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New Canaan, CT (54103871381)Photo: ajay_suresh · CC BY 2.0
A+
Schools in New Canaan · New Canaan School District

New Canaan’s public schools outscore 98% of Connecticut districts

On the state math tests, 80% of New Canaan’s students scored proficient, above the Connecticut average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving New Canaan, 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.

#1of 152 Connecticut townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Connecticut state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% 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.

Reading proficiency
85%
▲ 34 pts vs CT 50%
2021–22
Math proficiency
80%
▲ 40 pts vs CT 40%
2021–22
Graduate on time
99–100%
▲ 11–12 pts vs CT 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$29.6K
▲ 14% vs CT $25.9K
FY2024
Students per teacher
11.5
CT 12.2 · smaller classes
Schools in town
6
4,040 students on the public path
In brief

New Canaan’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 85% and math 80% in spring 2022, against 50% and 40% statewide; 99–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $29,555 per student, against $25,892 across Connecticut (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 5 the district’s path is Saxe Middle School, then New Canaan High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

New Canaan Country 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind New Canaan’s grade

A+ Test scoresA+ Graduation

A+: better than 98% of Connecticut school districts, #1 of 152 Connecticut towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Connecticut average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

Connecticut school districts we grade (199)Better than 98%
Lower resultsHigher results
Connecticut towns with similar household incomes (44)Better than 98%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,214 test results and a graduating class of 328 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of New Canaan’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,214 in math, 2,214 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve New Canaan, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–43 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressA+
5–8Saxe Middle SchoolNew Canaan School DistrictA+
9–12New Canaan High SchoolNew Canaan School DistrictA+

New Canaan’s public schools are run by New Canaan 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.

New Canaan School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 5 schools · 4,040 students, down 4% since 2020–21 · 11.5 per teacher (CT 12.2)
$29,555CT $25,892 · FY2024
A+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading85%
State average 50.5% · 2214 students tested
Math80%
State average 39.8% · 2214 students tested

New Canaan vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Connecticut towns that share New Canaan’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
New CanaanA+New Canaan
WiltonAWilton
StamfordC−Stamford
NorwalkCNorwalk
DarienA+Darien

Lewisboro, NY and Pound Ridge, NY border New Canaan but are graded on their own state’s tests, so they’re left out.

Every school in New Canaan

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).

District schools in New Canaanby address
West School
Elementary · Grades PK–4
A+
481 students12:1Rate it →
East School
Elementary · Grades K–4
A+
554 students12:1Rate it →
South School
Elementary · Grades K–4
A+
477 students11:1Rate it →
Saxe Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8
A+
1,271 students11:1Rate it →
New Canaan High School
High · Grades 9–12
A+
1,257 students12:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
New Canaan Country School
Grades PK–9
Private · Nonsectarian
555 students9:1Rate it →

Questions about New Canaan’s schools

Are New Canaan’s schools good?

By Connecticut’s own tests, yes: the public schools New Canaan children attend outscore 98% of Connecticut’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade, #1 of 152 Connecticut towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 98%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is New Canaan in?

New Canaan School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,040 students in 5 schools (2024–25).

Where do New Canaan kids go to high school?

New Canaan High School, with 1,257 students; its own test results earn an A+.

What is New Canaan’s graduation rate?

99–100% of the class of 2023 in New Canaan School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Connecticut.

How much does New Canaan spend per student?

$29,555 in New Canaan School District (FY2024), against $25,892 across Connecticut. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in New Canaan?

Yes: New Canaan Country School (nonsectarian, grades PK–9, 555 students).

Parents talk

What New Canaan families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near New Canaan → 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.