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Needs Improvement

#977 of 990 schools in CT

Dunbar Hill School

Elementary School · Hamden School District

315 Lane St., Hamden, CT 06514

Enrollment

271

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

3.1

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hamden

#11 of 11

public schools

Connecticut elementary schools

#585 of 595

In district

#10 of 10

Hamden School District

About Dunbar Hill School

Dunbar Hill School is a regular public elementary school located in Hamden, Connecticut. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 271 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1 with 19 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school is situated in a large suburban area, providing a welcoming environment for young learners.

Dunbar Hill School's academic performance places it at the 14th percentile among Connecticut schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.3 out of 10. In terms of proficiency in English Language Arts/Reading, 32% of students are rated as proficient or above, while in mathematics, the percentage is lower at 22%. These scores suggest there is room for improvement in educational outcomes but also indicate areas where the school can focus on enhancing student development.

Dunbar Hill School sits within a suburban setting that offers a mix of residential neighborhoods and local amenities. The community supports families and educators working together to provide a nurturing environment for early education.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.0Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.85 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.0Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-15.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.2Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$28,581

Dunbar Hill School — Students at Dunbar Hill School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 22.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 32.0%
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
37%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
27%

* 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: 2.0/10.

How Dunbar Hill School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.1/10
1th percentile in CT
Academic
3.0/10
3.0/10
Growth
2.0/10
Below average
Environment
6.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

315 Lane St., Hamden, CT 06514

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dunbar Hill School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Spring Glen School (rated 8.2/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Church Street School (rated 8.0/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lincoln-Bassett School (rated 6.6/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby New Haven), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hamden, see our Hamden schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
SACRED HEART ACADEMY Hamden 0.5 mi 5.9
Church Street School Hamden 0.8 mi 8.0
Helen Street School Hamden 1.1 mi 6.1
Hamden High School Hamden 1.0 mi 6.9
Eli Whitney Technical High School Hamden 1.6 mi 5.0
Shepherd Glen School Hamden 1.3 mi 6.5
Bear Path School Hamden 1.8 mi 6.3
Brennan Rogers School New Haven 1.8 mi 5.0
WHITNEY HALL SCHOOL Hamden 1.6 mi 6.7
Hamden Middle School Hamden 1.8 mi 6.5
King/Robinson Magnet School New Haven 2.2 mi 4.2
ST RITA SCHOOL Hamden 1.7 mi 5.6
Spring Glen School Hamden 1.7 mi 8.2
The Bridge at ACES Hamden 1.8 mi
Common Ground High School New Haven 2.2 mi 5.3
HAMDEN HALL COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Hamden 2.1 mi 6.3
Lincoln-Bassett School New Haven 2.4 mi 6.6
CEDARHURST SCHOOL Hamden 2.4 mi 6.1
Barack H. Obama Magnet University School New Haven 2.6 mi 3.5
LAUREL OAKS ADVENTIST SCHOOL Hamden 2.6 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 06514 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$85,227

Median Home Value

$250,300

Median Rent

$1,633/mo

Population

25,291

College Educated

41.9%

Homeownership

62.3%

Avg Commute

24.1 min

Poverty Rate

10%

Median Age

39.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dunbar Hill School has a median household income of $85,227. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $250,300, with a median rent of $1,633/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Hop Brook Elementary School Naugatuck, CT 3.1
King Street Intermediate School Danbury, CT 3.0
Lawrence School Middletown, CT 3.2
Montessori Magnet at Batchelder School Hartford, CT 3.3
STEM Magnet at Annie Fisher School Hartford, CT 3.3
Windham Center School Windham, CT 3.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dunbar Hill School

What grades does Dunbar Hill School serve?

Dunbar Hill School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Dunbar Hill School?

Dunbar Hill School has an enrollment of approximately 271 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dunbar Hill School?

The student-teacher ratio at Dunbar Hill School is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dunbar Hill School rank in CT?

Dunbar Hill School is ranked #977 out of 990 schools in CT.

What is Dunbar Hill School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dunbar Hill School has a composite rating of 3.1 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 Dunbar Hill School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dunbar Hill School has 22.0% math proficiency and 32.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dunbar Hill School a charter school?

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

Is Dunbar Hill School a Title I school?

No, Dunbar Hill School is not currently a Title I school.

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

57.9% of students at Dunbar Hill 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

City Safety
High (3,554/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
271
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Connecticut Planning Region 7
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Hamden School District
District Enrollment
5,455
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$28,869
District Rank
#10 of 10

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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