East Hartford proposes 5–8 Innovation Academy to keep students in-district
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Summary
The superintendent proposed an East Hartford Innovation Academy for grades 5–8 that would enroll roughly 200–250 students beginning 2027–28, partner with a local university and industry, and aim to retain students who currently attend out-of-district STEM programs.
The East Hartford superintendent presented plans on Jan. 12 for an East Hartford Innovation Academy, an application-based grades 5–8 STEM program the district hopes to open in the 2027–28 school year to give students in-district access to robotics, engineering, coding and project-based learning.
The superintendent said the program would be built "in partnership with a local university" and with input from industry partners already working with the district, naming the Connecticut Science Center, RTX and Pratt & Whitney as existing collaborators. She said the district is exploring housing the academy in a wing of East Hartford Middle School to limit capital costs and to allow the program to start with fifth and sixth grades and add a grade each year.
"We're providing the specialized environment families want without a long commute, keeping our students and the funding here within the district," the superintendent said. District officials estimate the program would enroll about 200 to 250 students, prioritizing East Hartford residents; a small number of out-of-district students could be admitted if space allows. Enrollment would be application-based and consider academics, attendance and other factors rather than a simple lottery, the superintendent said.
Board members supported the concept and asked for further details on program design, admissions priorities and facility logistics. The superintendent said the district will hold focus groups and work with teachers and community partners while finalizing a formal proposal and a letter of intent to the prospective university partner.