- Joel Barlow High School — Grades 9–12 · 698 students
- Catherine M. McGee Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 595 students
- Redding High School — Grades 9–12 · 836 students
| Metric | Regional School District 09 | 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 Regional School District 09
Regional School District 09 is the public school district assigned to zip code 06896 in Redding, Connecticut. Serving students from K–12, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 06896. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
According to NCES 2024–2025, Regional School District 09 spends approximately $22,000 per student 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
At 1 schools serving grades K–12, Regional School District 09 qualifies as a small, community-focused district serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 779 students in total. Small districts often benefit from tighter community cohesion, more personalized teacher-student relationships, and stronger parental involvement. The trade-off is narrower program variety: fewer elective courses, specialized tracks, or extracurricular options than larger systems offer.
Understanding the 10/10 Rating
With a rating of 10/10 (top-tier), Regional School District 09 ranks among Connecticut’s top-tier-rated school systems. 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.
Regional School District 09 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 06896 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 06896
Children in zip code 06896 are assigned to Regional School District 09 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 06896, 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 Regional School District 09 at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. 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 Redding
For families considering a purchase in the Redding area, district assignment matters financially. Because Regional School District 09 serves zip code 06896, homes in and around zip code 06896 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 Regional School District 09 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 06896.
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 Regional School District 09 before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 06896 data.