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Daniel Hand High School

Summary:

Daniel Hand High School is a public high school located in Madison, Connecticut, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 828 students. The school is part of the Guilford School District, which is ranked 8th out of 158 districts in Connecticut and has a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Daniel Hand High School consistently ranks among the top high schools in Connecticut, with a statewide ranking of 8th out of 145 schools in the 2023-2024 school year. The school's academic performance is exceptional, with 79.4% of 11th-grade students proficient or better in SAT/English Language Arts, 60.8% in SAT/Math, and 75.4% in NGSS/Science, significantly higher than the state averages. While the student population is predominantly white (84.06%), the school has a more diverse racial makeup compared to some nearby schools, with higher percentages of Hispanic (6.04%) and Asian (3.26%) students. Daniel Hand High School also has a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 9.5 students per teacher, lower than many nearby schools, and a very low percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch at only 4.71%, in contrast with nearby schools that can range from 10.59% to 46.88%.

The consistent high performance, diverse student population, and low student-teacher ratio at Daniel Hand High School suggest that the school is providing a high-quality education that is not necessarily available at all the surrounding schools. When compared to nearby schools like Coginchaug Regional High School, Old Saybrook Senior High School, and East Haven High School, Daniel Hand High School stands out as an exceptional public high school that delivers outstanding academic results and supports a diverse learning environment for its students.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 286 Green Hill Rd.
       Madison, CT  06443

(203) 245-6350

District: Madison School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
8th of 145 Connecticut High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $25,318 Help


Feeder schools for Daniel Hand High School:

Elementary:    Dr. Robert H. Brown Intermediate School
    J. Milton Jeffrey Elementary School
    Kathleen H. Ryerson Elementary School
Middle:    Walter C. Polson Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  9.7 Help
Number of students:  776

Racial breakdown:

White:
83.8%
Hispanic:
6.3%
Two or more races:
4.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  4.7% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Daniel Hand High School ranks better than 94.5% of high schools in Connecticut. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 91.84. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Daniel Hand 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
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (83.8%), Hispanic (6.3%), two or more races (4.5%). (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Daniel Hand High School is 9.7. (See more...)
Help
Compare Daniel Hand High School employs 79.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Daniel Hand High School is $25,318.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Daniel Hand High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Daniel Hand High School 8th of 145 Connecticut public high schools. (See Daniel Hand High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Madison School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Madison School District 8th of 158 Connecticut school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Daniel Hand High School?

Rank History for Daniel Hand High School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Daniel Hand High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2007 82.62 3rd 176 98.3%
2008 79.95 18th 176 89.8%
2009 82.10 7th 176 96.0%
2010 80.02 18th 186 90.3%
2011 82.71 8th 189 95.8%
2012 84.06 3rd 188 98.4%
2013 82.21 6th 193 96.9%
2015 34.46 140th 196 28.6%
2016 92.27 5th 132 96.2%
2017 83.37 27th 140 80.7%
2018 93.38 8th 121 93.4%
2021 94.09 5th 200 97.5%
2022 83.00 24th 139 82.7%
2023 89.17 16th 142 88.7%
2024 91.84 8th 145 94.5%
See the entire list of Connecticut High School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Daniel Hand High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 70.39 6th 14 57.1%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Female students at Daniel Hand High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 86.34 12th 84 85.7%
2021 91.10 13th 189 93.1%
2022 82.95 19th 106 82.1%
2023 78.19 29th 103 71.8%
2024 86.83 16th 102 84.3%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Daniel Hand High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 91.68 6th 78 92.3%
2019 88.55 9th 80 88.8%
2021 94.13 5th 182 97.3%
2022 72.55 40th 102 60.8%
2023 84.33 19th 100 81.0%
2024 82.84 20th 100 80.0%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Daniel Hand High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 89.57 8th 105 92.4%
2019 86.88 15th 113 86.7%
2021 89.21 11th 155 92.9%
2022 68.59 35th 117 70.1%
2023 69.98 33rd 116 71.6%
2024 80.71 18th 116 84.5%
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.

