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Average

#758 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

5.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In New Haven

#16 of 42

public schools

Connecticut high schools

#158 of 196

In district

#14 of 37

New Haven School District

Academic growth

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About James Hillhouse High School

James Hillhouse High School serves 1,101 students in grades 9-12 in New Haven, Connecticut, with a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1 and 77 full-time equivalent teachers. As a regular public school located on Sherman Parkway, Hillhouse operates in an urban environment with significant opportunities for student growth and development. The school currently faces academic challenges, with 17% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and 8% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

These results place Hillhouse at #956 out of 996 Connecticut high schools, indicating substantial room for improvement in student achievement outcomes. The surrounding 06511 neighborhood reflects New Haven's diverse character, with a median household income of $55,248 and median home values around $291,200. The community shows strong educational attainment, with 50% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, though the area also experiences economic challenges with a poverty rate of 26.6%.

With a population of nearly 56,000 in the immediate area, James Hillhouse High School sits within one of Connecticut's most vibrant mid-size cities, offering students access to the cultural and educational resources that come with New Haven's rich academic and urban environment.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at James Hillhouse High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.4Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.65 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics3.5Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Overall Proficiency12%
Expected (poverty-adj.)17%
vs. Expected-4.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College Readiness3.4Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation10.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.8Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,604

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 4.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 15.3%
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
2.5%
ELA
17%
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: 9.4/10.

How James Hillhouse High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
24th percentile in CT
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
82%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
77 teachers

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. Cooperative High School - Inter-District Magnet (rated 7.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hill Regional Career High School (rated 5.3/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Eli Whitney Technical High School (rated 5.0/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Hamden), 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 5.1
Augusta Lewis Troup School New Haven 0.6 mi 5.6
King/Robinson Magnet School New Haven 0.8 mi 4.2
Amistad Academy New Haven 0.8 mi 5.6
Lincoln-Bassett School New Haven 0.7 mi 6.6
Highville Charter School New Haven 0.7 mi 3.9
Beecher School New Haven 0.8 mi 3.8
Barack H. Obama Magnet University School New Haven 0.8 mi 3.5
Hill Regional Career High School New Haven 1.2 mi 5.3
Celentano BioTech Health and Medical Magnet School New Haven 0.9 mi 6.9
Barnard Environmental Magnet School New Haven 1.1 mi 5.1
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 7.2
Eli Whitney Technical High School Hamden 1.4 mi 5.0
Elm City Montessori School New Haven 1.1 mi 6.6
ATLAS AT NEIGHBORHOOD MUSIC SCHOOL New Haven 1.2 mi
Edgewood School New Haven 1.1 mi 4.9
John C. Daniels New Haven 1.5 mi 3.9
New Haven Academy New Haven 1.3 mi 5.0

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding James Hillhouse High School has a median household income of $56,300. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $313,400, with a median rent of $1,534/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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
A. I. Prince Technical High School Hartford, CT 5.0
Stratford High School Stratford, CT 5.0
Windham High School Willimantic, CT 4.9
Connecticut River Academy at Goodwin University East Hartford, CT 4.8
Waterbury Career Academy Waterbury, CT 4.8
Bunnell High School Stratford, CT 5.3

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 is ranked #758 out of 990 schools in CT.

What is James Hillhouse High School's MySchoolScout rating?

James Hillhouse High School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 James Hillhouse High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Hillhouse High School has 4.2% math proficiency and 15.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (4,132/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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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