2022 Niche Standout High Schools in Connecticut

Achievement First Hartford Academy

• Public School
• HARTFORD, CT
• K-12
• Rating 3.84 out of 5  56 reviews

Alum: At Achievement First Hartford High school, I really enjoyed the academic experience. The teachers really take their time to provide you with the information you need to help you be successful in the future. There are many resources around to help each student individually. The environment is always welcoming to everyone and the school tries their hardest to make sure they involve parents in activities. When it comes to things that need to be changed there are many. The first thing that needs to be changed is the diversity among teachers and the second thing actually taking the students advice. The school always ask for students opinion but actually taking them into consideration has been a struggle. Other than that, the school is good when it comes to helping students prepare for the future...Read 56 Reviews

• grade B+

• 1,169 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
• 81% Free or Reduced Lunch

Amistad Academy

• Public School
• NEW HAVEN, CT
• K-12
• Rating 3.53 out of 5  144 reviews

Senior: I can only speak on Amistad High School since that is the only one I attended. It was a great experience. It was academically challenging, but there was many places of support and the extracurriculars available here really brought the school culture together. I personally had great teachers throughout my time here, but I heard some people didn't have such a great experience. It's a great school since it prepares you for college quite well and as a Senior now I'm glad I got into my dream school...Read 144 Reviews

• grade B+

• 1,103 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
• 75% Free or Reduced Lunch

Westhill High School

• Stamford School District, CT
• 9-12
• Rating 3.49 out of 5  475 reviews

Senior: I transferred to Westhill High as a junior and at first, the transition was slightly rocky because I am naturally a very introverted person, but the people are very welcoming and outgoing. The school is very diverse which was something that I appreciated and embraced as a minority of a diverse background. My friends come from all walks of life and have different stories to tell. Compared to its counterpart, Stamford High School, Westhill is in a league of its own and I can say that I am enjoying my brief last year there!...Read 475 Reviews

• grade B+

• 2,236 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
• 56% Free or Reduced Lunch

Biotechnology Research & Zoological Sciences at the Fairchild Wheeler Campus

• Bridgeport School District, CT
• 9-12
• Rating 3.91 out of 5  64 reviews

Senior: My personal experience at Fairchild Wheeler was honestly the best. The school was designed for students who want to pursue a STEM/STEAM based career. I feel as though my time at this school showed me exactly what i needed in order to make a decision on what i wanted to do in life. Anoter thing i love sbout this school is although they dont have any sports, you will never get bored. There are so many activites and clubs to join in order for you to get connected with your peers and teachers!...Read 64 Reviews

• grade B

• 433 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
• 56% Free or Reduced Lunch

Stamford High School

• Stamford School District, CT
• 9-12
• Rating 3.4 out of 5  345 reviews

Freshman: I liked that the guidance councelars help you and check up on you and how your grades are doing. You could be very open about yourself and you make many friends. My favorite class is pottery which i really reccomend. It is very calming which is good to be at school. The teachers also are very supportive and they are very fun to be aroung with! Overall, my experience just as a freshman of this highschool has been amazing. There are many fun clubs to participate in. There are also many sports groups you could join. There are also additional resources outside school that teachers recommend. Such as after schools or rograms that you could enter to get extra help with your homework. At this school you always feel included. The most important thing of highschool is to have a lot of fun and enjoy it. That's what Stamford High is all baout they always make your experience fun and worth it. Additional,food such as meals are given after school to help anyone. Over all This school helped me...Read 345 Reviews

• grade B+

• 1,813 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
• 59% Free or Reduced Lunch

Science & Technology Magnet School of Southeastern Connec

• New London School District, CT
• 6-12
• Rating 3.63 out of 5  8 reviews

Alum: I had a pretty good experience, although the work load was frustrating at times. I enjoyed the biomedical program. I studied for 3 years and I still remember a lot of the things I learned. I had a great time my senior year, when myself and other students traveled to Italy as exchange students. I definitely think that the teachers and staff try very hard and are great, but sometimes the classes can be too large. I also think that, at times there wasn’t as much interaction with students and counselors. But overall, this school is very outstanding and I learned great ways to effectively study...Read 8 Reviews

• grade B

• 548 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
• 70% Free or Reduced Lunch

