Student-Centered Learning: Building Agency and Engagement

Peek inside a high school where teachers act as facilitators and students are directors of their own learning.

May 3, 2017

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This is part of our Schools That Work series and features key practices from Meriden Public Schools in Connecticut.

Schools That Work

Meriden Public Schools

Public, Urban

Grades K-12

Meriden, CT

Meriden Public Schools, in Connecticut, is a small urban district dedicated to collaboration and innovation. Examples of innovation abound: Classroom learning has shifted from teacher-directed to student-centered. The peer-to-peer tech buddies program—in which older students teach younger ones how to use apps and digital devices—empowers kids and builds relationships. And the commitment to developing in-district resources to serve special education students led to the creation of a unique sensory room at one of the elementary schools.

In 2016, Meriden Public Schools outperformed the state growth rate on the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium by 3% in math and 1% in ELA.
Across the district, suspensions are down 86% and expulsions are down 95% since 2011.
Recognized as a District of Distinction in 2016 by District Administration and received the Magna Award in 2016 from the National School Board Association.