Hartford Public Schools Selected to Manage Great Path Academy

Hartford Public Schools Extends Across CT River;
To Manage Great Path Academy in Manchester

(Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012) Manchester Community College has selected Hartford Public Schools to manage Great Path Academy, the college’s middle college high school.

The Hartford Board of Education authorized the Superintendent to negotiate the terms of the contract to manage Great Path Academy; the transition will take place on July 1, 2012. Hartford Public Schools will be responsible for personnel, curriculum, assessment, staff training, financial management, and other aspects of day-to-day operations.

Great Path Academy has a total enrollment of 247 students in grades 10-12, of which 29 percent are Hartford residents. The school also serves students from seven other towns in Greater Hartford: Bolton, Coventry, East Hartford, Glastonbury, Granby, Manchester and Tolland.

“Hartford’s selection to manage Great Path Academy is an exciting step forward for the school system,” said Superintendent Christina M. Kishimoto. “It represents a logical and appropriate direction based on our growth as a portfolio school district and our experience in implementing a range of school designs.”
Great Path Academy, a middle college high school established in 2002, is an inter-district magnet school. It offers students an educational experience that bridges the gap between high school and college by providing opportunities to enroll in college classes. The school is designed to provide an exceptional and innovative learning environment that helps students from diverse backgrounds develop the skills and knowledge needed for success in post-secondary education. Students at the school are admitted through the Regional School Choice lottery system.

“I believe the Hartford Public School system – with its record of successful nationally recognized magnet schools – will be a collaborative partner to help us achieve our goal of educational excellence and access for our students,” said Gena Glickman, President of Manchester Community College.

Hartford Public Schools currently operates three other schools in partnership with higher education institutions: the Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy, The University High School of Science and Engineering at the University of Hartford, and Capital Preparatory Magnet School in affiliation with Capital Community College.

Manchester Community College is proud of its academic excellence, new facilities, flexible schedules, small classes, low tuition and faculty with both academic and “real world” credentials. The college offers over 60 programs, transfer options, financial aid and scholarships, as well as access to baccalaureate degrees through guaranteed admissions programs with local universities.

Hartford Public Schools, meanwhile, has made good on its continuing efforts to close the achievement gap. Since 2006, student performance on standardized tests has risen by record levels, surpassing statewide gains for the past four consecutive years. Key to that success has been the overhaul of the district into a portfolio of high-performing specialty schools and small high school academies.

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