Very Good
#282 of 990 schools in CT
Top 28% in state
Barnum School
Elementary School · Bridgeport School District
495 Waterview Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06608
Enrollment
587
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
587
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bridgeport
#2 of 44
public schools
Connecticut elementary schools
#181 of 595
In district
#2 of 36
Bridgeport School District
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Barnum School
Barnum School is an elementary school located in the heart of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, Barnum has a total enrollment of 587 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.7:1 with 50 full-time equivalent teachers. The school operates as a regular public institution within a mid-size city setting.
While Barnum School's academic performance currently ranks in the lower quartile among Connecticut schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.8 out of 10, it focuses on student development and growth. In recent testing, only 16% of students met or exceeded proficiency levels in English Language Arts/Reading, while just 9% achieved similar results in Math. Despite these challenges, Barnum School is committed to providing a supportive learning environment for its diverse community of learners.
The school's location in the bustling city of Bridgeport offers unique opportunities and resources that enrich the educational experience.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Barnum School — Students at Barnum School score 14% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 7%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
94.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from CT state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.2/10.
How Barnum School Compares
See how Barnum School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 9% (2019) to 11% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 18% (2019) to 18% (2022).
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), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Six-Six Magnet School (rated 7.1/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 6.0 |
| Achievement First Bridgeport Academy Bridgeport | 0.7 mi | 4.3 |
| The Bridge Academy Bridgeport | 0.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Luis Munoz Marin School Bridgeport | 0.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Paul Laurence Dunbar School Bridgeport | 0.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Warren Harding High School Bridgeport | 1.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Jettie S. Tisdale School Bridgeport | 0.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Capital Preparatory Harbor School Bridgeport | 0.9 mi | 3.3 |
| Edison School Bridgeport | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Hall School Bridgeport | 0.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Beardsley School Bridgeport | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Bullard-Havens Technical High School Bridgeport | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| 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 | 5.6 |
| Roosevelt School Bridgeport | 1.3 mi | 6.6 |
| High Horizons Magnet School Bridgeport | 1.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Six-Six Magnet School Bridgeport | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Barnum School has a median household income of $43,008. It is a community where 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $222,900, with a median rent of $1,311/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central School Simsbury, CT | 7.3 |
| Consolidated School New Fairfield, CT | 7.3 |
| Cook Hill School Wallingford, CT | 7.3 |
| Gallup Hill School Ledyard, CT | 7.3 |
| Meeting House Hill School New Fairfield, CT | 7.3 |
| R. E. Thalberg Elementary School Southington, CT | 7.3 |
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 is ranked #282 out of 990 schools in CT.
What is Barnum School's MySchoolScout rating?
Barnum School has a composite rating of 7.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Barnum School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Barnum School has 9.0% math proficiency and 15.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 57 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 54 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 51 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (1,862/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bridgeport). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (203) 275-2300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bridgeport School District- District Enrollment
- 19,591
- Schools in District
- 36
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,755
- District Rank
- #2 of 36
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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.