Sprague School

Summary:

Sprague School is an elementary school in Waterbury, Connecticut, serving 407 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Waterbury School District, which is ranked 148 out of 151 districts in the state and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Sprague School stands out for several key reasons. It has a significantly higher percentage of Hispanic students (71.99%) compared to nearby schools, which range from 51.86% to 67.03% Hispanic. Academically, Sprague consistently ranks among the lowest-performing elementary schools in Connecticut, with only 11.3-12.9% of students proficient in English Language Arts and 7.9-11.3% proficient in Math - well below state and district averages. The school also has an exceptionally high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 65.96% to 82.31%, higher than the surrounding schools. Additionally, Sprague has a relatively high student-teacher ratio, ranging from 11.5 to 16.6, compared to 8.3 to 17.9 in nearby schools.

While the nearby Carrington School has a similar demographic makeup, it is performing significantly better than Sprague. This suggests that the challenges faced by Sprague School may be more severe or unique compared to its neighbors in the Waterbury School District. Despite having funding and resources on par with surrounding schools, Sprague's consistently low performance indicates that targeted interventions and support may be necessary to improve educational outcomes for its students.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 1443 Thomaston Ave.
       Waterbury, CT  06704


(203) 574-8189

District: Waterbury School District

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,976 Help


Students who attend Sprague School usually attend:

Middle:    North End Middle School
High:    Wilby High School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.6 Help
Number of students:  407

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
72.0%
African American:
17.9%
White:
6.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  82.3% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Sprague School is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 3.66. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (72%), African American (17.9%), White (6.4%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 82.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Sprague School is 16.6. 15 elementary schools in the Waterbury School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Sprague School employs 24.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Sprague School is $16,976. 13 elementary schools in the Waterbury School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Sprague School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Waterbury School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Waterbury School District 151st of 158 Connecticut school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Sprague School

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Rank History for all students at Sprague School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 9.39 528th 570 7.4%
2007 8.26 528th 568 7.0%
2008 5.26 537th 565 5.0%
2009 6.15 535th 566 5.5%
2010 15.73 507th 579 12.4%
2011 17.36 492nd 565 12.9%
2012 10.35 518th 564 8.2%
2013 6.79 526th 557 5.6%
2015 5.06 538th 551 2.4%
2016 3.09 506th 518 2.3%
2017 3.07 508th 519 2.1%
2018 2.82 524th 532 1.5%
2019 4.82 490th 522 6.1%
2021 17.27 430th 538 20.1%
2022 7.16 455th 490 7.1%
2023 3.66 488th 491 0.6%
See the entire list of Connecticut Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Sprague School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 35.01 238th 371 35.8%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Sprague School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 37.57 183rd 302 39.4%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Sprague School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 13.25 385th 455 15.4%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Sprague School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 17.63 362nd 445 18.7%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Sprague School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 22.15 92nd 112 17.9%
2021 57.41 62nd 173 64.2%
2022 12.07 93rd 99 6.1%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut Elementary Schools for Hispanic 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.

Sprague School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
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Data source: Connecticut Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)
0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

  

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!


Enrollment information for Sprague School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 203 101 5 94 0 n/a n/a 0 403
1989 193 118 2 121 1 n/a n/a 0 435
1990 182 111 3 129 1 n/a n/a 0 426
1991 176 125 2 139 2 n/a n/a 0 444
1992 168 122 2 162 2 n/a n/a 0 456
1993 167 112 7 161 2 n/a n/a 0 449
1994 176 135 5 173 4 n/a n/a 0 493
1995 140 140 5 163 2 n/a n/a 0 450
1996 140 140 5 163 2 n/a n/a 0 450
1997 120 143 3 166 0 n/a n/a 0 432
1998 114 138 7 177 0 n/a n/a 0 436
1999 124 141 8 192 2 n/a n/a 0 467
2000 119 156 7 225 3 n/a n/a 0 510
2001 118 146 4 245 2 n/a n/a 0 515
2002 87 135 9 231 1 n/a n/a 0 463
2003 87 135 9 231 1 n/a n/a 0 463
2004 80 129 5 244 1 n/a n/a 0 459
2005 70 131 2 267 0 n/a n/a 0 470
2006 81 142 3 313 0 n/a n/a 0 539
2007 86 146 4 268 1 n/a n/a 0 505
2008 57 138 6 287 0 n/a n/a 0 488
2009 53 127 7 290 2 n/a n/a 0 479
2010 54 122 4 277 0 n/a n/a 0 457
2011 39 116 0 277 0 0 4 0 436
2012 36 89 4 234 1 0 6 0 370
2013 50 100 5 239 1 0 5 0 400
2014 69 116 6 271 1 0 9 0 472
2015 63 102 6 271 1 0 18 0 461
2016 59 89 4 291 2 0 20 0 465
2017 60 96 2 292 1 0 25 0 476
2018 67 104 0 326 1 0 24 0 522
2019 54 89 4 330 0 0 27 0 504
2020 45 99 1 322 0 0 22 0 489
2021 31 78 0 264 0 0 15 0 388
2022 28 82 1 296 0 0 19 0 426
2023 26 73 4 293 0 0 11 0 407

