Best Public Schools in Zip Code 06516

Zip code 06516 in West Haven, Connecticut, is served by 10 schools — six elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools — that collectively educate about 6,359 students, with most belonging to the West Haven School District, which ranks 119 out of 153 districts statewide. The clear academic leader is the Engineering & Science University Magnet School, a New Haven district school located in this zip code that ranks in the 69th percentile among Connecticut high schools, boasts a 98.8% graduation rate, and posts SAT ELA proficiency of 75% and math proficiency of 41.3% — more than double the math scores at West Haven High School. The magnet school also has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate in the area at 12.0%, well below the state average of 16.4%.

Among the traditional neighborhood elementary schools, Edith E. Mackrille School stands out with 4th grade math proficiency of 77.8% and ELA proficiency of 63.5%, both well above state averages, despite a 58.75% free/reduced lunch population. Seth G. Haley School also shines with the lowest chronic absenteeism among West Haven schools (15.2%) and strong early math scores. In contrast, Savin Rock Community School faces the steepest challenges, with the highest poverty rate (70.8%), the highest chronic absenteeism (28.9%), and test scores consistently below district and state averages. Overall, 8 of 10 schools exceed the state chronic absenteeism rate, with Harry M. Bailey Middle School, Forest School, and West Haven High all above 26%.

A key concern is the dramatic drop in math proficiency as students progress: Carrigan 5/6 Intermediate School and Bailey Middle School post math proficiency near state averages, but only 10% of West Haven High 11th graders are proficient in SAT math, even though the school maintains a strong 94.8% graduation rate. Notably, spending does not predict outcomes — Alma E. Pagels School has the highest per-student spending ($17,795) but modest results, while Mackrille performs best with a relatively low $15,587 per student. For parents, the magnet school is the standout choice, but Mackrille and Haley offer strong alternatives within the neighborhood school system.