2024 Best Preschools in Connecticut

Everything You Need to Know About Navigating preschools In Connecticut

Preschool is a critical and formative period in the development of any young person and can often set the tone for their future academic careers. As such, it's important to choose an educational institution that fits the needs of any prospective student. Luckily, there are plenty of preschools to choose from in the state of Connecticut. Currently, there are 776 preschools in the state and when adjusted for population, there are 34 preschools per capita, which is about 7% fewer than the average state. Despite this deficit, preschools on average in the state score a B on par with the national average. The preschools of Connecticut demonstrate a median enrollment of 322 students, with a majority of institutions falling within in the 300s of students. This seems to indicate that there is greater variety in school size than what is typically found around the country; this difference is particularly prominent when compared to other states, with a difference of approximately 13%, which implies that Connecticut even more so fosters intimate scholastic settings compared to other states. It is also notable that a significant proportion of preschools in Connecticut (43%) surpass the national enrollment average, resulting in a plethora of options for the proactive parent. Additionally, Connecticut boasts a favorable 12 to 1 student-teacher ratio, 14% lower than the typical class size in most states, which may serve to optimize academic outcomes by facilitating individualized instruction.

Stats about Connecticut public preschools

Connecticut's public preschools are a force to be reckoned with, representing the vast majority of the state's educational landscape. With more than 560 available options for families, there's an array of choices when it comes to selecting a school that fits the needs and interests of any young learner. Interestingly enough, however, these schools are slightly larger than their counterparts around the nation as evidenced by their average enrollment of 385 students - 4% more than what one would expect from an American school on average. Despite this difference in size, Connecticut's public preschools still perform in line with the national average, receiving an overall grade of B on average.

Traditional public preschools

The largest type of public school in the state (and in the nation) traditional public schools, in other words those that are not charter, or magnet, or otherwise specialized. There are several hundred of those (478 to be exact), and they also score better than the national average in the state of Connecticut - registering an overall grade B on average - just like their counterparts around America do. Traditional schools make up about 85% of all public schools across Connecticut as well. Among those almost 500 schools, about 55% are rated above the national average which equates to 265 different traditional public preschools that have better grades than what one would find elsewhere throughout America - so again there's plenty of great options available for parents who seek quality education for their children. It's also worth noting that traditional schools are only 1% larger than most American schools when considering class size metrics like this though.

Connecticut's Top Traditional Public Preschool: South School

In New Canaan, Connecticut parents will find South School- one of if not the best traditional public preschools in Connecticut. South School provides an excellent learning environment where its students can thrive academically and receive personalized attention due to its low student-to-teacher ratio (12:1). That ratio is actually even lower than most other states around America; it beats out its peers by about 14%. It's no wonder why parents often pick South School as it is consistently praised for its high-quality education and favorable student-teacher ratio which optimizes student learning outcomes significantly. Another great option if you're set on traditional route is Green's Farms School located in Westport - another top pick for parents seeking quality education for their children. Green's Farms School has an A+ rating and impressively low student-to-teacher ratio (11:1) which beats out most other states by 21%. The school also has a relatively small student count totaling 410 - making sure everyone gets personalized attention as they learn and grow during their formative years at Green's Farms School.

A Closer Look at Connecticut's Charter School Landscape

Connecticut has made strides in public education over the years offering a range of school options for families to choose from; this includes charter schools which number at 15 statewide. This number may seem low compared to other states but it’s important to note that quantity doesn’t necessarily equate to quality here; 53% actually surpasses the national average so there’s still plenty of great picks available even if choice is somewhat limited. Despite this however charter schools still don’t perform up to par with their peers across many states receiving an average grade B (which falls below what one should expect from B–) . This could possibly be due to their inflated class size; charter schools tend to offer larger classes than what’s standard with an average enrollment size at 602.

An Overview of Magnet Schools in Connecticut

Although magnet schools do not make up a large portion of the preschools in the state of Connecticut, there are still two promising options. The first is the William C. Lewis Dual Language Elementary School, which is a unique school in that it offers instruction in two languages. Little information is available on the school's performance, but it could be worth exploring for those looking for something a bit different from the typical preschool experience. The second option is still unknown, but it could be worth investigating if parents are looking for an alternative to traditional schools.

Private Preschools In Connecticut

For those who prefer more traditional private schooling, Connecticut has 72 private preschools to choose from. On average, these schools have an A grade, and with an average of 206 students per school, they’re 44% below the national average. This could be beneficial as smaller class sizes can lead to better learning opportunities and personalized attention to students' needs.

Religious Schools in Connecticut

Religious schools also make up a significant portion of Connecticut’s preschool options, with 64% of all private schools being religiously affiliated. The majority of these religious schools are Christian, but there are also Catholic and other denominations represented. These religious schools generally have smaller enrollment sizes (202 students on average) and an A– grade overall.

Best Religious Preschool in Connecticut

The best rated religious preschool in Connecticut is Delaware Valley Classical School, located in New Castle and only about an hour southwest of Philadelphia. The school has a solid A grade and 180 students enrolled. An impressive 8:1 student-teacher ratio helps make this religious school stand out from other options in the state. The second-best religious preschool option in Connecticut is Ursuline Academy, located in Wilmington. The school has an impressive A rating and has 427 students enrolled. The student-teacher ratio is a bit higher at 10:1, but is still 29% below the national average, which likely helps contribute to its high rating.

Private Non-Religious Schools In Connecticut

Private non-religious schools also play an important role in providing alternative options for families and these constitute 14% of all private preschools in the state (26 total). These schools have an average grade of A+, and 6 of them exceed the national average grade by 23%. Additionally, these schools typically have smaller than average enrollments (214 students per school) which may account for their higher grades.

What is the best private non-religious preschool option?

When considering private non-religious preschool options in the state of Connecticut, Tower Hill School stands out as the top choice due to its outstanding A+ grade and 850 student enrollment size. Unlike many other schools listed here, Tower Hill School has a remarkable 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio – 43% below the national average – which likely plays a major role in its high rating. Following closely behind is Wilmington Friends School, located right next door to Tower Hill School in Wilmington. The school has a solid A+ rating, and houses 739 students on its campus. Like Tower Hill School, Wilmington Friends School has a student to teacher ratio of 8:1 – 43% below the national average – which could be credited for its high performance among other private non-religious alternatives within Connecticut's borders.