CELC Middle School

28 School Street

Branford, CT 06405

19 Reviews

School District
Grade

5-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 17, 2021

We are so grateful for the wonderful experiences and excellent education our son has received at CELC middle school. The amazing, dedicated teachers have created a nurturing environment, where the students really get to know each other. As a result, they have created a unique space where kids feel comfortable to learn, grow, and to be curious. Students are advanced and challenged according to their abilities and interests in a small class environment where they stay engaged and connected. The school provides wonderful breadth of activities beyond the core academics, including twice a week field trips, a Kingian nonviolence class, music, theater, cooking, community service, student run work shops, and other enriching experiences. Our son loves going to CELC, and CELC has inspired him to learn and to be his best self there.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2021

My child loved middle school and looked forward to going everyday! CELC is a truly unique middle school experience, that other programs would benefit from modeling themselves after. Their community building approach facilitates social and emotional learning as well as character development. Their teachers have an amazing talent for knowing how much support a child needs in order to succeed in making the next step toward independence. The learning-by- doing approach is engaging and makes real world sense. Academics are rigorous, differentiated and focus on teaching students how to manage their work. CELC did a fantastic job preparing my son for high school. I highly recommend CELC.
Submitted by other on February 02, 2021

As a student, CELC has helped me grow and develop in countless ways, socially, academically, and personally. CELC has not only provided me with the skills needed to transition too high school, but has also been an integral aspect in my development as a person, teaching important lessons that apply to all of life. The impact it has had is tremendous - I came into CELC at 7th grade barely able to write a paragraph or start a conversation. Over the course of the my experience with CELC I was constantly pushed outside my comfort zone and encouraged to grow, which ultimately lead to the spectacular outcome of my drastic development in these and numerous other areas. I would absolutely not be the same person I am today without having been part of the CELC program and learning community. I am very appreciative of the opportunities offered over the course of my experience, and I would absolutely recommend the program to anyone.- Ethan Reynolds, CELC Alum 2020
Submitted by parent on January 12, 2021

My son had wonderful growth in all aspects at CELC. The teachers supported both his academic and mental development which helped him to shape his personality at the right age. There was a lot of exposure to many extra curricular activities which enriched his learning experience. They involve in community service, drama, hiking, cooking music, theater apart from all the curricular subjects. The teachers at CELC make sure every child is comfortable and inclusive which builds confidence to young learners. My overall experience with CELC has been remarkable, teachers are dedicated, a great environment for learning and my son had an enriching experience.
Submitted by other on December 31, 2020

I am greatly appreciative to you two because you prepared me for high school. Through my two years in the highly personalized teaching, that was matched to my skills and abilities, I would not be were I am today. In my first semester of my freshman year of high school, I managed to get all A's! I greatly appreciate you guys!
Submitted by other on July 27, 2014

I am a retired school teacher of twenty three years. I have worked with CELC since their beginnings at our small, organic farm on environmental education with a focus on sustainable living. I have been impressed with the teachers' presentation, expectations, and accountability of both academic and experiential programs. Maria and Melinda have a well thought out and planned curriculum, intentionally designed to address academic, social, emotional, and physical needs of each child. And each child has very different needs in each of these four realms. This type of education is almost non-existent in our society but oh so necessary. I have been impressed with the maturity, focus, and productivity of these young people when they come to our farm. They come to learn but they also come to work. And they do work as they learn. CELC kids learned how to speak with confidence during conversations with peers and adults. In my opinion and from my experience this is the way education should be. The CELC kids will, no doubt, look back on their experience with Maria and Melinda and see how important it was to their future growth, maturity, and success in our world community.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2014

CELC provides all of the ingredients necessary for a child to blossom. CELC teachers are amazing. Their enthusiasm for teaching is contagious and spills over to their students. Each child is encouraged and challenged and confounded in a way that stimulates problem solving and critical thinking. CELC demands that each child put forth their best effort but does so in a thoughtful and nurturing way. Strong academics, hands-on learning, field trips, community involvement, wood shop, art, foreign language, friendship, CELC exposes students to a larger world than typically found in a middle school experience.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2014

I know this school its outside the box. I am a former mainstream teacher from a very competitive southern CT district. Our middle school was failing our son and we are so fortunate and dare I say blessed to have found CELC. My son needed a very small classroom setting in which to learn. He also needed a hands on, high interest and engaging atmosphere. Attending CELC has been the best 4 years for him yet. Each year he grew, learned how to study, stay organized and ask for help. Since it is a very small school the students have complete access to the teachers-even have their cell numbers! There is a study hall each day where they do their work with assistance and the work they complete isn't a worksheet...I don't think I have seen many of those-they write sentences, research and discuss-so it isn't and easy school but a thoroughly engaging curriculum. Now loves to learn and is most inspired for his future. The growth we have seen in him astounds us, and lifts our family up. We are thankful we found Melinda and Maria for those two women will knock your socks off with their vision and enthusiasm for your child's education-the way it should be at school, don't you think?
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2014

CELC is a modern take on the classic one-room school house: the support of a learning community and the ability to move at her own pace. They provide one-on-one attention, guided independence in study hall and the energy of a classroom for teaching. The focus on our local community as well as hands-on experience in farming, art and nature provide a basis for future education which we truly value. The range of ages, ability levels and backgrounds also contributes toward building the social skills required to succeed at any school. We are confident that our daughter's current education is keeping pace with the dizzying changes inside our middleschooler and that she is building a foundation for the next phase of her education.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2014

