Is Waterford High School a good school?

Waterford High School ranks 21 st of 145 Connecticut high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Waterford High School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 713 students attended Waterford High School.

What is the racial makeup of Waterford High School?

Students at Waterford High School are 72% White, 12% Hispanic, 6% Asian, 5% Two or more races, 3% African American.

What schools feed into Waterford High School?

Waterford High School is fed by the following schools: Elementary : Great Neck Elementary School Elementary : Oswegatchie Elementary School Elementary : Quaker Hill Elementary School Middle : Clark Lane Middle School

Waterford High School

Summary:

Waterford High School is a public high school serving 735 students in grades 9-12 in Waterford, Connecticut. The school is part of the Waterford School District, which is ranked 64 out of 158 districts in the state and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Waterford High School consistently performs well academically, ranking 21st out of 145 Connecticut high schools in 2023-2024 and receiving a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school's proficiency rates in SAT/English Language Arts, SAT/Math, and NGSS/Science for 11th-grade students are significantly higher than the state averages. Waterford High School's performance is particularly noteworthy for certain student subgroups, such as Hispanic students and students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, ranking 19th and 18th out of Connecticut high schools in those categories, respectively, both with 4-star ratings. The school's relatively low student-teacher ratio of 11.2 in 2022-2023 may contribute to its academic success.

While Waterford High School outperforms many of the nearby schools, such as Montville High School, Ella T. Grasso Technical High School, and schools in the New London School District, it faces competition from high-performing schools like Lyme-Old Lyme High School, which is part of the Regional School District 18 and consistently ranks among the top schools in the state.

Detail:

Public 9-12

20 Rope Ferry Rd.
Waterford, CT 06385

(860) 437-6956

District: Waterford School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
21^st of 145 Connecticut High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $24,780

Feeder schools for Waterford High School:

Elementary:	Great Neck Elementary School
	Oswegatchie Elementary School
	Quaker Hill Elementary School
Middle:	Clark Lane Middle School

Student/teacher ratio: 10.9

Number of students: 713

Racial breakdown:

White:

71.9%

Hispanic:

12.1%

Asian:

6.3%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 28.8%

See top rated Connecticut high schools

Compare Waterford High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Waterford High School ranks better than 85.5% of high schools in Connecticut. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 84.68. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Waterford High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (71.9%), Hispanic (12.1%), Asian (6.3%). (See more...)

Compare Details 28.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Waterford High School is 10.9. (See more...)

Compare Waterford High School employs 65.1 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Waterford High School is $24,780.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Waterford High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Waterford High School 21^st of 145 Connecticut public high schools. (See Waterford High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

White students:

Waterford School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Waterford School District 64^th of 158 Connecticut school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Waterford High School.

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Rank History for Waterford High School

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Rank History for all students at Waterford High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CT State Percentile
2007	75.27	42^nd	176	76.1%
2008	71.31	60^th	176	65.9%
2009	67.67	66^th	176	62.5%
2010	66.11	83^rd	186	55.4%
2011	74.82	50^th	189	73.5%
2012	77.84	36^th	188	80.9%
2013	78.12	34^th	193	82.4%
2015	73.55	48^th	196	75.5%
2016	69.69	46^th	132	65.2%
2018	73.03	41^st	121	66.1%
2019	71.98	45^th	121	62.8%
2021	71.33	66^th	200	67.0%
2022	66.99	50^th	139	64.0%
2023	79.34	29^th	142	79.6%
2024	84.68	21^st	145	85.5%

See the entire list of Connecticut High School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Waterford High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CT State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2021	49.02	86^th	175	50.9%

See the entire list of Best Connecticut High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Waterford High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CT State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2021	51.76	68^th	155	56.1%
2022	61.16	18^th	63	71.4%

See the entire list of Best Connecticut High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Waterford High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CT State Percentile
2018	60.56	51^st	79	35.4%
2019	68.52	39^th	84	53.6%
2021	68.77	68^th	189	64.0%
2022	67.15	43^rd	106	59.4%
2023	79.22	26^th	103	74.8%

