to 24.6% at the Academy. The gap is most visible in math: East Hartford Middle’s average math proficiency is 22.0%, versus 17.7% at the Academy. Both schools sit roughly 20–25 points behind the state average in English and math. Notably, the Academy actually spends more per student ($19,456 versus $16,571 at East Hartford Middle) yet achieves lower test scores, raising questions about how effectively those extra funds are being used.

Both schools face serious challenges beyond test scores. Chronic absenteeism is nearly double the state rate of 16.4%, with East Hartford Middle at 34.1% and the Academy at 30.7%. A majority of students at both schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch (65.6% at East Hartford Middle and 71.9% at the Academy), indicating high poverty levels. There is also a notable district dynamic: East Hartford Middle performs below its own district average on every test, while the Academy performs above its district average on every test. However, that is because the CREC district is very low-performing overall. In simple terms, families in 06108 have two middle school options, and while East Hartford Middle is the relative standout, both schools remain firmly in the bottom quarter of Connecticut middle schools and have shown no sustained improvement in recent years.