“My son is in his sophomore year. At Common Ground he has been challenged academically by an AP Civics course in his freshman year and an AP Environmental Science course this year.  He has been stimulated intellectually by interdisciplinary classes like “Food and the Environment.”  He has had classes that provide unusual opportunities like “Drama” where the teachers partner with members of the Elm City Shakespeare Company ... Common Ground is unique among schools in the public education system because it is interested in doing more than simply boosting students’ test scores (which it has done quite successfully). Common Ground does more than engage students as learners or test-takers.  Common Ground seeks to expand every student’s connection to the environment and their awareness of how their lifestyle choices can affect the world around them ... Since my son was born, I have hoped that he would grow up to be a person who was happy, healthy, and wise and that he would do what he could to make his corner of the world a better place. Common Ground is helping to make my dream for my child’s future come true.” Anne Olcott, Parent

"I've seen many students, including myself, start out with little concern about our environment -- and become mature young adults who work hard to make this world a better place.  Students who once walked the halls without saying a word now walk with their heads up high, not afraid to speak their minds with integrity and security. We learn how to work with one another, putting differences aside because what's more important is what lies ahead of us after high school ... In the past 7 months, two programs were established -- the Latin Dance program and a basketball team -- both programs created by students who want others to feel their passion for something they love.  It it wasn't for this school, our dreams would be only dreams."  Carlos Catalan, Senior  

"This is the kind of public school option this city needs." Mayor John DeStefano, New Haven 

"We have worked very closely with many teachers and students at Common Ground to develop permanent exhibits about the natural history of the site and the mission of the organization. In this project, students actually wrote and developed the exhibits themselves, and we have helped with the graphic design and manufacturing side in a true collaboration. Students will glow with pride upon seeing their work translated into professional, museum-quality exhibits, and the school will be able to use these in teaching as well as interpretation for the public." David Heiser and Jamie Alonzo, Yale Peabody Museum

"Common Ground is a break the mold school in many significant ways ... Often, "learning by doing" schools are seen as less rigorous and antithetical to standards driven reforms. But what is significant at Common Ground is that they are an example of both.  They have worked extraordinarily hard since their beginning to be sure that their thematic and interdisciplinary courses reflect significant standards ... I think Common Ground represents exactly the promise of charter schools: that new visions of schools will emerge that offer students a significantly different educational experience and be of high quality." Jonathon Gillette, Director, Yale Teacher Preparation & Education Studies

"At Common Ground, everybody is somebody." Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Daniels, Parents