Very Good
#344 of 990 schools in CT
Top 35% in state
Explorations
High School · Explorations District
71 Spencer St., Winsted, CT 06098
Enrollment
88
Student-Teacher
8.8:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
88
Student-Teacher
8.8:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Winsted
#4 of 6
public schools
Connecticut high schools
#68 of 196
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Explorations
Explorations is a charter high school located in Winsted, Connecticut, on the edge of an urban area. Serving grades 9 through 12, it has a student body of 88 students and offers a personalized learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 8.8:1. The school employs ten full-time equivalent teachers to support its academic programs.
Explorations places a strong emphasis on individual attention and development, which is evident in its small class sizes but currently shows room for improvement in test performance. According to MySchoolScout ratings, the school ranks at #533 out of 996 schools in Connecticut, with an academic score of 4.7/10. Students perform better in ELA and reading, where 43% are proficient or above compared to just 17% in math.
Despite its current challenges, Explorations offers a nurturing setting that encourages student growth and development within the town's community atmosphere. The school is situated on Spencer Street in Winsted, providing students with access to both urban amenities and small-town charm.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 88 students, Explorations is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.8:1, Explorations 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.
Explorations is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Explorations — Students at Explorations score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
63.6%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.9/10.
How Explorations Compares
See how Explorations performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 49.5% (2019) to 49.5% (2022).
Location
71 Spencer St., Winsted, CT 06098
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Explorations may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Northwestern Regional High School (rated 6.3/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Torrington High School (rated 6.3/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Torrington), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Oliver Wolcott Technical High School (rated 5.2/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Torrington), a more accessible option. For more schools in Winsted, see our Winsted schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mary P. Hinsdale School Winsted | 0.2 mi | 7.9 |
| The Gilbert School Winsted | 0.2 mi | 3.6 |
| Pearson School Winsted | 0.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Northwestern Regional High School Winsted | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Northwestern Regional Middle School Winsted | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Colebrook Consolidated School Colebrook | 4.1 mi | 9.8 |
| Barkhamsted Elementary School Barkhamsted | 4.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Torrington Middle School Torrington | 6.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Bakerville Consolidated School New Hartford | 7.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Torringford School Torrington | 7.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Torrington High School Torrington | 8.0 mi | 6.3 |
| OAK HILL SCHOOL AT ANN ANTOLINI SCHOOL New Hartford | 7.7 mi | 9.2 |
| Ann Antolini School New Hartford | 7.7 mi | 5.9 |
| New Hartford Elementary School New Hartford | 6.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Oliver Wolcott Technical High School Torrington | 8.4 mi | 5.2 |
| TORRINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Torrington | 8.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Botelle Elementary School Norfolk | 7.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Forbes School Torrington | 8.6 mi | 8.3 |
| ST JOHN PAUL THE GREAT STREAM ACADEMY Torrington | 8.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Vogel-Wetmore School Torrington | 9.0 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 06098 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,661
Median Home Value
$238,700
Median Rent
$1,189/mo
Population
10,200
College Educated
28.6%
Homeownership
65.2%
Avg Commute
28.2 min
Poverty Rate
14.1%
Median Age
48.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Explorations has a median household income of $68,661. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $238,700, with a median rent of $1,189/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| FRANKLIN ACADEMY East Haddam, CT | 7.1 |
| GROVE SCHOOL Madison, CT | 6.9 |
| SOUTH KENT SCHOOL South Kent, CT | 7.1 |
| THE MARVELWOOD SCHOOL Kent, CT | 6.9 |
| Three Rivers Middle College Magnet School Norwich, CT | 6.9 |
| PUTNAM SCIENCE ACADEMY Putnam, CT | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Explorations
What grades does Explorations serve?
Explorations serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Explorations?
Explorations has an enrollment of approximately 88 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Explorations?
The student-teacher ratio at Explorations is 8.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Explorations rank in CT?
Explorations is ranked #344 out of 990 schools in CT.
What is Explorations's MySchoolScout rating?
Explorations 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 Explorations?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Explorations has 16.7% math proficiency and 43.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Explorations a charter school?
Yes, Explorations is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Explorations a Title I school?
No, Explorations is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Explorations?
63.6% of students at Explorations 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 88
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 63.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Connecticut Planning Region 6
- Phone
- (860) 738-9070
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Explorations District- District Enrollment
- 88
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,559
- 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 methodologyRelated 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.