Jefferson Science Magnet School - Norwalk, CT

Jefferson Science Magnet School is one of 12 elementary schools located in Norwalk, CT. Jefferson services an average of 600 students per year and believes that all students can achieve at high levels. The school’s science theme is embedded in rich on and off-site experiences with several community partners throughout the city and state. These multifaceted experiences are brought to the classroom and utilized by staff in a variety of ways across all curricular areas. Grade level science objectives are met by these activities as well. Jefferson students often attend science labs where they combine their science excursions with grade level content; applying inquiry based learning and problem solving skills to deepen their understanding on a range of topics. Another powerful practice at Jefferson Science Magnet School is a targeted flexible regrouping program called "Double Dose". All students K-5 are organized into small homogeneous groups for focused language arts instruction. These groups are established with analyzed data from teacher created formative assessments, running for 1 hour each day for 4 - 6 weeks at a time. The staff work collaboratively each session to deliver focused instruction from foundational skills to enrichment. The combination of meaningful science based experiences coupled with focused small group instruction, has resulted in high achieving students at Jefferson over the past decade. Jefferson’s school motto is "We Help Each Other". It is this practice of helping students, families, and teachers that has resulted in all of Jefferson’s students achieving high levels of growth in all areas.