See the entire list of Best Connecticut High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Waterford High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CT State Percentile
2018	70.07	36^th	78	53.8%
2021	68.60	65^th	182	64.3%
2022	56.26	53^rd	102	48.0%
2023	61.45	45^th	100	55.0%

See the entire list of Best Connecticut High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Waterford High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CT State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2021	82.25	19^th	104	81.7%

See the entire list of Best Connecticut High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Waterford High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CT State Percentile
2018	60.02	44^th	105	58.1%
2019	46.00	73^rd	113	35.4%
2021	57.13	69^th	155	55.5%
2022	46.96	65^th	117	44.4%
2023	60.07	48^th	116	58.6%
2024	72.08	26^th	116	77.6%

See the entire list of Best Connecticut High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Connecticut Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: Connecticut State Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a student
Saturday, October 23, 2010

Now that I am in college I realize how much being a student at Waterford High School has helped. The school truely teaches and prepares you for college and/or the real world. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Waterford High School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	782	21	12	11	1	n/a	n/a	0	827
1989	738	16	15	13	4	n/a	n/a	0	786
1990	668	28	14	11	1	n/a	n/a	0	722
1991	628	31	23	9	2	n/a	n/a	0	693
1992	595	27	21	12	1	n/a	n/a	0	656
1993	586	17	19	10	1	n/a	n/a	0	633
1994	632	35	24	20	2	n/a	n/a	0	713
1995	613	29	21	11	2	n/a	n/a	0	676
1996	613	29	21	11	2	n/a	n/a	0	676
1997	632	31	28	16	0	n/a	n/a	0	707
1998	658	25	25	22	3	n/a	n/a	0	733
1999	691	27	25	22	4	n/a	n/a	0	769
2000	732	28	27	23	6	n/a	n/a	0	816
2001	743	29	28	17	7	n/a	n/a	0	824
2002	810	35	37	20	3	n/a	n/a	0	905
2003	810	35	37	20	3	n/a	n/a	0	905
2004	852	42	40	26	2	n/a	n/a	0	962
2005	883	54	37	35	2	n/a	n/a	0	1011
2006	658	38	30	29	3	n/a	n/a	0	758
2007	847	54	41	36	5	n/a	n/a	0	983
2008	867	56	45	42	3	n/a	n/a	0	1013
2009	834	47	50	52	5	n/a	n/a	0	988
2010	818	50	51	57	4	n/a	n/a	0	980
2011	772	46	52	77	9	0	2	0	958
2012	718	46	51	69	8	0	3	0	895
2013	668	43	46	70	11	0	6	0	844
2014	627	44	51	67	11	0	7	0	807
2015	650	40	52	61	9	1	14	0	827
2016	640	38	51	70	9	0	10	0	818
2017	668	36	54	64	4	1	19	0	846
2018	649	27	52	79	4	3	22	0	836
2019	642	19	52	97	3	3	20	0	836
2020	619	18	46	95	3	4	25	0	810
2021	573	25	47	102	3	4	24	0	778
2022	547	13	47	99	3	4	35	0	748
2023	550	17	36	82	3	4	42	1	735
2024	513	23	45	86	3	3	38	2	713

