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Very Good

#176 of 990 schools in CT

Top 18% in state

Daniel Hand High School

High School · Madison School District

286 Green Hill Rd., Madison, CT 06443

Enrollment

776

Student-Teacher

9.8:1

Score

7.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Madison

#4 of 5

public schools

Connecticut high schools

#30 of 196

In district

#4 of 5

Madison School District

School environment

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Daniel Hand High School

Daniel Hand High School serves 776 students in grades 9-12 in Madison, Connecticut, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing high schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranking 75th among Connecticut's 996 schools, the school places in the 93rd percentile statewide. The academic program demonstrates strong performance, with 77% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 64% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics.

The school maintains an intimate learning environment with a 9.8-to-1 student-teacher ratio, supported by 79 full-time equivalent teachers. This low ratio allows for personalized attention and meaningful student-teacher relationships that contribute to the school's academic success. The academic score of 8.7 out of 10 reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence and college preparation.

Daniel Hand High School benefits from its location in an affluent and highly educated community, where 70% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $156,171. The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 2.5% creates a stable environment that supports student achievement. Located on Green Hill Road in this large suburban setting, the school serves families in a community that values education and provides strong support for academic pursuits.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, Daniel Hand High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Overall Proficiency71%
Expected (poverty-adj.)79%
vs. Expected-8.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
College Readiness9.2Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation36.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,800

Daniel Hand High School — Students at Daniel Hand High School score 70% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 79%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 68.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 83.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from CT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
72%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
69%
ELA
86%
2022
Math
64%
ELA
77%

* 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 Daniel Hand High School Compares

See how Daniel Hand High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
82th percentile in CT
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
5.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Location

286 Green Hill Rd., Madison, CT 06443

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Daniel Hand High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. The Morgan School (rated 8.7/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Clinton), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Guilford High School (rated 8.3/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Guilford), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, GROVE SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Madison, see our Madison schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Walter C. Polson Middle School Madison 0.2 mi 8.7
J. Milton Jeffrey Elementary School Madison 0.3 mi 9.2
GROVE SCHOOL Madison 0.6 mi 6.9
OUR LADY OF MERCY PREPARATORY ACADEMY Madison 1.5 mi 6.2
THE COUNTRY SCHOOL Madison 2.4 mi 6.6
Dr. Robert H. Brown Intermediate School Madison 3.3 mi 9.1
Kathleen H. Ryerson Elementary School Madison 3.3 mi 6.5
Calvin Leete School Guilford 2.6 mi 8.2
E. C. Adams Middle School Guilford 3.4 mi 6.3
A. W. Cox School Guilford 4.0 mi 8.1
Guilford Lakes School Guilford 4.3 mi 5.8
The Morgan School Clinton 4.6 mi 8.7
Guilford High School Guilford 4.9 mi 8.3
Lewin G. Joel Jr. School Clinton 5.0 mi 8.4
Killingworth Elementary School Higganum 6.1 mi 8.9
Jared Eliot School Clinton 5.2 mi 6.7
Haddam-Killingworth Middle School Killingworth 6.8 mi 7.4
Haddam-Killingworth Intermediate School Killingworth 6.8 mi 8.8
A. Baldwin Middle School Guilford 6.0 mi 7.4
Melissa Jones School Guilford 7.6 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 06443 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$168,341

Median Home Value

$534,800

Median Rent

$2,046/mo

Population

17,577

College Educated

71.8%

Homeownership

90.6%

Avg Commute

30.6 min

Poverty Rate

1.9%

Median Age

51.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Daniel Hand High School has a median household income of $168,341. It is a well-educated community where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $534,800, with a median rent of $2,046/month. The local poverty rate of 1.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Bacon Academy Colchester, CT 8.0
Berlin High School Berlin, CT 8.0
Ellington High School Ellington, CT 7.8
Shepaug Valley School Washington, CT 7.7
Stonington High School Pawcatuck, CT 7.7
Joel Barlow High School Redding, CT 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Daniel Hand High School

What grades does Daniel Hand High School serve?

Daniel Hand High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Daniel Hand High School?

Daniel Hand High School has an enrollment of approximately 776 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Daniel Hand High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Daniel Hand High School is 9.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Daniel Hand High School rank in CT?

Daniel Hand High School is ranked #176 out of 990 schools in CT.

What is Daniel Hand High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Daniel Hand High School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Daniel Hand High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Daniel Hand High School has 68.3% math proficiency and 83.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Daniel Hand High School a charter school?

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

Is Daniel Hand High School a Title I school?

No, Daniel Hand High School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (309/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Madison). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
776
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
79
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Connecticut Planning Region 7
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Madison School District
District Enrollment
2,434
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,569
District Rank
#4 of 5

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 methodology

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