Westport Day School

Since 1957, Connecticut Friends School has run a play-based preschool under the care of Wilton Friends Meeting (Quakers). We sit on a five-acre wooded campus on New Canaan Road (Route 106) in Wilton, and outdoor play is a priority every day on a playground with sensory tables, building blocks, a sandbox, swings and a wooden climbing playscape. Children are grouped by age: Willows for two-year-olds, Spruces for threes, Oaks for fours and Maples for fives, plus a summer camp for ages 3 to 5. In the Friends tradition, our curriculum emphasizes social-emotional skills, community building, peaceful conflict resolution and problem-solving. Language, early math and critical thinking grow through dramatic play, manipulatives, open art, sensory work, reading, music and time in nature, and teachers shape projects around each group of children. Regular enrichment classes include music and movement, mindfulness with certified leaders, and story time with the Wilton Library children's librarian, along with visits from firefighters, artists and African drummers. Parents are welcome to volunteer in classrooms and join schoolwide events. We welcome families of every race, family structure, background and faith.

ACES Educational Center for the Arts, at 55 Audubon Street in New Haven's Audubon Arts District, is a public, half-time magnet high school run by Area Cooperative Educational Services. We serve students from the 25 school districts in south central Connecticut and beyond. Our students study music, dance, theatre, creative writing, or visual arts alongside practicing artists, and our arts program includes multicultural and global citizenship education.

Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) is dedicated to enhancing and transforming the lives of students with special needs through innovative educational and therapeutic programs. Serving a diverse population, ACES focuses on providing tailored support for children with various disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, language-based learning disabilities, and emotional challenges. Key offerings at ACES include specialized educational programs such as the Center for Autism Spectrum and Developmental Disorders, which utilizes evidence-based practices like Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI). Additional services encompass speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and social skills groups designed to foster communication and interpersonal skills. The educational framework is enriched by the integration of technology and individualized learning plans that cater to each student's unique needs. What sets ACES apart is its commitment to maintaining low student-teacher ratios, ensuring personalized attention and support for every child. The campus environment is designed to be inclusive and nurturing, promoting a sense of community and belonging. ACES also offers vocational training programs and summer enrichment activities, providing students with opportunities for real-world learning and community integration, which are essential for their growth and development.