Best Schools in Waterford, Connecticut
6 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Waterford?
Use this page to compare every school in Waterford 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.
Oswegatchie Elementary School
Elementary · Waterford School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Clark Lane Middle School
Middle · Waterford School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Waterford High School
High · Waterford School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Waterford for 2026 are Oswegatchie Elementary School (9.4/10), Clark Lane Middle School (7.3/10), and Waterford High School (6.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 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
6
5 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$334,900
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
6
5 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$334,900
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +1.9 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Waterford schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Waterford
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 rated schools; 6 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oswegatchie Elementary School | 9.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Clark Lane Middle School | 7.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Waterford High School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Great Neck Elementary School | 4.3 / 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
- 6.3/10
- Median household income
- $110,375
- Median home value
- $334,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 41%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 80%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Waterford compares
Connecticut rank
#73 of 128
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.1
below Connecticut avg (6.4)
Median household income
$110k
101% of Connecticut median
Schools in this city
6
Waterford School District runs 80% of Waterford's public schools
Waterford touches 2 districts, but Waterford School District is the one most addresses actually attend.
Waterford School District accounts for 4 of 5 public schools (80%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 1.
Among 4 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.3 to 9.4 — the spread is inside Waterford, not a citywide average.
- Waterford School District4 public · 80%
- Learn1 public · 20%
About Schools in Waterford, Connecticut
Waterford, Connecticut is home to 6 schools, including 5 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.3 out of 10, schools in Waterford 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 Waterford is Oswegatchie Elementary School with a composite score of 9.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Waterford is served by 2 school districts: Learn, Waterford School District. These districts collectively serve 3,737 students.
Waterford's community shows 41% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $110,375. The poverty rate in the area is 4.8%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 296 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.4 |
| 2 | 459 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | 5.9 |
| 3 | 334 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.3 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 548 students · 6th–8th | 7.3 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 713 students · 9th–12th | 6.1 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baptist Bible AcademyPrivate 77 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Waterford
Waterford, Connecticut · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$110,375
Median Home Value
$334,900
Median Rent
$1,593/mo
Population
15,900
College Educated
41%
Homeownership
80%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
4.8%
Community Profile
Waterford has a median household income of $110,375. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $334,900, with a median rent of $1,593/month. The local poverty rate of 4.8% 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
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- 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 Waterford, Connecticut
How many schools are in Waterford, Connecticut?
Waterford has 6 schools, including 5 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Waterford, Connecticut?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Waterford is 6.3 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 Waterford, Connecticut?
The top-ranked school in Waterford on MySchoolScout is Oswegatchie Elementary School with a composite score of 9.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Waterford, Connecticut?
The top-ranked elementary school in Waterford on MySchoolScout is Oswegatchie Elementary School with a composite score of 9.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Waterford, Connecticut?
The top-ranked middle school in Waterford on MySchoolScout is Clark Lane Middle School with a composite score of 7.3/10.
What is the best high school in Waterford, Connecticut?
The top-ranked high school in Waterford on MySchoolScout is Waterford High School with a composite score of 6.1/10.
How many school districts serve Waterford, Connecticut?
Waterford is served by 2 school districts: Learn, Waterford School District.
What is the education level in Waterford, Connecticut?
According to Census data, 41% of adults in Waterford have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Waterford, Connecticut?
The median household income in Waterford is approximately $110,375 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Waterford, Connecticut?
Yes, Waterford has 1 private school alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is Baptist Bible Academy with a score of 5.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Waterford, Connecticut?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Waterford is 11.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Waterford, 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.