The top reported proficiency rate is 50% in Science. The lowest is 40% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Sarah Noble Intermediate School
Sarah Noble Intermediate School serves third through fifth grade in New Milford, a town in western Connecticut that has grown into a regional business hub while retaining a rural character. The school enrolls students from a community with a mix of established neighborhoods, rural areas, and lakefront zones, anchored by a compact historic downtown but with most daily life dispersed across a large land area.
The school's test results show modest proficiency levels across subjects. In mathematics, proficiency ranges from the mid-to-upper range in third grade but declines notably in fourth and fifth grade. English language arts shows a similar pattern, with stronger performance in fourth and fifth grades than in mathematics at those levels, though proficiency remains below the threshold most families would consider strong. Science proficiency, measured only in fifth grade, is roughly at parity with ELA at that level. When averaged across all tested subjects and grades, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in Western Connecticut Planning Region, a positioning parents may want to explore further with the school, particularly in terms of what the district is doing to support foundational skills in the upper elementary grades.
The school's enrollment reflects the diversity of the town itself. About two-thirds of students are white, while Hispanic students make up a quarter of enrollment, with smaller shares of Asian and Black students. Roughly a third of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a mixed-income student population with some degree of economic need. Special education and English learner enrollment data were not available.
Enrollment across the three grades is relatively balanced and stable. The school population is substantial enough to support typical elementary school programs and peer interaction, without the size constraints of a very small school.
A significant backdrop for the school and the broader district is a budget crisis that unfolded in spring 2025. The town's Board of Finance made an unexpected and large cut to the school budget, triggering non-renewal notices for a substantial number of non-tenured teachers and threatening reductions in class sizes, special education, and electives including music and art. Following strong community opposition, voters rejected the reduced budget and approved a restored education budget on a second referendum in June 2025, averting the teacher layoffs. This episode, while ultimately resolved, signals both fiscal pressures in the district and a community that values schools enough to fight for them. It also resulted in a property tax increase for homeowners, a consideration for families relocating to the area.
The school sits on Sunny Valley Road, separate from the town's civic center but within a reasonable distance. It is part of a district of several schools, with elementary, middle, and high school options housed on distinct campuses. Public transit is available through the local regional transit system.
The housing market in the 06776 zip code, where the school is located, includes median home values modestly above the state average and showing modest year-over-year appreciation. Mortgage costs are at the upper end of typical affordability ranges for the region, a reflection of Connecticut's housing costs. The community's economic base is stable, anchored by manufacturers like Kimberly-Clark, healthcare (New Milford Hospital), retail, and education employment.
Parent and resident interest in this school would depend on whether the modest test results align with their expectations, whether they value the stability the community has demonstrated in defending school funding, and whether the location and town character fit their family's needs. The school appears to serve a diverse group of students in a town with both established roots and active discussion about its future.
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