Photo: Hayden Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Waterbury’s public schools score below 90% of Connecticut districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Waterbury’s districts is 12%, below the Connecticut average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving Waterbury, 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 98% 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.
Waterbury’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 18 Connecticut towns with household incomes within a quarter of Waterbury’s, its schools beat 28%, higher than their 10% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 24% of tested students were proficient in reading and 12% in math, against 50% and 40% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
81% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Connecticut. Districts ↓
Spending, and where it came from
The district spent $20,824 per student in FY2024, against $25,892 across Connecticut. 21% of its revenue that year was federal (Connecticut 8%), in the last year of pandemic relief. Districts ↓
21 elementary schools, then nine middle and five high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Brass City Charter School, Yeshiva K'Tana of Waterbury (private), Holy Cross High School (private), Catholic Academy of Waterbury (private), Children's Community School (private), Alpha & Omega Christian Academy (private) and City Mission Schools (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 Waterbury’s grade
D: better than 10% of Connecticut school districts, #145 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 Waterbury, with each school’s own grade.
Waterbury’s public schools are run by Waterbury 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
Waterbury vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Connecticut towns that share Waterbury’s borders.
Every school in Waterbury
38 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).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (REGIONS staff secure Waterbury).
Questions about Waterbury’s schools
Are Waterbury’s schools good?
On Connecticut’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Waterbury children attend score below 90% of Connecticut’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #145 of 152 Connecticut towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 28%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Waterbury in?
Waterbury School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 17,123 students in 29 schools (2024–25).
Where do Waterbury kids go to high school?
One of 5 high schools, depending on your address: Crosby High School, John F. Kennedy High School, Wilby High School, Waterbury Arts Magnet School and Waterbury Career Academy.
What is Waterbury’s graduation rate?
81% of the class of 2023 in Waterbury School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Connecticut.
How much does Waterbury spend per student?
$20,824 in Waterbury School District (FY2024), against $25,892 across Connecticut. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Waterbury?
Yes: Yeshiva K'Tana of Waterbury (religious, grades PK–8, 713 students), Holy Cross High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 495 students), Catholic Academy of Waterbury (Catholic, grades PK–8, 188 students), Children's Community School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 165 students), Alpha & Omega Christian Academy (religious, grades K–10, 20 students) and City Mission Schools (religious, grades PK–7, 15 students). Waterbury also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Waterbury families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Waterbury → 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.