MILFORD, Conn. – The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) has identified seven Milford Public Schools (MPS) as Schools of Distinction for the 2024–25 school year, recognizing their exceptional performance and growth under the state’s Next Generation Accountability System.
Milford’s Schools of Distinction are:
Calf Pen Meadow Elementary School
High Growth (All Students) in Math and High Growth (High Needs Students) in Math
John F. Kennedy Elementary School
High Performance and High Growth (All Students) in English Language Arts (ELA) & Math, and High Growth (High Needs Students) in ELA & Math
Live Oaks Elementary School
High Growth (All Students) in Math and High Growth (High Needs Students) in Math
Mathewson Elementary School
High Growth (High Needs Students) in ELA & Math
Meadowside Elementary School
High Growth (All Students) - ELA & Math, and High Growth (High Needs Students) in Math
Orchard Hills Elementary School
Orchard Hills is in the top 10% of all schools in the state, earning a Level 1 Distinction with an accountability score of 89.6%
High Performance and High Growth (All Students) - ELA & Math and High Growth (High Needs Students) in ELA & Math
Pumpkin Delight Elementary School
High Growth (All Students) - Math and High Growth (High Needs Students) in ELA & Math
To be named a School of Distinction, a school must demonstrate overall high performance (schools in the top 10% of the state’s Accountability Index scores) and/or high academic growth (schools in the top 10% for academic growth) in a given year. The accountability system measures schools and districts using a broad set of 12 indicators that look beyond test scores and graduation rates. Overall, Milford Public Schools received 78.5% of its total possible points, reflecting strong results across multiple measures of success.
On Thursday, October 30, Superintendent Dr. Anna M. Cutaia joined Commissioner for CSDE Charlene Russell-Tucker and other state education leaders at a press conference highlighting school districts across Connecticut recognized for significant academic achievement and growth.
During her remarks, Dr. Cutaia spoke about MPS’s ongoing commitment to expanding college and career readiness opportunities for students through its Dual Enrollment program. In the 2024–25 school year, 429 MPS students participated in Dual Enrollment courses, earning college credits while in high school, realizing substantial cost savings, and achieving higher rates of degree and certificate completion after graduation.
“The recognition of the committed work of our staff can be seen in many ways, including the results we see on the state’s Next Generation Accountability System. This represents a shared belief in all students and their individual path to success,” said Dr. Cutaia. “It celebrates the extraordinary efforts of our educators and the shared commitment of our community to providing high-quality instruction that helps every student achieve their goals.”
Milford Board of Education Chair Susan Glennon added, “Through its work with the administration, the Board of Education has prioritized investments in coherent high-quality instruction, teacher support, and student resources that have contributed to these outstanding results. This achievement demonstrates the strength of our vision and the dedication of our school communities working together to advance student outcomes.
We are so proud of students and staff for their hard work and continued focus on doing their best that have led to these accolades. We congratulate all involved in this remarkable accomplishment and look forward to our continued partnerships."
The Next Generation Accountability System is a broad set of 12 indicators that measure how well schools are preparing students for success in college, careers, and life. These indicators include academic achievement, growth, chronic absenteeism, college and career readiness, high school graduation, postsecondary entrance, physical fitness, and the arts. Each school earns points based on performance against state targets, with additional weight given to student group performance.
Milford Public Schools’ strong results across these measures represent the collective efforts of all Pre-K-12 students and staff, the Board of Education, and community partners.
