- Darien High School — Grades 9–12 · 1382 students
- Hindley Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 411 students
- Middlesex Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 1043 students
- Ox Ridge Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 625 students
- Royle Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 342 students
- Tokeneke Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 439 students
- Holmes Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 407 students
- Catherine M. McGee Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 595 students
- Darien High School — Grades 9–12 · 836 students
| Metric | Darien School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | — | 3,700 | Data not available |
| Number of Schools | 5 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $22,000/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Supervisory Union | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 10/10 — Excellent | — | Near average |
About Darien School District
Darien School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 06820 in Darien, Connecticut. Serving students from K–12, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 06820. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
Per-pupil spending at Darien School District runs approximately $22,000 annually, 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
Darien School District is a mid-sized district with 7 schools serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 4,700 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
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Darien School District 10 out of 10 — top-tier among Connecticut public school districts. 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. 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.
Darien School District 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 06820 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 06820
Children in zip code 06820 are assigned to Darien School District for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 06820, 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 Darien School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. 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 Darien
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Darien School District serves zip code 06820, homes in and around zip code 06820 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 Darien School District 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 06820.
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 Darien School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 06820 data.