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South School

Summary:

South School is an exceptional elementary school located in New Canaan, Connecticut, serving 507 students in grades K-4. As part of the highly-ranked New Canaan School District, which is ranked 1 out of 158 districts in the state, South School has consistently been one of the top-performing elementary schools in Connecticut, ranking within the top 5 schools in the state for several years.

South School's students consistently outperform the state and district averages on standardized tests, with 83.7% of 3rd graders and 89.2% of 4th graders proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 45.9% and 49.4% statewide, respectively. In mathematics, 91.8% of 3rd graders and 86.9% of 4th graders were proficient or better, compared to 51.3% and 49.7% statewide. Additionally, South School has a relatively diverse student population, with 78.3% White, 6.71% Hispanic, 7.3% Asian, and 6.71% two or more races, which is higher than the nearby West School and East School.

One of the most notable aspects of South School is its extremely low percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, at only 0.59% in the 2022-2023 school year. This is significantly lower than the state average and the nearby schools in the Norwalk and Stamford districts. South School's consistent ranking within the top 5 elementary schools in Connecticut over the years demonstrates its sustained excellence and ability to maintain high academic standards, making it a standout example of educational excellence.


Detail:

Public K-4

 8 Farm Rd.
       New Canaan, CT  06840

(203) 594-4313

District: New Canaan School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
3rd of 497 Connecticut Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $24,613 Help


Students who attend South School usually attend:

Middle:    Saxe Middle School
High:    New Canaan High School

Student/teacher ratio:  10.8 Help
Number of students:  507

Racial breakdown:

White:
78.3%
Asian:
7.3%
Hispanic:
6.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  0.6% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details South School ranks better than 99.4% of elementary schools in Connecticut. It also ranks first among 3 ranked elementary schools in the New Canaan School District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 95.18. (See more...)
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 South School has the largest elementary school student body size in the New Canaan School District.  (See more...)
Teachers
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at South School is $24,613, which is the highest among 3 elementary schools in the New Canaan School District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

South School:

SchoolDigger ranks South School 3rd of 497 Connecticut public elementary schools. (See South School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Male students:
White students:


New Canaan School District:

SchoolDigger ranks New Canaan School District 1st of 158 Connecticut school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for South School.

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Rank History for South School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at South School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 86.58 10th 570 98.2%
2007 88.38 1st 568 99.8%
2008 86.55 6th 565 98.9%
2009 83.91 15th 566 97.3%
2010 79.96 87th 579 85.0%
2011 81.86 51st 565 91.0%
2012 84.63 9th 564 98.4%
2013 87.81 1st 557 99.8%
2015 91.92 19th 551 96.6%
2016 93.09 9th 518 98.3%
2017 94.63 2nd 519 99.6%
2018 94.29 3rd 532 99.4%
2019 95.53 1st 522 99.8%
2021 97.07 3rd 538 99.4%
2022 94.98 5th 490 99.0%
2023 96.53 1st 491 99.8%
2024 95.18 3rd 497 99.4%
See the entire list of Connecticut Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Female students at South School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 89.68 7th 259 97.3%
2019 92.76 3rd 242 98.8%
2021 95.08 7th 455 98.5%
2022 90.27 4th 234 98.3%
2024 92.95 2nd 237 99.2%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at South School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 93.48 1st 262 99.6%
2021 97.08 2nd 445 99.6%
2022 91.95 4th 232 98.3%
2023 94.42 1st 231 99.6%
2024 93.73 1st 233 99.6%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at South School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 92.07 6th 296 98.0%
2019 94.41 1st 295 99.7%
2021 94.35 4th 327 98.8%
2022 92.10 4th 252 98.4%
2023 94.26 1st 262 99.6%
2024 92.89 3rd 250 98.8%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Connecticut State 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.

South 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)
50%

0%

0%

0%

50%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Monday, June 17, 2019

Open Quote We love South School. Our Daughter has just graduated 4th having started in Kindergarten. The focus on music and art as well as reading and math is refreshing. The facilities are fantastic and the PTA in very supportive. Its a competitive school so its good to keep on top of your child's work and keep a relationship with his/her teacher. Close Quote


by a student
Sunday, February 13, 2011

Open Quote This school failed to teach me what i needed to know to get into a private school. I went though years of never getting the grades my parents wanted because i never learned the basic math skills, i mean the school does a very poor job of helping you learn basic things like multiplication and division, the base of all mathmatics. To be more specific, 4th grade was a very bad year, i had very arrogant teachers who never took the blame for their faults and who never responded for my parents countless emails trying to get them to teach me what i needed to know. I am 14 years old and i know what i am talking about, if you are moving to New Canaan try east school. They gave my brother a fantastic education. My parents agree with me. Close Quote



