![](https://live-cgftw.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/8-28-23-Newsletter-Header.jpg)
POWERful learners & leaders, committed & caring families … Welcome to the 2024-25 School Year! Read an important start of year letter for new students & families or returning students & families.
Family Orientation: Join us Wed, Aug 21, 5-7pm (dinner provided) OR Thu, Aug 22 12-1:15pm (lunch provided) in person in CG’s Multi-Purpose Room!
School Starts the Week of August 26th! Orientation is REQUIRED for all students:
- 9th Grade Orientation: Mon, Aug 26, 8am – 1pm AND Tues, Aug 27 from 8am – Noon
- 10-12 grade Orientation (Including Transfer Students): Tues, Aug 27 from 12:30 – 3:05 PM
- First Day of Classes for All Grades: Wed, Aug 28th is our first day of academic classes. All classes will meet for shortened periods, and school will dismiss at 12:40 as it does each Wednesday.
Key Resources for Students & Families:
Are YOU looking for a school where you can … Blaze your own path? Graduate ready for college and careers, leadership and life? Be yourself? Change the world? To learn more, visit our Become a Student page.
You can also use the links below to learn more about our school …
- Visit us & Apply
- How is Common Ground Different?
- Our Classes & Curriculum
- Every Student Leads: POWER
- Outside the Classroom: After-School Programs
- College Success
- Schedule & Calendar
- Are you an athlete? Scientist? Activist? Artist? Entrepreneur? Environmental Leader? Find out how CG can help you blaze your path.
Please reach out – we are here to help!
Main Number: 203.389.4333
Complete Teachers & Staff List
Main Office
- Mayra Chavez, Administrative Assistant, x1200, Email
- Iris Jimenez, Office Operations Manager, x1202, Email
- Dr. Shanequa Nash, Assistant School Director, Email
- Cherry Pacquette-Emmanuel, School Director, x1203 Email
Click here for Student Health documents and information.
Click here for our School Wellness Policy Triennial Assessment Summary of Findings
OVERALL:211 | CT Family & Student Resources
FOOD: New Haven Food Guide | En Espanol
HEALTH: HAVEN Free Health Clinic | Community Health Van | Insurance for Children & Families
HOUSING: Youth Continuum Homelessness Prevention & Care | Energy Assistance – Heating Help | Fair Rent Commissions
MENTAL HEALTH: Finding Mental Health Services | Clifford Beers – Mental Health & Support for Youth | Suicide Prevention Lifeline
INTERNET: Internet for Low-Income Families
LEGAL: New Haven Legal Assistance
CHILD CARE: Care for Kids – Child Care Support
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & TRAFFICKING: CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence | Love 146 – Child & Human Trafficking Resources
Over the last five years, more than 90% of Common Ground graduates have gained admissions to college. Our 4-year graduation rates significantly exceeded the state average in 4 of the 5 last school years. Recent Common Ground 9th and 10th graders have made greater gains in reading, writing, and math than 90 or more percent of their peers across the country, according to results of the NWEA MAP. Common Ground was the state’s first U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School and a recipient of many awards and grants in recognition of our work, including the National Building Hope Award in 2022.
![](http://www.commongroundct.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Eligraduation-600x400.jpg)
Common Ground’s curriculum combines rigorous high academic standards for all, responsive relationships with adults and peers who really care, relevant, real-world learning that’s rooted in the community and environment, and real roles and rights for students. Imagine studying …
- Math while you … decide what should be planted on Common Ground’s farm to maximize production, nutrition, taste, and cultural relevance.
- Science while you … turn what you are learning about climate change into beautiful paintings, spoken word, and graffiti art
- English while you … work with professional actors to write and perform plays about social justice issues that matter to you.
Recent Blog Posts about the High School
Introducing the Interim Director of Common Ground High School, Monique Frasier!
Common Ground Community: In advance of the 2024-25 school year, Common Ground High School (CGHS) welcomes Monique Frasier to the post of Interim School Director. After three years leading CGHS as School Director, Cherry Pacquette-Emmanuel
Meet Carolina Guerra, CGHS Alum & Summer Communications Intern at Common Ground!
Carolina recently completed an internship at Common Ground (CG), this summer. She is currently studying Communications at Albertus Magnus College and we were thrilled to welcome her back to campus, as she is also a
Help us welcome Tash Neal, Senior Manager of Grants and Contracts at Common Ground!
Tash recently joined our Development and Communications team as the Senior Manager of Grants and Contracts at Common Ground (CG), this spring. They are also familiar with CG through volunteering for Feast from the Fields,