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Needs Improvement

#899 of 990 schools in CT

James Hillhouse High School

High School · New Haven School District

480 Sherman Parkway, New Haven, CT 06511

Enrollment

1,101

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

3.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Connecticut schools

#899 of 990

In New Haven

#26 of 42

public schools

In district

#24 of 37

New Haven School District

Academic growth

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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James Hillhouse High School

3.8/10

High School in New Haven · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Wexler/grant Community School

4.3/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Augusta Lewis Troup School

3.5/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About James Hillhouse High School

James Hillhouse High School is a public high school in New Haven, CT, part of New Haven School District. James Hillhouse High School serves approximately 1,101 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14.3:1 student-teacher ratio. James Hillhouse High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #899 of 990 schools in CT.

Structured state assessment records for James Hillhouse High School show 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 23% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.4
  • CT avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at James Hillhouse High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

54% of students at James Hillhouse High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.63 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)17% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College Readiness2.5Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate65%
AP Participation10.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,603
Chronic Absenteeism53.5%

James Hillhouse High School — Students at James Hillhouse High School score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

81.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 13.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 23.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from CT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
33%
ELA
44%
2010
Math
36%
ELA
40%
2011
Math
32%
ELA
40%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
39%
2013
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2014
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2015
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2018
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How James Hillhouse High School Compares

See how James Hillhouse High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.8/10
9th percentile in CT
Academic
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
7.4/10
Very Good
Environment
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 3
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
82%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
77 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
53.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
10.7% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

480 Sherman Parkway, New Haven, CT 06511

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering James Hillhouse High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Eli Whitney Technical High School (rated 5.5/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Hamden), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cooperative High School - Inter-District Magnet (rated 5.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hill Regional Career High School (rated 3.9/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in New Haven, see our New Haven schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Wexler/Grant Community School New Haven 0.5 mi 4.3
Augusta Lewis Troup School New Haven 0.6 mi 3.5
King/Robinson Magnet School New Haven 0.8 mi 3.3
Amistad Academy New Haven 0.8 mi 5.2
Lincoln-Bassett School New Haven 0.7 mi 3.2
Highville Charter School New Haven 0.7 mi 3.5
Beecher School New Haven 0.8 mi 6.1
Barack H. Obama Magnet University School New Haven 0.8 mi 6.6
Hill Regional Career High School New Haven 1.2 mi 3.9
Celentano BioTech Health and Medical Magnet School New Haven 0.9 mi 4.6
Barnard Environmental Magnet School New Haven 1.1 mi 3.3
CALVIN HILL DAYCARE CENTER & KLF KINDERGARTEN New Haven 1.1 mi
THE FOOTE SCHOOL New Haven 1.0 mi 6.3
Cooperative High School - Inter-District Magnet New Haven 1.3 mi 5.2
Eli Whitney Technical High School Hamden 1.4 mi 5.5
Elm City Montessori School New Haven 1.1 mi 6.7
ATLAS AT NEIGHBORHOOD MUSIC SCHOOL New Haven 1.2 mi
Edgewood School New Haven 1.1 mi 2.8
John C. Daniels New Haven 1.5 mi 3.0
New Haven Academy New Haven 1.3 mi 3.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 06511 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,300

Median Home Value

$313,400

Median Rent

$1,534/mo

Population

54,744

College Educated

47.9%

Homeownership

20.1%

Avg Commute

20.1 min

Poverty Rate

25.8%

Median Age

29.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Crosby High School Waterbury, CT 3.7
Naugatuck High School Naugatuck, CT 3.7
Stratford High School Stratford, CT 3.7
Academy of Science and Innovation New Britain, CT 3.9
East Haven High School East Haven, CT 3.6
FAIRFIELD COLLEGE PREPARATORY Fairfield, CT 3.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about James Hillhouse High School

What grades does James Hillhouse High School serve?

James Hillhouse High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend James Hillhouse High School?

James Hillhouse High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,101 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at James Hillhouse High School?

The student-teacher ratio at James Hillhouse High 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 James Hillhouse High School rank in CT?

James Hillhouse High School ranks #899 of 990 schools in CT.

What is James Hillhouse High School's MySchoolScout rating?

James Hillhouse High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at James Hillhouse High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, James Hillhouse High School has 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 23% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is James Hillhouse High School a charter school?

No, James Hillhouse High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is James Hillhouse High School a Title I school?

No, James Hillhouse High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Hillhouse High School?

81.8% of students at James Hillhouse High 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
75 Very Walkable
Transit Score
49 Some Transit
Bike Score
82 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,101
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
77
Free/Reduced Lunch
81.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Connecticut Planning Region 7
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
53.5%
4-Year Graduation
65.0%

How we rate schools

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