Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 06112

Zip code 06112 in Hartford, Connecticut is home to seven elementary schools serving roughly 2,188 students in grades PK–5 through PK–8, all within the Hartford School District, a district ranked 148 out of 153 in the state. This is a high-poverty cluster of schools — an average of about 78% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch — and chronic absenteeism is a major challenge, averaging nearly 28% compared to 16.4% statewide. The schools vary widely, however, and a few are genuine bright spots despite the difficult context.

STEM Magnet at Annie Fisher School is the clear academic leader, ranking 260th out of 491 Connecticut elementary schools (47th percentile), with math and science proficiency rates at or above state averages in several grade levels despite 63% poverty. Breakthrough Magnet School North is second-best, ranking in the 32nd percentile, and posts strong 3rd grade math scores (57.6% proficient, above the state average), though its 4th grade scores drop off. Montessori Magnet at Fisher School has the lowest chronic absenteeism in the zip at just 9.8% and strong early-grade ELA results. At the other end is Global Communications Academy, ranked dead last in Connecticut (491 of 491), with 0% 3rd grade ELA proficiency and 47.7% chronic absenteeism. West Middle School, Wish Museum School, and Rawson School round out the group with low proficiency rates and, for Wish and Rawson, absenteeism above 41%.

Money and class size do not automatically produce results: Rawson School spends the most per student ($17,906) and has the smallest classes (9.4:1), yet proficiency is below 22%, while Montessori Magnet at Fisher School spends the least ($15,403) with the largest classes (25.2:1) and beats it handily. Attendance is the clearest dividing line — the three worst-performing schools all have absenteeism above 41%, while the strongest schools are at or near the state rate. Notably, West Middle School breaks the pattern with low absenteeism (16.1%) and small classes but weak math scores, and data gaps for Wish Museum School, Rawson School, and Global Communications Academy make full comparisons difficult. For parents, STEM Magnet at Annie Fisher School and Montessori Magnet at Fisher School are the standouts.