Schools in Zip Code 06710

Schools in zip code 06710 (Waterbury, CT) include just three elementary schools serving 1,227 students in grades PK-8, with no standalone middle or high schools available locally. Two of the schools — F. J. Kingsbury School and Driggs School — belong to the Waterbury School District, which ranks 144 out of 153 districts statewide, while Brass City Charter School operates in its own district, the Brass City Charter School District, which ranks somewhat higher at 126 out of 153.

Brass City Charter School is the clear standout in this zip code. It ranks in the 44th percentile statewide with a 2-star rating, and its ranking has improved three years in a row (295 to 289 to 274). Despite a high-poverty population (70% free/reduced lunch), it exceeded the state average in 5th grade ELA (68.3% vs. 53.5%), 4th grade ELA (52.5% vs. 50.9%), and 5th grade math (46.3% vs. 45.8%). By contrast, Driggs School is the lowest-performing school in the group, ranking in the bottom 1-4% of Connecticut elementary schools for three straight years. Driggs has a 35.4% chronic absenteeism rate — more than double the state rate — and most test scores sit below 20% proficiency. F. J. Kingsbury School sits in the middle but is trending downward, falling from the 18th to the 10th percentile over three years.

All three schools serve high-poverty populations (70-84% free/reduced lunch), and all rank below the Connecticut median. Chronic absenteeism tracks closely with performance: Driggs, the weakest school, has the highest absenteeism (35.4%), while Kingsbury, the middle performer, has the lowest (20.0%). Notably, Driggs spends the most per student ($14,617) and has the smallest class sizes (13.9:1), yet still posts the worst outcomes — evidence that money and staffing alone don't drive results. For families, the bottom line is that Brass City Charter is the strongest academic option in 06710, Kingsbury offers some bright spots but is losing ground, and Driggs is in urgent need of intervention, particularly around attendance and early literacy and math foundations.