Kindergartens:
Private Schools and local Magnet Schools
Public Schools
Parochial Schools
After School programs
First Grades
CT Mastery Test Results
Choosing a school for your child
We
gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the parents
and staff of Calvin Hill Day Care Center in providing
the basis for the information provided in this section.
Listed below (in alphabetical order) are a few of the kindergarten
and 1st grade programs in the local area. This is not an
exhaustive list and parents are encouraged to investigate
other options of interest to them. It is strongly advised
that you visit any program in which you are interested and
observe the classes in action. Many programs have a limited
number of openings, so prompt inquiries and applications
are advisable. In most cases, applications are accepted
from late fall through mid-winter for entry the following
September.
Kindergartens:
full-time programs (more than 6 hours).
Cold Spring School, 263 Chapel Street, New Haven 203-787-1584
Fax: 203-787-9444
Age: 5 by December 31st.
Hours: Long day - 8:00 to 5:30 (50% of
students). Short day - 8:00 to 3:00. 10 month program.
Tuition: Call for tuition. Financial aid
available.
Philosophy: “Developmental interaction
approach” developed by Bank Street College. Emphasizes
children’s’ inquiry and problem solving; Development
of social awareness and sense of community.
Features: Two full-time teachers in each
group. Multi-age groups whenever Applicable. Parent participation
and involvement encouraged. Spanish, gym, music, computers,
and art taught from kindergarten. Bussing available for
New Haven children living more than 1 mile from school.
Vacation childcare during school year.
Apply by: Priorities given applications
received by February 15th; as space available thereafter.
Visits: Encouraged. Call for Tour schedule.
The Foote School, 50 Loomis Place, New Haven. 203-777-3464
Age: 5 by October 1 st.
Hours: 8:15 - 3:00 (12:30 on Friday for
lower school).
Tuition: Call for tuition information.
Financial assistance available - needs based.
Philosophy: Informal structure, child-centered
program with individual and cooperative problem solving,
multi-cultural curriculum, strong arts and music program.
Affirmative action: 23% minority students.
Features: 3 K classes: 15-17 children (1
teacher & 1 associate teacher/class).
Bussing for New Haven families at no charge. Available for
Woodbridge and shoreline on fee for service basis.
After school program: 3 - 5:30 (12:30 -
5:30 on Friday). Call for fees.
Apply by: February 1st. Notification March
10th.
Wednesday AM tours - 8:45-10:30, October - January for prospective
parents; call for appointment. Visits encouraged prior to
application.
Hamden
Hall Country Day School, 1108 Whitney Avenue, Hamden,
203-865-6158
Age: Pre-K - G 12. Hours: 8:15
- 3:00.
Tuition: Call for tuition information.
Financial aid for Pre-K through G 12.
Features: Assignment to Pre-K or kindergarten
based on school’s own developmental testing of 5-year-olds.
Pre-K: 4-5 years; Kindergarten: 5 to 6 years. 2 K classes:
14:1. # of K slots depends on # of children moving up from
Pre-K.
After-school program: 3:00-5:30; Call for
fees. Bussing for Cheshire, Fairfield, Hamden, Orange, Westville
and Woodbridge, Shoreline East.
Apply by: After September; evaluations
January - March. Decisions by March 10th if application
received by February 1.
Jepson
Magnet School, 375 Quinnipiac Avenue, New Haven, 203-946-6011
Age: 5 by December 31st. Hours:
9:15-3:15. Tuition: None, public school.
Philosophy: Focus on racial and cultural
integration. Goal to have equal number of white, black,
and Latino children.
Features: Non graded mixed aged classrooms:
K-1 and 2-3.
Apply: January 4th to February 19th. Applications
accepted from New Haven, Hamden, and region. Admission is
by lottery. Call school for tour, schedule and information.
Kitty
Lustman-Findling Kindergarten, 150 Highland Street,
New Haven 203-764-9350 Age: 5 or turning
5 during fall, or December.
Hours: 8:00 - 5:00 (5:15 by special arrangement).
10 month program - optional 7 week summer program.
Tuition: Call for tuition information.
Philosophy: Developmentally based curriculum.
Language-experience, approach to reading.
Features: Priority for Yale affiliated
families, always openings for others. Yale affiliation is
not necessary. Diverse community of families. Breakfast,
lunch, and snack provided. 18 to 22 children - 3 teachers.
Apply by: February. Decisions made by early
March.
Leila
Day Care Center, 100 Cold Spring
Street, New Haven. 203-624-1374 Fax: 203-624-9489
Age: 5 by December 31st.
Hours: 7:30 -5:30 10 month program; optional
8-week summer program.
Tuition: Call for tuition information.
Philosophy: Developmentally based curriculum.
