Summary:
Zip code 06355 (Mystic, CT) is served by two public elementary schools—Mystic River Magnet School and Northeast Academy Magnet School—both part of the Groton School District and both serving grades PK through 5. Despite their shared location and district, these two schools present very different profiles, and parents comparing them should look closely at academics, attendance, and socioeconomic factors.
Northeast Academy Magnet School is the stronger-performing school by a wide margin. It ranks 178th out of 491 Connecticut elementary schools (64th percentile, 3 stars) for 2025-26, while Mystic River Magnet School ranks 316th (36th percentile, 2 stars). Northeast exceeds state averages in nearly every tested subject and grade; for example, its 5th grade math proficiency is 68.3% versus the state average of 45.8%, and its 5th grade science proficiency is a standout 77.8% versus 52.9% statewide. Mystic River, on the other hand, generally falls below state averages, with 5th grade math at just 34.3% proficiency. Across all subjects, Northeast outperforms Mystic River by roughly 18 to 30 percentage points. Both schools have seen slight rank declines since 2023-24, but Northeast remains far ahead.
Chronic absenteeism and poverty levels sharply differentiate the two schools. Northeast has a very healthy 6.9% chronic absenteeism rate—far below the state average of 16.4%—while Mystic River’s rate is 17.3%, slightly above the state average. Socioeconomic status also differs dramatically: 81.35% of Mystic River students receive free/reduced lunch, compared to only 36.73% at Northeast. Interestingly, student–teacher ratios are nearly identical (11.9 at Mystic River versus 12.5 at Northeast), so staffing levels do not explain the academic gap. Spending per student is only reported for Northeast ($15,507). For parents, the clear takeaway is that Northeast Academy is the higher-achieving and more stable school in this zip code, while Mystic River faces significant challenges related to poverty and attendance.
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