Enrollment information for South School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 350 4 11 9 0 n/a n/a 0 374
1989 351 2 22 6 0 n/a n/a 0 381
1990 366 3 17 2 n/a n/a n/a 0 388
1991 379 3 14 3 0 n/a n/a 0 399
1992 378 1 9 4 0 n/a n/a 0 392
1993 381 1 12 5 0 n/a n/a 0 399
1994 417 1 8 8 0 n/a n/a 0 434
1995 404 1 4 9 0 n/a n/a 0 418
1996 404 1 4 9 0 n/a n/a 0 418
1997 426 0 3 8 0 n/a n/a 0 437
1998 433 0 6 9 0 n/a n/a 0 448
1999 458 0 7 10 0 n/a n/a 0 475
2000 466 3 7 5 0 n/a n/a 0 481
2001 532 2 5 3 0 n/a n/a 0 542
2002 530 3 8 6 0 n/a n/a -1 546
2003 530 3 8 6 0 n/a n/a -1 546
2004 525 3 13 7 0 n/a n/a 0 548
2005 532 3 11 8 0 n/a n/a 0 554
2006 690 3 14 10 0 n/a n/a 0 717
2007 510 2 11 7 0 n/a n/a 0 530
2008 494 3 13 9 1 n/a n/a 0 520
2009 505 2 15 12 1 n/a n/a 0 535
2010 491 4 25 19 2 n/a n/a 0 541
2011 485 5 38 21 3 1 8 0 561
2012 494 4 50 23 3 1 11 0 586
2013 468 3 40 24 3 1 15 0 554
2014 454 6 38 20 1 2 14 0 535
2015 470 5 35 23 0 0 14 0 547
2016 451 4 41 28 1 0 17 0 542
2017 453 1 45 22 2 1 21 0 545
2018 448 2 39 26 2 1 24 0 542
2019 417 2 45 26 1 0 28 0 519
2020 423 3 46 34 2 0 30 0 538
2021 398 5 44 33 2 0 35 0 517
2022 407 5 40 31 2 0 37 0 522
2023 397 3 37 34 2 0 34 0 507

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 South School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 374 29.0 12.8 n/a
1989 381 30.0 12.7 n/a
1990 388 33.0 11.7 n/a
1991 399 33.5 11.9 n/a
1992 392 36.8 10.6 2
1993 399 34.2 11.7 0
1994 434 34.1 12.7 3.5
1995 418 34.1 12.3 1.4
1996 418 34.1 12.3 1.4
1997 437 33.7 13.0 0.5
1998 448 35.6 12.6 0.4
1999 475 35.5 13.4 0.4
2000 481 36.3 13.3 0.8
2001 542 40.1 13.5 n/a
2002 546 42.5 12.9 0
2003 546 42.5 12.9 0
2004 548 41.9 13.1 0
2005 554 39.9 13.9 n/a
2006 717 42.3 17.0 1.1
2007 530 44.1 12.0 n/a
2008 520 40.9 12.7 n/a
2009 535 46.2 13.5 n/a
2010 541 42.1 12.8 n/a
2011 561 45.0 12.4 n/a
2012 586 48.0 12.2 n/a
2013 554 44.9 12.3 0
2014 535 44.0 12.1 0
2015 547 42.0 13.0 0
2016 542 42.0 12.9 0
2017 545 43.9 12.4 0.6
2018 542 45.9 11.8 0.6
2019 519 39.8 13.0 0.6
2020 538 42.2 12.7 0.6
2021 517 43.8 11.7 0.6
2022 522 43.2 12.0 0.6
2023 507 46.8 10.8 0.6

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 South School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 374 29.0 12.8 n/a
1989 381 30.0 12.7 n/a
1990 388 33.0 11.7 n/a
1991 399 33.5 11.9 n/a
1992 392 36.8 10.6 2
1993 399 34.2 11.7 0
1994 434 34.1 12.7 3.5
1995 418 34.1 12.3 1.4
1996 418 34.1 12.3 1.4
1997 437 33.7 13.0 0.5
1998 448 35.6 12.6 0.4
1999 475 35.5 13.4 0.4
2000 481 36.3 13.3 0.8
2001 542 40.1 13.5 n/a
2002 546 42.5 12.9 0
2003 546 42.5 12.9 0
2004 548 41.9 13.1 0
2005 554 39.9 13.9 n/a
2006 717 42.3 17.0 1.1
2007 530 44.1 12.0 n/a
2008 520 40.9 12.7 n/a
2009 535 46.2 13.5 n/a
2010 541 42.1 12.8 n/a
2011 561 45.0 12.4 n/a
2012 586 48.0 12.2 n/a
2013 554 44.9 12.3 0
2014 535 44.0 12.1 0
2015 547 42.0 13.0 0
2016 542 42.0 12.9 0
2017 545 43.9 12.4 0.6
2018 542 45.9 11.8 0.6
2019 519 39.8 13.0 0.6
2020 538 42.2 12.7 0.6
2021 517 43.8 11.7 0.6
2022 522 43.2 12.0 0.6
2023 507 46.8 10.8 0.6

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 South School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2018 $19,490
2019 $21,838
2020 $20,412
2021 $22,061
2022 $22,176
2023 $24,613

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

Impact of COVID-19 on South 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 1st of 522 Elementary schoolsRanks 1st of 491 Elementary schools
 0%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (South School)9389
 4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (New Canaan School District)88.478.8
 9.6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Connecticut)54.345.5
 8.8%
3rd Grade Mathematics (South School)92.292.9
 0.7%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (New Canaan School District)9086.1
 3.9%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Connecticut)5549.8
 5.2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (South School)92.789.4
 3.3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (New Canaan School District)8888.3
 0.3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Connecticut)54.648.8
 5.8%
4th Grade Mathematics (South School)92.792.3
 0.4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (New Canaan School District)91.991
 0.9%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Connecticut)52.548.3
 4.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students519507
 2.3%
African American23
 50%
American Indian12
 100%
Asian4537
 17.8%
Hispanic2634
 30.8%
Pacific Islander00
White417397
 4.8%
Two or More Races2834
 21.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients0.6%0.6%
 0%

Schools Near South School








Frequently Asked Questions about South School

Students who attend South School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Saxe Middle School
High : New Canaan High School

Students at South School are 78% White, 7% Asian, 7% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races.

In the 2022-23 school year, 507 students attended South School.

Yes! South School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 3rd of 497 Connecticut elementary schools.


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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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