NOTE: Written for special education section
By Brenda Maguire
Correspondent
Goodwin College opened the Connecticut River Academy, located on its campus in East Hartford, for students in grades nine through 12 to have a chance to earn early college credit.
“Our students are wonderful and grateful for the opportunities that the Connecticut River Academy is able to provide for them.
They are lucky enough to be supported by an extremely talented faculty who love their work,” Principal Linda Dadona said in a release.
The Academy focuses on environmental science, mainly: river studies, land, water and air quality, human ecology and renewable energy.
“Walking through our buildings you see engaged students learning about the environment and preparing themselves for college,” said Dadona. “I am amazed at what has been accomplished in such a short time.”
The school opened its doors to ninth and tenth graders in 2010 and now has 260 students comprised of ninth, 10th and 11th grade. Next year it will hold all four high school grades.
“The hope is to eventually have 120 students per class,” said Matt Engelhardt, communications coordinator at Goodwin College.
Students do not have to pay any admission fee to go to the Academy and can be apply to the school through the Regional School Choice Office in Hartford.
The goal of the Academy is to prepare 100 percent of its students to attend college.
The school also has a mentorship program that pairs an Academy student with a student at Goodwin.
For more information about open houses and how to enroll visit http://www.goodwin.edu/ctra.
Brenda Pantano 