Needs Improvement
#986 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
2.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
612
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
2.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waterbury
#32 of 32
public schools
Connecticut elementary schools
#593 of 595
In district
#29 of 29
Waterbury School District
About Wendell L. Cross School
Wendell L. Cross School is a regular public elementary school located in Waterbury, Connecticut, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 612 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.7:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each child succeed.
The dedicated staff consists of 39 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their students' academic and social needs. Wendell L. Cross School's recent MySchoolScout rating stands at 3.2 out of 10, with a state ranking of 945 out of 996 schools in Connecticut, placing it in the 5th percentile statewide.
The school focuses on student development and has an academic score of 2.7/10, reflecting areas where growth is needed. In terms of proficiency rates, only 36% of students meet or exceed standards in ELA/reading, while 25% are proficient or above in math. Located in a mid-size city setting, Wendell L.
Cross School benefits from the diverse community resources and cultural offerings that Waterbury provides.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Wendell L. Cross School — Students at Wendell L. Cross School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.5%
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: 1.7/10.
How Wendell L. Cross School Compares
See how Wendell L. Cross School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 16% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 29% (2022).
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. Hopeville School (rated 6.2/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Walsh School (rated 6.1/10, 2.0 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 | 3.8 |
| IMPACT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterbury | 1.3 mi | — |
| Gilmartin School Waterbury | 1.0 mi | 5.1 |
| H. S. Chase School Waterbury | 1.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Hopeville School Waterbury | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Washington School Waterbury | 1.3 mi | 3.4 |
| Woodrow Wilson School Waterbury | 1.6 mi | 3.8 |
| CHILDREN'S COMMUNITY SCHOOL Waterbury | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Waterbury Career Academy Waterbury | 1.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Maloney Interdistrict Magnet School Waterbury | 1.8 mi | 3.9 |
| Walsh School Waterbury | 2.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Margaret M. Generali Elementary School Waterbury | 1.8 mi | 3.4 |
| Waterbury Arts Magnet School Waterbury | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Reed School Waterbury | 2.4 mi | 3.0 |
| Duggan School Waterbury | 1.9 mi | 4.0 |
| ALPHA & OMEGA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterbury | 2.2 mi | — |
| B. W. Tinker School Waterbury | 2.0 mi | 3.7 |
| MESIVTA YESODEI HATORAH Naugatuck | 2.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Crosby High School Waterbury | 2.2 mi | 3.9 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Wendell L. Cross School has a median household income of $51,770. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $171,400, with a median rent of $1,233/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Booker T. Washington Academy New Haven, CT | 2.9 |
| Family Academy of Multilingual Exploration New Haven, CT | 3.0 |
| Griswold Elementary School Griswold, CT | 3.0 |
| Pembroke School Danbury, CT | 3.0 |
| Reed School Waterbury, CT | 3.0 |
| Ellsworth Avenue School Danbury, CT | 2.5 |
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 is ranked #986 out of 990 schools in CT.
What is Wendell L. Cross School's MySchoolScout rating?
Wendell L. Cross School has a composite rating of 2.8 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 Wendell L. Cross School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wendell L. Cross School has 25.0% math proficiency and 36.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- 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
- Phone
- (203) 574-8171
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Waterbury School District- District Enrollment
- 18,956
- Schools in District
- 29
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,973
- District Rank
- #29 of 29
Other Schools in This District
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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