Very Good
#355 of 990 schools in CT
Top 36% in state
Brien Mcmahon High School
High School · Norwalk School District
300 Highland Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06854
Enrollment
1,766
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,766
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Norwalk
#7 of 23
public schools
Connecticut high schools
#71 of 196
In district
#7 of 22
Norwalk School District
Academic growth
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Brien Mcmahon High School
Brien McMahon High School serves 1,766 students in grades 9-12 in Norwalk, Connecticut, making it a sizable public high school in the area. With 115 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1, providing reasonably sized classes for instruction. Academically, Brien McMahon has room for growth, with 43% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and 28% achieving proficiency in mathematics.
The school ranks 774th out of 996 high schools statewide, placing it in the 22nd percentile among Connecticut schools, indicating opportunities for continued academic improvement and student support. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $80,398 and 35% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood reflects a mix of economic backgrounds, with median home values at $428,600 and a poverty rate of 16.1%, suggesting the school serves students from varied socioeconomic circumstances.
Located on Highland Avenue in a large suburban setting, Brien McMahon High School sits within a well-established residential area that balances suburban comfort with accessibility to broader educational and community resources throughout the Norwalk region.
Score Breakdown
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Brien Mcmahon High School — Students at Brien Mcmahon High School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.2%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 8.2/10.
How Brien Mcmahon High School Compares
See how Brien Mcmahon High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 30% (2019) to 28% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 43% (2022).
Location
300 Highland Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06854
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Brien Mcmahon High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Royle Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Darien), which scores notably higher. Another option is Center for Global Studies (rated 9.1/10), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fox Run Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Norwalk, see our Norwalk schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Center for Global Studies Norwalk | 0.0 mi | 9.1 |
| Brookside Elementary School Norwalk | 0.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Roton Middle School Norwalk | 0.6 mi | 6.4 |
| South Norwalk Elementary School Norwalk | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Side By Side Charter School Norwalk | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Rowayton School Norwalk | 1.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Tokeneke Elementary School Darien | 1.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Kendall College & Career Academy Norwalk | 2.2 mi | 3.7 |
| Jefferson Marine Science Elementary School Norwalk | 2.2 mi | 4.1 |
| ANCHOR ACADEMY DBA REGINA PACIS ACADEMY Norwalk | 2.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Fox Run Elementary School Norwalk | 2.4 mi | 8.7 |
| Concord Magnet School Norwalk | 2.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy Norwalk | 2.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Marvin Elementary School Norwalk | 2.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Royle Elementary School Darien | 2.1 mi | 9.3 |
| Tracey Magnet School Norwalk | 2.9 mi | 3.9 |
| WINSTON PREPARATORY SCHOOL Norwalk | 3.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Nathan Hale Middle School Norwalk | 2.9 mi | 7.7 |
| West Rocks Middle School Norwalk | 3.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Ox Ridge Elementary School Darien | 2.9 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 06854 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$86,399
Median Home Value
$453,400
Median Rent
$1,898/mo
Population
31,753
College Educated
35.9%
Homeownership
46.5%
Avg Commute
26.4 min
Poverty Rate
14.3%
Median Age
36.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Brien Mcmahon High School has a median household income of $86,399. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $453,400, with a median rent of $1,898/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.3%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Westhill High School Stamford, CT | 7.0 |
| Hamden High School Hamden, CT | 6.9 |
| Middletown High School Middletown, CT | 7.1 |
| Newtown High School Sandy Hook, CT | 6.9 |
| Bethel High School Bethel, CT | 6.8 |
| New Milford High School New Milford, CT | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Brien Mcmahon High School
What grades does Brien Mcmahon High School serve?
Brien Mcmahon High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Brien Mcmahon High School?
Brien Mcmahon High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,766 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Brien Mcmahon High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Brien Mcmahon High School is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Brien Mcmahon High School rank in CT?
Brien Mcmahon High School is ranked #355 out of 990 schools in CT.
What is Brien Mcmahon High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Brien Mcmahon High School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Brien Mcmahon High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Brien Mcmahon High School has 29.3% math proficiency and 50.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Brien Mcmahon High School a charter school?
No, Brien Mcmahon High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Brien Mcmahon High School a Title I school?
No, Brien Mcmahon High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Brien Mcmahon High School?
49.2% of students at Brien Mcmahon High 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
- 27 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 35 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 31 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (1,589/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Norwalk). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,766
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 115
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 49.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Connecticut Planning Region 9
- Phone
- (203) 852-9488
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Norwalk School District- District Enrollment
- 11,520
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $26,673
- District Rank
- #7 of 22
Other Schools in This District
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
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