Summary:
Zip code 06511 in New Haven, Connecticut is home to 10 elementary schools serving approximately 3,954 students, most spanning PK–8, within a district ranked 143rd out of 153 statewide. Nine of the ten schools belong to the New Haven School District, while Booker T. Washington Academy operates as its own independent district, and the area is characterized by high poverty, with free/reduced lunch rates averaging 78%.
Worthington Hooker School is the clear standout, ranking in the 75th percentile statewide with a 6.5% chronic absenteeism rate and 36.4% free/reduced lunch eligibility — far lower than any other school in the area. Its proficiency rates approach or exceed state averages, including 76.3% in 5th grade ELA and 72.7% in 3rd grade math. Booker T. Washington Academy is the second-highest-ranked school (34th percentile) despite having the highest poverty rate (92.1%) and lowest per-pupil spending ($12,253), with strong middle-grade results like 60% proficiency in 6th grade ELA. By contrast, Augusta Lewis Troup School has the highest chronic absenteeism rate (37.4%), and Wexler/Grant - Lincoln/Bassett Community School spends the most per student ($17,311) yet ranks in the 5th percentile and posted a 0% proficiency rate in 6th grade math.
Across the remaining schools, most rank at or below the 13th percentile statewide, and chronic absenteeism is widespread, averaging 24.4% versus 16.4% statewide. Notably, higher spending and smaller class sizes do not predict better outcomes — Worthington Hooker School has the largest student-teacher ratio (19:1) and the best scores, while Augusta Lewis Troup School has the smallest ratio (9.6:1) and ranks near the bottom. The five magnet schools in the area all rank between the 3rd and 15th percentile, showing that magnet status does not guarantee high performance. For parents, Worthington Hooker School stands out as an exceptional option, and Booker T. Washington Academy demonstrates that high-poverty schools can succeed, but the broader picture is one of high-poverty, low-performing schools where absenteeism and inconsistent proficiency remain the biggest challenges.
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