West Haven High School

Summary:

West Haven High School is a public high school serving 1,780 students in grades 9-12 in West Haven, Connecticut, which is part of the New Haven School District. While the school has a diverse student population, with 41.46% Hispanic, 26.29% African American, and 24.55% White students, its academic performance as measured by standardized test scores is below the state average.

In 2023-2024, only 37.1% of 11th-grade students at West Haven High School were proficient or better in SAT/English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 54.8%. In SAT/Math, only 10.8% of 11th-grade students were proficient or better, compared to the state average of 29.5%. Additionally, the school has a high percentage of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds, with 52.64% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch in 2022-2023, significantly higher than nearby schools like Joseph A. Foran High School (25.62%) and Engineering - Science University Magnet School (49.5%).

Despite these challenges, West Haven High School's African American and Hispanic students perform relatively well compared to their peers in the state, with the school ranking 6th out of 24 Connecticut high schools for African American students and 21st out of 63 for Hispanic students, both with a 4-star rating. However, the school's overall ranking of 106 out of 145 schools in 2023-2024 and a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger suggest that the New Haven School District as a whole faces significant challenges in providing a high-quality education to its students.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 1 McDonough Plaza
       West Haven, CT  06516


(203) 937-4360

District: West Haven School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
106th of 145 Connecticut High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $17,211 Help


Feeder schools for West Haven High School:

Elementary:    Alma E. Pagels School
    Edith E. Mackrille School
    Forest School
    Savin Rock Community School
    More...
Middle:    Carrigan 5/6 Intermediate School
    Harry M. Bailey Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.0 Help
Number of students:  1,793

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
43.2%
African American:
25.0%
White:
23.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  51.8% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details West Haven High School ranks worse than 73.1% of high schools in Connecticut. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 24.95. (See more...)
Help
The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at West Haven High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
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
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Compare Details Student population at West Haven High School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (43.2%), African American (25%), White (23.4%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 51.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at West Haven High School is 16. (See more...)
Help
Compare West Haven High School employs 111.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at West Haven High School is $17,211.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

West Haven High School:

SchoolDigger ranks West Haven High School 106th of 145 Connecticut public high schools. (See West Haven High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


West Haven School District:

SchoolDigger ranks West Haven School District 124th of 158 Connecticut school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for West Haven High School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at West Haven High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2007 41.55 131st 176 25.6%
2008 26.93 144th 176 18.2%
2009 33.39 140th 176 20.5%
2010 36.63 142nd 186 23.7%
2011 37.71 142nd 189 24.9%
2012 27.57 154th 188 18.1%
2013 30.04 157th 193 18.7%
2015 25.89 160th 196 18.4%
2016 29.12 92nd 132 30.3%
2017 25.82 101st 140 27.9%
2018 22.31 100th 121 17.4%
2019 20.57 102nd 121 15.7%
2021 32.95 127th 200 36.5%
2022 25.29 91st 139 34.5%
2023 32.27 90th 142 36.6%
2024 24.95 106th 145 26.9%
See the entire list of Connecticut High School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at West Haven High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 0.00 1st 10 90.0%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at West Haven High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 21.58 12th 13 7.7%
2021 44.64 94th 175 46.3%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at West Haven High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 45.70 78th 155 49.7%
2022 39.91 32nd 63 49.2%
2023 49.10 24th 70 65.7%
2024 23.37 54th 65 16.9%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at West Haven High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 20.43 69th 79 12.7%
2019 18.62 78th 84 7.1%
2021 28.81 131st 189 30.7%
2022 33.45 67th 106 36.8%
2023 28.07 72nd 103 30.1%
2024 24.01 78th 102 23.5%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at West Haven High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 20.09 46th 57 19.3%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at West Haven High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 13.09 73rd 78 6.4%
2019 11.10 76th 80 5.0%
2021 33.27 119th 182 34.6%
2022 13.56 90th 102 11.8%
2023 21.08 73rd 100 27.0%
2024 22.10 78th 100 22.0%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at West Haven High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 49.34 8th 11 27.3%
2021 58.10 19th 58 67.2%
2022 60.91 8th 25 68.0%
2023 63.71 6th 25 76.0%
2024 60.15 6th 24 75.0%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at West Haven High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 47.96 7th 18 61.1%
2021 46.40 50th 104 51.9%
2022 56.04 12th 59 79.7%
2024 50.54 21st 63 66.7%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at West Haven High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 16.90 95th 105 9.5%
2019 14.31 103rd 113 8.8%
2021 37.66 104th 155 32.9%
2022 12.14 105th 117 10.3%
2023 20.60 96th 116 17.2%
2024 13.00 107th 116 7.8%
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.

