Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 4.0Deep River’s public schools outscore 75% of Connecticut districts
Reading proficiency in Deep River’s districts is 68%, above the Connecticut average (50%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Deep River, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Connecticut, not nationally.
From Connecticut state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Deep River’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 155 Connecticut towns with household incomes within a quarter of Deep River’s, its schools beat 88%, higher than their 75% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Deep River runs its own schools through grade 6, then shares
Deep River Elementary School (PK–6) is Deep River’s own. From grade 7, students attend the Regional School District 04 with Chester and Essex: John Winthrop Middle School, then Valley Regional High School. The high school’s own results earn a B; the middle school earns a B−. See the path ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 68% and math 52% across both districts in spring 2022, against 50% and 40% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Deep River spends $36,344 per student and Regional School District 04 $32,549, against $25,892 across Connecticut (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Steward Outdoor School (private) is in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Deep River’s grade
A−: better than 75% of Connecticut school districts, #38 of 152 Connecticut towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Connecticut average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Deep River, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Deep River
Deep River Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 189 students
Kindergarten in Deep River
Deep River Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 189 students
1st grade in Deep River
Deep River Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 189 students
2nd grade in Deep River
Deep River Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 189 students
3rd grade in Deep River
Deep River Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 189 students
4th grade in Deep River
Deep River Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 189 students
5th grade in Deep River
Deep River Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 189 students
6th grade in Deep River
Deep River Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 189 students
7th grade in Deep River
John Winthrop Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 197 students · 11:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Deep River
John Winthrop Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 197 students · 11:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Deep River
Valley Regional High School
Grades 9–12 · 429 students · 9:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Deep River
Valley Regional High School
Grades 9–12 · 429 students · 9:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Deep River
Valley Regional High School
Grades 9–12 · 429 students · 9:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Deep River
Valley Regional High School
Grades 9–12 · 429 students · 9:1 students per teacher
Deep River runs its own schools through grade 6 (Deep River School District). From grade 7, students attend the Regional School District 04, shared with Chester and Essex. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Deep River
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Deep River vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Connecticut towns that share Deep River’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Deep River | A− | Deep River PK–6 · Regional School District 04 7–12 |
| Chester | B+ | Chester PK–6 · Regional School District 04 7–12 |
| Lyme | A | Regional School District 18 |
| Essex | A− | Essex PK–6 · Regional School District 04 7–12 |
| Westbrook | B+ | Westbrook |
2 of the 4 neighbors share Regional School District 04 with Deep River for grades 7–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Deep River
4 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Connecticut’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Deep River’s schools
Are Deep River’s schools good?
By Connecticut’s own tests, yes: the public schools Deep River children attend outscore 75% of Connecticut’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #38 of 152 Connecticut towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 88%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Deep River in?
Two districts: Deep River School District runs grades PK–6, and Regional School District 04 runs grades 7–12, shared with Chester and Essex.
Where do Deep River kids go to high school?
Valley Regional High School, with 429 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Deep River’s graduation rate?
95–100% of the class of 2023 in Regional School District 04 graduated in four years, against 88% across Connecticut.
How much does Deep River spend per student?
$36,344 in Deep River School District and $32,549 in Regional School District 04 (FY2024), against $25,892 across Connecticut. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Deep River?
Yes: Steward Outdoor School (religious, grades K–5, 10 students).
Parents talk
What Deep River families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Deep River → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Connecticut. Stars are from neighbors.