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Very Good

#344 of 990 schools in CT

Top 35% in state

Explorations

High School · Explorations District

71 Spencer St., Winsted, CT 06098

Charter

Enrollment

88

Student-Teacher

8.8:1

Score

7.0

Grades

9th – 12th

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 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.62 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics7.2Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.5%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected+9.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
College Readiness6.2Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,489

Explorations — Students at Explorations score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

63.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 16.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 43.0%
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
10%
ELA
49.5%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.0/10
65th percentile in CT
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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