Summary:
Zip code 06489 is home to one middle school, Joseph A. Depaolo Middle School, which serves grades 6 through 8 in Southington, Connecticut, part of the Southington School District. This school has earned a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger for three consecutive years and consistently ranks among the top 15% of Connecticut middle schools, placing 39th out of 258 schools statewide in the most recent year.
Joseph A. Depaolo Middle School outperforms the Connecticut state average in every subject and grade level by wide margins. For example, 7th grade math proficiency stands at 72.2% versus a 44.1% state average, while 8th grade science reaches 75.5% compared to a 50.9% state average. Even its relative weakness, 8th grade math at 59.3%, still beats the state average by over 17 points. However, the school falls slightly below its own district's 8th grade math average (61.0%), and this subject saw a 4-point drop from the previous year. In contrast, 7th grade math improved sharply by nearly 9 points, suggesting a possible transition challenge into 8th grade.
The school reports a favorable student-to-teacher ratio of 10.8:1 and a chronic absenteeism rate of 12.9%, which is better than the state's 16.4% but slightly above the district's 11.1%. About 26% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a majority of students are not economically disadvantaged. While the district itself is ranked in the 65th percentile of Connecticut districts, this middle school consistently ranks in the 85th–86th percentile, making it one of the stronger schools within an already above-average district. For parents considering this area, the school offers stable, high-quality academics with particular strengths in ELA and science, while 8th grade math and chronic absenteeism are worth monitoring.
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