Holland Hill School vs Burr Elementary School

Holland Hill School and Burr Elementary School sit 2.9 miles apart in Fairfield, Connecticut, and both rank among the state's elite elementary schools — but Holland Hill School holds a measurable edge. Holland Hill School rates 9.5/10 against Burr Elementary School's 9.1/10, a 0.4-point gap that translates to a significant difference in state standing: Holland Hill School ranks #7 of 990 Connecticut elementary schools while Burr Elementary School ranks #38 of 990. Both finishes are exceptional, but a parent prioritizing the absolute top tier will find Holland Hill School the stronger performer.

Academically, the two schools are nearly identical: Holland Hill School scores 9.6/10 versus Burr Elementary School's 9.5/10, a difference narrow enough that day-to-day classroom experience likely matters more than the delta. Growth tells a more distinct story. Holland Hill School's growth score of 9.9/10 outpaces Burr Elementary School's 8.9/10 by a full point — meaning students at Holland Hill School are advancing at a measurably faster rate relative to their starting points, regardless of where they begin.

The two schools diverge more sharply on demographic and resource metrics. Burr Elementary School's student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1 is tighter than Holland Hill School's 13.1:1, giving Burr students more individual face time per teacher on average. Holland Hill School enrolls 379 students versus Burr Elementary School's 357, a modest size difference. The free and reduced-price lunch rate differs more substantially: 25% of Holland Hill School students qualify, compared to 12% at Burr Elementary School, reflecting a broader socioeconomic mix at Holland Hill.

Both schools serve grades KG–05 within the Fairfield school district, so families are comparing structurally parallel programs. The key distinction is trajectory: Holland Hill School's top-10 state ranking and near-perfect growth score signal an environment where students consistently outperform expectations, while Burr Elementary School's lower student-teacher ratio and tighter peer socioeconomic profile create a different kind of academic environment — more homogeneous, with more one-on-one teacher access.