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Very Good

#280 of 990 schools in CT

Top 28% in state

Waterford High School

High School · Waterford School District

20 Rope Ferry Rd., Waterford, CT 06385

Enrollment

713

Student-Teacher

11:1

Score

7.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Waterford

#1 of 5

public schools

Connecticut high schools

#52 of 196

In district

#1 of 5

Waterford School District

School environment

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Waterford High School

Waterford High School is a regular public high school located in Waterford, Connecticut. Nestled on Rope Ferry Road, the school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and boasts an enrollment of 713 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 11:1, Waterford High provides individualized attention to its diverse student body.

The faculty consists of 65 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students' academic needs. According to the MySchoolScout rating system, Waterford High School receives a score of 5.9 out of 10, placing it at the 55th percentile among Connecticut high schools. Academically, the school's performance in English Language Arts and Reading is strong, with 68% of students meeting proficiency standards.

However, in Math, only 43% are proficient or above, indicating areas for improvement. Waterford High School sits in a mid-size suburban area where students benefit from a blend of community resources and opportunities. The school's setting offers a supportive neighborhood environment that complements its educational programs.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.85 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.2Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)57%
vs. Expected-5.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
College Readiness8.4Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation29.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,053

Waterford High School — Students at Waterford High School score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 43.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 68.3%
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
50%
ELA
71%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
67%

* 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: 5.9/10.

How Waterford High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
72th percentile in CT
Academic
6.2/10
6.2/10
Growth
5.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
65 teachers

Location

20 Rope Ferry Rd., Waterford, CT 06385

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Waterford High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Science and Technology Magnet Pathway for High School Grades (rated 8.5/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby New London), which scores notably higher. Another option is Marine Science Magnet High School (rated 8.3/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Groton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, New London Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School (rated 7.5/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby New London), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Waterford, see our Waterford schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
The Friendship School Waterford 0.2 mi 4.9
Clark Lane Middle School Waterford 0.8 mi 6.3
New London High School New London 1.4 mi 6.1
Science and Technology Magnet Pathway for High School Grades New London 1.4 mi 8.5
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL New London 1.2 mi 6.3
Great Neck Elementary School Waterford 1.9 mi 6.9
Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School New London 1.7 mi 6.2
New London Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School New London 1.7 mi 7.5
Science and Technology Magnet Pathway for Middle Grades New London 1.7 mi 6.1
C.B. Jennings International Elementary Magnet New London 1.7 mi 6.4
HIGH ROAD SCHOOL OF NEW LONDON MD/HIGH AT SHILOH New London 1.7 mi
Regional Multicultural Magnet School New London 2.0 mi 6.8
Interdistrict School For Arts And Communication New London 1.9 mi 6.3
Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School New London 2.1 mi 3.8
Winthrop STEM Elementary Magnet School New London 2.5 mi 5.8
THE WILLIAMS SCHOOL New London 2.8 mi 7.0
Oswegatchie Elementary School Waterford 2.9 mi 6.9
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Groton 3.0 mi 6.4
Marine Science Magnet High School Groton 3.0 mi 8.3
Thames River Magnet School Groton 3.2 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 06385 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$110,375

Median Home Value

$334,900

Median Rent

$1,593/mo

Population

15,900

College Educated

41%

Homeownership

79.7%

Avg Commute

22.6 min

Poverty Rate

4.8%

Median Age

46.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Waterford High School has a median household income of $110,375. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $334,900, with a median rent of $1,593/month. The local poverty rate of 4.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
North Haven High School North Haven, CT 7.4
Lyman Hall High School Wallingford, CT 7.3
Suffield High School West Suffield, CT 7.3
Cooperative High School - Inter-District Magnet New Haven, CT 7.2
Mark T. Sheehan High School Wallingford, CT 7.2
THE HOTCHKISS SCHOOL Lakeville, CT 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Waterford High School

What grades does Waterford High School serve?

Waterford High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Waterford High School?

Waterford High School has an enrollment of approximately 713 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Waterford High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Waterford High School is 11:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Waterford High School rank in CT?

Waterford High School is ranked #280 out of 990 schools in CT.

What is Waterford High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Waterford High School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Waterford High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Waterford High School has 43.0% math proficiency and 68.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Waterford High School a charter school?

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

Is Waterford High School a Title I school?

No, Waterford High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waterford High School?

28.8% of students at Waterford High 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
59 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
50 Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,702/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
713
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
Teachers (FTE)
65
Free/Reduced Lunch
28.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Connecticut Planning Region 8
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Waterford School District
District Enrollment
2,341
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,994
District Rank
#1 of 5

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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