Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 06824

Zip code 06824 in Fairfield, Connecticut is home to three public middle schools—Roger Ludlowe Middle School, Fairfield Woods Middle School, and Tomlinson Middle School—serving grades 6–8 and a combined 2,063 students, all part of the Fairfield School District, which ranks 21st of 153 districts in Connecticut. All three schools sit well above state averages in ELA and math: the district averages 71.0% ELA proficiency and 70.6% math proficiency versus state averages of 51.5% and 43.5%.

Roger Ludlowe Middle School is the clear standout, ranking 11th out of 258 middle schools statewide (96th percentile) with a 5-star rating. It posts the highest test scores in nearly every subject and grade, the lowest chronic absenteeism (6.4%), and the lowest free/reduced lunch eligibility (8.38%). Fairfield Woods Middle School is a solid second option, ranking 32nd (88th percentile, 4 stars), with steady rank improvement over three years and strong 7th-grade ELA (78.2%) and 8th-grade science (69.5%). Tomlinson Middle School is the lowest-performing of the three, ranked 79th (69th percentile, 3 stars). Its rank fell sharply from 54th to 79th, and it has the highest chronic absenteeism (9.2%) and highest free/reduced lunch rate (30.31%).

A clear pattern emerges: achievement closely tracks poverty levels, with Roger Ludlowe at the top on both measures, Tomlinson at the bottom, and Fairfield Woods in the middle. Tomlinson's decline is the most urgent concern—8th-grade science proficiency dropped from 58.0% to 48.6%, below the state average of 50.9%, and math proficiency slipped as well. Science is the biggest separator, with a 27.7-point gap between Roger Ludlowe (76.3%) and Tomlinson (48.6%). Notably, higher spending does not translate into better outcomes: Tomlinson spends the most per student ($19,070) yet ranks lowest, while Fairfield Woods spends the least ($18,105) and ranks 47 places higher. Attendance is a strength across all three schools, with chronic absenteeism ranging from 6.4% to 9.2%, far below the state average of 16.4%.