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#680 of 990 schools in CT

Nichols School

Elementary School · Stratford School District

396 Nichols Avenue, Stratford, CT 06614

Enrollment

408

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

5.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Stratford

#5 of 13

public schools

Connecticut elementary schools

#400 of 595

In district

#5 of 13

Stratford School District

Academic growth

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Nichols School

Nichols School is a public elementary school located in Stratford, Connecticut. Serving students from kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 408 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1 with 27 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in a large suburban area, Nichols School offers a supportive educational environment where teachers can focus on individual student needs.

While Nichols School's academic performance currently places it around the middle among Connecticut schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.0/10 and an academic score of 3.7/10, there is room for growth in areas like ELA and math proficiency. The school community continues to work on enhancing educational outcomes while providing a nurturing atmosphere. Nichols School is situated within a suburban setting that offers students easy access to local parks and recreational facilities, fostering a sense of community engagement and well-being.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Nichols 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.76 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency39%
Overall Proficiency33%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-12.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.2Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,586

Nichols School — Students at Nichols School score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 28.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.7%
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
35%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
23%
ELA
34%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
39%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Nichols School Compares

See how Nichols School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
31th percentile in CT
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
3.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

396 Nichols Avenue, Stratford, CT 06614

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nichols School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Eli Whitney School (rated 8.1/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Six-Six Magnet School (rated 7.1/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Bridgeport), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Edison School (rated 6.5/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Bridgeport), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Stratford, see our Stratford schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Stratford High School Stratford 0.5 mi 5.0
David Wooster Middle School Stratford 0.6 mi 4.7
Franklin School Stratford 0.7 mi 5.5
ST JAMES SCHOOL Stratford 1.0 mi 5.3
Wilcoxson School Stratford 0.9 mi 5.8
Second Hill Lane School Stratford 1.2 mi 3.6
Eli Whitney School Stratford 1.4 mi 8.1
Six-Six Magnet School Bridgeport 1.2 mi 7.1
Bunnell High School Stratford 1.6 mi 5.3
Multicultural Magnet School Bridgeport 1.2 mi 3.8
ASPIRE LIVING AND LEARNING ACADEMY Stratford 1.6 mi 6.7
Hall School Bridgeport 1.3 mi 4.0
Stratford Academy - Johnson House Stratford 1.6 mi 4.5
High Horizons Magnet School Bridgeport 1.2 mi 4.6
Stratford Academy - Victoria Soto School Stratford 1.7 mi 4.5
Bullard-Havens Technical High School Bridgeport 1.3 mi 4.5
Edison School Bridgeport 1.3 mi 6.5
ST MARK SCHOOL Stratford 1.9 mi 5.3
Warren Harding High School Bridgeport 1.6 mi 4.3
Jettie S. Tisdale School Bridgeport 2.0 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 06614 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$105,656

Median Home Value

$342,700

Median Rent

$1,733/mo

Population

35,538

College Educated

39.2%

Homeownership

88.3%

Avg Commute

30.4 min

Poverty Rate

4.7%

Median Age

47.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Nichols School has a median household income of $105,656. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $342,700, with a median rent of $1,733/month. The local poverty rate of 4.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Coventry Grammar School Coventry, CT 5.5
Daisy Ingraham School Westbrook, CT 5.5
Franklin School Stratford, CT 5.5
Mohegan School Uncasville, CT 5.5
Pomperaug Elementary School Southbury, CT 5.5
Vance Elementary School New Britain, CT 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nichols School

What grades does Nichols School serve?

Nichols School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Nichols School?

Nichols School has an enrollment of approximately 408 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Nichols School?

The student-teacher ratio at Nichols School is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nichols School rank in CT?

Nichols School is ranked #680 out of 990 schools in CT.

What is Nichols School's MySchoolScout rating?

Nichols School has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Nichols School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nichols School has 28.3% math proficiency and 37.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Nichols School a charter school?

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

Is Nichols School a Title I school?

No, Nichols School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nichols School?

44.1% of students at Nichols 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

City Safety
High (2,060/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
408
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Connecticut Planning Region 2
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Stratford School District
District Enrollment
6,743
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,895
District Rank
#5 of 13

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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