CELC is an amazing middle school. With a small class size, challenging academics and the numerous "hands on" field experiences, my son is receiving a top notch education. Students are encouraged to be self-motivated and to think for themselves. The dynamic, thoughtful and engaging CELC teachers (M&M) foster an environment of respect and a desire to learn. M&M are experts in understanding the middle school student's academic, social and emotional growth. And because of their experience teaching students in this age range, M&M are uniquely qualified to tailor the program to each child. While the traditional subjects are taught, what truly sets CELC apart is the experiential component. Whether it is a field experience led by M&M or an adjunct instructor, CELC students learn by doing. Hiking, museums, planetarium visits, Long Wharf play productions, woodworking, art instruction, team building exercises, visits to an organic farm, distinguished author guest speakers, science experiments, etc..students do not sit idly by being lectured all day. Instead, the CELC student actively participates in the learning process with field experiences directly linked to the yearly school theme.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2014

Connecticut Experiential Learning Center is an awesome middle school experience. Melinda and Maria are amazing educators. Under their capable leadership, our son developed a love of learning and inquiry that is serving him immeasurably. I can't say enough about how unique this program is, in helping young people understand that the community around them is their schoolyard.
Submitted by other on April 08, 2014

Connecticut Experiential Learning Center CELC offers to its students something that seems to be lacking in today's overall education system: enthusiasm for learning. All the students need do is to look at their teachers who bring this enthusiasm and joy with them into the classroom. Students experience the world as dynamic and exciting with an endless stream of possibilities. The teachers know that children can easily learn facts but teaching them how this knowledge translates into life is the true challenge. Through creative and exciting classroom lessons, out and about field trips and high expectations, students become versed in their curriculum with the ability to apply it to the world around them with instilled respect, compassion, and confidence.
Submitted by parent on April 08, 2014

Excellent education for middle school kids who need a break from the public school model. Lots of outdoor education and varied experiences in the community. Very responsive and fantastic teachers who love what they do. My daughter has such a great time there, and learns a lot. Highly recommend!
Submitted by parent on April 08, 2014

CELC is a wonderful place for Middleschoolers to grow in ways that just cannot happen in a "big box" school. The teachers understand each child's learning style and gear instruction accordingly. I never could have imagined my son writing a 10 paper theme (term paper) in 5th grade, but now in his third year the process of planning, researching and executing large projects is second nature for him. My wife and I know he is well prepared for High School. The strong friendships that develop at CELC are unique because the students cover four age groups, so at times students are mentors, at other times learners while all the time being peers. The teachers' personal interest in each student is obvious and is part of the school's success.
Submitted by other on April 08, 2014

I own and operate Different Drum Sailing Adventures, a hands-on, educational, live-aboard program for students and teachers offering week-long sailing adventures in Maine and the Bahamas. CELC has done several trips with us over the years and the students they bring are always eager to learn, polite, full of enthusiasm, kind, helpful and a joy to have on board our sailing vessel Boundless! The CELC teachers are the driving force behind providing experiential adventure trips to their students and their enthusiasm for exploring the natural world while living life fully, brings an infectious excitement to all our trips together! I love working with this school!!!
Submitted by other on April 08, 2014

This school is the best thing that could happen for middile school students. If you want your child to be inspired, to love learning, to feel optimistic about poeple and life and the future, send your child to CELC. I am an educator who has had the privilege of teaching a few classes at CELC, and their engagement in learning is well above what I find in traditional school settings. I wholeheartedly endorse this school!
Submitted by parent on October 13, 2012

CELC provides an environment where learning is through experiential intelligence and plurality. Beautiful! Class size is small. Within this, at least one caregiver in at least 50% of the represented households is/was affiliated with education as a researcher, educator, or education administrator and they drive from different towns in CT to bring their children here. Students are allowed to phone teachers up to 8pm if they need help with an assignment. This week CELC students served as ambassadors to guests students in river kayaking with a forest ranger. An alumni was one of the tour guides on a field trip to visit historical CT sites. Students took full control in making a strawberry cheesecake (one of their chosen recipes pulled randomly out of a drum) and began their theater at the Long Wharf with a guest artist and will re-present The Odyssey as a part of this years thematic Ancient Civilization studies. This goes hand in hand with the academics for the week that is thorough and fine tuned to meet individual needs. The school is located in the fairytale Stony Creek part of Branford and minutes by walk to a panoramic view of the Thimble Islands.Very caring teachers! GEM!
Submitted by parent on July 24, 2012

We have been with CELC for two years and we will do two more, because the teachers care, provide an enriching, high level education and because our son really enjoys his school...that makes all the difference to us. I am not only his mother but a CT certified educator with fourteen years spent teaching elementary and middle school in Norwalk CT. We now reside on the Shoreline and are so happy to have found CELC!
Submitted by parent on July 24, 2012

Get word out there about a terrific private school on the Connecticut shoreline, the Connecticut Experiential Learning Center (CELC). CELC has been a miracle for my family. Two exceptional teachers for 15 students, grades 5th-8th! Opportunity for CELC students is amazing, and the dynamics of the group of students is absolutely beautiful. CELC is what, I believe, every parent would want for their child: a bully free and truly challenging (individully titrated, another miracle for a school) learning environment. Melinda Alcosser and Maria Mortali are the two exceptional forces that lead the learning at CELC. Our 11 year old son loves going out the door in the morning to CELC, and he comes home at night and completes his homework!!!!! At CELC, he is not only accepted for who he is, he is valued. He is challenged. He is doing his homework. He is happy. That makes me and my husband happy. I'd like to get the word out there about this miracle opportunity for parents who are dissatisfied with the traditional school system. Fees for this private school are extremely modest, and the attention to the students is out of this world. Take a look at their website: ctexperiential.org