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Harkness Water TowerPhoto: LibertyNALE · CC BY-SA 4.0
B−
Schools in Waterford · Waterford School District

Waterford’s public schools outscore 50% of Connecticut districts

Math proficiency in Waterford’s districts is 51%, above the Connecticut average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving Waterford, 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.

#90of 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
62%
▲ 12 pts vs CT 50%
2021–22
Math proficiency
51%
▲ 11 pts vs CT 40%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▼ 1–3 pts vs CT 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$27.5K
▲ 6% vs CT $25.9K
FY2024
Students per teacher
10.8
CT 12.2 · smaller classes
Schools in town
8
2,174 students on the public path
In brief

Waterford’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 175 Connecticut towns with household incomes within a quarter of Waterford’s, its schools beat 42%, lower than their 50% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on tests

Reading proficiency is 62% and math 51% in spring 2022, against 50% and 40% statewide; 85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $27,508 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 6 the district’s path is Clark Lane Middle School, then Waterford High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Baptist Bible Academy (private) and Waterford Country 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Waterford’s grade

B Test scoresC Graduation

B−: better than 50% of Connecticut school districts, #90 of 152 Connecticut towns. Test scores are above the Connecticut average; graduation is below it.

Connecticut school districts we grade (199)Better than 50%
Lower resultsHigher results
Connecticut towns with similar household incomes (175)Better than 42%
C+BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,240 test results and a graduating class of 189 could put Waterford anywhere from C+ to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Waterford’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,237 in math, 1,242 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressB− to A−
6–8Clark Lane Middle SchoolWaterford School DistrictB
9–12Waterford High SchoolWaterford School DistrictB

Waterford’s public schools are run by Waterford 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.

Waterford School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 5 schools · 2,174 students, down 5% since 2020–21 · 10.8 per teacher (CT 12.2)
$27,508CT $25,892 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading62%
State average 50.5% · 1242 students tested
Math51%
State average 39.8% · 1237 students tested

Waterford vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
WaterfordB−Waterford
New LondonD−New London
East LymeB+East Lyme
MontvilleC+Montville
LedyardB−Ledyard
GrotonC+Groton

Every school in Waterford

8 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 Waterfordby address
Great Neck Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A−
309 students10:1Rate it →
Oswegatchie Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B−
292 students10:1Rate it →
Quaker Hill Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Quaker Hill
B−
331 students11:1Rate it →
Clark Lane Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
B
529 students11:1Rate it →
Waterford High School
High · Grades 9–12
B
713 students11:1Rate it →
Other public schools in Waterfordrun by other districts or the state
The Friendship School
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
460 students18:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Baptist Bible Academy
Grades K–12
Private · Religious
77 students7:1Rate it →
Waterford Country School
Grades 2–12 · Quaker Hill
Private · Special education
65 students4:1Rate it →

Questions about Waterford’s schools

Are Waterford’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of Connecticut: the public schools Waterford children attend outscore 50% of Connecticut’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #90 of 152 Connecticut towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 42%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Waterford in?

Waterford School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,174 students in 5 schools (2024–25).

Where do Waterford kids go to high school?

Waterford High School, with 713 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is Waterford’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Waterford School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Connecticut.

How much does Waterford spend per student?

$27,508 in Waterford School District (FY2024), against $25,892 across Connecticut. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Waterford?

Yes: Baptist Bible Academy (religious, grades K–12, 77 students) and Waterford Country School (special education, grades 2–12, 65 students).

Parents talk

What Waterford families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Waterford → 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.