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11/28/2014 11:00 PMConnecticut Experiential Learning Center (CELC) of Branford provides a middle school education for students in grades 5 – 8 (ages 10 - 14) blending strong academics with hands-on and field experiences. This middle school offers a rich educational setting that allows young adolescents to thrive.
CELC was founded in the spring of 2009 by educators Melinda Alcosser and Maria Mortali to serve families and students who want small classes, a structured and challenging curriculum combined with many hands-on and real-life experiences, all within a safe and nurturing learning community. Through years of teaching in a small middle school setting, these educators witnessed just how powerful this model of school can be.
CELC provides full time instruction in a complete range of subject areas, including hands-on science, writing, grammar, history, literature, math, Spanish, culinary arts, outdoor education, music, and field studies. In addition to the core curriculum, CELC also offers a variety of workshops and special events for homeschoolers in the area.
Small Classes, Safe Environment
Middle school is a time of life when students contend with social pressures, bullying, low self-esteem, raging hormones. Overall negativity sets in. When given opportunity, students can remain happy thriving people through these years.
Developing Trust and Social Skills
In a small environment, students develop real relationships with their teachers and peers. There is no hiding, and the issues that come up are processed and worked through in real time. Social skills are built on an ongoing basis. We work carefully and directly with students and use social interactions as the learning experiences that they are.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
While CELC does not remove the biological time clock of hormonal activity and all that it brings, the negativity during a time of such dramatic growth and change can be lessened. The formula: small class sizes, personalized curriculum, cutting-edge teaching, social skill building, adventures, fun, laughter. This helps create a passion for lifelong learning.
The educational systems in this country are in question. Trends towards alternative forms, such as charter schools are increasing, with homeschooling also on the rise. So often, with typical larger classes, students are moved through material at a pace that may or may not address individual needs, and may or may not actually be learned.
From cooking class (Why Cook?) to outdoor education, a typical day or week in the life of CELC includes a wide variety of experiences, both in and outside the classroom. Students enter their young adulthood as capable and confident learners and citizens. This rich learning environment combines rigorous academics with hands-on, real-world experiences to develop capable and self-reliant students who are prepared for high school and today’s ever-changing world.
The intention of the Connecticut Experiential Learning Center is to challenge students and nurture their highest potential. By providing a learning community based on the guiding principles of respect, integrity, responsibility and individual learning, the innate desire of all children to learn, grow, communicate, and create is honored.
For more information, contact:
Connecticut Experiential Learning Center (CELC)
28 School Street, Branford, CT 06405
203.433.4658 mandm@CTExperiential.org
http://CTExperiential.org