CT Experiential Learning Center

Our daughter started at CELC in 4th grade and has loved every minute of it. CELC's unique learning model has challenged her both mentally and physically. In public school, she regularly said she was bored, but she hasn't once said that since joining CELC. Each student receives individualized learning so that they are progressing or not being left behind. There is a school van that takes the kids on their outdoor education adventures including hiking, trail building, marsh ecology, camping trips, and engaging with a retirement community to name a few. My wish would be that every middle school-aged student could receive an education like this. CELC is unique along the Shoreline!

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 a 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 workshops, and other enriching experiences. Our son loves going to CELC, and CELC has inspired him to learn and to be his best self there.

My child loved middle school and looked forward to going every day! 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.

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 to 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 experience with CELC, I was constantly pushed outside my comfort zone and encouraged to grow, which ultimately lead to the spectacular outcome of my enormous development in these and many other aspects. 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.

CELC = Phenomenal. Writing a review to encapsulate the essence of an experience to someone unfamiliar is daunting. Students spend so much time in school that it is second only to home and family in its impact on their development. CELC is the first time our student has been seen completely and as an individual. Melinda and Maria have the unique gift to see where students are and to meet them there. They can challenge and support each learner. We have been impressed by their ability to individualize while maintaining a cohesive whole. Watching our student's mind be stretched is exactly what we hoped for during these middle years. Teaching critical thinking and how to learn while covering the core fundamentals. The students have been equally impressive in their inclusivity and support for one another during a year like no other. Just like the experiential nature of the school, nothing replaces a visit to experience CELC for yourself. We feel extremely fortunate to have found this excellent niche of a learning community.

My son had a 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 too 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.

We enrolled our daughter in CELC MIDDLE SCHOOL starting September 2020. We were attracted by their plan to school "in person", 5 days a week if possible. With a well-reasoned plan and strict approach, they have been able to do that and much more. The mix of activities has our Daughter fully engaged. She is also showing a sense of obligation to do her part and meets CELC's expectations of Her.....in a most positive way.

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 where 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!

A very interesting choice for middle school: CELC provides a far greater range of growth experiences than possible for a traditional school. Academics are differentiated and based on readiness and ability rather than grade/age. The small size made me nervous at first, but it offered many advantages, like being able to get out of the classroom (this year's class went on day and overnight trips to New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and all over Connecticut), true differentiation, and also community-building (the students are more like a family than a typical student body). Students have opportunities to learn from true experts - theater at Long Wharf, Spanish from a teacher in Guatemala (via Skype), and woodworking, music, yoga and mindfulness from professionals. They regularly worked at an organic farm, served meals at the Community Dining Room and had outdoor education at Bushy Hill and Common Ground. My child ended his year with many new experiences under his belt and a surprising amount of knowledge about the modern world.

This school offers each child individual attention. The ability of the students to have regular "hands on" instruction, is key to learning, and keeps kids engaged. I can not say enough about this school, its teachers, and the links it has to community involvement. Children who attend, are provided with amazing, real life opportunities for learning.

CELC offers differentiation to help each individual child grow and each his or her potential. They have a creative curriculum that links classroom learning with real world experience. The teachers are amazing at helping students become more independent and accountable, while providing a safe environment. I highly recommend CELC.

I am a retired elementary school teacher of twenty three years. I have worked with CELC since their beginnings at our small, organic farm on environmental and agricultural education with a focus on sustainable living. I have also taught language arts in the their classroom. From day one, 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. It addresses the whole child and all of his or her needs. 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. They share camaraderie, laughs, and knowledge amongst themselves in a respectful manner. On occasion, when disrespect is observed by the teachers it is addressed immediately in the context of the experience. It is not tabled or ignored and replaced by a future, theoretical, group discussion. Though that may happen additionally. CELC kids learned how to speak with confidence during conversations with peers and adults, when asking a question or when doing a major academic presentation. They also learn to listen patiently and intently so they can respond in a thoughtful way. 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. Rob Cole-Whiffen