Common Ground | Highschool Overview

GROWING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS

Common Ground is the nation’s first charter school focused on the urban environment, preparing students to become the next generation of environmental leaders. It is also a small college preparatory high school, helping students develop the skills and knowledge to succeed after graduation. We emphasize:

Environmental Understanding
College Preparation and Academic Challenge
Extended Learning and Leadership
Active, Authentic Learning

The results of this approach are real and dramatic:

In 2011, our students made their 4th straight year of dramatic test score gains -- building on the largest of any Connecticut high school in 2010, and pushing above the state average in reading, math, and writing.
For each of the past 4 years, more than 93% of our graduates have been accepted to college and post-secondary educational program. More than a third of our last graduating class is pursuing a field related to environmental science, food, sustainable agriculture, or animal science.
In the past four years, Common Ground and its teachers have been recognized with the National Green Prize in Public Education, the National Wildlife Federation Conservation Achievement Award, the ING Unsung Hero Award, and other honors.

Because Common Ground is a small school – with just 165 students – every student is known well. Our highly qualified teachers can challenge them individually and link them to the learning experiences they need.

Learning at Common Ground is rooted in the local community and environment. Our students and teachers use three sites as laboratories for learning:

The City of New Haven – its parks, people, and many educational resources.
West Rock Park – Connecticut's largest state park, where the school is located.
Common Ground's own campus – an environmental learning center and research farm at the city's edge.


	Overview GROWING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS Common Ground is the nation’s first charter school focused on the urban environment, preparing students to become the next generation of environmental leaders. It is also a small college preparatory high school, helping students develop the skills and knowledge to succeed after graduation. We emphasize: Environmental Understanding College Preparation and Academic Challenge Extended Learning and Leadership Active, Authentic Learning The results of this approach are real and dramatic: In 2011, our students made their 4th straight year of dramatic test score gains -- building on the largest of any Connecticut high school in 2010, and pushing above the state average in reading, math, and writing. For each of the past 4 years, more than 93% of our graduates have been accepted to college and post-secondary educational program. More than a third of our last graduating class is pursuing a field related to environmental science, food, sustainable agriculture, or animal science. In the past four years, Common Ground and its teachers have been recognized with the National Green Prize in Public Education, the National Wildlife Federation Conservation Achievement Award, the ING Unsung Hero Award, and other honors. Because Common Ground is a small school – with just 165 students – every student is known well. Our highly qualified teachers can challenge them individually and link them to the learning experiences they need. Learning at Common Ground is rooted in the local community and environment. Our students and teachers use three sites as laboratories for learning: The City of New Haven – its parks, people, and many educational resources. West Rock Park – Connecticut's largest state park, where the school is located. Common Ground's own campus – an environmental learning center and research farm at the city's edge.