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Average

#713 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

5.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In New Haven

#11 of 42

public schools

Connecticut high schools

#147 of 196

In district

#9 of 37

New Haven School District

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Wilbur Cross High School

Wilbur Cross High School serves 1,721 students in grades 9-12 in New Haven, Connecticut. With 116 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1, providing opportunities for more individualized attention in this large urban high school setting. The school faces significant academic challenges, with 25% of students performing proficiently in English Language Arts and 11% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics.

These results place Wilbur Cross at #932 out of 996 Connecticut high schools, indicating substantial room for academic growth and development. The school community is working within a context where educational support is critically needed. Located in New Haven's 06511 zip code area, the school serves a diverse community of nearly 56,000 residents.

The neighborhood reflects both challenges and strengths, with a median household income of $55,248 and home values averaging $291,200. Notably, 50% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, demonstrating a community that values education, though 26.6% of families live below the poverty line, highlighting socioeconomic disparities that can impact student outcomes. Wilbur Cross High School operates in New Haven's mid-size city environment, serving as an important educational institution for families navigating both opportunities and challenges in this Connecticut community.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Wilbur Cross High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.0Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.13 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.1Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected-3.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
College Readiness4.5Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation15.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.5Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,604

Wilbur Cross High School — Students at Wilbur Cross High School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

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 12.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 30.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from CT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
9%
ELA
30%
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: 9.0/10.

How Wilbur Cross High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
28th percentile in CT
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
3.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
116 teachers

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 slightly higher. Additionally, New Haven Academy (rated 5.0/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar 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 4.5
Worthington Hooker School New Haven 0.3 mi 4.6
ST THOMAS'S DAY SCHOOL New Haven 0.6 mi 8.6
Elm City College Preparatory School New Haven 0.8 mi 4.2
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 2.9
Celentano BioTech Health and Medical Magnet School New Haven 0.8 mi 6.9
CEDARHURST SCHOOL Hamden 0.9 mi 6.1
New Haven Academy New Haven 1.0 mi 5.0
Clinton Avenue School New Haven 0.9 mi 4.4
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC ACADEMY New Haven 1.1 mi 5.7
Family Academy of Multilingual Exploration New Haven 1.2 mi 3.0
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 3.9
John S. Martinez Sea and Sky STEM School New Haven 1.4 mi 4.3
COLD SPRING SCHOOL New Haven 1.4 mi 6.1
Fair Haven School New Haven 1.3 mi 5.9

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Wilbur Cross High School has a median household income of $56,300. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $313,400, with a median rent of $1,534/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Bunnell High School Stratford, CT 5.3
Orville H. Platt High School Meriden, CT 5.3
Central High School Bridgeport, CT 5.2
Naugatuck High School Naugatuck, CT 5.4
Enfield High School Enfield, CT 5.5
East Hartford High School East Hartford, CT 5.0

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 is ranked #713 out of 990 schools in CT.

What is Wilbur Cross High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Wilbur Cross High School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Wilbur Cross High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wilbur Cross High School has 12.3% math proficiency and 30.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (4,132/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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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