Best Public Schools in Zip Code 06256

The 06256 zip code area is home to two elementary schools - Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy, a public magnet school serving grades K-8, and North Windham School, a traditional public elementary school serving grades K-5. While both schools are part of the Windham School District, they exhibit significant differences in academic performance, student demographics, and school quality indicators.

Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy stands out as the higher-performing school, with consistently stronger test scores across all grade levels in both English Language Arts and Math, outpacing the district and state averages. The school also has a more diverse student population, with a lower percentage of students from low-income families compared to North Windham School. Additionally, Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy has maintained a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger over the past three years, while North Windham School has struggled, dropping from a 0-star to a 1-star rating.

The significant performance gap between the two schools suggests that the magnet school model may be more effective in this area, providing a higher-quality education. The higher spending per student and lower student-teacher ratio at Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy may also contribute to its stronger academic outcomes. However, the stark differences in racial and socioeconomic demographics between the two schools highlight the ongoing challenges of educational equity and the importance of ensuring all students have access to high-performing educational options, regardless of their background.