Hartford, CT- Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), John Larson (CT-1), and Joe Courtney (CT-2) announced $9,384,131 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education under the Magnet Schools Assistance Program to support magnet schools in the New Haven, Hartford, and Old Lyme area.

“This major, competitive federal funding will support magnet schools in the New Haven, Hartford, and Old Lyme area, expanding educational opportunities for many students across the state,”said Blumenthal, Murphy, DeLauro, Larson, and Courtney. “A well-rounded, enriching educational experience goes a long way in preparing our children for the jobs of the future. Whether it’s STEM, the performing arts, or public policy, our magnet schools in Connecticut offer exciting and engaging curriculum for students. We’re proud to help advocate for Connecticut magnet schools so they can continue to enlighten and educate students for years to come.”

Funding from these grants is anticipated for the next five years.  The breakdown for Fiscal Year 2017 is below.

  • City of New Haven Public School System, New Haven: $2,997,763.00
  • LEARN, Old Lyme: $3,297,073.00
  • Capitol Region Education Council, Hartford: $3,089,295.00

In New Haven, the funding will serve the Community Interdistrict Magnet School, King/Robinson Interdistrict Magnet, Edgewood Creative Thinking through STEAM Magnet School, the East Rock Community and Cultural Studies Magnet School, and the Davis Academy for Arts and Design Innovation Interdistrict Magnet School. The grant will support curriculum in STEM, arts and design innovation, public policy, and cultural diversity.

"New Haven Public Schools is excited to be the recipient of the Magnet Schools Assistance Program grant for the ninth cycle in a row.  It is a clear indication that the work we began over 20 years ago to bring high quality, multi disciplinary educational opportunities to our students, in an integrated school setting continues to be valued.  I'm looking forward to the new innovations this latest grant will allow us to explore and to seeing our students success,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Reginald Mayo.

In Old Lyme, the funding will serve the Regional Multicultural Magnet School, Cutler Arts & Humanities Magnet Middle School, West Side STEM Magnet Middle School, Teachers’ Memorial Global Studies Magnet Middle School, Kelly STEAM Magnet Middle School, and Connecticut River Academy. The grant will support curriculum in arts and international baccalaureate, STEM, STEAM global studies, environmental science, and advanced manufacturing.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with the US Department of Education on this important effort to reduce racial isolation and foster high quality magnet programming in our local schools,” said Dr. Eileen Howley, LEARN’s Executive Director. “We know that the true beneficiaries of this effort are our region’s children and families.  The federal grant recognizes the significant need of communities like Groton, Norwich, and East Hartford, where major contradictions between wealth and poverty are most prevalent and the achievement gap is so pronounced,” said Dr. Eileen S. Howley, Executive Director of LEARN.

In Hartford, the funding will serve the CREC Academy of Science and Innovation, CREC Public Safety Academy, Metropolitan Learning Center for Global and International Studies, and the Enfield Public Schools Preschool STEAM Academy. The grant will support curriculum in STEM, STEAM, public service and leadership, international baccalaureate and global leadership.

“CREC is excited for this opportunity, and we look forward to collaborating with Enfield Public Schools to strengthen choice options available to families in the Hartford region. With these funds, we will expand access to high quality, integrated educational opportunities and enhance themes at Enfield Prekindergarten STEAM Academy, CREC Academy of Science and Innovation, CREC Public Safety Academy, and CREC Metropolitan Learning Center,” said Dr. Greg Florio, Executive Director, CREC.

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