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Below Average

#871 of 990 schools in CT

Preston Plains School

Middle School · Preston School District

1 Route 164, Preston, CT 06365

Enrollment

130

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

4.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Preston

#2 of 2

public schools

Connecticut middle schools

#168 of 180

In district

#2 of 2

Preston School District

About Preston Plains School

Preston Plains School is a middle school located in the rural area of Preston, Connecticut. Nestled along Route 164, it serves students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 130 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1, the school ensures personalized attention for each learner.

The dedicated teaching staff includes nine full-time equivalent educators committed to supporting academic growth and development. Preston Plains School currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10, ranking it at #846 among 996 schools in Connecticut, placing it around the 15th percentile. Academically, students have shown proficiency rates of 50% in ELA/Reading and 42% in Math, indicating areas where further support could enhance performance.

While there is room for academic improvement, Preston Plains School focuses on providing a nurturing environment that fosters student development and engagement. The school's rural setting offers a peaceful backdrop for learning, complemented by the supportive community of Preston. Preston Plains School stands as an integral part of the rural town, offering its students a foundation for continued education in a close-knit community setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 130 students, Preston Plains School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Preston Plains 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.0Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.33 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.0Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected-10.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
Resources & Environment5.5Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,489

Preston Plains School — Students at Preston Plains School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 42.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.3%
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
52%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
47%

* 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: 3.0/10.

How Preston Plains School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.3/10
12th percentile in CT
Academic
5.0/10
5.0/10
Growth
3.0/10
Below average
Environment
5.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

1 Route 164, Preston, CT 06365

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Preston Plains School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Kelly STEAM Magnet Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Norwich), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ledyard Middle School (rated 4.4/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Gales Ferry), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Griswold Middle School (rated 3.9/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Griswold), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Preston, see our Preston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Preston Veterans' Memorial School Preston 2.8 mi 7.0
Ledyard High School Ledyard 3.6 mi 6.1
Gallup Hill School Ledyard 4.3 mi 7.3
Veterans' Memorial School Norwich 4.6 mi 4.4
Ledyard Middle School Gales Ferry 5.0 mi 4.4
Gales Ferry School Gales Ferry 5.1 mi 4.7
Juliet W. Long School Gales Ferry 5.1 mi 7.0
Integrated Day Charter School Norwich 5.0 mi 7.6
ST PATRICK CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Norwich 5.6 mi 5.8
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Taftville 6.5 mi 6.0
Griswold High School Griswold 7.3 mi 6.2
Griswold Elementary School Griswold 7.3 mi 3.0
Wequonnoc Magnet School Taftville 6.6 mi 4.2
Northeast Academy Magnet School Mystic 7.4 mi 6.1
North Stonington Elementary School North Stonington 6.0 mi 5.0
Griswold Middle School Griswold 7.5 mi 3.9
Norwich Free Academy Norwich 6.0 mi 4.0
Mohegan School Uncasville 5.7 mi 5.5
Wheeler High School North Stonington 6.2 mi 6.1
Kelly STEAM Magnet Middle School Norwich 6.3 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 06365 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$109,441

Median Home Value

$343,200

Median Rent

$1,628/mo

Population

4,781

College Educated

27.4%

Homeownership

92.3%

Avg Commute

21.1 min

Poverty Rate

1.6%

Median Age

46.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Preston Plains School has a median household income of $109,441. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $343,200, with a median rent of $1,628/month. The local poverty rate of 1.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Hall Memorial School West Willington, CT 5.5
House of Arts Letters and Science (HALS) Academy New Britain, CT 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Preston Plains School

What grades does Preston Plains School serve?

Preston Plains School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Preston Plains School?

Preston Plains School has an enrollment of approximately 130 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Preston Plains School?

The student-teacher ratio at Preston Plains School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Preston Plains School rank in CT?

Preston Plains School is ranked #871 out of 990 schools in CT.

What is Preston Plains School's MySchoolScout rating?

Preston Plains School has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Preston Plains School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Preston Plains School has 42.0% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Preston Plains School a charter school?

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

Is Preston Plains School a Title I school?

No, Preston Plains School is not currently a Title I school.

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

35.4% of students at Preston Plains 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
130
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
35.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Connecticut Planning Region 8
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Preston School District
District Enrollment
450
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$28,305
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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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