Today at Conard High School in West Hartford, four members of the DPS community were on hand to receive this prestigious recognition: Superintendent Dr. Kara Quinn Casimiro, Board of Education Chair Luisa Zagottis-Britton, Principal Jeanine Pocoski, and First Grade Teacher Mykel Milligan.

Presenting the honor were Governor Ned Lamont, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, and Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker of the Connecticut State Department of Education.

The Connecticut Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors schools that demonstrate high levels of academic excellence, create inclusive and supportive learning environments, and produce strong outcomes for all students — including those with high needs. Schools are evaluated using the Next Generation Accountability System and must earn School of Distinction designation to be considered. This year, only six schools across the entire state received the honor.

WCAIS has earned School of Distinction status in five of the last six years. With 55% of its students identified as high needs, the school’s recognition in both the Exemplary High Performing and Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing categories is a testament to what is possible when educators hold high expectations for every learner.