New Canaan Public Schools operates 6 schools (grades PK–12). Individual school names, addresses, and attendance zone boundaries are available directly from the district.
| Metric | New Canaan Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 4,200 | 3,700 | ≈ Near average |
| Number of Schools | 6 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $22,000/yr | $13,700/yr | ↑ 61% above avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 10/10 — Excellent | — | Top 10% in CT |
- East School — Grades K–4 · 554 students
- West School — Grades PK–4 · 481 students
- South School — Grades K–4 · 477 students
- Saxe Middle School — Grades 5–8 · 1,271 students
- New Canaan High School — Grades 9–12 · 1,257 students
About New Canaan Public Schools
New Canaan Public Schools is the public school district assigned to zip code 06840 in New Canaan, Connecticut. Serving students from Pre-K – 12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 06840. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
New Canaan Public Schools reports per-pupil expenditure of approximately $22,000 per year, placing it near the Connecticut state average of approximately $22,000 and well above the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Districts at this funding level typically offer smaller class sizes, broader elective and extracurricular programs, stronger technology infrastructure, and more competitive teacher salaries. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
With 6 schools, New Canaan Public Schools operates as a mid-sized district serving students from Pre-K – 12th. The district enrolls approximately 4,200 students in total. Mid-sized districts strike a balance between community-scale relationships and sufficient program breadth. Most offer core academic tracks, basic extracurricular programs, and adequate student support services.
Understanding the 10/10 Rating
New Canaan Public Schools has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 10/10, placing it in the top-tier tier. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2017–18 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Connecticut is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
New Canaan Public Schools ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in Connecticut on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 06840 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 06840
Children in zip code 06840 are assigned to New Canaan Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 06840, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact New Canaan Public Schools at (203)594-4000 or visit www.newcanaan.k12.ct.us. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Connecticut districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in New Canaan
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because New Canaan Public Schools serves zip code 06840, homes in and around zip code 06840 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Connecticut, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support New Canaan Public Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 06840.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with New Canaan Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 06840 data.