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Waterford High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	827	72.0	11.4	n/a
1989	786	69.0	11.3	n/a
1990	722	67.6	10.6	n/a
1991	693	67.5	10.2	n/a
1992	656	67.7	9.6	2
1993	633	62.8	10.1	0.2
1994	713	62.5	11.4	3.5
1995	676	63.2	10.7	33
1996	676	63.2	10.7	33
1997	707	57.4	12.3	3.5
1998	733	57.3	12.8	3.8
1999	769	59.2	13.0	3.9
2000	816	63.6	12.8	4.2
2001	824	66.5	12.4	n/a
2002	905	71.8	12.6	2.2
2003	905	71.8	12.6	2.2
2004	962	68.6	14.0	2.9
2005	1011	62.3	16.2	n/a
2006	758	64.5	11.8	4.9
2007	983	65.1	15.1	5.5
2008	1013	73.8	13.7	6.3
2009	988	81.0	13.4	7.8
2010	980	77.0	12.7	9.6
2011	958	76.9	12.4	9.9
2012	895	73.5	12.1	12.3
2013	844	70.8	11.9	13
2014	807	69.0	11.6	14.1
2015	827	67.0	12.3	13.8
2016	818	67.0	12.2	14.1
2017	846	68.1	12.4	16
2018	836	71.0	11.7	16.1
2019	836	69.1	12.0	24.6
2020	810	75.9	10.6	26.8
2021	778	68.9	11.2	23.8
2022	748	68.9	10.8	24.2
2023	735	65.1	11.2	28
2024	713	65.1	10.9	28.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Waterford High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	827	72.0	11.4	n/a
1989	786	69.0	11.3	n/a
1990	722	67.6	10.6	n/a
1991	693	67.5	10.2	n/a
1992	656	67.7	9.6	2
1993	633	62.8	10.1	0.2
1994	713	62.5	11.4	3.5
1995	676	63.2	10.7	33
1996	676	63.2	10.7	33
1997	707	57.4	12.3	3.5
1998	733	57.3	12.8	3.8
1999	769	59.2	13.0	3.9
2000	816	63.6	12.8	4.2
2001	824	66.5	12.4	n/a
2002	905	71.8	12.6	2.2
2003	905	71.8	12.6	2.2
2004	962	68.6	14.0	2.9
2005	1011	62.3	16.2	n/a
2006	758	64.5	11.8	4.9
2007	983	65.1	15.1	5.5
2008	1013	73.8	13.7	6.3
2009	988	81.0	13.4	7.8
2010	980	77.0	12.7	9.6
2011	958	76.9	12.4	9.9
2012	895	73.5	12.1	12.3
2013	844	70.8	11.9	13
2014	807	69.0	11.6	14.1
2015	827	67.0	12.3	13.8
2016	818	67.0	12.2	14.1
2017	846	68.1	12.4	16
2018	836	71.0	11.7	16.1
2019	836	69.1	12.0	24.6
2020	810	75.9	10.6	26.8
2021	778	68.9	11.2	23.8
2022	748	68.9	10.8	24.2
2023	735	65.1	11.2	28
2024	713	65.1	10.9	28.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Waterford High School

Year	Total Expenditures Per Pupil
2018	$19,291
2019	$20,277
2020	$21,150
2021	$22,373
2022	$23,992
2023	$24,780

Data source: Connecticut Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Waterford High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 45^th of 121 High schools	Ranks 29^th of 142 High schools	16.8%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
11th Grade English Language Arts (Waterford High School)	71.4	73.1	1.7%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Waterford School District)	71.4	73.2	1.8%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Connecticut)	61.6	52.4	9.2%
11th Grade Math (Waterford High School)	48.8	48.5	0.3%
11th Grade Math (Waterford School District)	48.8	48.2	0.6%
11th Grade Math (Connecticut)	40.6	34.1	6.5%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	836	735	12.1%
African American	19	17	10.5%
American Indian	3	3
Asian	52	36	30.8%
Hispanic	97	82	15.5%
Pacific Islander	3	4	33.3%
White	642	550	14.3%
Two or More Races	20	42	110%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	24.6%	28%	3.4%

