The top reported proficiency rate is 33% in Science. The lowest is 16% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Science and Technology Magnet Pathway for Middle Grades
Science and Technology Magnet Pathway for Middle Grades is a public magnet middle school in New London, serving grades six through eight. It is part of New London School District, which recently completed a transition to Connecticut's first all-magnet district model, built on three thematic pathways: STEM, Visual and Performing Arts, and International Education. This school is the STEM pathway's middle grades anchor.
The school serves a student body that is economically disadvantaged and diverse. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The enrollment reflects New London's demographics: the student body is roughly evenly split between Hispanic and multi-racial students, with a meaningful share identifying as Black, and smaller shares identifying as white or Asian. Enrollment is relatively small for a middle school, and enrollment by grade level varies, suggesting the school is either new in its current form or has experienced enrollment shifts.
Academically, the school sits well below typical proficiency benchmarks. In English language arts across all grades, about half the students tested reached proficiency. In math, about midway through the grades tested, proficiency drops sharply, with only a small fraction of students in grades six and seven reaching proficiency; the exact rate for grade eight is not reported. In science, the school shows its strongest performance, with a majority reaching proficiency overall, though proficiency rates are not reported for grade seven. State testing data for some grade-level cohorts are suppressed, which typically occurs when groups tested are very small. When proficiency rates are available, they show a school where reading and science are areas of relative strength compared to math, but where math proficiency remains a significant challenge across the middle grades. The school's overall proficiency index, calculated across all tested subjects and grades, places it in the bottom quartile among districts in the Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region.
The STEM designation shapes the school's mission. A parent selecting this school is choosing a magnet pathway focused on science and technology instruction. Enrollment is by application and lottery, with city residents getting priority. The district draws students from more than 40 towns, so the school draws beyond New London's immediate boundaries. This is a school serving a population with substantial economic need, in a city experiencing housing growth and workforce expansion in submarine manufacturing and health care, but where the district is also managing significant budget constraints. In April 2026, the district voted to close an elementary school and restructure grade configurations, bringing grades five through seven into the middle school band; families affected by these changes may be reassigned to this pathway or other district schools.
A parent considering this school should understand that current state test results show consistent struggle in mathematics and notably stronger performance in science and literacy. The small class sizes and economically diverse enrollment reflect the school's location and mission, but the proficiency gaps, particularly in math, warrant a direct conversation with the school about intervention strategies, tutoring, and support systems already in place for students not meeting grade-level benchmarks. This is a school with clear academic work ahead and a defined thematic focus on STEM; it is a fit for families committed to that focus and who want to understand what specific supports the school offers to close proficiency gaps.
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