Skip to main content

Excellent

#15 of 990 schools in CT

Top 1% in state

Deans Mill School

Elementary School · Stonington School District

35 Deans Mill Rd., Stonington, CT 06378

Enrollment

423

Student-Teacher

11.1:1

Score

9.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Connecticut elementary schools

#14 of 595

In district

#2 of 4

Stonington School District

Academic performance

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Deans Mill School

Deans Mill School is a pre-kindergarten through fifth grade public school serving 423 students in Stonington, Connecticut. Its composite score of 9.3 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — places it 15th among 990 public schools in Connecticut. That position puts Deans Mill ahead of 99% of the state's public schools, one of the strongest standings a Connecticut elementary school can hold.

Academic performance rates at 9.6 and student growth at 9.5, both near the ceiling of the scale. A student-teacher ratio of 11.1 to 1 keeps class sizes small. Within the Stonington School District, Deans Mill ranks second among the district's four schools.

The comparison within Connecticut's elementary tier tells the same story: Deans Mill holds the 14th spot among 595 public elementary schools statewide. The 9.5 growth score signals that students are making strong academic progress year over year — not simply starting from a high baseline. For parents evaluating public elementary options in Stonington, the data consistently points to Deans Mill as the top public choice.

What's said publicly about Deans Mill School

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.

Deans Mill School is a preK-5 elementary school within the Stonington district, which serves approximately 2,000 students across four schools 1 . The school has undergone renovations and focuses on core subjects and the arts 1 . As of the provided data, Deans Mill School has 416 enrolled students with an average class size of 17 1 . The school has received several recognitions, including being named the CAS Elementary School of the Year in 2016 1 . It was also designated a CT School of Distinction for High Performance & High Growth in 2024 1 . Additionally, US News & World Report ranked it as the #15 Best Elementary School in Connecticut in 2024 1 . The district utilizes ParentSquare for communication starting in 2026 1 . Community partnerships with organizations such as Mystic Seaport, Electric Boat, and the Mystic Aquarium provide internship opportunities and enhance student learning 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. dms.stoningtonschools.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Deans Mill School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.89 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.6Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency80%
Reading/ELA Proficiency81%
Overall Proficiency81%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected+11.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile94th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,279

Deans Mill School — Students at Deans Mill School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

13%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 76.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 77.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
74%
2022
Math
80%
ELA
81%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Deans Mill School Compares

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

Overall Score
9.3/10
99th percentile in CT
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
8.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
13%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

Location

35 Deans Mill Rd., Stonington, CT 06378

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Deans Mill School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. West Vine Street School (rated 9.4/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Pawcatuck), with a very similar rating. Another option is Gallup Hill School (rated 7.3/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Ledyard), a more accessible option. Additionally, Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School (rated 7.2/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Groton), a more accessible option. For more schools in Stonington, see our Stonington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Stonington Middle School Mystic 1.0 mi 7.0
PINE POINT SCHOOL Stonington 1.6 mi 6.9
Northeast Academy Magnet School Mystic 3.4 mi 6.1
Stonington High School Pawcatuck 3.4 mi 7.7
Mystic River Magnet School Mystic 3.9 mi 6.5
Gallup Hill School Ledyard 5.3 mi 7.3
Wheeler High School North Stonington 5.6 mi 6.1
North Stonington Elementary School North Stonington 5.7 mi 5.0
West Vine Street School Pawcatuck 4.6 mi 9.4
ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Pawcatuck 4.6 mi 4.2
Robert E. Fitch High School Groton 4.8 mi 8.3
Groton Middle School Groton 4.8 mi 8.5
Ella T. Grasso Technical High School Groton 5.0 mi 5.4
State Street School Westerly 5.2 mi 5.9
Springbrook Elementary School Westerly 5.6 mi 7.1
Ledyard High School Ledyard 6.4 mi 6.1
Westerly Inclusion Preschool P Westerly 5.4 mi 7.3
NORTH STONINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY North Stonington 6.2 mi 6.6
Westerly High School Westerly 5.6 mi 8.5
Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School Groton 7.2 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 06378 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$126,014

Median Home Value

$576,200

Median Rent

$1,720/mo

Population

5,408

College Educated

58.8%

Homeownership

75.8%

Avg Commute

25.8 min

Poverty Rate

3.8%

Median Age

57.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Deans Mill School has a median household income of $126,014. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $576,200, with a median rent of $1,720/month. The local poverty rate of 3.8% is relatively low. 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
Glenville School Greenwich, CT 9.3
Kathleen E. Goodwin School Old Saybrook, CT 9.3
Royle Elementary School Darien, CT 9.3
Webster Hill School West Hartford, CT 9.3
Jennings School Fairfield, CT 9.4
West Vine Street School Pawcatuck, CT 9.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Deans Mill School

What grades does Deans Mill School serve?

Deans Mill School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Deans Mill School?

Deans Mill School has an enrollment of approximately 423 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Deans Mill School?

The student-teacher ratio at Deans Mill School is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Deans Mill School rank in CT?

Deans Mill School is ranked #15 out of 990 schools in CT.

What is Deans Mill School's MySchoolScout rating?

Deans Mill School has a composite rating of 9.3 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 Deans Mill School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Deans Mill School has 76.3% math proficiency and 77.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Deans Mill School a charter school?

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

Is Deans Mill School a Title I school?

No, Deans Mill School is not currently a Title I school.

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

13.0% of students at Deans Mill 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (931/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
423
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
13.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Connecticut Planning Region 8
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Stonington School District
District Enrollment
1,762
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$26,209
District Rank
#2 of 4

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

Related 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.