West Haven High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 



Data source: Connecticut State Department of Education

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Enrollment information for West Haven High School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 1184 356 14 17 0 n/a n/a 0 1571
1989 1071 342 8 13 1 n/a n/a 0 1435
1990 1100 292 28 34 4 n/a n/a 0 1458
1991 1043 283 18 44 3 n/a n/a 0 1391
1992 1169 275 38 99 3 n/a n/a 0 1584
1993 1083 267 35 100 3 n/a n/a 0 1488
1994 1060 320 31 106 1 n/a n/a 0 1518
1995 1035 363 43 146 1 n/a n/a 0 1588
1996 1035 363 43 146 1 n/a n/a 0 1588
1997 1002 395 32 151 4 n/a n/a 0 1584
1998 1034 416 37 167 7 n/a n/a 0 1661
1999 995 372 51 178 7 n/a n/a 0 1603
2000 1026 370 57 179 7 n/a n/a 0 1639
2001 1043 359 56 191 3 n/a n/a 0 1652
2002 1113 391 48 230 4 n/a n/a 0 1786
2003 1113 391 48 230 4 n/a n/a 0 1786
2004 1047 412 58 236 5 n/a n/a 0 1758
2005 1089 470 59 277 6 n/a n/a 0 1901
2006 824 373 51 228 5 n/a n/a 0 1481
2007 1002 481 69 307 13 n/a n/a 0 1872
2008 901 454 63 321 12 n/a n/a 0 1751
2009 815 422 60 331 12 n/a n/a 0 1640
2010 747 426 49 338 9 n/a n/a 0 1569
2011 720 366 54 370 3 1 31 0 1545
2012 666 353 51 411 3 0 32 0 1516
2013 661 381 50 450 5 0 43 0 1590
2014 611 381 51 465 3 1 53 0 1565
2015 566 368 55 477 3 0 58 0 1527
2016 521 360 50 470 1 0 54 0 1456
2017 474 364 57 486 0 0 47 0 1428
2018 471 351 63 517 4 0 47 0 1453
2019 462 362 70 520 3 2 57 0 1476
2020 452 367 69 592 3 0 52 0 1535
2021 452 406 61 578 3 0 54 0 1554
2022 441 442 61 658 0 3 55 0 1660
2023 437 468 70 738 2 2 59 4 1780
2024 419 448 83 774 4 2 60 3 1793

