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Needs Improvement

#916 of 990 schools in CT

Wendell L. Cross School

Elementary School · Waterbury School District

1255 Hamilton Ave., Waterbury, CT 06706

Enrollment

612

Student-Teacher

15.7:1

Score

3.7

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Connecticut schools

#916 of 990

In Waterbury

#20 of 32

public schools

In district

#18 of 29

Waterbury School District

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Wendell L. Cross School

3.7/10

Elementary School in Waterbury · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Roberto Clemente International Dual Language School

4.4/10

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

Impact Christian Academy

Nearby

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

About Wendell L. Cross School

Wendell L. Cross School is a public elementary school in Waterbury, CT, part of Waterbury School District. Wendell L.

Cross School serves approximately 612 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 15.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Wendell L. Cross School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #916 of 990 schools in CT.

Structured state assessment records for Wendell L. Cross School show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.2
  • CT avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-4.44 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency29% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency23% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)24% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-1.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
Resources & Environment3.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,973
Chronic Absenteeism14.4%

Wendell L. Cross School — Students at Wendell L. Cross School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.5% (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
87%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
16%
ELA
29%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How Wendell L. Cross School Compares

See how Wendell L. Cross School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
8th percentile in CT
Academic
4.8/10
Below Average
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.2/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.4%

Location

1255 Hamilton Ave., Waterbury, CT 06706

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wendell L. Cross School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Walsh School (rated 5.8/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Reed School (rated 5.6/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CHILDREN'S COMMUNITY SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Waterbury, see our Waterbury schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Roberto Clemente International Dual Language School Waterbury 1.0 mi 4.4
IMPACT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterbury 1.3 mi
Gilmartin School Waterbury 1.0 mi 2.8
H. S. Chase School Waterbury 1.4 mi 5.1
Hopeville School Waterbury 1.1 mi 3.8
Washington School Waterbury 1.3 mi 2.8
Woodrow Wilson School Waterbury 1.6 mi 3.5
CHILDREN'S COMMUNITY SCHOOL Waterbury 1.6 mi 5.5
Waterbury Career Academy Waterbury 1.7 mi 6.8
Maloney Interdistrict Magnet School Waterbury 1.8 mi 4.8
Walsh School Waterbury 2.0 mi 5.8
Margaret M. Generali Elementary School Waterbury 1.8 mi 2.7
Waterbury Arts Magnet School Waterbury 2.0 mi 5.4
Reed School Waterbury 2.4 mi 5.6
Duggan School Waterbury 1.9 mi 5.4
ALPHA & OMEGA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterbury 2.2 mi
B. W. Tinker School Waterbury 2.0 mi 2.4
MESIVTA YESODEI HATORAH Naugatuck 2.7 mi 6.5
Crosby High School Waterbury 2.2 mi 3.7
YESHIVA K'TANA OF WATERBURY Waterbury 2.5 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 06706 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,770

Median Home Value

$171,400

Median Rent

$1,233/mo

Population

15,546

College Educated

16.2%

Homeownership

43%

Avg Commute

26.9 min

Poverty Rate

24.8%

Median Age

36.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Conte/West Hills Magnet School New Haven, CT 3.7
Park City Magnet School Bridgeport, CT 3.7
Pembroke School Danbury, CT 3.7
University of Hartford Magnet School West Hartford, CT 3.7
Hill And Plain School New Milford, CT 3.8
New Beginnings Inc Family Academy Bridgeport, CT 3.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wendell L. Cross School

What grades does Wendell L. Cross School serve?

Wendell L. Cross School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Wendell L. Cross School?

Wendell L. Cross School has an enrollment of approximately 612 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wendell L. Cross School?

The student-teacher ratio at Wendell L. Cross School is 15.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wendell L. Cross School rank in CT?

Wendell L. Cross School ranks #916 of 990 schools in CT.

What is Wendell L. Cross School's MySchoolScout rating?

Wendell L. Cross School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Wendell L. Cross School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Wendell L. Cross School has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Wendell L. Cross School a charter school?

No, Wendell L. Cross School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Wendell L. Cross School a Title I school?

No, Wendell L. Cross School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wendell L. Cross School?

73.5% of students at Wendell L. Cross 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
21 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
24 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
9 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
612
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Connecticut Planning Region 4
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.4%

District

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

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