Excellent
#130 of 990 schools in CT
Top 13% in state
Joel Barlow High School
High School · Regional School District 09
100 Black Rock Tpke., Redding, CT 06896
Enrollment
737
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
8.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
737
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
8.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Redding
#3 of 3
public schools
Connecticut high schools
#24 of 196
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Joel Barlow High School
Joel Barlow High School is a public high school in Redding, CT, part of the Regional School District 09. The school serves approximately 737 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 87th percentile among CT schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 66% proficiency in math and 84% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $174,981, where 73% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Joel Barlow High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Joel Barlow High School — Students at Joel Barlow High School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
13%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.9/10.
How Joel Barlow High School Compares
See how Joel Barlow High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 89% (2019) to 82% (2022).
Location
100 Black Rock Tpke., Redding, CT 06896
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Joel Barlow High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Weston High School (rated 9.1/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Weston), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Bethel High School (rated 6.8/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Bethel), a more accessible option. For more schools in Redding, see our Redding schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Redding Elementary School Redding | 2.5 mi | 8.7 |
| John Read Middle School Redding | 3.3 mi | 8.4 |
| EASTON COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Easton | 4.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Samuel Staples Elementary School Easton | 4.8 mi | 8.6 |
| HOUSATONIC VALLEY WALDORF SCHOOL Newtown | 5.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Head O'Meadow Elementary School Newtown | 5.8 mi | 9.0 |
| Stepney Elementary School Monroe | 4.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Helen Keller Middle School Easton | 5.2 mi | 6.9 |
| ST MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bethel | 5.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Middle Gate Elementary School Newtown | 5.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Bethel High School Bethel | 6.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Weston Middle School Weston | 6.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Bethel Middle School Bethel | 6.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Frank A. Berry School Bethel | 6.2 mi | 3.5 |
| Weston High School Weston | 6.6 mi | 9.1 |
| Tashua School Trumbull | 5.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Ralph M. T. Johnson School Bethel | 6.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Anna H. Rockwell School Bethel | 6.4 mi | 3.7 |
| Weston Intermediate School Weston | 6.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Madison Middle School Trumbull | 5.8 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 06896 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$174,981
Median Home Value
$686,400
Median Rent
$1,639/mo
Population
8,719
College Educated
72.5%
Homeownership
89.5%
Avg Commute
36.9 min
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Median Age
51.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Joel Barlow High School has a median household income of $174,981. It is a well-educated community where 73% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $686,400, with a median rent of $1,639/month. The local poverty rate of 3.7% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 37 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Pomperaug Regional High School Southbury, CT | 8.2 |
| Guilford High School Guilford, CT | 8.3 |
| Joseph A. Foran High School Milford, CT | 8.3 |
| Robert E. Fitch High School Groton, CT | 8.3 |
| THE LOOMIS CHAFFEE SCHOOL Windsor, CT | 8.3 |
| Bacon Academy Colchester, CT | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Joel Barlow High School
What grades does Joel Barlow High School serve?
Joel Barlow High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Joel Barlow High School?
Joel Barlow High School has an enrollment of approximately 737 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Joel Barlow High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Joel Barlow High School is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Joel Barlow High School rank in CT?
Joel Barlow High School is ranked #130 out of 990 schools in CT.
What is Joel Barlow High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Joel Barlow High School has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Joel Barlow High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Joel Barlow High School has 66.3% math proficiency and 84.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Joel Barlow High School a charter school?
No, Joel Barlow High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Joel Barlow High School a Title I school?
No, Joel Barlow High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Joel Barlow High School?
13.0% of students at Joel Barlow 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 737
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 65
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 13.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Connecticut Planning Region 9
- Phone
- (203) 938-2508
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Regional School District 09- District Enrollment
- 749
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $33,431
- 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
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