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 West Haven High School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1571 118.0 13.3 n/a
1989 1435 115.0 12.4 n/a
1990 1458 100.0 14.5 n/a
1991 1391 95.0 14.6 n/a
1992 1584 96.7 16.3 6.7
1993 1488 87.0 17.1 0.9
1994 1518 90.0 16.9 17.9
1995 1588 89.7 17.7 24.6
1996 1588 89.7 17.7 24.6
1997 1584 91.7 17.3 19.8
1998 1661 93.3 17.8 20
1999 1603 105.8 15.2 40.7
2000 1639 108.4 15.1 60.8
2001 1652 114.8 14.4 n/a
2002 1786 101.7 17.6 28.2
2003 1786 101.7 17.6 28.2
2004 1758 123.5 14.2 30.9
2005 1901 109.7 17.3 n/a
2006 1481 108.0 13.7 43.2
2007 1872 108.5 17.3 28.8
2008 1751 120.1 14.6 35.6
2009 1640 126.2 14.4 38.1
2010 1569 120.2 13.0 33.5
2011 1545 121.7 12.6 50.7
2012 1516 121.2 12.5 41.8
2013 1590 116.3 13.6 39.5
2014 1565 116.6 13.4 47.3
2015 1527 113.0 13.5 51.3
2016 1456 111.0 13.1 53.7
2017 1428 106.3 13.4 63
2018 1453 112.2 12.9 63.7
2019 1476 107.0 13.7 48.5
2020 1535 108.0 14.2 65.7
2021 1554 108.5 14.3 56.9
2022 1660 116.5 14.2 52.2
2023 1780 119.5 14.8 52.6
2024 1793 111.5 16.0 51.8

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 West Haven High School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1571 118.0 13.3 n/a
1989 1435 115.0 12.4 n/a
1990 1458 100.0 14.5 n/a
1991 1391 95.0 14.6 n/a
1992 1584 96.7 16.3 6.7
1993 1488 87.0 17.1 0.9
1994 1518 90.0 16.9 17.9
1995 1588 89.7 17.7 24.6
1996 1588 89.7 17.7 24.6
1997 1584 91.7 17.3 19.8
1998 1661 93.3 17.8 20
1999 1603 105.8 15.2 40.7
2000 1639 108.4 15.1 60.8
2001 1652 114.8 14.4 n/a
2002 1786 101.7 17.6 28.2
2003 1786 101.7 17.6 28.2
2004 1758 123.5 14.2 30.9
2005 1901 109.7 17.3 n/a
2006 1481 108.0 13.7 43.2
2007 1872 108.5 17.3 28.8
2008 1751 120.1 14.6 35.6
2009 1640 126.2 14.4 38.1
2010 1569 120.2 13.0 33.5
2011 1545 121.7 12.6 50.7
2012 1516 121.2 12.5 41.8
2013 1590 116.3 13.6 39.5
2014 1565 116.6 13.4 47.3
2015 1527 113.0 13.5 51.3
2016 1456 111.0 13.1 53.7
2017 1428 106.3 13.4 63
2018 1453 112.2 12.9 63.7
2019 1476 107.0 13.7 48.5
2020 1535 108.0 14.2 65.7
2021 1554 108.5 14.3 56.9
2022 1660 116.5 14.2 52.2
2023 1780 119.5 14.8 52.6
2024 1793 111.5 16.0 51.8

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 West Haven High School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2018 $16,315
2019 $15,958
2020 $16,148
2021 $18,325
2022 $18,696
2023 $17,211

Data source: Connecticut Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on West Haven 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 102nd of 121 High schoolsRanks 90th of 142 High schools
 20.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
11th Grade English Language Arts (West Haven High School)44.435.8
 8.6%
   11th Grade English Language Arts (West Haven School District)44.134.9
 9.2%
   11th Grade English Language Arts (Connecticut)61.652.4
 9.2%
11th Grade Math (West Haven High School)15.715.5
 0.2%
   11th Grade Math (West Haven School District)15.715.1
 0.6%
   11th Grade Math (Connecticut)40.634.1
 6.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students14761780
 20.6%
African American362468
 29.3%
American Indian32
 33.3%
Asian7070
Hispanic520738
 41.9%
Pacific Islander22
White462437
 5.4%
Two or More Races5759
 3.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients48.5%52.6%
 4.1%


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Frequently Asked Questions about West Haven High School

Students at West Haven High School are 43% Hispanic, 25% African American, 23% White, 5% Asian, 3% Two or more races.

West Haven High School ranks 106th of 145 Connecticut high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,793 students attended West Haven High School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Connecticut Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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