Summary:
Zip code 06360 in Norwich, CT is home to two public middle schools—Kelly STEAM Magnet Middle School and Teachers' Memorial Middle School—both serving grades 6 through 8 under the Norwich School District, which ranks in the bottom 5% of Connecticut districts. Together, these schools serve roughly 1,040 students, predominantly from low-income families (74–82% free/reduced lunch eligibility), and both trail Connecticut state proficiency averages significantly.
Academically, Kelly STEAM Magnet is the stronger school. It holds a 2025–2026 state rank of 190 out of 258 (26th percentile) compared to Teachers' Memorial's 218 out of 258 (16th percentile). Kelly beats Teachers' Memorial in 7th and 8th grade English, 7th and 8th grade math, and 8th grade science, with average proficiency roughly 5–9 points higher in each subject. However, Teachers' Memorial outperforms Kelly in two important non-academic areas: chronic absenteeism (16.3% vs. 25.1%) and student-to-teacher ratio (10.7 vs. 11.4). It also spends more per student ($19,553 vs. $18,530). Interestingly, Teachers' Memorial posted a stronger 6th grade cohort in 2025–2026, beating Kelly in 6th grade ELA (32.8% vs. 26.8%) and 6th grade math (27.0% vs. 18.5%).
The most alarming statistic is Teachers' Memorial's math performance: only 13.8% of its 8th graders met math proficiency standards in 2025–2026 (up from 4.1% the prior year), compared to 26.5% at Kelly and roughly 42% statewide. Kelly's high chronic absenteeism—well above both the district and state—despite producing better test scores suggests absenteeism alone does not explain the achievement gap. Both schools also show large year-to-year swings driven by individual cohorts. For parents, Kelly offers stronger overall academics, while Teachers' Memorial offers better attendance, smaller classes, and more spending per student—yet those advantages have not yet translated into higher test scores.
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