Language-experience approach to reading.
Features: 1 K class: 18 children - 3 teachers.
Breakfast, lunch, and snack are; served with drinks.
Apply by: February (sooner if possible).
Decisions made by end of March.
Quinnipiac
Children’s Center, Kindergarten
Program, 785 Ridge Road, Hamden. 203-281-6602
Age: 5 by September (flexible).
Hours: 8:00 - 5:30 - September to June.
Camp in July and August.
Tuition: Call for tuition information.
Philosophy: Based on Discovery Learning;
goal is child’s engagement with real world. Focus
on environment. Designed to develop children as creative,
confident, and competent learners. Develop reading, writing
and math skills.
Features: K - maximum of 10 children to1
teacher.
After-school program: K - 4, 2:30-5:30.
Apply by: As soon as possible - rolling
admissions. Preference to current families; then first come,
first served. Visits: Anytime. Six-hour with/without optional
extra hours.
St.
Thomas’ Day School,
830 Whitney Avenue, New Haven. 203-776-2123
“Junior K” - G 6 (Junior K starts at age 4,
by September of year of admission).
Hours: Junior K: 8:15-12; K-6: 8:15-3:00.
Extended day Junior K: 12:00-5:30; K - 6: 3:00-5:30. Early
opening: 7:45-8:15. Tuition: Call for tuition
information. Financial aid - not always available the first
year.
Features: K class of 21 children to 3 teachers;
Grades 1-6 21 children to 2 teachers; bussing for New Haven
only.
After-school program: courses offered throughout
the school year for G 1-6 independent of extended day care
a learning experience, Spring and Fall special projects.
There is a Summer Program. Apply by: Fall
acceptances in early March. Visits arranged after payment
of application fee. NOTE: K spaces for children not previously
in Junior K are limited.
Vicarage School, Montessori
(Kindercare),
40 London Drive, Hamden. 203-288-2116
Age: 5 by December 31st (for Kindergarten).
Hours: Regular day: 9:00 - 3:00 optional
additional hours: 7 AM - 6 PM. Short day option: 8:30 -
12:30. 9 month year. Summer camp available.
Tuition: Call for tuition information.
Philosophy: Montessori curriculum and equipment. Phonetic
approach to reading.
Features: Group of 4 to 6 year olds - up
to 40 children: 4 teachers.
Before and after-school program available
(up to 6 PM) - for children up to age 12. Local school transportation
available. Apply by: Rolling admissions.
West
Hills Follow Through Program, 311 Valley Street, New
Haven, 203-946-8613
Age: 5 by December 31st. Hours:
8:00-9:15 - morning program, 9:15-3:15.
Tuition: None - public school.
Philosophy: Bank Street College of Education
sponsors program and provides consultation. Experience based
approach; some
readers used. Parental involvement is key- Focus on racial
and cultural integration.
Features: 3 K classes: 27 children, 1 teacher
and 1 assistant per class (often a student teacher). Parent
participation for 1-2 hours per day. Free bus transportation.
Apply by: New Haven residents only (by
lottery). Tours arranged after December 15th
Wightwood
School,
56 Stony Creek Road, Branford. 203-481-0363
Age: 5 by December 31st.
There is a Pre-K program for 3½ to 5 year olds.
Hours: 8:15 - 3:00.
Tuition: Call for tuition information.
Philosophy: Individualized approach to
learning, integrated day. Features: Student to teacher ratio
- 10:1.
After-school program: 3:00-5:30, 25 to
30 children to 2 teachers. Bussing for Branford residents.
Bus service available to New Haven residents at a cost.
Summer program - 3 two-week programs - call for details.
Apply by: Rolling admissions. After current
parents decide, other applicants considered (February-March)
Wintergreen Interdistrict Magnet School, 670 Wintergreen
Avenue, Hamden 203-281-9668
Age: 5 by December 31st.
Hours: 8:15-3:45
Tuition: None-public school.
Philosophy: Wintergreen is an Edison School
with Edison curriculum. They have an extensive reading program.
Spanish is included in the curriculum.
Features: 3 Kindergartens of 22 children
with 1 teacher and a tutor as needed. Apply by:
Applications are available the first part of January.
Admission is by lottery. Wintergreen is open to residents
in Hamden, New Haven, Wallingford and Woodbridge only.
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Public
Schools (call specific school for details):
- Hamden:
Age 5 by December 31st; ½ day K . 203-288-8473
- New
Haven: Age 5 by December 31st; hours vary by school.
203-946-8801
-
North
Haven: Age 5 by January 1st; hours vary by school.
