Excellent
#19 of 990 schools in CT
Top 2% in state
West School
Elementary School · New Canaan School District
769 Ponus Ridge, New Canaan, CT 06840
Enrollment
499
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
9.2
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
499
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
9.2
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In New Canaan
#1 of 5
public schools
Connecticut elementary schools
#18 of 595
In district
#1 of 5
New Canaan School District
Academic performance
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About West School
West School is a public elementary school in New Canaan, Connecticut, serving 499 students in prekindergarten through fourth grade. It earns a composite score of 9.2 out of 10 — an Exceptional rating — driven by a 9.8 academic score and a 9.6 growth score, two of the strongest component marks in Connecticut. The school ranks #1 among New Canaan's five elementary schools and #19 out of 990 public schools statewide — placing it in the top 2% across the state.
That standing reflects consistent performance, not a single strong metric: academic achievement and student growth both score near the ceiling simultaneously. Among Connecticut elementary schools specifically, West ranks #18 of 595, confirming its position as one of the most effective early-learning environments in the state. At 13.1 students per teacher, West School keeps classes small enough for individualized instruction.
For families comparing options across New Canaan or the broader state, West School's numbers put it at the front of any shortlist — a school where high academic scores and measurable growth reinforce each other from prekindergarten through fourth grade.
Score Breakdown
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West School — Students at West School score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 79%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.6/10.
How West School Compares
See how West School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 90% (2019) to 92% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 86% (2019) to 92% (2022).
Location
769 Ponus Ridge, New Canaan, CT 06840
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. East School (rated 9.0/10, 2.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is South School (rated 8.4/10, 1.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Ox Ridge Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Darien), a more accessible option. For more schools in New Canaan, see our New Canaan schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL New Canaan | 0.6 mi | 6.3 |
| BI-CULTURAL HEBREW ACADEMY Stamford | 1.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Northeast School Stamford | 1.6 mi | 6.1 |
| THE CHILDREN'S SCHOOL Stamford | 1.6 mi | 6.4 |
| VILLA MARIA SCHOOL Stamford | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Scofield Middle School Stamford | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Davenport Ridge School Stamford | 2.5 mi | 4.2 |
| South School New Canaan | 1.9 mi | 8.4 |
| New Canaan High School New Canaan | 2.0 mi | 8.2 |
| THE CATHOLIC ACADEMY OF STAMFORD Stamford | 2.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Saxe Middle School New Canaan | 2.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Springdale School Stamford | 2.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Turn of River School Stamford | 2.9 mi | 4.6 |
| CARDINAL KUNG ACADEMY Stamford | 3.2 mi | 6.0 |
| East School New Canaan | 2.5 mi | 9.0 |
| MATER SALVATORIS COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Stamford | 3.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Newfield School Stamford | 3.4 mi | 5.6 |
| ASPIRE LIVING & LEARNING ACADEMY Stamford | 3.6 mi | — |
| Ox Ridge Elementary School Darien | 3.3 mi | 7.6 |
| The Academy of Information Technology & Engineering Stamford | 3.9 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 06840 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$250,001
Median Home Value
$1,534,100
Median Rent
$3,501/mo
Population
20,704
College Educated
82.8%
Homeownership
83.6%
Avg Commute
39.9 min
Poverty Rate
3.3%
Median Age
42.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding West School has a median household income of $250,001. It is a well-educated community where 83% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,534,100, with a median rent of $3,501/month. The local poverty rate of 3.3% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 40 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Farmingville Elementary School Ridgefield, CT | 9.2 |
| J. Milton Jeffrey Elementary School Madison, CT | 9.2 |
| North Street School Greenwich, CT | 9.2 |
| Sandy Hook Elementary School Sandy Hook, CT | 9.2 |
| Dr. Robert H. Brown Intermediate School Madison, CT | 9.1 |
| Holland Hill School Fairfield, CT | 9.1 |
Compare West School with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West School
What grades does West School serve?
West School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend West School?
West School has an enrollment of approximately 499 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West School?
The student-teacher ratio at West School is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West School rank in CT?
West School is ranked #19 out of 990 schools in CT.
What is West School's MySchoolScout rating?
West School has a composite rating of 9.2 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 West School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West School has 91.3% math proficiency and 88.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West School a charter school?
No, West School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West School a Title I school?
No, West School is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New Canaan). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 499
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Connecticut Planning Region 9
- Phone
- (203) 594-4410
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
New Canaan School District- District Enrollment
- 4,109
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $28,107
- District Rank
- #1 of 5
Other Schools in This District
Compare This School
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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