Daniel Hand High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
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Data source: Connecticut State Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3.7)
67%

0%

0%

0%

33%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Monday, August 15, 2011

Open Quote I was surprised to read the previous comment. As the parent of three DHHS graduates, we found a very different experience. Students and teacher were supportive of each other. I agree some students can be unkind, but certainly very few.
My children left Hand well prepared to enter college life. Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, November 18, 2010

Open Quote I wouldn't recommend moving to Daniel Hand during high school. It's a very odd culture that seems to be cliquish and cruel. My son, who was very popular at his old school, was treated cruelly by many students...to the extent that he "gave up" on trying to make friends. We moved him to a different school after one year. Our family is still perplexed how this could have happened. Our son relayed stories to us about behaviors he witnessed, toward himself and many others,(name calling, obscene gestures, open cruelty, religious persecution, homophobic comments) all in the presence of teachers who did not intervene. The staff needs training on zero tolerance for disrespectful behavior. I'm sure that many students who have been in the system and have established relationships don't face the difficulties my son faced, but the culture needs some serious work.

And don't think this treatment was the result of my son being "different." He is a handsome, intelligent, athletic, heterosexual, protestant, Caucasian male. He is very social and has a wonderful personality...to the extent we call him "Joe Social" in our family. I will never think of Danial Hand High again without feeling anger and disgust. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Daniel Hand High School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 998 3 8 5 2 n/a n/a 0 1016
1989 916 8 15 4 0 n/a n/a 0 943
1990 841 6 12 4 n/a n/a n/a 0 863
1991 805 6 12 2 2 n/a n/a 0 827
1992 767 8 9 9 2 n/a n/a 0 795
1993 788 8 15 6 0 n/a n/a 0 817
1994 784 4 14 13 5 n/a n/a 0 820
1995 817 8 5 13 2 n/a n/a 0 845
1996 817 8 5 13 2 n/a n/a 0 845
1997 854 4 11 9 3 n/a n/a 0 881
1998 850 12 7 13 3 n/a n/a 0 885
1999 831 8 16 21 3 n/a n/a 0 879
2000 877 10 19 21 1 n/a n/a 0 928
2001 880 18 19 25 3 n/a n/a 0 945
2002 937 17 23 13 2 n/a n/a 0 992
2003 937 17 23 13 2 n/a n/a 0 992
2004 976 13 24 11 2 n/a n/a 0 1026
2005 1082 10 26 7 0 n/a n/a 0 1125
2006 870 11 23 6 0 n/a n/a 0 910
2007 1145 14 40 11 0 n/a n/a 0 1210
2008 1161 16 49 10 2 n/a n/a 0 1238
2009 1152 16 48 11 3 n/a n/a 0 1230
2010 1182 16 49 13 4 n/a n/a 0 1264
2011 1190 14 45 20 3 1 17 0 1290
2012 1165 13 43 18 0 2 16 0 1257
2013 1157 10 41 22 0 3 22 0 1255
2014 1143 14 40 29 2 2 21 0 1251
2015 1116 13 44 28 2 2 24 0 1229
2016 1047 13 46 34 3 1 20 0 1164
2017 1023 12 47 42 4 0 25 0 1153
2018 988 7 52 46 3 0 32 0 1128
2019 933 5 45 49 3 0 33 0 1068
2020 882 7 41 45 2 0 34 0 1011
2021 825 5 35 51 1 0 37 0 954
2022 746 7 30 49 2 1 39 0 874
2023 696 8 27 50 2 1 42 2 828
2024 650 7 25 49 2 1 35 7 776

