Best Schools in Norwalk, Connecticut
25 schools · 15 Elementary · 4 Middle · 5 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Norwalk?
Use this page to compare every school in Norwalk 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.
Fox Run Elementary School
Elementary · Norwalk School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
West Rocks Middle School
Middle · Norwalk School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Silvermine Dual Language Magnet School
Elementary · Norwalk School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Norwalk for 2026 are Fox Run Elementary School (8.4/10), West Rocks Middle School (8.1/10), and Silvermine Dual Language Magnet School (7.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 21 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
25
23 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$695,160
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
25
23 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$695,160
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 8.4/10 despite 51% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.8 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 Norwalk schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +8.0 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Norwalk schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Norwalk
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 21 rated schools; 25 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fox Run Elementary School | 8.4 / 10 |
| 2 | West Rocks Middle School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Silvermine Dual Language Magnet School | 7.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Roton Middle School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 5 | Brookside Elementary School | 7.6 / 10 |
| 6 | Concord Magnet School | 7.6 / 10 |
| 7 | Nathan Hale Middle School | 7.6 / 10 |
| 8 | Center for Global Studies | 7.6 / 10 |
| 9 | Jefferson Marine Science Elementary School | 7.4 / 10 |
| 10 | Wolfpit Integrated Arts Elementary School | 7.1 / 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
- 6.6/10
- Median household income
- $133,507
- Median home value
- $695,160
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 53%
- Avg commute
- 27 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 60%
48% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Norwalk compares
Connecticut rank
#64 of 128
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.1
above Connecticut avg (6.4)
Median household income
$134k
122% of Connecticut median
Schools in this city
25
Norwalk School District runs Norwalk's public schools
23 public schools. Norwalk School District is the dominant district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Norwalk is a Norwalk School District school (22 of 23).
Among 21 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.2 to 8.4 — the spread is inside Norwalk, not a citywide average.
- Norwalk School District22 public · 96%
- Side By Side Charter School District1 public · 4%
About Schools in Norwalk, Connecticut
Norwalk's public school system covers 23 ranked schools with a citywide average of 6.0 out of 10. That average puts most families in solid but uneven territory — only 5 schools, or 22% of the district, score 7 or above. Performance here spreads across the full range, which means school selection matters more in Norwalk than in cities where quality is distributed evenly.
At the top of the district sits Center for Global Studies, a high school scoring 9.2 out of 10 — a standout result by any measure. Its magnet structure means families need to apply and meet eligibility criteria, but for students who qualify, it's the clearest high-performance option in the city. At the elementary level, Fox Run Elementary (8.8) and Concord Magnet School (8.4) rank among the strongest performers, with Rowayton School (8.1) rounding out the top-tier elementary options. Nathan Hale Middle School (7.1) is the district's top-ranked middle school, offering a reliable bridge into the upper grades.
Below those five schools, the remaining 18 public schools average under the 7-point threshold. The gap between Norwalk's top performers and its middle tier is real — a parent targeting Center for Global Studies at 9.2 is looking at a fundamentally different academic environment than the citywide 6.0 average reflects.
For parents researching Norwalk, the practical move is to map attendance zones before comparing scores. Elementary placement depends on home address, while magnet programs like Center for Global Studies and Concord require separate applications. Families with neighborhood flexibility should prioritize zones feeding into Fox Run and Rowayton at the elementary level, then track the path through Nathan Hale at middle school. Parents of incoming high schoolers should put the Center for Global Studies application at the top of the list — its 9.2 score represents a measurable performance gap over the rest of the district. With 23 ranked schools and a clear break between the top five and the rest, Norwalk rewards early, deliberate research.
Elementary Schools
15 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 370 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.4 |
| 2 | 427 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.9 |
| 3 | 398 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.6 |
| 4 | 362 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.6 |
| 5 | 465 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.4 |
| 6 | 357 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.1 |
| 7 | 133 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.7 |
| 8 | 402 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.6 |
| 9 | 420 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.5 |
| 10 | 464 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.5 |
Show all 15 elementary schools in Norwalk
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 701 students · 6th–8th | 8.1 |
| 2 | 453 students · 6th–8th | 7.7 |
| 3 | 524 students · 6th–8th | 7.6 |
| 4 | 622 students · 6th–8th | 6.1 |
High Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 284 students · 9th–12th | 7.6 | ||
| 2 | 380 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 | ||
| 3 | 1,766 students · 9th–12th | 4.5 | ||
| 4 | 1,547 students · 9th–12th | 4.2 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Winston Preparatory SchoolPrivate 143 students · 5th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 150 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 4.9 |
Schools in Norwalk
Norwalk, Connecticut · 25 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 5 ZIP codes
Median Income
$133,507
Median Home Value
$695,160
Median Rent
$1,977/mo
Population
91,375
College Educated
53%
Homeownership
60%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
8.1%
Community Profile
Norwalk has a median household income of $133,507. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $695,160, with a median rent of $1,977/month. The local poverty rate of 8.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Connecticut
- Elementary
- 15
- Middle
- 4
- High
- 5
- Other
- 1
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 Norwalk, Connecticut
How many schools are in Norwalk, Connecticut?
Norwalk has 25 schools, including 23 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Norwalk, Connecticut?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Norwalk is 6.6 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 Norwalk, Connecticut?
The top-ranked school in Norwalk on MySchoolScout is Fox Run Elementary School with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Norwalk, Connecticut?
The top-ranked elementary school in Norwalk on MySchoolScout is Fox Run Elementary School with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Norwalk, Connecticut?
The top-ranked middle school in Norwalk on MySchoolScout is West Rocks Middle School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best high school in Norwalk, Connecticut?
The top-ranked high school in Norwalk on MySchoolScout is Center for Global Studies with a composite score of 7.6/10.
How many school districts serve Norwalk, Connecticut?
Norwalk is served by 2 school districts: Side by Side Charter School District, Norwalk School District.
What is the education level in Norwalk, Connecticut?
According to Census data, 53% of adults in Norwalk have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Norwalk, Connecticut?
The median household income in Norwalk is approximately $133,507 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Norwalk, Connecticut?
Yes, Norwalk has 2 private schools alongside 23 public schools. The top-rated private school is Winston Preparatory School with a score of 7.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Norwalk, Connecticut?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Norwalk is 12.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Norwalk, 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.