Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#929 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

3.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Connecticut schools

#929 of 990

In New Haven

#31 of 42

public schools

In district

#28 of 37

New Haven School District

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Sound School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Sound School

3.5/10

High School in New Haven · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School

3.5/10

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

Hill Central Music Academy

4.3/10

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

About Sound School

Sound School is a public high school in New Haven, CT, part of New Haven School District. Sound School serves approximately 336 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 8.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Sound School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #929 of 990 schools in CT.

Structured state assessment records for Sound School show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.4
  • CT avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 8.8:1 students to teachers, Sound School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.0Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-5.18 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.6Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-19.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
College Readiness4.1Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%+
AP Participation6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,603
Chronic Absenteeism22%

Sound School — Students at Sound School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 37.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 60.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 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
77%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
62%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
27%

* 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: 2.0/10.

How Sound School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.5/10
6th percentile in CT
Academic
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.6/10
Average
AP Courses
1
State avg: 3
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.0%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
6% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

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. NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby West Haven), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cooperative High School - Inter-District Magnet (rated 5.2/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, High School In The Community (rated 4.4/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly 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 3.5
Hill Central Music Academy New Haven 1.0 mi 4.3
ST MARTIN DE PORRES ACADEMY New Haven 1.1 mi 7.0
Truman School New Haven 1.0 mi 4.5
Roberto Clemente Leadership Academy for Global Awareness New Haven 1.1 mi 5.0
ST LAWRENCE SCHOOL West Haven 1.0 mi 6.4
High School In The Community New Haven 1.4 mi 4.4
John C. Daniels New Haven 1.4 mi 3.0
Metropolitan Business Academy New Haven 1.4 mi 3.9
Cooperative High School - Inter-District Magnet New Haven 1.6 mi 5.2
Savin Rock Community School West Haven 1.5 mi 6.9
Conte/West Hills Magnet School New Haven 1.7 mi 3.7
Hill Regional Career High School New Haven 1.8 mi 3.9
ATLAS AT NEIGHBORHOOD MUSIC SCHOOL New Haven 2.1 mi
Amistad Academy New Haven 2.1 mi 5.2
New Haven Academy New Haven 2.2 mi 3.8
NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL West Haven 1.7 mi 5.5
Nathan Hale School New Haven 1.8 mi 3.2
Booker T. Washington Academy New Haven 2.2 mi 2.7
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Sport and Medical Sciences Academy Hartford, CT 3.5
New Haven Academy New Haven, CT 3.8
Metropolitan Business Academy New Haven, CT 3.9
The Gilbert School Winsted, CT 3.9
YESHIVA GEDOLAH OF WATERBURY- MESIVTA DURHAM Durham, CT 4.0
Common Ground High School New Haven, CT 2.8

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 ranks #929 of 990 schools in CT.

What is Sound School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sound School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 Sound School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sound School has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
44 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
62 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.0%
4-Year Graduation
90%+

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 rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.