203-239-2581
-
Woodbridge
(Beecher Road School): Age 5 by January 1st; 8:00 - 1:00
or 8:00 - 2:40 203-389-2195
- Note:
New
Haven has some full-day programs (till 2:30 or 3:00 pm)
including the following: Beecher, Brennan,Clinton Avenue,
Davis, East Rock, Edgewood, Grant, Hooker, Lincoln Bassett,
Welch Annex, West Hills, Wexler, and Woodward.
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For
a complete listing of independent schools log on to Connecticut
Association of Independent Schools.
To search
for public, regional, and magnet schools in Connecticut
log on to State
of Connecticut Department of Education.
For
information on New Haven Interdistrict Public Schools of
Choice log on to Interdistrict
Magnets.
For
a listing of Charter Schools log on to Connecticut
Charter School Network. or Connecticut
State Department of Education (PDF File)
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Parochial
Schools:
Ezra Academy,
Congregation
B’Nai Jacob, Rimmon Road, Woodbridge. 203-389-5500
Age: 5 by September 30th.
Hours: 8:00 - 3:10 Fridays during Day light
savings dismissal is at 2:30 no after-school program (JCC
bus is available).
Tuition: Call for tuition information.
Scholarships available.
Philosophy: informal approach to reading,
Hebrew in curriculum Individual attention. Child must be
Jewish.
Features: 2 K classes -14children to one
teacher; 3 teachers.
Bus service (at extra cost to parent) arranged - Bridgeport,
Fairfield, and Trumbull. Free afternoon bussing available
for Woodbridge residents.
Apply by: Applications are accepted throughout
the year. Appointments for individual families are encouraged.
New
Haven Hebrew Day School, 261 Derby Avenue, Orange.
203-795-5261
Age: 5 before January 1st.
Hours: 8:20 - 3:40.
Tuition: Call for brochure, tuition prices
not given over the phone. Scholarships available.
Philosophy: Emphasis on Hebrew studies
and religious customs. Features: Ratio
1:6 Apply by: April 10th; interview for
parents, children’s visits welcome.
Sacred Heart Nursery and Kindergarten, 261
Benham Street, New Haven. 203-230-4889
Age: Pre-K: 3 to 4 years K: 5 by December
31st.
Hours: 8:00-3:00 - full day; 8:00-11:30
- half day.
Tuition: Call for tuition information.
Openings: Many, as not associated with
specific parish.
Philosophy: Christian orientation, Catholic
and non-Catholic children enroll Reading by phonics, PE
and music.
Features: 15 children: 1 teacher and 1
aide; 3 year old program is 10:1. Bussing for Hamden only.
Apply by: Registration in January.
St. Aedan’s School,
351 McKinley Avenue, New Haven. 203-387-5693
Age: 5 by December 31st. Hours: 9:00 -
3:00.
Tuition: Call for tuition information.
Philosophy: Some religious affiliation
is expected. Phonetic approach to reading; writing to read
center; whole language approach; PE, art, music, computer,
Spanish.
Features: 30 children: 1 teacher and 1
morning aide. Bus transportation for New Haven residents.
Before-school program: 7:30 - 9:00; after-school
program: 3:00 - 5:30.
Apply by: Early February-early March. Decisions
pending screening and interviews. Open House January 31.
St.
Brendan’s, 342 Ellsworth Avenue, New Haven. 203-562-6128
Age: 5 by December 1st; Grades K-8.
Hours: 8:15 - 2:45 long day or 8:15-12:30
short day.
Tuition: Call for tuition information.
Openings: Approximately 50% non-parishioners.
Philosophy: Christian orientation, Catholic
and non-Catholic children enrolled. Combined approach to
reading; Montessori structures; PE, Art, and Music. Most
children continue in private schools.
Features: 27 children: 1 teacher and 1
aide. Received the Presidential Award in 1990 - National
Award of Excellence from the U.S. Department of Education.
After-school program: 2:45 to 5:15 long
day; 12:30 to 5:15 short day.
Apply by: Open house third week in January,
applications available then. Decisions in March.
St.
Rita’s Parochial School, 1601 Whitney
Avenue, Hamden. 203-248-3114.
Age: 5 by December 31st.
Hours: K - full day 8:30 - 2:45; Pre-K
3 year olds - 9:00 - 11:30 Tuesday and Thursday; Pre-K 4
year olds - 8:45-11:45 Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Tuition: Call for tuition information.
No scholarships.
Philosophy: Christian orientation, Catholic
and non-Catholic children enrolled. Reading by phonics,
library, PE, Art, Music, and Computer teachers.
Features: Two kindergartens, 25 children/class:
1 teacher. Bussing for Hamden residents. Before-school
program: 7:00-8:30. After-school program
until 5:30.
Apply by: January-February decisions by
March-April. Call for an appointment.
St.
Stephen’s School,
418 Ridge Road, Hamden. 203-288-6792
Age: 5 by December 31st.
