Thomas Lyman House · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 3.0Durham’s public schools outscore 52% of Connecticut districts
Reading proficiency in Durham’s districts is 63%, above the Connecticut average (50%). The grade covers the public school district serving Durham, 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 97% 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.
Durham’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 113 Connecticut towns with household incomes within a quarter of Durham’s, its schools beat 8%, lower than their 52% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 63% and math 46% in spring 2022, against 50% and 40% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $31,806 per student, against $25,892 across Connecticut (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school
From grade 2 the district’s path is John Lyman School, then Frank Ward Strong School, then Coginchaug Regional High School. Enrollment is down 9% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Yeshiva Gedolah of Waterbury- Mesivta Durham (private) and Rushford Academy School (private) are 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 Durham’s grade
B−: better than 52% of Connecticut school districts, #85 of 152 Connecticut towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Connecticut average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Durham, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Durham
Frederick Brewster School
Grades PK–1 · 214 students · 10:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Durham
John Lyman School
Grades 2–3 · 207 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Middlefield
3rd grade in Durham
John Lyman School
Grades 2–3 · 207 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Middlefield
4th grade in Durham
Middlefield Memorial School
Grades 4–5 · 206 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Middlefield
5th grade in Durham
Middlefield Memorial School
Grades 4–5 · 206 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Middlefield
9th grade in Durham
Coginchaug Regional High School
Grades 9–12 · 356 students · 9:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Durham
Coginchaug Regional High School
Grades 9–12 · 356 students · 9:1 students per teacher
Durham’s public schools are run by Regional School District 13, which also serves Middlefield. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
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
Durham vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Connecticut towns that share Durham’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Durham | B− | Regional School District 13 |
| Haddam | A− | Regional School District 17 |
| Guilford | A− | Guilford |
| Killingworth | A− | Regional School District 17 |
| Middlefield | B− | Regional School District 13 |
| Madison | A | Madison |
| North Branford | B | North Branford |
| Wallingford | C+ | Wallingford |
| Middletown | C | Middletown |
Every school in Durham
6 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 Durham’s schools
Are Durham’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Connecticut: the public schools Durham children attend outscore 52% of Connecticut’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #85 of 152 Connecticut towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 8%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Durham in?
Regional School District 13, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,302 students in 5 schools (2024–25).
Where do Durham kids go to high school?
Coginchaug Regional High School, with 356 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Durham’s graduation rate?
90–94% of the class of 2023 in Regional School District 13 graduated in four years, against 88% across Connecticut.
How much does Durham spend per student?
$31,806 in Regional School District 13 (FY2024), against $25,892 across Connecticut. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Durham?
Yes: Yeshiva Gedolah of Waterbury- Mesivta Durham (religious · all-boys, grades 9–12, 147 students) and Rushford Academy School (special education, grades 10–12, 8 students).
Parents talk
What Durham families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Durham → 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.