Best Schools in Hamden, Connecticut
18 schools · 10 Elementary · 1 Middle · 5 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Hamden?
Use this page to compare every school in Hamden by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
West Woods School
Elementary · Hamden School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Helen Street School
Elementary · Hamden School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Hamden Middle School
Middle · Hamden School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Hamden for 2026 are West Woods School (7.2/10), Helen Street School (7.0/10), and Hamden Middle School (6.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 11 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
18
12 public · 6 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$290,400
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
18
12 public · 6 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$290,400
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Rates 7.0/10 despite 65% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.0 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Hamden schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +3.4 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Hamden schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Hamden
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 11 rated schools; 18 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Woods School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Helen Street School | 7.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Hamden Middle School | 6.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Shepherd Glen School | 5.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Spring Glen School | 5.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Dunbar Hill School | 5.1 / 10 |
| 7 | Ridge Hill School | 4.9 / 10 |
| 8 | Hamden High School | 4.6 / 10 |
| 9 | Eli Whitney Technical High School | 4.3 / 10 |
| 10 | Church Street School | 4.0 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.5/10
- Median household income
- $95,869
- Median home value
- $290,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 48%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 62%
12% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Hamden compares
Connecticut rank
#117 of 128
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.0
below Connecticut avg (6.4)
Median household income
$96k
87% of Connecticut median
Schools in this city
17
Hamden School District runs 83% of Hamden's public schools
Hamden touches 3 districts, but Hamden School District is the one most addresses actually attend.
Hamden School District accounts for 10 of 12 public schools (83%). The other 2 districts hold the remaining 2.
Among 11 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.5 to 7.2 — the spread is inside Hamden, not a citywide average.
- Hamden School District10 public · 83%
- Area Cooperative Educational Services1 public · 8%
- Connecticut Technical Education and Career System1 public · 8%
About Schools in Hamden, Connecticut
Hamden, Connecticut is home to 18 schools, including 12 public schools and 6 private schools. The city's schools span 10 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 5 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.5 out of 10, schools in Hamden show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Hamden is West Woods School with a composite score of 7.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Hamden is served by 3 school districts: Connecticut Technical Education and Career System, Area Cooperative Educational Services, Hamden School District. These districts collectively serve 18,368 students.
Hamden's community shows 48% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $95,869. The poverty rate in the area is 9.4%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
10 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 305 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.2 | ||
| 2 | 300 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.0 | ||
| 3 | 302 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.2 | ||
| 4 | 367 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.2 | ||
| 5 | 271 students · Pre-K–6th | 5.1 | ||
| 6 | 307 students · Pre-K–6th | 4.9 | ||
| 7 | 290 students · Pre-K–6th | 4.0 | ||
| 8 | 385 students · Kindergarten–6th | 3.5 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Rita SchoolPrivate 313 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Laurel Oaks Adventist SchoolPrivate 41 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 814 students · 7th–8th | 6.0 |
High Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,661 students · 9th–12th | 4.6 | ||
| 2 | 582 students · 9th–12th | 4.3 | ||
| 3 | 33 students · 6th–12th | — | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Sacred Heart AcademyPrivate 316 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Cedarhurst SchoolPrivate 54 students · 7th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whitney Hall SchoolPrivate 51 students · 2nd–12th | Not Rated |
| 2 | 621 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Hamden
Hamden, Connecticut · 18 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 3 ZIP codes
Median Income
$95,869
Median Home Value
$290,400
Median Rent
$1,676/mo
Population
60,116
College Educated
48%
Homeownership
62%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
9.4%
Community Profile
Hamden has a median household income of $95,869. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $290,400, with a median rent of $1,676/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Connecticut
- Elementary
- 10
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 5
- Other
- 2
Resources
Other Major Cities in Connecticut
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Hamden, Connecticut
How many schools are in Hamden, Connecticut?
Hamden has 18 schools, including 12 public and 6 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Hamden, Connecticut?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Hamden is 5.5 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Hamden, Connecticut?
The top-ranked school in Hamden on MySchoolScout is West Woods School with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Hamden, Connecticut?
The top-ranked elementary school in Hamden on MySchoolScout is West Woods School with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Hamden, Connecticut?
The top-ranked middle school in Hamden on MySchoolScout is Hamden Middle School with a composite score of 6.0/10.
What is the best high school in Hamden, Connecticut?
The top-ranked high school in Hamden on MySchoolScout is Hamden High School with a composite score of 4.6/10.
How many school districts serve Hamden, Connecticut?
Hamden is served by 3 school districts: Connecticut Technical Education and Career System, Area Cooperative Educational Services, Hamden School District.
What is the education level in Hamden, Connecticut?
According to Census data, 48% of adults in Hamden have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Hamden, Connecticut?
The median household income in Hamden is approximately $95,869 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Hamden, Connecticut?
Yes, Hamden has 6 private schools alongside 12 public schools. The top-rated private school is Whitney Hall School with a score of 6.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Hamden, Connecticut?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Hamden is 11.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Hamden, Connecticut?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Connecticut Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.