SCHOOLS

 

Most cities and towns throughout southeastern Connecticut operate their own public schools, keeping the system responsive to local needs. Where you live usually determines where your children will attend school. Two school systems serve families living in government housing at Naval Submarine Base New London. Students residing in government quarters within base gates attend Ledyard Public Schools (www.ledyard.net). The majority of students in off-base government housing attend Groton Public Schools. With more than 5,000 students, Groton Public Schools has six elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school and a magnet school. For K-12 students in the district, average class sizes are normally 25 or fewer students. Information on the entire Groton Public Schools system is available at www.groton.k12.ct.us. The website includes information and forms necessary to register children into the district. The school district can also be contacted at 860-572-2100. Private and charter schools are also available in the area, including Pfizer Kids, Sacred Heart and the Stonington Institute.

The following documents are typically needed to enroll children in Connecticut public schools: proof of residency, a picture ID, the child’s birth certificate, the child’s previous school records, proof of a physical exam and the child’s immunization record.

Public school immunization requirements include:

DTaP

: At least four doses. The last dose must have been given on or after the fourth birthday.

Polio

: At least three doses. The last dose must have been given on or after the fourth birthday.

MMR

: Pre-K children must have one dose on or after their first birthday. Grades kindergarten through 12 must have two doses.

Hepatitis B

: Three doses, with the last dose on or after six months of age.

Hib

: One dose on or after the first birthday.

Varicella

: Two doses separated by at least three months, with the first dose on or after the first birthday, or verification of the disease.

The Connecticut State Board of Education is committed to ensuring that all of the state’s preschool-age children, including children with disabilities, are afforded an opportunity to participate in a high-quality preschool program. Such an experience fosters a child’s overall development, including literacy and readiness for the public school kindergarten curriculum.

Groton Public Schools’ high school graduation requirements call for four credits of English, four credits of mathematics, three credits of social studies, four credits of science, one credit of physical education, one credit of applied arts, half a credit of health and 7.5 elective credits. Other state high schools may require additional or fewer credits. In addition to advanced placement courses, many high schools also offer courses that provide college credit in such subjects as English, science, history, social sciences, world languages and the arts. In 2013, the Groton School District had a four-year graduation rate of 82.3 percent. Mean SAT scores in 2014 were 512 for critical reading, 501 for writing and 496 for math.

Groton public schools and the military community have strong ties. Partnerships and bonds have been developed for the benefit of the children that will continue to expand long into the future.

Higher education opportunities also abound in the area, ranging from two-year programs at Mitchell College (New London) and Three Rivers Community Technical College (Norwich) to the University of New Haven (West Haven and several off-site locations), the University of Connecticut (Storrs and five regional campuses) and Connecticut College (New London). Active-duty members are encouraged to visit the Navy College on base to learn more about college and tuition assistance programs available to military personnel.