Waterbury Career Academy

• Waterbury School District, CT
• PK, 9-12
• Rating 4.28 out of 5  61 reviews

Junior: WCA is an excellent school in the Waterbury area and CT. Beautiful facility, great and caring staff and the variety of courses offered is stunning. AP, UCONN and NVCC classes are offered as well as the 4 strands of Health, IT, Manufacturing and Human and typical academics. The teachers do a great job preparing students for college and getting ready for the real world. The school also offers many after school activities and sports. Besides the strict dress code policy and the not so great lunch, WCA is a great opportunity for students to take advantage of!...Read 61 Reviews

• grade B

• 805 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
• 81% Free or Reduced Lunch

Brien McMahon High School

• Norwalk School District, CT
• 9-12
• Rating 3.78 out of 5  431 reviews

Junior: The response to COVID-19 has been great and efficient! Overall, the hybrid schooling system has proven to be beneficial for students. The school does need to look at better school spirit. The academic opportunities and pathways are beneficial experiences that aid in shaping a career-minded student, with dedicated teachers to help along the way...Read 431 Reviews

• grade B+

• 1,611 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
• 62% Free or Reduced Lunch

Sports & Medical Sciences Academy

• Hartford School District, CT
• 6-12
• Rating 3.84 out of 5  123 reviews

Senior: Sport and Medical Sciences Academy is a great magnet school here in Hartford. The staff here are kind and respectful to all students. They help students when they need it and offer support even outside of academics. The Capstone program here, which is a service-learning project, is great and I believe it prepares every graduating senior for college and the new stage of their life...Read 123 Reviews

• grade B

• 643 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
• 79% Free or Reduced Lunch

East Hartford High School

• East Hartford School District, CT
• 9-12
• Rating 3.62 out of 5  321 reviews

Senior: My high school experience has been very eventful. It went by so fast! High school was not really difficult for me because I had great teachers who provided me with a great support system. The environment of my school is very diverse and makes me feel very comfortable. My school offers a lot of opportunities to help us prepare for college like AP Classes & many meetings to help us stay on track. We have many sports and clubs suitable for many students and different types of people...Read 321 Reviews

• grade B

• 1,682 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
• 55% Free or Reduced Lunch

Manchester High School

• Manchester School District, CT
• 9-12
• Rating 3.77 out of 5  394 reviews

Niche User: This school is amazing! There are so many different kinds of people and so much diversity with no room to feel like you didn't belong. Teachers and Manchester High school are very caring and throughout the years prepare you to make a transition into college and finding what you want to do. There are 4 academy's within the school that pertain to the students interest whether it's art, science, health, etc. Not only are there good programs when it comes to academics, but also great after school activities and sports. If a student wants to add an activity (for example ASL club) they can just bring It up with a teacher or an administrator and it will be made possible! MHS makes students feel welcome, cared about, and helps students to push themselves academically to be successful in the future...Read 394 Reviews

• grade B

• 1,597 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
• 60% Free or Reduced Lunch

Academy of Science and Innovation

• Public School
• NEW BRITAIN, CT
• 6-12
• Rating 3.61 out of 5  88 reviews

Junior: The teachers were incredible. They show how much they care about their students by going above and beyond for them. Each teacher had their own effective way of teaching their students, that gave them the chance to learn what they needed. They were also there for the students emotionally by giving them the support or advice they needed. The school offered interesting classes that exposed the students to things they may have never known they'd like, such as, musical theater, digital photography, robotics, etc. The diversity in the school is also amazing and eye-opening. I truly wish there were a few more after school activities offered, however, I understand that the after school transportation was always a problem with CREC. Overall, the school is worth it!...Read 88 Reviews

• grade B+

• 755 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
• 66% Free or Reduced Lunch

Connecticut River Academy at Goodwin University

• Public School
• EAST HARTFORD, CT
• 9-12
• Rating 3.97 out of 5  86 reviews

Junior: My academic experience at this school is very good; the education I'm receiving is immaculate and definitely preparing me for college (as we are a college-prep high school). As a dual-enrolled scholar attending Goodwin University, I would say that the classes are well organized and informative, especially with the transition to distance learning. The professors genuinely care about the student's success, just like at CTRA. The school holds specific events in an attempt to bring the students, staff, and community together. For example, about one day each month, we would have a "Magnet Theme Day", which is a day dedicated to team building and community. In February, we have a Black History Month Magnet Theme Day, and in September we have an Environmental Magnet Theme Day, and there are many more. The students usually take control of these days, and we plan our own activities that other students can participate in until they switch to a different activity. Overall, CTRA is a good school...Read 86 Reviews

