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#704 of 990 schools in CT

Ponus Ridge Steam Academy

Middle School · Norwalk School District

21 Hunters Lane, Norwalk, CT 06850

Enrollment

622

Student-Teacher

11.5:1

Score

5.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Connecticut schools

#704 of 990

In Norwalk

#15 of 23

public schools

In district

#14 of 22

Norwalk School District

School environment

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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Ponus Ridge Steam Academy

5.2/10

Middle School in Norwalk · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Concord Magnet School

7.2/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Kendall College & Career Academy

3.9/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Ponus Ridge Steam Academy

Ponus Ridge Steam Academy is a public middle school in Norwalk, CT, part of Norwalk School District. Ponus Ridge Steam Academy serves approximately 622 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Ponus Ridge Steam Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #704 of 990 schools in CT.

Structured state assessment records for Ponus Ridge Steam Academy show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.2 · Average
  • District avg 5.3
  • CT avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.1Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.99 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency31% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency24% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-10.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment9.1Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,673
Chronic Absenteeism10%

Ponus Ridge Steam Academy — Students at Ponus Ridge Steam Academy score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 36.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 45.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from CT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
74%
ELA
69%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
74%
ELA
74%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
78%
2013
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2014
Math
21%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
20%
ELA
41%
2016
Math
26%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
26%
ELA
34%
2018
Math
25%
ELA
43%
2019
Math
25%
ELA
43%
2020*
Math
19%
ELA
34%
2021*
Math
19%
ELA
34%
2022
Math
16%
ELA
31%

* 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: 4.1/10.

How Ponus Ridge Steam Academy Compares

See how Ponus Ridge Steam Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
29th percentile in CT
Academic
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.1/10
Below Average
Environment
9.1/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
10.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

21 Hunters Lane, Norwalk, CT 06850

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ponus Ridge Steam Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Saxe Middle School (rated 9.3/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby New Canaan), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Rocks Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Roton Middle School (rated 5.5/10, 3.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Norwalk, see our Norwalk schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Concord Magnet School Norwalk 0.0 mi 7.2
Kendall College & Career Academy Norwalk 0.5 mi 3.9
Fox Run Elementary School Norwalk 0.8 mi 6.2
Jefferson Marine Science Elementary School Norwalk 1.1 mi 4.3
Silvermine Dual Language Magnet School Norwalk 1.7 mi 4.4
WINSTON PREPARATORY SCHOOL Norwalk 1.5 mi 4.0
Tracey Magnet School Norwalk 1.4 mi 4.0
ANCHOR ACADEMY DBA REGINA PACIS ACADEMY Norwalk 1.5 mi 5.0
West Rocks Middle School Norwalk 1.6 mi 5.8
Brookside Elementary School Norwalk 2.3 mi 6.1
Side By Side Charter School Norwalk 2.2 mi 6.8
South Norwalk Elementary School Norwalk 2.3 mi 6.6
Brien McMahon High School Norwalk 2.6 mi 5.5
Center for Global Studies Norwalk 2.6 mi 8.9
Norwalk Early Childhood Center Norwalk 2.3 mi 2.9
Saxe Middle School New Canaan 2.4 mi 9.3
Roton Middle School Norwalk 3.1 mi 5.5
East School New Canaan 2.7 mi 9.5
Nathan Hale Middle School Norwalk 2.4 mi 4.5
Ox Ridge Elementary School Darien 2.7 mi 9.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 06850 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$121,910

Median Home Value

$562,900

Median Rent

$2,283/mo

Population

19,774

College Educated

52.4%

Homeownership

54.9%

Avg Commute

26.5 min

Poverty Rate

9.2%

Median Age

40

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
City Hill Middle School Naugatuck, CT 5.2
John Wallace Middle School Newington, CT 5.3
Lincoln Middle School Meriden, CT 5.3
Middle School of Plainville Plainville, CT 5.3
Plainfield Central School Plainfield, CT 5.1
Hamden Middle School Hamden, CT 5.4

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
39 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
19 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
622
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
54
Free/Reduced Lunch
60.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Connecticut Planning Region 9
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
10.0%

District

Norwalk School District
District Enrollment
11,520
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$26,673
District Rank
#14 of 22

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