- Enrollment
- 469
- Students per teacher
- 12.3:1
- Resource Index
- 22/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Waterford, CT
The Friendship School
Federal NCES profile for The Friendship School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 49/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 090345001430
👥 S:T ratio 46
🌟 Gifted program 30
📋 Attendance 72
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
The Friendship School earns 49/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 81% of Connecticut schools.
- #5 of 5
- public schools in Waterford · Resource Index
- 49
- Resource Index · Higher
- 13.5:1
- large classes for Connecticut
- 48.6%
- free-lunch eligible
The Friendship School has class sizes larger than 81% of Connecticut schools. Computed live against every Connecticut school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, The Friendship School ranks #5 of 5 public schools in Waterford, CT.
School address
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-25 students YoY
The Friendship School shrank from 484 students in 2022-23 to 459 in 2023-24 (-5.2%).
Teacher FTE lost 34.0 → 29.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Shrinking CCD campus
-25 students YoY 090345001430 · Waterford, CT Other · SMALL · TRAD
460 enr · 13.5:1 · 48.6% lunch · RII 49
Nearest enrollment peer: Regional Multicultural Magnet School (469 students)
The Friendship School shrank from 484 students in 2022-23 to 459 in 2023-24 (-5.2%). Teacher FTE lost 34.0 → 29.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Connecticut schools → · Find another →
The Friendship School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Regional Multi
Regional Multicultural Magnet School
469 students
- This school
The Friendship School
460 students
- Marine Science
Marine Science Magnet High School
274 students
- Three Rivers M 92
Three Rivers Middle College Magnet School
92 students
What this shows The Friendship School reports 460 students on the CCD universe file.
How The Friendship School compares
The Friendship School is a shrinking campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Connecticut and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Connecticut | Connecticut avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 13.5:1 | ▲ 12% | 12.1:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 48.6% | ▲ 34% | 36.4% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 460 | top 40% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
13.5:1
Leaner classes than 62% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
460
Bigger than 56% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
48.6%
free-lunch eligible
- 34% above the Connecticut average of 36.4%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
13.5:1
students per teacher
- 12% above state mean
Top 81% in Connecticut - lower ratio than 19% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
11.3%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 10-15% range, above the pre-pandemic national baseline but within the broader post-pandemic picture.
Support staff
Counselors0.0 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 0 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
Hispanic or Latino 42.4%
White 30.0%
Two or More 14.1%
African American 10.9%
Asian 2.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 42.4% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 69.8/100
Simpson diversity index - at 69.8, The Friendship School is more mixed than the Connecticut school average of 50.5.
Programs
How The Friendship School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regional Multicultural Magnet School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Marine Science Magnet High School | Smaller | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Three Rivers Middle College Magnet School | Smaller | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to The Friendship School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 274
- Students per teacher
- 11:1
- Resource Index
- 52/100
- Enrollment
- 92
- Students per teacher
- 18.4:1
- Resource Index
- 53/100
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~460 students)
Frequently asked questions about The Friendship School
How many students attend The Friendship School?
The Friendship School has 460 students enrolled. It is a public school in Waterford, CT. CCD year-over-year: 484 (2022-23) → 459 (2023-24), down 25.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The Friendship School?
The student-teacher ratio at The Friendship School is 13.5:1, which is 12% higher than the Connecticut average of 12.1:1 and 14% lower than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at The Friendship School?
48.6% of students at The Friendship School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Connecticut average of 36.4%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of The Friendship School?
The largest demographic group at The Friendship School is Hispanic or Latino at 42.4% of enrollment, in Waterford, CT. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 69.8/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for The Friendship School?
The Friendship School has a Resource Investment Index of 49/100 (higher reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does The Friendship School rank among public schools in Waterford?
By Resource Investment Index, The Friendship School ranks #5 of 5 public schools in Waterford, CT. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all public schools in Waterford on the city page.
What other schools are in Learn?
Besides The Friendship School, Learn also operates Regional Multicultural Magnet School (469 students), Marine Science Magnet High School (274 students), and Three Rivers Middle College Magnet School (92 students). See the Learn district page for the complete list.