Summary:
Zip code 06410 in Cheshire, Connecticut is served by exactly one middle school: Dodd Middle School, which enrolls 660 students in grades 7 and 8 as part of the Cheshire School District. Dodd is an exceptional performer by Connecticut standards, ranking 13th out of 258 middle schools statewide for the 2025-2026 school year, placing it in the 95th percentile and earning a 5-star rating. The school also ranked 13th the previous year and 27th in 2023-2024, showing a significant improvement that has been sustained over two consecutive years.
Dodd Middle School substantially outperforms Connecticut averages in every tested subject. In 2025-2026, 7th-grade English Language Arts proficiency was 83.1% versus 52.2% statewide, while 7th-grade math proficiency was 75.9% compared to 44.1% statewide — a gap of nearly 32 percentage points. Eighth-grade results were similarly strong, with 76.3% proficient in ELA and 71.2% in math, and 77.2% proficient in science. The school also benefits from a favorable 12.5 student-teacher ratio and a relatively low free/reduced-price lunch rate of 18.33%, factors that often support strong academic outcomes. Its chronic absenteeism rate of 9.0% is well below the state average of 16.4%, though slightly above the district's 8.4%.
Looking at recent trends, Dodd Middle School slightly exceeds its district average in nearly every test category, confirming it is a leader within an already high-performing Cheshire School District, which ranks 16th out of 153 districts in Connecticut. One pattern worth watching is a modest dip from 7th to 8th grade in both ELA and math, which appeared in both 2024-2025 and 2025-2026. Per-student spending of $16,493 dates back to 2018-2019, so it should be interpreted cautiously. Overall, Dodd Middle School is a top-tier option for families in Cheshire, combining excellent test scores, strong attendance, and a supportive learning environment.
Thank you for your feedback!