Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 06854

Zip code 06854 in Norwalk, Connecticut is served by three elementary schools — Brookside Elementary School, Side By Side Charter School, and South Norwalk Elementary School — which together enroll 823 students across grades PK–5 (with Side By Side extending through grade 8) and serve predominantly low-income families, with free/reduced lunch eligibility ranging from roughly 61% to 73%.

Brookside is the academic leader in this group. Despite a 60.8% poverty rate, it has the lowest chronic absenteeism (7.3% vs. the state's 16.4%) and the strongest overall test scores, including a 3rd grade math proficiency of 45.5% — close to the district's 47.7% and not far from the state's 52.2%. Its state ranking improved from the 19th percentile in 2023–2024 to the 26th percentile in 2025–2026. However, Brookside shows a striking drop in math after 3rd grade: only 24.5% of 4th graders and 25.8% of 5th graders are proficient, versus 45.5% in 3rd grade. Side By Side Charter, part of the Side By Side Charter School District, is the efficiency standout: it spends about $4,700 less per student than Brookside ($13,451 vs. $18,116) and has a higher student-teacher ratio (16.1), yet beats Brookside in both 4th grade math (28.6% vs. 24.5%) and 5th grade math (36.4% vs. 25.8%). Its chronic absenteeism is also low at 8.7%.

South Norwalk Elementary faces the greatest challenges. It has the highest poverty rate (73.2%), the highest chronic absenteeism (21.0%), and the weakest reported scores — only 3rd grade data is available, with just 18% proficient in ELA and 20% in math, far below state averages. Even though South Norwalk has the lowest student-teacher ratio (11.1), that advantage does not translate into achievement, underscoring that attendance and poverty concentration matter more than class size alone. Both Brookside and South Norwalk belong to the Norwalk School District, which ranks 113th out of 153 Connecticut districts, yet Brookside clearly outperforms its district sibling — a reminder that individual school climate and support can make a significant difference. For parents, the data suggests Brookside offers the strongest overall package, Side By Side provides solid math outcomes at lower cost, and South Norwalk may need the most targeted intervention and support.