• grade B

• 481 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
• 73% Free or Reduced Lunch

Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy

• Hartford School District, CT
• 6-12
• Rating 3.94 out of 5  90 reviews

Senior: The guidance staff are amazing. They go the extra mile all of the time. When I entered HMTCA high school in 9th grade, I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be going to a 4 year college. The guidance team built my confidence up, challenged me in huge ways, saw something in me I didn’t and I was accepted into all of the colleges I applied to. Without the guidance team, I would never be where I am today!...Read 90 Reviews

• grade B

• 1,046 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
• 68% Free or Reduced Lunch

Metropolitan Learning Center

• Public School
• BLOOMFIELD, CT
• 6-12
• Rating 3.52 out of 5  162 reviews

Senior: Academic culture within the Metropolitan Learning Center is quite strong. It is recognizable that the school prides itself on offering its students with challenging yet rewarding education that forces us to push our minds to think beyond its believed capacity. MLC is an International Baccalaureate school, and is the only public school in Connecticut to host both the Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme. With this rigor, I constantly feel myself being challenged to work harder every year, and to think creatively. Additionally, MLC is an incredibly diverse school, that hosts many exchange students. This allows students to learn about different cultures across the globe!...Read 162 Reviews

• grade B

• 697 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
• 62% Free or Reduced Lunch

Stratford High School

• Stratford School District, CT
• 9-12
• Rating 3.44 out of 5  223 reviews

Senior: After being a student at Stratford High School for four years now, and graduating in the spring of 2022, I have been around to notice the swift changes that my school has made to make school better for all students. I went to Stratford High School, in our old building, until November of my freshman year. The old school was very run down, falling apart, and extremely outdated. Following Thanksgiving break, we moved into the new school with better temperatures inside, better desks and classrooms, better accommodations for students, and an overall better environment. The move into this new school not only served as a move to another scenery, but also a new beginning and a new era for Stratford High School in order to succeed in the students success, beginning with the school they learn in. Stratford High School and its faculty are committed to the success of their students, and are determined to make each student have a booming high school career, with the sky being the limit...Read 223 Reviews

• grade B

• 1,023 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
• 53% Free or Reduced Lunch

Danbury High School

• Danbury School District, CT
• 9-12
• Rating 3.74 out of 5  688 reviews

Senior: As a current student at Danbury High School, this school has so much to offer! The diversity is amazing and there are many students from different backgrounds. Being in a diverse school community, I've learned how to speak Portuguese and practice my Spanish! Furthermore, academics are good but need some improvement. There are teachers who genuinely care about a student's education and want the best, but there are also teachers who just want to get the job done. I would say the college readiness is good, although, students who come from parents with a college degree typically tend to know the system more than students who do not have parents with a college degree. By the near end of a student's junior and senior year, counselors meet up with the student to discuss their college plans. Overall, DHS is a great school with multiple opportunities for every student...Read 688 Reviews

• grade B

• 3,292 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
• 61% Free or Reduced Lunch

Achievement First Bridgeport Academy

• Public School
• BRIDGEPORT, CT
• K-12
• Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

High School Senior: I learned to grow as a person at this school. I learned that hard work pays off. I also learned that you have to think positively and take action in order to reach success.Read 1 Review

• grade A

• 1,110 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
• 71% Free or Reduced Lunch

Elm City College Preparatory School

• Public School
• NEW HAVEN, CT
• K-12

• grade A

• 767 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
• 72% Free or Reduced Lunch

Three Rivers Middle College Magnet School

• Public School
• NORWICH, CT
• 11-12
• Rating 4.68 out of 5  19 reviews

Alum: Three Rivers Middle College Magnet School values greatly contributed to my overall academic college success. Founded on the ideas of inclusion, grit, and self-delayed gratification has grounded me to succeed in the classroom at the university level. Due to the focus on college-readiness, I am able to take full independence of my studies, along with confidence in knowing where to locate resources amongst campus. Additionally, Three Rivers Middle College faculty and staff are sincerely passionate about their student's success and have continued to aid as mentors well into my senior year of College...Read 19 Reviews

• grade B+

• 67 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
• 34% Free or Reduced Lunch