Total enrollment
59,861
+106 (+0%) vs SY 2020-21
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region
Connecticut · Public K-12
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region's public-school footprint spans 121 K-12 schools with combined enrollment of about 59,861, the largest district being Waterbury School District. By grade band, the county runs 71 elementary, 24 middle, and 25 high schools.
4-year change in Naugatuck Valley Planning Region
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
119
+1 (+1%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Naugatuck Valley Planning Region ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Connecticut | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 59,861 | #4 of 9 | #185 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 119 | #4 of 9 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 12.6:1 | #8 of 9 | #765 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 51.7% | #2 of 9 | #1,529 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 65.8% | #4 of 8 | #295 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region school rankings
Residents
454,969
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
121
20 districts
Enrollment
59,861
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$86,191
Below Connecticut avg
Free/reduced lunch
51.6%
Above Connecticut avg
Elementary
71
28,252 students
Middle
24
12,266 students
High
25
19,343 students
Combined / other
1
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Waterbury School District
17,123 students · 20 districts in Naugatuck Valley Planning Region
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Naugatuck Valley Planning Region residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
33.8%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
8.7%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
6.0%
civilian labor
Median age
42
20.3% under 18
Test scores in Naugatuck Valley Planning Region
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 89 schools ranked. Connecticut state average: 50.5%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Norton School· 81.2%
- Dodd Middle School· 79.7%
- Highland School· 76.7%
- Chapman School· 74.5%
- Frisbie School· 73.1%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Sprague School· 6.6%
- Walsh School· 12.3%
- Woodrow Wilson School· 13.4%
- Reed School· 14.5%
- Driggs School· 15.3%
See all 89 schools in Naugatuck Valley Planning Region ranked by score →
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eli Terry Jr. Middle School | Terryville | Middle | 06-08 | 290 | · |
| Harry S. Fisher Elementary School | Terryville | Elementary | 03-05 | 286 | · |
| Washington School | Waterbury | Elementary | PK-05 | 284 | · |
| Bucks Hill School | Waterbury | Elementary | PK-05 | 283 | · |
| Bethlehem Elementary School | Bethlehem | Elementary | PK-05 | 276 | · |
| Roberto Clemente International Dual Language School | Waterbury | Elementary | PK-04 | 275 | · |
| Bristol Arts and Innovation Magnet School | Bristol | High | 06-12 | 268 | · |
| Edgewood Pre-K Academy | Bristol | Elementary | PK-PK | 267 | · |
| Frisbie School | Wolcott | Elementary | KG-05 | 265 | · |
| Black Rock School | Thomaston | Elementary | PK-03 | 259 | · |
| Bradley School | Derby | Elementary | KG-05 | 244 | · |
| Western School | Naugatuck | Elementary | KG-04 | 242 | · |
| Regan School | Waterbury | Elementary | PK-05 | 237 | · |
| Salem School | Naugatuck | Elementary | KG-04 | 231 | · |
| Sunnyside School | Shelton | Elementary | PK-04 | 229 | · |
| Andrew Avenue School | Naugatuck | Elementary | KG-04 | 221 | · |
| Thomaston Center School | Thomaston | Middle | 04-06 | 196 | · |
| Darcey School | Cheshire | Elementary | PK-KG | 159 | · |
| Little Raiders University | Derby | Elementary | PK-PK | 63 | · |
| REGIONS staff secure Waterbury | Waterbury | High | 06-12 | 0 | · |
| Edgewood School | Bristol | Combined | M-M | · | · |
Cities in Naugatuck Valley Planning Region
Waterbury33 schoolsBristol14 schoolsNaugatuck9 schoolsShelton8 schoolsCheshire7 schoolsAnsonia5 schoolsDerby5 schoolsWolcott5 schoolsOxford4 schoolsSeymour4 schoolsSouthbury4 schoolsMiddlebury3 schoolsOakville3 schoolsTerryville3 schoolsThomaston3 schoolsWoodbury3 schoolsBeacon Falls2 schoolsProspect2 schoolsWatertown2 schoolsBethlehem1 schoolPlymouth1 school
About Naugatuck Valley Planning Region
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region is a large county of about 454,969 residents in Connecticut. Its public-school system hosts approximately 59,861 students across 121 schools.
For perspective, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $86,191, about 34% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and roughly 9% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 10% below the Connecticut median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Naugatuck Valley Planning Region comprises 71 elementary schools (28,252 students), 24 middle schools (12,266), 25 high schools (19,343), and 1 combined or other schools.
The largest single district in Naugatuck Valley Planning Region is Waterbury School District, which alone enrolls about 17,123 students.
Over the past 4-year window. Total public-school enrollment in Naugatuck Valley Planning Region has stayed largely flat since SY 2020-21, moving from about 59,755 students to 59,861. Over that span, Naugatuck Valley Planning Region added 1 school, going from 118 to 119.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Naugatuck Valley Planning Region discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data