Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0Manchester’s public schools score below 87% of Connecticut districts on tests and graduation
In Manchester, 21% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Connecticut average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving Manchester, 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 93% 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.
Manchester’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 142 Connecticut towns with household incomes within a quarter of Manchester’s, its schools beat 4%, lower than their 13% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 30% of tested students were proficient in reading and 21% in math, against 50% and 40% statewide; 93% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
82% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Connecticut. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $27,674 per student, against $25,892 across Connecticut (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Seven elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Odyssey Community School, East Catholic High School (private), St. James School (private), St. Bridget School (private), The Cornerstone Christian School (private), Clinical Day School - Manchester Memorial Hospital (private), Adelbrook Academy Manchester (private) and Community Child Guidance Clinic (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 Manchester’s grade
D: better than 13% of Connecticut school districts, #141 of 152 Connecticut towns. Both inputs trail the Connecticut average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Manchester, with each school’s own grade.
5th grade in Manchester · depends on your address
Elisabeth M. Bennet Academy
Grades 5–8 · 864 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Bowers School
Grades PK–5 · 376 students · 12:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Manchester
Elisabeth M. Bennet Academy
Grades 5–8 · 864 students · 11:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Manchester · depends on your address
Elisabeth M. Bennet Academy
Grades 5–8 · 864 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Illing Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 763 students · 10:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Manchester · depends on your address
Elisabeth M. Bennet Academy
Grades 5–8 · 864 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Illing Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 763 students · 10:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Manchester
Manchester High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,703 students · 11:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Manchester
Manchester High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,703 students · 11:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Manchester
Manchester High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,703 students · 11:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Manchester
Manchester High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,703 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Manchester’s public schools are run by Manchester School District. 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 below the state in reading
Manchester vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Connecticut towns that share Manchester’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester | D | Manchester |
| Glastonbury | A | Glastonbury |
| Bolton | B+ | Bolton |
| East Hartford | C− | East Hartford |
| South Windsor | A− | South Windsor |
| Vernon | C | Vernon |
Every school in Manchester
20 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 Manchester’s schools
Are Manchester’s schools good?
On Connecticut’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Manchester children attend score below 87% of Connecticut’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #141 of 152 Connecticut towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 4%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Manchester in?
Manchester School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,751 students in 10 schools (2024–25).
Where do Manchester kids go to high school?
Manchester High School, with 1,703 students; its own test results earn a C+.
What is Manchester’s graduation rate?
82% of the class of 2023 in Manchester School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Connecticut.
How much does Manchester spend per student?
$27,674 in Manchester School District (FY2024), against $25,892 across Connecticut. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Manchester?
Yes: East Catholic High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 427 students), St. James School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 390 students), St. Bridget School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 195 students), The Cornerstone Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 165 students), Clinical Day School - Manchester Memorial Hospital (special education, grades 8–12, 40 students), Adelbrook Academy Manchester (special education, grades , 36 students) and Community Child Guidance Clinic (special education, grades 1–8, 27 students). Manchester also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Manchester families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Manchester → 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.