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Average

#677 of 990 schools in CT

Barnum School

Elementary School · Bridgeport School District

495 Waterview Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06608

Enrollment

587

Student-Teacher

11.7:1

Score

5.3

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Connecticut schools

#677 of 990

In Bridgeport

#15 of 44

public schools

In district

#12 of 36

Bridgeport School District

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Barnum School

5.3/10

Elementary School in Bridgeport · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Waltersville School

3.9/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Achievement First Bridgeport Academy

6.3/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Barnum School

Barnum School is a public elementary school in Bridgeport, CT, part of Bridgeport School District. Barnum School serves approximately 587 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 11.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Barnum School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #677 of 990 schools in CT.

Structured state assessment records for Barnum School show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 23% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 5.3 · Average
  • District avg 4.8
  • CT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

31% of students at Barnum School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.21 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency18% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)8% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
Resources & Environment3.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,755
Chronic Absenteeism31.2%

Barnum School — Students at Barnum School score 14% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 8%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 22.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 23.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from CT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
56%
ELA
33%
2010
Math
51%
ELA
40%
2011
Math
55%
ELA
43%
2012
Math
50%
ELA
45%
2013
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2014
Math
7%
ELA
16%
2015
Math
9%
ELA
16%
2016
Math
9%
ELA
13%
2017
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2018
Math
9%
ELA
18%
2019
Math
9%
ELA
18%
2020*
Math
7%
ELA
11%
2021*
Math
7%
ELA
11%
2022
Math
11%
ELA
18%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.9/10.

How Barnum School Compares

See how Barnum School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
32th percentile in CT
Academic
5.5/10
Average
Growth
5.9/10
Average
Environment
3.5/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
50 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.2%

Location

495 Waterview Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06608

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Barnum School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ADAM J. LEWIS ACADEMY (rated 8.6/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BRIDGEPORT HOPE SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Roosevelt School (rated 6.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bridgeport, see our Bridgeport schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Waltersville School Bridgeport 0.0 mi 3.9
Achievement First Bridgeport Academy Bridgeport 0.7 mi 6.3
The Bridge Academy Bridgeport 0.5 mi 4.6
Luis Munoz Marin School Bridgeport 0.7 mi 4.4
Paul Laurence Dunbar School Bridgeport 0.6 mi 5.6
Warren Harding High School Bridgeport 1.0 mi 4.1
Jettie S. Tisdale School Bridgeport 0.8 mi 5.7
Capital Preparatory Harbor School Bridgeport 0.9 mi 4.5
Edison School Bridgeport 1.0 mi 3.9
Hall School Bridgeport 0.9 mi 3.2
Beardsley School Bridgeport 1.2 mi 4.2
Bullard-Havens Technical High School Bridgeport 1.3 mi 5.1
BRIDGEPORT HOPE SCHOOL Bridgeport 1.3 mi 7.6
ADAM J. LEWIS ACADEMY Bridgeport 1.2 mi 8.6
KOLBE CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL Bridgeport 1.2 mi 5.0
ST AUGUSTINE ACADEMY Bridgeport 1.2 mi 5.6
Columbus School Bridgeport 1.2 mi 3.6
Roosevelt School Bridgeport 1.3 mi 6.2
High Horizons Magnet School Bridgeport 1.6 mi 3.1
Six-Six Magnet School Bridgeport 1.6 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 06608 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$43,008

Median Home Value

$222,900

Median Rent

$1,311/mo

Population

12,558

College Educated

7.3%

Homeownership

25.9%

Avg Commute

28.9 min

Poverty Rate

29.8%

Median Age

34.5

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Hayestown Avenue School Danbury, CT 5.3
John Trumbull Primary School Oakville, CT 5.3
John Winthrop School Bridgeport, CT 5.3
Mauro-Sheridan Magnet School New Haven, CT 5.3
Horace W. Porter School Columbia, CT 5.2
James J. Curiale School Bridgeport, CT 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Barnum School

What grades does Barnum School serve?

Barnum School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Barnum School?

Barnum School has an enrollment of approximately 587 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Barnum School?

The student-teacher ratio at Barnum School is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Barnum School rank in CT?

Barnum School ranks #677 of 990 schools in CT.

What is Barnum School's MySchoolScout rating?

Barnum School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Barnum School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Barnum School has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 23% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Barnum School a charter school?

No, Barnum School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Barnum School a Title I school?

No, Barnum School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Barnum School?

94.5% of students at Barnum School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
59 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
55 Good Transit
Bike Score
51 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
587
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
50
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Connecticut Planning Region 2
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.2%

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