[emtcshel]

Hi, I am looking at a job at Waterbury Hospital. It would mean relocating. Any good (affordable) towns within 30 minutes or so (including traffic) of Waterbury with kids/great schools?

[JayCT]

Well there are a number of towns to consider. Cheshire would be one. You could aloso consider Middlebury, Southbury, Woodbury, Watertwon, Prospect, Wolcott and Southington. Information on schools in each town can be found on the website linked below. Look for a town that performs at or above the state averages on the Connecticut Mastery and Connecticut Academic Performance Tests. You need to let us know a little more information like budget, community type (urban, suburban or rural) and what you expect to get for your money. Jay

State Department of Education - CEDaR

[NewJeffCT]

Jay gave you a great list of towns, though I might disagree on Watertown, Prospect and Wolcott offering great schools.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by NewJeffCT

Jay gave you a great list of towns, though I might disagree on Watertown, Prospect and Wolcott offering great schools.

Wolcott actually performs quite well.



Watertown and Region 16(Prospect/Beacon Falls) are around average for the state.

[NewJeffCT]

last I checked, Watertown was not in the top 100 for public high schools in the state, and Prospect and Wolcott were just inside the top 100.

If schools were important, Cheshire, Southington, Woodbury, Southbury and Middlebury would be much better choices.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by NewJeffCT

last I checked, Watertown was not in the top 100 for public high schools in the state, and Prospect and Wolcott were just inside the top 100.

I'm referencing the test scores reported by the state of CT.

Who is your source?

[NewJeffCT]

The Hartford Courant when they reported the SAT scores for all the public schools in the state.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by NewJeffCT

last I checked, Watertown was not in the top 100 for public high schools in the state, and Prospect and Wolcott were just inside the top 100.

If schools were important, Cheshire, Southington, Woodbury, Southbury and Middlebury would be much better choices.

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

I'm referencing the test scores reported by the state of CT.

Who is your source?

Originally Posted by NewJeffCT

The Hartford Courant when they reported the SAT scores for all the public schools in the state.

Just SAT scores? What about CMT's? What about CAPT? What about graduation rates? I don't think SAT scores gives the full picture.

What are your thoughts regarding the SAT scores below?


Joseph A. Foran High School
2013 496 486 499
Jonathan Law High School
2013 485 488 487
Stratford High School
2013 474 464 471
Bunnell High School
2013 488 497 494

[hvexpatinct]

Watertown wouldn't be my first choice of the schools in the area, but it is a friendly and affordable community with good housing stock. The issue in Watertown is mostly with the high school, too - I haven't heard anything bad about the primary schools. Watertown is fairly dense - lots of the houses are on about a third of an acre, and there are many neighborhoods. It is a pretty convenient place to live, with easy access to amenities and highways.

A lot of the physicians, attorneys, and other well paid professionals in the Waterbury area live in Middlebury and Woodbury - both are more rural in nature, with many homes on 1-2 acre lots. The housing stock in both towns is not plentiful, and unless you are looking in the $450K+ range, you'll likely make a lot of compromises on the house itself. Middlebury is part of region 15, which is a very highly regarded school district, and Woodbury is in region 14, which is a solid but not spectacular district.

[parentologist]

Southington is nice. Decent schools, pretty decent value for money as housing goes. Cheshire's schools are okay. If you wanted better schools, Farmington is within your 30 min commute, has great schools. Just try to buy near 84 for ease of commuting.

For valid school information, check out greatschools.org. It gives you test scores, demographic breakdown (race, percent receiving free lunch), and reviews for individual schools and districts. Very useful information.