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 Sprague School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 403 18.0 22.3 n/a
1989 435 19.0 22.8 n/a
1990 426 19.0 22.4 n/a
1991 444 22.0 20.1 n/a
1992 456 23.4 19.4 55.9
1993 449 27.3 16.4 6
1994 493 23.5 21.0 75.5
1995 450 29.3 15.4 73.3
1996 450 29.3 15.4 73.3
1997 432 27.2 15.9 82.2
1998 436 28.2 15.5 62.4
1999 467 32.4 14.4 78.2
2000 510 30.1 16.9 85.7
2001 515 32.3 15.9 n/a
2002 463 29.3 15.8 76.9
2003 463 29.3 15.8 76.9
2004 459 28.3 16.2 75.6
2005 470 29.7 15.8 n/a
2006 539 28.9 18.7 71.6
2007 505 28.5 17.7 84.2
2008 488 31.0 15.7 84.2
2009 479 31.7 16.7 78.5
2010 457 31.6 14.4 85.3
2011 436 30.1 14.4 86
2012 370 29.6 12.5 87.6
2013 400 30.5 13.1 92.8
2014 472 32.0 14.7 92.4
2015 461 34.0 13.5 77.7
2016 465 34.0 13.6 77
2017 476 36.5 13.0 67
2018 522 35.0 14.9 73.8
2019 504 35.9 14.0 69.6
2020 489 37.1 13.1 86.3
2021 388 32.6 11.9 80.4
2022 426 37.0 11.5 66
2023 407 24.5 16.6 82.3

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 Sprague School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 403 18.0 22.3 n/a
1989 435 19.0 22.8 n/a
1990 426 19.0 22.4 n/a
1991 444 22.0 20.1 n/a
1992 456 23.4 19.4 55.9
1993 449 27.3 16.4 6
1994 493 23.5 21.0 75.5
1995 450 29.3 15.4 73.3
1996 450 29.3 15.4 73.3
1997 432 27.2 15.9 82.2
1998 436 28.2 15.5 62.4
1999 467 32.4 14.4 78.2
2000 510 30.1 16.9 85.7
2001 515 32.3 15.9 n/a
2002 463 29.3 15.8 76.9
2003 463 29.3 15.8 76.9
2004 459 28.3 16.2 75.6
2005 470 29.7 15.8 n/a
2006 539 28.9 18.7 71.6
2007 505 28.5 17.7 84.2
2008 488 31.0 15.7 84.2
2009 479 31.7 16.7 78.5
2010 457 31.6 14.4 85.3
2011 436 30.1 14.4 86
2012 370 29.6 12.5 87.6
2013 400 30.5 13.1 92.8
2014 472 32.0 14.7 92.4
2015 461 34.0 13.5 77.7
2016 465 34.0 13.6 77
2017 476 36.5 13.0 67
2018 522 35.0 14.9 73.8
2019 504 35.9 14.0 69.6
2020 489 37.1 13.1 86.3
2021 388 32.6 11.9 80.4
2022 426 37.0 11.5 66
2023 407 24.5 16.6 82.3

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 Sprague School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2018 $14,624
2019 $13,944
2020 $13,797
2021 $16,062
2022 $15,397
2023 $16,976

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Sprague 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 490th of 522 Elementary schoolsRanks 488th of 491 Elementary schools
 5.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Sprague School)20.49.7
 10.7%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Waterbury School District)32.420.6
 11.8%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Connecticut)54.346.7
 7.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Sprague School)9.911.3
 1.4%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Waterbury School District)31.221.7
 9.5%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Connecticut)54.648.8
 5.8%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Sprague School)27.812.9
 14.9%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Waterbury School District)33.925.2
 8.7%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Connecticut)58.151.3
 6.8%
5th Grade Mathematics (Sprague School)19.410
 9.4%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Waterbury School District)21.713.5
 8.2%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Connecticut)46.538.8
 7.7%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students504407
 19.2%
African American8973
 18%
American Indian00
Asian44
Hispanic330293
 11.2%
Pacific Islander00
White5426
 51.9%
Two or More Races2711
 59.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients69.6%82.3%
 12.7%


Schools Near Sprague School









Frequently Asked Questions about Sprague School

Students who attend Sprague School usually go on to attend:

Middle : North End Middle School
High : Wilby High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 407 students attended Sprague School.

Students at Sprague School are 72% Hispanic, 18% African American, 6% White, 3% Two or more races.


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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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