25-04-2025
Hamden schools participating in learning excursion
HAMDEN, Conn. (WTNH) — A group of students, parents and teachers from Hamden Public School District will head to Tucson, Ariz. next week for the Spring 2025 Innovative Schools Learning Excursion to Arizona.
Hamden will send a nine-member team to join nine other New England schools to learn and visit with Desert View High School and Sunnyside Unified School District.
The trip was organized by the national nonprofit organization Next Generation Learning Challenges (NGLC) with funding from the Boston-based Barr Foundation.
'We feel privileged to participate in this innovative learning experience and are eager to returnwith ideas that will enhance our vision at Hamden High School' Hamden High SchoolPrincipal Eric Jackson said in a press release. 'Observing how other schools cultivate student learning, design relevant educational pathways, and foster robust school cultures will invigorate our ongoing efforts to redefine what is achievable for every student in our community.'
The aim of the trip is to provide New England high schools with the chance to observe innovative learning practices, exchange ideas for enhancing the educational experience, and develop plans for implementation in their own schools and districts.
The teams from each schools district are comprised of students, parents, teachers,administrators, and school board members. Hamden is the only school district from Connecticut participating in the excursion after being selected through a competitive application process.
While in Tucson, the teams will explore the high school's college and career academies andexamine student agency and intentional teaching and assessment strategies.
Participants will observe classrooms, tour facilities, engage in student panels, attend teacher-led discussions, and participate in workshops that showcase the strengths of Desert View High School and Sunnyside Unified's approach.
'We fully intend to become a high school that creates winners and not one that simplychooses winners,' Superintendent of Hamden Public Schools Gary Highsmith said. 'This is an important step in our efforts to fundamentally improve the high school experience for all of our students.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
