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STUDENT LEADERS …take on powerful roles in and out of school
Despite its small size, Common Ground offers "big school" opportunities for learning and leadership. On site, we offer over two dozen different after-school clubs and programs. In addition, we actively connect our students with many programs outside of school – resulting in an impressive list of student accomplishments and experiences. View a list of on- and off-campus opportunities.
Our students give back through required community service. Each student must complete 15 hours of service before moving to the next grade level – though many go far beyond this minimum. We help students find community organizations that match their interests, and organize many service opportunities on site. For instance:
They take on additional challenge through academic enrichment, homework center, and other course-related after-school programs. With funding from a 21st Century Learning Community grant and a Connecticut After-School Program Grant, Common Ground is able to offer a huge range of after-school academic enrichment and recreational activities. They experience real learning, work, and leadership through our Green Jobs Corps. This year, over 25 Corps members will take part in a year-long leadership and career development program. They will take on 2-3 different paid jobs on and off of Common Ground's site -- running environmental education programs, planting trees, helping to manage farmer's markets, leading farm tours, and maintaining Common Ground's site. They will also take part in a series of workshops and field trips that build their leadership skills and connect them to long-term career opportunities.
Students find their own voice through African Dance, the Sound Lab, Art Club, debate and student government. We encourage students to speak up, both during and after school. They win city-wide debate tournaments, art contests, poetry slams, and science fairs. They represent our school well, and we are proud of them.
They accept adult responsibilities through internships, senior projects, and class projects with real audiences. Every student must complete a significant senior project, combining research, hands-on experience, and a major presentation, before graduation. Beyond the senior project experience, many students take on significant projects within their academic courses. Common Ground students have shadowed professionals at nationally-known recording studios, created a Web site about New Haven’s neighborhoods, spoken to legislators in Hartford, taught elementary students how to read, monitored airborne particulates, and developed a Web site about New Haven history.
Peers help their fellow students to solve their own problems through peer mediation and peer mentor programs.
Common Ground students participate in numerous city-wide youth leadership organizations. They lead environmental education activities at Solar Youth, create documentaries through Youth Rights Media, give grants through a Youth Philanthropy Board, organize city-wide youth summits, and participate in sports teams at other high schools.
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