Best Public Schools in Zip Code 06489

The 06489 zip code, serving the Southington School District in Connecticut, contains 7 public schools serving approximately 4,448 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, and the area performs as a consistently above-average school community.

Families in 06489 have several strong elementary options. William H. Hatton Elementary School is the clear academic leader, ranking 74th in the state (85th percentile) with standout 3rd grade math proficiency at 90%. This is especially impressive given that nearly 32% of its students qualify for free/reduced lunch. Urbin T. Kelley School and R. E. Thalberg Elementary School are both solid 4-star choices, with Thalberg offering strong efficiency at the lowest per-student spending in the zip code. Walter A. Derynoski Elementary School and Flanders Elementary School rank in the 60th percentile, with Flanders showing a notable decline this year that appears cohort-driven. At the secondary level, Joseph A. Depaolo Middle School is a consistent high performer in the 85th percentile, with 8th grade science proficiency of 75.5% versus 50.9% statewide, while Southington High School boasts a 96% graduation rate and strong SAT scores.

The biggest district-wide challenge is math proficiency, which consistently trails ELA and science at every level — from Southington High's SAT math at 39.8% to Flanders Elementary's 57% average. Chronic absenteeism rises sharply with grade level, climbing from 6.9% in elementary schools to 14.3% at the high school, though all remain below the state average of 16.4%. Interestingly, spending per student does not predict performance; Hatton spends the most ($18,439) and performs best, but Thalberg spends the least ($13,075) and still ranks in the 75th percentile. Meanwhile, Kelley boasts the best attendance (4.1% chronic absenteeism) and lowest poverty rate, yet its test scores are merely average — a reminder that demographics alone don't tell the full story. Every school in 06489 outperforms Connecticut state averages across nearly all subjects, making this zip code a reliably strong choice for families.