Photo: Joe Mabel (on Flickr as Joe Mabel from Seattle, US) · CC BY-SA 3.0Essex’s public schools outscore 77% of Connecticut districts
On the state reading tests, 70% of Essex’s students scored proficient, above the Connecticut average (50%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Essex, 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.
Essex’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 174 Connecticut towns with household incomes within a quarter of Essex’s, its schools beat 87%, higher than their 77% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Essex runs its own schools through grade 6, then shares
Essex Elementary School (PK–6) is Essex’s own. From grade 7, students attend the Regional School District 04 with Chester and Deep River: John Winthrop Middle School in Deep River, then Valley Regional High School in Deep River. 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 70% 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
Essex spends $31,823 per student and Regional School District 04 $32,549, against $25,892 across Connecticut (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
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 Essex’s grade
A−: better than 77% of Connecticut school districts, #34 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 Essex, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Essex
Essex Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 307 students · in Centerbrook
1st grade in Essex
Essex Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 307 students · in Centerbrook
2nd grade in Essex
Essex Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 307 students · in Centerbrook
3rd grade in Essex
Essex Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 307 students · in Centerbrook
4th grade in Essex
Essex Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 307 students · in Centerbrook
5th grade in Essex
Essex Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 307 students · in Centerbrook
6th grade in Essex
Essex Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 307 students · in Centerbrook
7th grade in Essex
John Winthrop Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 197 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Deep River
8th grade in Essex
John Winthrop Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 197 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Deep River
9th grade in Essex
Valley Regional High School
Grades 9–12 · 429 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Deep River
10th grade in Essex
Valley Regional High School
Grades 9–12 · 429 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Deep River
Essex runs its own schools through grade 6 (Essex School District). From grade 7, students attend the Regional School District 04, shared with Chester and Deep River. Its middle school is in Deep River. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Essex
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
Essex vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Connecticut towns that share Essex’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Essex | A− | Essex PK–6 · Regional School District 04 7–12 |
| Lyme | A | Regional School District 18 |
| Deep River | A− | Deep River PK–6 · Regional School District 04 7–12 |
| Westbrook | B+ | Westbrook |
| Old Saybrook | A− | Old Saybrook |
Every school in Essex
3 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 Essex’s schools
Are Essex’s schools good?
By Connecticut’s own tests, yes: the public schools Essex children attend outscore 77% of Connecticut’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #34 of 152 Connecticut towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 87%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Essex in?
Two districts: Essex School District runs grades PK–6, and Regional School District 04 runs grades 7–12, shared with Chester and Deep River.
Where do Essex kids go to high school?
Valley Regional High School in Deep River, with 429 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Essex’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 Essex spend per student?
$31,823 in Essex School District and $32,549 in Regional School District 04 (FY2024), against $25,892 across Connecticut. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Essex families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Essex → 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.