The top reported proficiency rate is 64% in Math. The lowest is 55% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Daisy Ingraham School
Daisy Ingraham is a small elementary school serving early grades through fourth grade in Westbrook, a quiet residential shoreline town. The school sits on Goodspeed Drive near the Town Green and the public library, placing it within walking distance of civic anchors rather than on the edge of town. Enrollment is under three hundred students, with substantial representation from white families and also a meaningful Hispanic population; roughly a third of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating economic diversity within the school community.
The school's academic results show mixed strength. In math, students across grades three through five cluster around two-thirds proficiency, with fourth grade at the top of that range. Science performance at fifth grade sits at about the same level. English language arts tells a different story. Third-grade proficiency falls below half, and while fourth grade improves to roughly three-fifths, the district's overall proficiency rate across tested subjects remains below the midpoint compared to other districts in the Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region. When students reach tested grades, literacy is a softer area than numeracy or science.
The school sits within a district undergoing significant curriculum changes. Connecticut's Right to Read law required all districts to adopt a state-approved science-of-reading program for K-3, and Westbrook implemented Amplify CKLA with final revisions completed late 2024. This reading framework is now in place for Daisy Ingraham's youngest learners. The district has also rolled out a comprehensive social-emotional learning program using Second Step at the elementary level, beginning in 2023-2024. These changes reshape how literacy and student wellness are taught daily but are still in early implementation.
The housing market around Westbrook reflects a coastal Connecticut premium. Home values run substantially above the state median, and monthly rents are moderate relative to that value, though monthly mortgage costs run roughly twice the rent for a comparable home. This signals a market where families either own or rent from investors; it is not a town of new affordability. The town adopted an affordable housing plan in 2022 and is working on Town Center revitalization, including sidewalk and lighting projects to strengthen the downtown. Long-term, regional infrastructure changes, storm-resilience planning, and bridge rehabilitation are underway.
A parent weighing Daisy Ingraham should expect a small, well-integrated school in a cohesive town setting, with curriculum grounded in evidence-based early reading instruction and social-emotional development. Literacy outcomes in third and fourth grade are an area to discuss directly with the school, particularly if your child may need reading support. The neighborhood is established and stable, with a local-school feel rather than choice or competition in school selection. Housing costs are firm.
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