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Below Average

#818 of 990 schools in CT

Wilbur Cross High School

High School · New Haven School District

181 Mitchell Dr., New Haven, CT 06511

Enrollment

1,721

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

4.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Connecticut schools

#818 of 990

In New Haven

#18 of 42

public schools

In district

#16 of 37

New Haven School District

Academic growth

7.5 / 10

Very Good

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Wilbur Cross High School

4.4/10

High School in New Haven · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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About Wilbur Cross High School

Wilbur Cross High School is a public high school in New Haven, CT, part of New Haven School District. Wilbur Cross High School serves approximately 1,721 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Wilbur Cross High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #818 of 990 schools in CT.

Structured state assessment records for Wilbur Cross High School show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.4
  • CT avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Wilbur Cross High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

49% of students at Wilbur Cross High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.6 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency18% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)22% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College Readiness3.6Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate83%
AP Participation15.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,603
Chronic Absenteeism49.3%

Wilbur Cross High School — Students at Wilbur Cross High School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

75.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 22.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 39.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 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
44%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
51%
ELA
55%
2011
Math
38%
ELA
46%
2012
Math
41%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
7.5%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
13%
ELA
36%
2016
Math
15%
ELA
28%
2017
Math
18%
ELA
38%
2018
Math
9%
ELA
30%
2019
Math
9%
ELA
30%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
11%
ELA
25%

* 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: 7.5/10.

How Wilbur Cross High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.4/10
18th percentile in CT
Academic
4.1/10
Below Average
Growth
7.5/10
Very Good
Environment
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 3
Sports
17
8 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
116 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
49.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
15.6% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics17sports offered
8 boys'·9 girls'·17 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

181 Mitchell Dr., New Haven, CT 06511

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wilbur Cross High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CEDARHURST SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Hamden), which scores notably higher. Additionally, New Haven Academy (rated 3.8/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in New Haven, see our New Haven schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
LEILA DAY NURSERIES, INC. New Haven 0.2 mi
East Rock Community Magnet School New Haven 0.3 mi 4.6
Worthington Hooker School New Haven 0.3 mi 6.8
ST THOMAS'S DAY SCHOOL New Haven 0.6 mi 8.6
Elm City College Preparatory School New Haven 0.8 mi 5.7
THE FOOTE SCHOOL New Haven 0.7 mi 6.3
CALVIN HILL DAYCARE CENTER & KLF KINDERGARTEN New Haven 0.7 mi
Booker T. Washington Academy New Haven 0.9 mi 2.7
Celentano BioTech Health and Medical Magnet School New Haven 0.8 mi 4.6
CEDARHURST SCHOOL Hamden 0.9 mi 6.1
New Haven Academy New Haven 1.0 mi 3.8
Clinton Avenue School New Haven 0.9 mi 4.7
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC ACADEMY New Haven 1.1 mi 5.7
Family Academy of Multilingual Exploration New Haven 1.2 mi 2.3
HAMDEN HALL COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Hamden 1.2 mi 6.3
ATLAS AT NEIGHBORHOOD MUSIC SCHOOL New Haven 1.2 mi
Highville Charter School New Haven 1.0 mi 3.5
John S. Martinez Sea and Sky STEM School New Haven 1.4 mi 5.6
COLD SPRING SCHOOL New Haven 1.4 mi 6.1
Fair Haven School New Haven 1.3 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 06511 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,300

Median Home Value

$313,400

Median Rent

$1,534/mo

Population

54,744

College Educated

47.9%

Homeownership

20.1%

Avg Commute

20.1 min

Poverty Rate

25.8%

Median Age

29.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bunnell High School Stratford, CT 4.5
New Britain High School New Britain, CT 4.3
Orville H. Platt High School Meriden, CT 4.3
Central High School Bridgeport, CT 4.6
Norwich Free Academy Norwich, CT 4.6
Norwalk High School Norwalk, CT 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wilbur Cross High School

What grades does Wilbur Cross High School serve?

Wilbur Cross High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Wilbur Cross High School?

Wilbur Cross High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,721 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wilbur Cross High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Wilbur Cross High School is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wilbur Cross High School rank in CT?

Wilbur Cross High School ranks #818 of 990 schools in CT.

What is Wilbur Cross High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Wilbur Cross High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 Wilbur Cross High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Wilbur Cross High School has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Wilbur Cross High School a charter school?

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

Is Wilbur Cross High School a Title I school?

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

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

75.9% of students at Wilbur Cross 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
62 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
39 Some Transit
Bike Score
96 Biker’s Paradise

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,721
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
116
Free/Reduced Lunch
75.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Connecticut Planning Region 7
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
49.3%
4-Year Graduation
83.0%

How we rate schools

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