Schools Near Waterford High School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				NGSS Science (2024)	SAT English Language Arts (2024)	SAT Math (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	NGSS Science 11th Grade	SAT English Language Arts 11th Grade	SAT Math 11th Grade	Total
Waterford High School	Public	9-12	20 Rope Ferry Rd.	Waterford	06385	New London County	Waterford School District	No	No	No	Yes	(860) 437-6956	713	65	10.9	28.8%	513 (71.9%)	23 (3.2%)	86 (12.1%)	45 (6.3%)	3 (0.4%)	3 (0.4%)	38 (5.3%)	84.7	21^st of 145 public high schools	85.5%		79.3	29^th of 142 public high schools	79.6%	8	66.7	75.1	49.1	$24,780
New London High School	Public	9-12	20 Chester Street	New London	06320	New London County	New London School District	No	No	No	Yes	(860) 437-6400	593	43	13.7	90.6%	36 (6.1%)	106 (17.9%)	412 (69.5%)	3 (0.5%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.2%)	32 (5.4%)								(n/a)	11.5			$23,940
Science and Technology Magnet Pathway for High School Grades	Public, Magnet	9-12	20 Chester Street	New London	06320	New London County	New London School District	No	Yes	No	Yes	(860) 447-6400	165	16	10.0	77.6%	31 (18.8%)	37 (22.4%)	63 (38.2%)	2 (1.2%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (18.2%)								(n/a)				$23,940
New London Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School	Public, Magnet	6-12	36 Waller Street	New London	06320	New London County	New London School District	No	Yes	No	Yes	(860) 449-6800	234	32	7.4	86.3%	41 (17.5%)	47 (20.1%)	94 (40.2%)	2 (0.9%)	2 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	48 (20.5%)								(n/a)				$24,286
Marine Science Magnet High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	130 Shennecossett Road	Groton	06340	New London County	Learn	No	Yes	No	No	(860) 434-4800	271	24	11.2	32.8%	176 (64.9%)	3 (1.1%)	52 (19.2%)	12 (4.4%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (9.2%)	76.3	35^th of 145 public high schools	75.9%		87.3	18^th of 142 public high schools	87.3%	17	65.1	72.3	36.9	$18,396
East Lyme High School	Public	9-12	30 Chesterfield Rd.	East Lyme	06333	New London County	East Lyme School District	No	No	No	No	(860) 739-6946	927	91	10.1	22.8%	689 (74.3%)	19 (2.0%)	82 (8.8%)	80 (8.6%)	3 (0.3%)	2 (0.2%)	48 (5.2%)	80.7	25^th of 145 public high schools	82.8%					(n/a)	61.4	80.3	41.9	$21,600
Ella T. Grasso Technical High School	Public	9-12	189 Fort Hill Rd.	Groton	06340	New London County	Connecticut Technical Education and Career System	No	No	No	No	(860) 448-0220	674	61	11.0	49.3%	276 (40.9%)	44 (6.5%)	256 (38.0%)	5 (0.7%)	7 (1.0%)	1 (0.1%)	76 (11.3%)	38.3	82^nd of 145 public high schools	43.4%		37.2	82^nd of 142 public high schools	42.3%		58.4	36.8	15.5	$26,701
Robert E. Fitch High School	Public	9-12	101 Groton Long Point Road	Groton	06340	New London County	Groton School District	No	No	No	No	(860) 449-7200	1,019	93	10.9	59.9%	439 (43.1%)	86 (8.4%)	270 (26.5%)	69 (6.8%)	9 (0.9%)	4 (0.4%)	139 (13.6%)								(n/a)	41.9			$21,767
Montville High School	Public	9-12	800 Old Colchester Rd.	Oakdale	06370	New London County	Montville School District	No	No	No	No	(860) 848-9208	500	52	9.6	42.2%	297 (59.4%)	21 (4.2%)	74 (14.8%)	40 (8.0%)	4 (0.8%)	1 (0.2%)	63 (12.6%)								(n/a)	40.2			$22,722
Ledyard High School	Public	9-12	24 Gallup Hill Rd.	Ledyard	06339	New London County	Ledyard School District	No	No	No	No	(860) 464-9600	746	64	11.6	33.1%	534 (71.6%)	29 (3.9%)	87 (11.7%)	17 (2.3%)	23 (3.1%)	4 (0.5%)	51 (6.8%)	58.2	62^nd of 145 public high schools	57.2%					(n/a)	56.9	59.5	26.6	$18,778

Waterford High School

Waterford High School:

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Waterford School District:

Average Rating:

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Rank History for Waterford High School

Rank History for all students at Waterford High School

Rank History for Special Education students at Waterford High School

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Waterford High School

Rank History for Female students at Waterford High School

Rank History for Male students at Waterford High School

Rank History for Hispanic students at Waterford High School

Rank History for White students at Waterford High School

Review counts

Enrollment information for Waterford High School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Waterford High School

Student/Teacher Ratio Waterford High School

Per Pupil Expenditures for Waterford High School

Impact of COVID-19 on Waterford High School

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Waterford High School

Frequently Asked Questions about Waterford High School

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