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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82%
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected+5.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College Readiness8.4Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation29.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$30,496

Joel Barlow High School — Students at Joel Barlow High School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

13%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 66.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 84.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from CT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
75%
ELA
89%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
82%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
82%

* 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.

Overall Score
8.2/10
87th percentile in CT
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
5.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
13%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
65 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
5 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (298/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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