Best Schools in Waterbury, Connecticut
39 schools · 26 Elementary · 4 Middle · 8 High · 1 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 4.7/10
- Median household income
- $45,911
- Median home value
- $188,780
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 16%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 37%
8% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Waterbury compares
Connecticut rank
#126 of 130
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.6
below Connecticut avg (6.3)
Median household income
$46k
42% of Connecticut median
Schools in this city
37
About Schools in Waterbury, Connecticut
Waterbury's public school system spans 32 ranked schools, giving families a range of options across the city's elementary, middle, and high school levels. The district's average score of 4.5 out of 10 places it in the lower tier of Connecticut public school systems, and only 2 of those 32 schools — just 6% — clear the 7-out-of-10 threshold. For parents who prioritize academic performance, school selection within Waterbury matters considerably more than the district as a whole.
Regan School stands out as the city's top performer, earning a 7.8 and ranking as one of the strongest elementary programs in the area. Bucks Hill School follows at 7.0, making it the second school to clear that performance bar. These two elementaries are the best starting points for families focused on academic outcomes at the K–5 level. Michael F. Wallace Middle School leads the middle school category at 6.9, sitting just below the top tier but meaningfully above the city average. Parents moving children from Regan or Bucks Hill have a credible next step in Wallace.
At the high school level, Waterbury Arts Magnet School scores 5.9, making it the city's highest-rated secondary option. As a magnet program, it draws students with a focus on arts integration alongside core academics — a differentiated choice for students whose strengths align with that model. Hopeville School also earns a 5.9 at the elementary level, rounding out the top five.
The practical reality for Waterbury parents is this: the best schools in the city are concentrated at the elementary level, and the performance gap between the top two schools and the rest of the district is significant. Families should confirm attendance boundaries early, since the highest-rated schools are not evenly distributed across neighborhoods. Parents willing to explore magnet or school-choice programs will find the most performance upside. At the middle and high school levels, options narrow, so planning the full K–12 path from the elementary years gives families the most flexibility.
Elementary Schools
26 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 247 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.8 | ||
| 2 | 277 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.3 | ||
| 3 | 284 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.2 | ||
| 4 | 346 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.1 | ||
| 5 | 452 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.8 | ||
| 6 | 482 students · Pre-K–8th | 5.1 | ||
| 7 | 453 students · Pre-K–8th | 4.4 | ||
| 8 | 363 students · Pre-K–8th | 4.2 | ||
| 9 | 395 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.2 | ||
| 10 | 585 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.1 | ||
| 11 | 410 students · Pre-K–8th | 4.0 | ||
| 12 | 595 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.9 | ||
| 13 | 432 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.8 | ||
| 14 | 462 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.8 | ||
| 15 | 216 students · Pre-K–3rd | 3.8 | ||
| 16 | 578 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.7 | ||
| 17 | 454 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.4 | ||
| 18 | 423 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.4 | ||
| 19 | 295 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.4 | ||
| 20 | 614 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.2 | ||
| 21 | 469 students · Pre-K–8th | 3.0 | ||
| 22 | 612 students · Pre-K–8th | 2.8 | ||
| Private Schools 4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | CHILDREN'S COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Private
133 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 184 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | YESHIVA K'TANA OF WATERBURY
Private
553 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Show 1 more elementary schools
| 4 | IMPACT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Private
7 students · Kindergarten–5th | Not Rated |
Middle Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,048 students · 4th–8th | 7.3 |
| 2 | 799 students · 6th–8th | 5.9 |
| 3 | 734 students · 6th–8th | 5.6 |
| 4 | 567 students · 6th–8th | 5.0 |
High Schools
8 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 821 students · 6th–12th | 5.8 | ||
| 2 | 755 students · 9th–12th | 4.8 | ||
| 3 | 785 students · 9th–12th | 4.4 | ||
| 4 | 1,391 students · 9th–12th | 4.4 | ||
| 5 | 1,178 students · 9th–12th | 4.0 | ||
| 6 | 1,452 students · 9th–12th | 3.9 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 43 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | HOLY CROSS HIGH SCHOOL
Private
527 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ALPHA & OMEGA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Private
15 students · 1st–11th | Not Rated |
Schools in Waterbury
Waterbury, Connecticut · 39 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 6 ZIP codes
Median Income
$45,911
Median Home Value
$188,780
Median Rent
$1,122/mo
Population
114,453
College Educated
16%
Homeownership
37%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
27.6%
Community Profile
Waterbury has a median household income of $45,911. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $188,780, with a median rent of $1,122/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- Connecticut
- Total Schools
- 39
- Elementary
- 26
- Middle
- 4
- High
- 8
- Districts
- 4
- Avg Rating
- 4.7/10
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Connecticut
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Waterbury, Connecticut
How many schools are in Waterbury, Connecticut?
Waterbury has 39 schools, including 32 public and 7 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Waterbury, Connecticut?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Waterbury is 4.7 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Waterbury, Connecticut?
The top-ranked school in Waterbury on MySchoolScout is Regan School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Waterbury, Connecticut?
The top-ranked elementary school in Waterbury on MySchoolScout is Regan School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Waterbury, Connecticut?
The top-ranked middle school in Waterbury on MySchoolScout is Michael F. Wallace Middle School with a composite score of 7.3/10.
What is the best high school in Waterbury, Connecticut?
The top-ranked high school in Waterbury on MySchoolScout is Bais Yaakov of Waterbury High School with a composite score of 5.9/10.
How many school districts serve Waterbury, Connecticut?
Waterbury is served by 4 school districts: Connecticut Technical Education and Career System, Area Cooperative Educational Services, Brass City Charter School District, Waterbury School District.
What is the education level in Waterbury, Connecticut?
According to Census data, 16% of adults in Waterbury have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Waterbury, Connecticut?
The median household income in Waterbury is approximately $45,911 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Waterbury, Connecticut?
Yes, Waterbury has 7 private schools alongside 32 public schools. The top-rated private school is Bais Yaakov of Waterbury High School with a score of 5.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Waterbury, Connecticut?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Waterbury is 13.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Waterbury, 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
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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.