Skip to main content

Excellent

#54 of 990 schools in CT

Top 5% in state

Essex Elementary School

Elementary School · Essex School District

108 Main St., Centerbrook, CT 06409

Enrollment

299

Student-Teacher

10.3:1

Score

8.8

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Connecticut elementary schools

#45 of 595

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Essex Elementary School

Essex Elementary School is a public elementary school in Centerbrook, CT, part of the Essex School District. The school serves approximately 299 students in grades Pre-K – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 10.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8/10, placing it in the 94.6th percentile among CT schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 67% proficiency in math and 77% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $102,623, where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a large suburban setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.4Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)63%
vs. Expected+11.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$29,927

Essex Elementary School — Students at Essex Elementary School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

21.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 67.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 77.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
72%
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: 8.0/10.

How Essex Elementary School Compares

See how Essex Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.8/10
95th percentile in CT
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Location

108 Main St., Centerbrook, CT 06409

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Essex Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Kathleen E. Goodwin School (rated 9.3/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Old Saybrook), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Deep River Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Deep River), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Chester Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Chester), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Centerbrook, see our Centerbrook schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Valley Regional High School Deep River 2.1 mi 9.3
Deep River Elementary School Deep River 2.6 mi 8.9
John Winthrop Middle School Deep River 2.2 mi 6.0
MONTESSORI CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Chester 4.0 mi
Westbrook High School Westbrook 4.0 mi 7.6
Westbrook Middle School Westbrook 4.0 mi 8.2
Old Saybrook Senior High School Old Saybrook 4.4 mi 7.9
Chester Elementary School Chester 4.2 mi 8.4
Daisy Ingraham School Westbrook 4.5 mi 5.5
THE CHILDREN'S TREE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Old Saybrook 3.8 mi 6.7
ST JOHN SCHOOL Old Saybrook 4.6 mi 4.6
Kathleen E. Goodwin School Old Saybrook 4.8 mi 9.3
Old Saybrook Middle School Old Saybrook 4.8 mi 6.9
FRANKLIN ACADEMY East Haddam 6.3 mi 7.1
Center School Old Lyme 5.2 mi 5.5
Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School Old Lyme 5.2 mi 8.1
Lyme-Old Lyme High School Old Lyme 5.3 mi 8.9
Lyme Consolidated School Lyme 6.1 mi 7.9
Jared Eliot School Clinton 6.4 mi 6.7
Lewin G. Joel Jr. School Clinton 6.4 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 06409 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$102,623

Median Home Value

$366,800

Median Rent

$1,448/mo

Population

858

College Educated

43%

Homeownership

86.3%

Poverty Rate

3.5%

Median Age

43.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Essex Elementary School has a median household income of $102,623. It is a well-educated community where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $366,800, with a median rent of $1,448/month. The local poverty rate of 3.5% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Dwight Elementary School Fairfield, CT 8.8
Ellen P. Hubbell School Bristol, CT 8.8
Haddam-Killingworth Intermediate School Killingworth, CT 8.8
Salisbury Central School Lakeville, CT 8.8
Totoket Valley Elementary School Northford, CT 8.8
Burr District Elementary School Higganum, CT 8.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Essex Elementary School

What grades does Essex Elementary School serve?

Essex Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Essex Elementary School?

Essex Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 299 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Essex Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Essex Elementary School is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Essex Elementary School rank in CT?

Essex Elementary School is ranked #54 out of 990 schools in CT.

What is Essex Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Essex Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.8 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 Essex Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Essex Elementary School has 67.0% math proficiency and 77.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Essex Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Essex Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Essex Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Essex Elementary School?

21.4% of students at Essex Elementary 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
46 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
299
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
21.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Connecticut Planning Region 3
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Essex School District
District Enrollment
300
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$31,797
District Rank
#1 of 1

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.