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 Daniel Hand High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1016 75.0 13.5 n/a
1989 943 74.0 12.7 n/a
1990 863 72.0 11.9 n/a
1991 827 72.0 11.4 n/a
1992 795 70.5 11.2 0.5
1993 817 70.3 11.6 0.1
1994 820 69.3 11.8 2.1
1995 845 65.1 13.0 1.1
1996 845 65.1 13.0 1.1
1997 881 64.3 13.7 1
1998 885 64.2 13.8 1.1
1999 879 66.1 13.3 1.3
2000 928 71.8 12.9 2.2
2001 945 75.1 12.6 n/a
2002 992 78.1 12.7 2
2003 992 78.1 12.7 2
2004 1026 81.6 12.6 1.8
2005 1125 76.7 14.7 n/a
2006 910 78.4 11.6 2.3
2007 1210 86.1 14.1 1.6
2008 1238 98.6 12.6 1.5
2009 1230 107.5 12.6 2
2010 1264 97.3 12.9 2.8
2011 1290 98.1 13.1 3.5
2012 1257 99.1 12.6 3.3
2013 1255 99.4 12.6 4.2
2014 1251 97.8 12.7 5.1
2015 1229 96.0 12.8 4.9
2016 1164 96.0 12.1 5.2
2017 1153 100.1 11.5 4.8
2018 1128 100.2 11.2 4
2019 1068 85.0 12.5 4.5
2020 1011 86.0 11.7 4.5
2021 954 78.7 12.1 3.9
2022 874 82.0 10.6 3.7
2023 828 86.5 9.5 4.7
2024 776 79.5 9.7 n/a

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 Daniel Hand High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1016 75.0 13.5 n/a
1989 943 74.0 12.7 n/a
1990 863 72.0 11.9 n/a
1991 827 72.0 11.4 n/a
1992 795 70.5 11.2 0.5
1993 817 70.3 11.6 0.1
1994 820 69.3 11.8 2.1
1995 845 65.1 13.0 1.1
1996 845 65.1 13.0 1.1
1997 881 64.3 13.7 1
1998 885 64.2 13.8 1.1
1999 879 66.1 13.3 1.3
2000 928 71.8 12.9 2.2
2001 945 75.1 12.6 n/a
2002 992 78.1 12.7 2
2003 992 78.1 12.7 2
2004 1026 81.6 12.6 1.8
2005 1125 76.7 14.7 n/a
2006 910 78.4 11.6 2.3
2007 1210 86.1 14.1 1.6
2008 1238 98.6 12.6 1.5
2009 1230 107.5 12.6 2
2010 1264 97.3 12.9 2.8
2011 1290 98.1 13.1 3.5
2012 1257 99.1 12.6 3.3
2013 1255 99.4 12.6 4.2
2014 1251 97.8 12.7 5.1
2015 1229 96.0 12.8 4.9
2016 1164 96.0 12.1 5.2
2017 1153 100.1 11.5 4.8
2018 1128 100.2 11.2 4
2019 1068 85.0 12.5 4.5
2020 1011 86.0 11.7 4.5
2021 954 78.7 12.1 3.9
2022 874 82.0 10.6 3.7
2023 828 86.5 9.5 4.7
2024 776 79.5 9.7 n/a

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 Daniel Hand High School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2018 $18,553
2019 $20,275
2020 $21,154
2021 $22,526
2022 $23,880
2023 $25,318

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Daniel Hand 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.

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students1068828
 22.5%
African American58
 60%
American Indian32
 33.3%
Asian4527
 40%
Hispanic4950
 2%
Pacific Islander01
White933696
 25.4%
Two or More Races3342
 27.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients4.5%4.7%
 0.2%

Schools Near Daniel Hand High School








Frequently Asked Questions about Daniel Hand High School

Daniel Hand High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Dr. Robert H. Brown Intermediate School
Elementary : J. Milton Jeffrey Elementary School
Elementary : Kathleen H. Ryerson Elementary School
Middle : Walter C. Polson Middle School

Yes. Daniel Hand High School ranks in the top 5.5% of Connecticut high schools.

In the 2023-24 school year, 776 students attended Daniel Hand High School.

Students at Daniel Hand High School are 84% White, 6% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 3% Asian.


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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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