Dear Parents, Welcome to the New Year! - Guilford Public Schools

PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE IN CONNECTICUT
Over the last ten years, the state of Connecticut has expanded the range of public schools available to parents and students.
Your options now include charter schools, magnet schools, schools in neighboring districts (the OPEN CHOICE program), vocational
agriculture centers, and vocational technical high schools. Information on all of these choices is available in the booklet,
“Public School Choice in Connecticut, A Guide for Students and their Families”. The booklet is available on the web at
www.state.ct.us/sde or you may request a copy from:
State Department of Education
Division of School Improvement
Box 2219
Hartford, Connecticut 06145
Alternative / Choice High Schools
(Contact the schools you are interested in directly)
MAGNET SCHOOLS
Student enrollment consists of 65% New Haven students and 35% suburban students
Magnet schools lottery deadline is February 25, 2005
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School – New Haven (203) 946­5923
With an enrollment of 400 students, this full­time high school offers art­focused courses in theater, dance, music, visual arts
and creative writing along with the regular high school academic subjects. No auditions are necessary, just an interest in Arts
and Humanities.
High School in the Community – New Haven (203) 946­7022
With an enrollment of 350 students, this high school serves students by using a nontraditional approach to education. The
focus of the day is a three­ hour “block” class, which meets five days a week for one nine­week quarter and is team taught and
interdisciplinary. Students are encouraged to develop problem­solving skills, participate actively in classes and learn individual
responsibility.
Hill Regional Career High School – New Haven (203) 946­5845
With an enrollment of 715 students, this high school provides a rigorous academic preparation and career exploration program
to prepare the students for entry into the fields of business/computers and allied health/science. Working relationship with
Yale University and Yale New Haven Hospital.
Hyde Leadership High School – Hamden (203) 946­8121
With an enrollment of 200 students, this high school is significantly different than the traditional high schools. Families are
enrolled rather than the students. It emphasizes the ”Character First” philosophy that all students are capable of excellence and
character growth. In addition to the college preparatory curriculum, each student participates in their five­part curriculum: all students
are to participate in a competitive athletic program, a performing arts curriculum, community service and leadership training.
Their acceptance criteria consist of: an application with a written essay, a personal interview including the parents and a
mandatory new parent, freshman and new student orientation prior to the start of the school year.
Metropolitan Business High School ­ New Haven (203) 946­6731
With an enrollment of 143 students, this high school provides opportunities for integrating academic and occupation related
instruction in the area of entrepreneurial arts and sciences with courses such as finance, investment, research and development,
quality control, sales and returns of investments. The goal is to prepare the students to manage and own business enterprises.
New Haven Academy – New Haven (203) 946­8995
With an enrollment of 195 racially, ethnically and economically diverse student body, this high school provides a rigorous education
to prepare the students to succeed in college. Now in its second year, this works well for students looking for a diverse
learning environment.
Charter Schools
Common Ground High School ­ New Haven (203)389­4333
With an enrollment of 135 students, this school offers a team­taught, interdisciplinary curriculum; uses a farm and forest sites
to promote active performance based learning. The school is shaped by an ecological framework; that all living and non­living
things are connected and interdependent.