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Below Average

#910 of 990 schools in CT

Norwich Free Academy

High School · Norwich Free Academy District

305 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360

Enrollment

2,001

Student-Teacher

13.6:1

Score

4.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Norwich

#10 of 12

public schools

Connecticut high schools

#184 of 196

About Norwich Free Academy

Norwich Free Academy serves 2,001 students in grades 9-12 in Norwich, Connecticut, making it one of the larger high schools in the state. With 147 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a manageable student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1, allowing for reasonable class sizes and individual attention. Academically, the school has room for growth, with 51% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and 22% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

These results place Norwich Free Academy at #720 among Connecticut's 996 high schools, indicating focused efforts on student development and academic improvement opportunities. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $63,364 and 23% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a poverty rate of 13.1%, the school serves students from various economic backgrounds, creating a learning environment that reflects the broader community's demographics.

Located at 305 Broadway in this small city setting, Norwich Free Academy sits in a neighborhood with a median home value of $204,600, serving a ZIP code population of over 37,000 residents. The school operates within Norwich's historic downtown area, providing students with access to both educational opportunities and the cultural richness of this established Connecticut community.

What Parents Should Know

Norwich Free Academy is a large school with 2,001 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency51%
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected-0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
College Readiness3.7Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation12%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.2Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$412

Norwich Free Academy — Students at Norwich Free Academy score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 27.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 53.0%
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
59%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
49%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
51%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How Norwich Free Academy Compares

See how Norwich Free Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.0/10
8th percentile in CT
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
4.9/10
Below average
Environment
1.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
147 teachers

Location

305 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Norwich Free Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ACADEMY OF THE HOLY FAMILY (rated 8.0/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Baltic), which scores notably higher. Another option is Three Rivers Middle College Magnet School (rated 6.9/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST BERNARD SCHOOL (rated 5.4/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Uncasville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Norwich, see our Norwich schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.4 mi
School Distance Rating
ST PATRICK CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Norwich 0.5 mi 5.8
Kelly STEAM Magnet Middle School Norwich 0.7 mi 7.0
Norwich Technical High School Norwich 0.9 mi 3.8
Teachers' Memorial Global Studies Magnet Middle School Norwich 0.9 mi 6.9
MONTESSORI DISCOVERY SCHOOL Norwich 1.2 mi 4.6
Samuel Huntington School Norwich 1.3 mi 6.4
John B. Stanton School Norwich 1.4 mi 5.1
Integrated Day Charter School Norwich 1.8 mi 7.6
Uncas Elementary School Norwich 1.9 mi 3.9
Three Rivers Middle College Magnet School Norwich 2.2 mi 6.9
Veterans' Memorial School Norwich 2.4 mi 4.4
Moriarty Magnet School Norwich 2.6 mi 4.6
Thomas W. Mahan School Norwich 2.4 mi 5.9
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Taftville 2.5 mi 6.0
Wequonnoc Magnet School Taftville 2.6 mi 4.2
Mohegan School Uncasville 4.2 mi 5.5
ST BERNARD SCHOOL Uncasville 4.9 mi 5.4
Fields Memorial School Bozrah 4.1 mi 5.8
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Baltic 5.4 mi 5.4
ACADEMY OF THE HOLY FAMILY Baltic 5.4 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 06360 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,848

Median Home Value

$233,500

Median Rent

$1,207/mo

Population

37,527

College Educated

22.6%

Homeownership

55.4%

Avg Commute

23.2 min

Poverty Rate

14.8%

Median Age

38.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Norwich Free Academy has a median household income of $65,848. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $233,500, with a median rent of $1,207/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.8%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Crosby High School Waterbury, CT 3.9
Warren Harding High School Bridgeport, CT 4.3
West Haven High School West Haven, CT 4.3
John F. Kennedy High School Waterbury, CT 4.4
New Britain High School New Britain, CT 4.7
East Hartford High School East Hartford, CT 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Norwich Free Academy

What grades does Norwich Free Academy serve?

Norwich Free Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Norwich Free Academy?

Norwich Free Academy has an enrollment of approximately 2,001 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Norwich Free Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Norwich Free Academy is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Norwich Free Academy rank in CT?

Norwich Free Academy is ranked #910 out of 990 schools in CT.

What is Norwich Free Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Norwich Free Academy has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Norwich Free Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Norwich Free Academy has 27.3% math proficiency and 53.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Norwich Free Academy a charter school?

No, Norwich Free Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Norwich Free Academy a Title I school?

No, Norwich Free Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Norwich Free Academy?

54.8% of students at Norwich Free Academy 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
46 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
19 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,469/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,001
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
147
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Connecticut Planning Region 8
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Norwich Free Academy District
District Enrollment
2,071
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$443
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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