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Below Average

#220 of 280 schools in VT

Waterford Elementary School

Elementary School · Caledonia Cooperative Unified School District #78

276 Duck Pond Road, Waterford, VT 05819

Enrollment

149

Student-Teacher

9.9:1

Score

4.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Vermont elementary schools

#162 of 200

In district

#3 of 3

Caledonia Cooperative Unified School District #78

About Waterford Elementary School

Waterford Elementary School is a small rural public school located in Waterford, Vermont. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 149 students and maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio of 9.9:1 with 15 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Waterford Elementary's academic performance is currently showing room for improvement, as evidenced by its MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and state ranking of 35th percentile among Vermont schools.

On average, about half the students are proficient in ELA/Reading, while proficiency rates in math are lower at 30%. Despite these challenges, the school community is dedicated to supporting student development. Waterford Elementary School sits in a rural setting surrounded by natural beauty and small-town charm.

The close-knit community fosters strong relationships between teachers, students, and families, providing a supportive environment for learning and growth.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 149 students, Waterford Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, Waterford Elementary School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Waterford Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.4Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-7.5 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected-2.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,612

Waterford Elementary School — Students at Waterford Elementary School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 29.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from VT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2021*
Math
32%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
47%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Waterford Elementary School Compares

See how Waterford Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
22th percentile in VT
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
3.4/10
Below average
Environment
5.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

276 Duck Pond Road, Waterford, VT 05819

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Waterford Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. St. Johnsbury School (rated 7.4/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Saint Johnsbury), which scores notably higher. Another option is THE RIVERSIDE SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Lyndonville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Concord Graded/Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Concord), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Waterford, see our Waterford schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Concord Graded/Middle School Concord 2.5 mi 6.9
ARLINGTON SCHHOOL (THE) Saint Johnsbury 4.4 mi 6.8
CALEDONIA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Saint Johnsbury 4.6 mi
GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Saint Johnsbury 4.6 mi 5.8
GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Saint Johnsbury 4.8 mi 6.1
St. Johnsbury School Saint Johnsbury 4.9 mi 7.4
THE RIVERSIDE SCHOOL Lyndonville 8.3 mi 7.1
Lyndon Town School Lyndonville 10.3 mi 5.1
THADDEUS STEVENS SCHOOL Lyndon Center 10.2 mi
LYNDON INSTITUTE Lyndon Center 10.3 mi 4.5
Littleton High School Littleton 10.0 mi 3.2
Barnet Elementary School Barnet 10.0 mi 6.8
Daisy Bronson Junior High School Littleton 10.0 mi 8.9
EAST BURKE SCHOOL East Burke 12.9 mi
Lisbon Regional School (High) Lisbon 13.0 mi 4.6
Lisbon Regional School (Elem) Lisbon 13.0 mi 5.2
Lisbon Regional School (Middle) Lisbon 13.0 mi 8.2
North Country Charter Academy (H) Littleton 10.6 mi
Monroe Consolidated School Monroe 11.7 mi 6.0
BURKE MOUNTAIN ACADEMY East Burke 13.2 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 05819 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,844

Median Home Value

$190,200

Median Rent

$902/mo

Population

9,323

College Educated

31%

Homeownership

65%

Avg Commute

19.4 min

Poverty Rate

15%

Median Age

43.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Waterford Elementary School has a median household income of $59,844. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $190,200, with a median rent of $902/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Newport Town School Newport Center, VT 4.8
Proctor Elementary School Proctor, VT 4.8
Fletcher Elementary School Cambridge, VT 4.7
Mettawee Community School West Pawlet, VT 4.7
Hyde Park Elementary School Hyde Park, VT 4.9
Millers Run School Sheffield, VT 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Waterford Elementary School

What grades does Waterford Elementary School serve?

Waterford Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Waterford Elementary School?

Waterford Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 149 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Waterford Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Waterford Elementary School is 9.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Waterford Elementary School rank in VT?

Waterford Elementary School is ranked #220 out of 280 schools in VT.

What is Waterford Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Waterford Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Waterford Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Waterford Elementary School has 29.5% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Waterford Elementary School a charter school?

No, Waterford Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Waterford Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Waterford Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waterford Elementary School?

48.3% of students at Waterford Elementary 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

County Safety
Low (3/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
149
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Caledonia County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Caledonia Cooperative Unified School District #78
District Enrollment
558
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,457
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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