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Below Average

#794 of 990 schools in CT

Waterbury Career Academy

High School · Waterbury School District

175 Birch Street, Waterbury, CT 06704

Enrollment

755

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

4.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Waterbury

#12 of 32

public schools

Connecticut high schools

#165 of 196

In district

#11 of 29

Waterbury School District

About Waterbury Career Academy

Waterbury Career Academy is a public high school serving grades 9 through 12 in Waterbury, Connecticut. With 755 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1, the school provides a mid-sized learning environment with 57 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, the school is working to strengthen its performance.

In English language arts, about 52% of students score at proficient levels or above, showing moderate progress in reading and writing skills. Mathematics presents an area of significant focus, with 17% of students achieving proficiency or above, indicating substantial opportunity for academic growth in this subject. The school holds a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks 789th among Connecticut's 996 schools, placing it in the lower percentile statewide.

Located at 175 Birch Street in Waterbury's Planning Region 4, Waterbury Career Academy sits in a mid-size city setting where it serves the local community. For families considering this school, it's worth understanding the current academic landscape and exploring what support systems and resources the school offers to help students progress in their studies, particularly in mathematics.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)18%
vs. Expected+11.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
College Readiness4.2Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation14.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,580

Waterbury Career Academy — Students at Waterbury Career Academy score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

79.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 17.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.0%
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
22%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
12%
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: 4.2/10.

How Waterbury Career Academy Compares

See how Waterbury Career Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
20th percentile in CT
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
4.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
57 teachers

Location

175 Birch Street, Waterbury, CT 06704

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Waterbury Career Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BAIS YAAKOV OF WATERBURY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Waterbury Arts Magnet School (rated 5.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Waterbury, see our Waterbury schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Woodrow Wilson School Waterbury 0.1 mi 3.8
CHILDREN'S COMMUNITY SCHOOL Waterbury 0.4 mi 5.5
Walsh School Waterbury 0.5 mi 6.1
Reed School Waterbury 0.7 mi 3.0
IMPACT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterbury 0.7 mi
Roberto Clemente International Dual Language School Waterbury 0.9 mi 3.8
H. S. Chase School Waterbury 0.8 mi 4.1
Waterbury Arts Magnet School Waterbury 0.9 mi 5.8
Maloney Interdistrict Magnet School Waterbury 1.0 mi 3.9
ALPHA & OMEGA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterbury 1.0 mi
Washington School Waterbury 1.2 mi 3.4
BAIS YAAKOV OF WATERBURY HIGH SCHOOL Waterbury 1.1 mi 5.9
YESHIVA K'TANA OF WATERBURY Waterbury 1.1 mi 5.0
Driggs School Waterbury 1.2 mi 5.8
Wendell L. Cross School Waterbury 1.7 mi 2.8
Hopeville School Waterbury 1.7 mi 6.2
F. J. Kingsbury School Waterbury 1.6 mi 3.4
Brass City Charter School Waterbury 1.6 mi 4.2
Duggan School Waterbury 1.7 mi 4.0
Gilmartin School Waterbury 2.3 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 06704 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$47,848

Median Home Value

$178,500

Median Rent

$1,202/mo

Population

30,666

College Educated

13.7%

Homeownership

43%

Avg Commute

28.7 min

Poverty Rate

27.6%

Median Age

35.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Waterbury Career Academy has a median household income of $47,848. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $178,500, with a median rent of $1,202/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Connecticut River Academy at Goodwin University East Hartford, CT 4.8
Killingly High School Dayville, CT 4.7
Platt Technical High School Milford, CT 4.7
East Hampton High School East Hampton, CT 4.9
Windham High School Willimantic, CT 4.9
A. I. Prince Technical High School Hartford, CT 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Waterbury Career Academy

What grades does Waterbury Career Academy serve?

Waterbury Career Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Waterbury Career Academy?

Waterbury Career Academy has an enrollment of approximately 755 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Waterbury Career Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Waterbury Career Academy is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Waterbury Career Academy rank in CT?

Waterbury Career Academy is ranked #794 out of 990 schools in CT.

What is Waterbury Career Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Waterbury Career Academy has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Waterbury Career Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Waterbury Career Academy has 17.0% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Waterbury Career Academy a charter school?

No, Waterbury Career Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Waterbury Career Academy a Title I school?

No, Waterbury Career Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waterbury Career Academy?

79.7% of students at Waterbury Career 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

City Safety
High (3,245/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waterbury). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
755
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
57
Free/Reduced Lunch
79.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Connecticut Planning Region 4
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Waterbury School District
District Enrollment
18,956
Schools in District
29
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,973
District Rank
#11 of 29

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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