Hours: 8:30-2:50.
Tuition: Call for tuition information.
Philosophy: Christian orientation, daily
prayers and religious instruction, PE, Art, Music and Spanish
Teachers and a Librarian.
Features: 30 children/class - 1 teacher
and 1 aide. Non-parishioners and non-Catholics welcome.
Children wear uniforms. Bussing for Hamden residents. After-school
program until 5:30. Private fenced play yard; Active PTA.
Apply by: January. By appointment, parents
meet with teachers at time of application and pay registration
fee. Birth certificate (and baptismal record if Catholic)
required at registration. Decisions by March.
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After
School Programs:
Many
six-hour and part-time kindergartens in both public and
private schools offer an extended day (i.e. 5:30 -6:00)
for extra tuition. Some neighborhood day-care centers and
family day-care homes offer after school services for previous
attendees or families living close by. In some cases transportation
is provided by the center or home. Costs and specific services
vary widely. Some of the larger programs offering this service
for kindergarten and grade school children are listed below.
Camp
S.E.A.L. : The Future is a ten-month after school
program that introduces a unique way of sharing educational
life experience with children that will last a lifetime.
Our major activities include: Tutoring, Computers, Games,
Arts & Crafts, Piano Lessons, and Trips. Located at
75 Whalley Avenue, New Haven. Phone 203-777-6287
Hamden-North
Haven Y, 1605 Sherman Avenue, Hamden. 203-248-6361
After-School Programs 203-248-6361
Hours: Kinderkids - 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM.
After-school 3:00 - 6:00 PM. Tuition:
call for information. Financial assistance available.
Features: Serves all Hamden public elementary
schools. After school sites at Ridge Hill, Spring Glen,
Alice Peck, Dunbar Hill, and Shepard Glen, Spring Glen,
all K-6. Vacation Fun Club opens when Hamden schools are
closed (i.e. snow days, ½ days, vacations, etc.).
Recreational and creative /activities, swimming (weekly
for all children). Transportation to and from schools
for kindergartners; after school program gets vans from
school to program, then pick-up required.
Jewish
Community Center (JCC) After-School Program
Age: K-6. Hours: K -
11:30 - 4:00 or 11:30 - 6:00 (a half-day kindergarten
program is also offered. Grades 1-6 - 3:00 - 6:00.
Tuition: Call for tuition information.
Children can attend from 1 to 5 days a week with fee set
accordingly.
Features: Swimming twice a week, gym,
arts and crafts, cooking, and homework.
JUNTA:
Junta for Progressive Action, 169 Grand Ave., New Haven,
CT 06513 Tel: 203.787.0191. JUNTA provides a free After
school Arts Program during the school semester for at-risk
New Haven children. Schedule: Monday to Friday from 2:45pm
to 5:45pm. To learn more about the Afterschool Program
or to be a volunteer teacher, please contact Ana DeSantiago,
Program Coordinator at (203) 787-0191
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First
Grades:
Some
of the above also have first-grade classes. Early observations
and applications are advised as some of these give first
choice to their own kindergartens or those on waiting list
from kindergarten year, leaving few places.
-
Cold
Spring School, 203-787-1584, 8:30-3:00, 8:30-5:30
-
Ezra Academy,
203-389-5500, 8:1O-3:05
-
Foote School,
203-777-3464, 8:15-3:00/12:30 on Friday-G 1-5 afterschool
until 5:30
-
Hamden
Hall, 203-865-6158, 8:15-3:00, G 1-3
-
New Haven Hebrew Day, 203-795-5261, 8:30-3:40
-
St.
Thomas’s Day School, 203-776-2123,
8:15-2:45, G 1-6; extended day until 5:30
-
West Hills Follow Through, 203-787-8613, 8:30-3:15
-
Wightwood,
203-481-0363
8:15-2:15; after school program
Public
School First Grades:
Generally,
hours are from 8:30 or 9:00 until 2:30 or 3:00 with after-school
arrangements through private programs as above. These arrangements
often include bus transportation from school to different
site. Pick up time no later than 5:30. Morning bus pickups
are available in all communities unless your child attends
a school other than the closest to your home. These arrangements
are made at the discretion of the principal where your child
is attending based on availability of spaces. Contact principals
in the spring to discuss. Decisions may not be made until
September.
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Connecticut
Mastery Test:
To view the results of the Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT)
and the Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT) log
onto Connecticut
State Department of Education. or Connecticut
Mastery Test.
Choosing
A School In Connecticut For Your Child:
Greatschools.net
is a non-profit organization that is an objective source
of elementary, middle and high school information for public,
private and charter schools. Access Choosing Schools, Track
School Performance and the Parent Resource Center to learn
about school performance and help your child succeed.
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