Best Public Schools in Zip Code 06320

Zip code 06320 in New London, Connecticut, is served by 10 schools — four elementary, three middle, and three high schools — enrolling about 3,617 students in a high-poverty area where roughly 81% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Most schools belong to the New London School District, which ranks 151st of 153 districts in Connecticut, but two notable exceptions are the Regional Multicultural Magnet School (part of the Learn district) and the Interdistrict School For Arts And Communication (part of the Interdistrict School for Arts and Community District). Chronic absenteeism is a widespread challenge, with most schools far exceeding the state rate of 16.4%.

The clear standout is the Interdistrict School For Arts And Communication, the only school in the zip code with chronic absenteeism (14.6%) below the state average, and it posts the strongest test scores — its 5th, 6th, and 7th grade ELA proficiency all meet or beat state averages despite spending the least per student ($13,271). The Regional Multicultural Magnet School is the best elementary option, with 5th grade ELA nearly matching the state average, while the Science and Technology Magnet Pathway for High School Grades has the highest graduation rate at 92.6%. At the other end, New London High School ranks last among all Connecticut high schools with a 78.5% graduation rate, and C.B. Jennings International Elementary Magnet and Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School rank near the bottom statewide.

Math proficiency is the most serious academic weakness across the area, with several grades scoring below 10% proficient versus state averages of roughly 45–52%. Chronic absenteeism is the defining crisis — New London High School is at 38.4% — and it closely tracks with lower achievement. Notably, more spending and smaller classes do not guarantee results: Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School has the lowest student–teacher ratio (7.2:1) yet ranks in the 6th percentile. Meanwhile, the magnet pathways and interdistrict schools show that higher performance is achievable even in high-poverty settings, making school choice and attendance the most important factors for families to weigh.