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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Manchester Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 13 public schools serving 7,149 students in Manchester, CT (there are 10 private schools, serving 1,380 private students). 83% of all K-12 students in Manchester, CT are educated in public schools (compared to the CT state average of 89%).
The top-ranked public schools in Manchester, CT are Odyssey Community School, Buckley School and Great Path Academy At Ct State Manchester. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Manchester, CT public schools have an average math proficiency score of 25% (versus the Connecticut public school average of 42%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Manchester have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Connecticut public schools.
Minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Connecticut public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Manchester, CT (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Odyssey Community School
Charter School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
579 Middle Tpke West
Manchester, CT 06040
(860) 645-1234
Gr: PK-8 | 410 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #22.
Buckley School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
250 Vernon Street
Manchester, CT 06042
(860) 647-3302
Gr: PK-4 | 284 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #33.
Great Path Academy At Ct State Manchester
Magnet School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
60 Bidwell Street
Manchester, CT 06045
(860) 512-3700
Gr: 9-12 | 336 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #44.
Keeney School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
65 North School St.
Manchester, CT 06042
(860) 647-3354
Gr: PK-4 | 366 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #55.
Waddell School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
163 Broad Street
Manchester, CT 06042
(860) 647-3392
Gr: PK-4 | 476 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #66.
Bowers School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
141 Princeton Street
Manchester, CT 06042
(860) 647-3313
Gr: PK-5 | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #77.
Manchester High School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
134 Middletpke E
Manchester, CT 06040
(860) 647-3530
Gr: 9-12 | 1,703 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #88.
Highland Park School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
397 Porter St.
Manchester, CT 06040
(860) 647-3430
Gr: PK-4 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #99.
Elisabeth M. Bennet Academy
(Math: 22% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1151 Main St.
Manchester, CT 06040
(860) 647-3571
Gr: 5-8 | 864 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1010.
Verplanck School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
126 Olcott Street
Manchester, CT 06040
(860) 647-3383
Gr: PK-4 | 466 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #1111.
Illing Middle School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
227 Middle Tpke E
Manchester, CT 06040
(860) 647-3400
Gr: 7-8 | 763 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1212.
Howell Cheney Technical High School
Vocational School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
791 West Middle Tpke.
Manchester, CT 06040
(860) 649-5396
Gr: 9-12 | 652 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: n/an/a
Manchester Preschool Center At Martin
140 Dartmouth Rd
Manchester, CT 06040
(860) 647-3367
Gr: PK-K | 153 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 85%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Manchester, CT?
The top-ranked public schools in Manchester, CT include Odyssey Community School, Buckley School and Great Path Academy At Ct State Manchester.
How many public schools are located in Manchester?
13 public schools are located in Manchester.
What percentage of students in Manchester go to public school?
83% of all K-12 students in Manchester are educated in public schools (compared to the CT state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Manchester?
Manchester public schools minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Connecticut public schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Manchester are often viewed compared to one another?

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