Average
#704 of 990 schools in CT
Ponus Ridge Steam Academy
Middle School · Norwalk School District · Norwalk, CT
A Norwalk School District middle school where students score 10 points below what's typical for similar communities.
21 Hunters Lane, Norwalk, CT 06850
- Math 16% proficient (2022)
- Reading 31% proficient (2022)
- 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Ponus Ridge Steam Academy score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
2022 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. CT average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 11 points since 2019, to 24% in 2022, across a 14-year record (2009–2022).
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 36% (multi-year average, 2009-2022) · reading/ELA 46% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from CT state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
60.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Ponus Ridge Steam Academy sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 39Car-Dependent
- Transit 19Minimal Transit
- Bike 31Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High1,589/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Norwalk), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$121,910
Median home value
$562,900
Median rent
$2,283/mo
College educated
52.4%
Homeownership
54.9%
Poverty rate
9.2%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 06850; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Rocks Middle SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 5.8 | 6–8 | 1.6 mi | 701 | Compare → |
| Nathan Hale Middle SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 4.5 | 6–8 | 2.4 mi | 524 | Compare → |
| Saxe Middle SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 9.3 | 5–8 | 2.4 mi | 1,261 | Compare → |
| Roton Middle SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 5.5 | 6–8 | 3.1 mi | 453 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Norwalk School District
- Schools in district
- 22
- Rank in district
- #14 of 22
- District spending per student
- $26,673NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 14.9%Census SAIPE · 2024
Ponus Ridge Steam Academy is listed in Norwalk School District; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Ponus Ridge Steam Academy
Ponus Ridge Steam Academy is a public middle school in Norwalk, CT, part of Norwalk School District, serving approximately 622 students in grades 6th-8th with a 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #704 of 990 schools in CT. State assessment records show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Ponus Ridge Steam Academy
What grades does Ponus Ridge Steam Academy serve?
Ponus Ridge Steam Academy serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Ponus Ridge Steam Academy?
Ponus Ridge Steam Academy has an enrollment of approximately 622 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ponus Ridge Steam Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Ponus Ridge Steam Academy is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ponus Ridge Steam Academy rank in CT?
Ponus Ridge Steam Academy ranks #704 of 990 schools in CT.
What is Ponus Ridge Steam Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Ponus Ridge Steam Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Ponus Ridge Steam Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Ponus Ridge Steam Academy has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Ponus Ridge Steam Academy a charter school?
No, Ponus Ridge Steam Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ponus Ridge Steam Academy a Title I school?
No, Ponus Ridge Steam Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ponus Ridge Steam Academy?
60.6% of students at Ponus Ridge Steam 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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 622
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 54
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Connecticut Planning Region 9
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 10.0%
- Phone
- (203) 847-3557
- Area population (ZIP 06850)
- 19,774
- Area average commute
- 26.5 min
- Area median age
- 40
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 06850; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2022; directory SY 2023–24
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