Needs Improvement
#979 of 990 schools in CT
Sound School
High School · New Haven School District
60 South Water St., New Haven, CT 06519
Enrollment
336
Student-Teacher
8.8:1
Score
3.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
336
Student-Teacher
8.8:1
Score
3.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In New Haven
#40 of 42
public schools
Connecticut high schools
#194 of 196
In district
#36 of 37
New Haven School District
About Sound School
Sound School is a public high school located in the heart of New Haven, Connecticut. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, Sound School has an enrollment of 336 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 8.8:1 with 38 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Sound School reflects areas where there is room for improvement; the school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.6 out of 10, placing it in the 10th percentile among Connecticut schools.
In terms of subject proficiency, 44% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while only 10% achieve this level in math. Despite these challenges, Sound School continues to focus on student development and offers a supportive environment for its diverse community. Located in a mid-size city, the school is immersed in New Haven's rich cultural landscape, providing students with numerous opportunities outside of the classroom.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.8:1, Sound School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Sound School — Students at Sound School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from CT state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 1.8/10.
How Sound School Compares
See how Sound School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 7.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
60 South Water St., New Haven, CT 06519
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sound School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cooperative High School - Inter-District Magnet (rated 7.2/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is High School In The Community (rated 5.7/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby West Haven), which scores notably higher. For more schools in New Haven, see our New Haven schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School New Haven | 0.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Hill Central Music Academy New Haven | 1.0 mi | 4.2 |
| ST MARTIN DE PORRES ACADEMY New Haven | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Truman School New Haven | 1.0 mi | 3.4 |
| Roberto Clemente Leadership Academy for Global Awareness New Haven | 1.1 mi | 4.0 |
| ST LAWRENCE SCHOOL West Haven | 1.0 mi | 6.4 |
| High School In The Community New Haven | 1.4 mi | 5.7 |
| John C. Daniels New Haven | 1.4 mi | 3.9 |
| Metropolitan Business Academy New Haven | 1.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Cooperative High School - Inter-District Magnet New Haven | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Savin Rock Community School West Haven | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Conte/West Hills Magnet School New Haven | 1.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Hill Regional Career High School New Haven | 1.8 mi | 5.3 |
| ATLAS AT NEIGHBORHOOD MUSIC SCHOOL New Haven | 2.1 mi | — |
| Amistad Academy New Haven | 2.1 mi | 5.6 |
| New Haven Academy New Haven | 2.2 mi | 5.0 |
| NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL West Haven | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Nathan Hale School New Haven | 1.8 mi | 3.8 |
| Booker T. Washington Academy New Haven | 2.2 mi | 2.9 |
| COLD SPRING SCHOOL New Haven | 2.0 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 06519 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$44,394
Median Home Value
$247,600
Median Rent
$1,356/mo
Population
15,426
College Educated
19.5%
Homeownership
25.7%
Avg Commute
20.2 min
Poverty Rate
29.5%
Median Age
34.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sound School has a median household income of $44,394. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $247,600, with a median rent of $1,356/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts High School - Full Day Hartford, CT | 2.6 |
| The Gilbert School Winsted, CT | 3.6 |
| J. M. Wright Technical High School Stamford, CT | 3.8 |
| YESHIVA GEDOLAH OF WATERBURY- MESIVTA DURHAM Durham, CT | 4.0 |
| Bridgeport Military Academy Bridgeport, CT | 4.6 |
| Sport and Medical Sciences Academy Hartford, CT | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sound School
What grades does Sound School serve?
Sound School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Sound School?
Sound School has an enrollment of approximately 336 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sound School?
The student-teacher ratio at Sound School is 8.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sound School rank in CT?
Sound School is ranked #979 out of 990 schools in CT.
What is Sound School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sound School has a composite rating of 3.1 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 Sound School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sound School has 9.8% math proficiency and 44.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sound School a charter school?
No, Sound School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sound School a Title I school?
No, Sound School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sound School?
56.8% of students at Sound 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,132/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New Haven). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 336
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 56.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Connecticut Planning Region 7
- Phone
- (475) 220-2300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
New Haven School District- District Enrollment
- 18,966
- Schools in District
- 37
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,603
- District Rank
- #36 of 37
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 methodologyRelated reading
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