CELC Middle School (pronounced /selk/) offers experientially-based teaching as a way for students to involve themselves in learning beyond the walls of a traditional classroom. Learners are invited to participate in a strategically-designed format which integrates the student’s academic study with field experiences. Students explore the essential questions that unite broad areas of knowledge, relate [...]
Traveling is an integral part of CELC Middle School’s curriculum, having no fewer than two extended travel components during each academic year. This year for CELC’s beginning-of-the-year adventure students spend a week at Kroka Expeditions in Marlow, New Hampshire. The idea that “life happens outside of one’s comfort zone” matches CELC’s experience-based program, as [...]
So often the middle school years are considered awful. Reasons for this can vary, but most adults associate that time in their lives with a sense of precariousness, and for some, even extreme anxiety. When stating during conversation that I am a middle school teacher, it often is met with ‘oh, you must be a [...]
There is a curriculum containing general subject areas such as Math, Language Arts, Science - you know the drill. Completing regular homework, learning time management during these middle school years is when to home in on all of this. All the above is delivered to an ever-changing adolescent brain and body, one in the midst [...]
Students Respond Well to Learner-Centered Approach
CELC Middle School Awarded "Leading Innovators of Experiential Learning Engagements - Connecticut" Private Education Awards for 2021 by LUXlife Magazine!
Monday, 28 June five CELC Middle School students along with CELC Co-founder/Educator Melinda Alcosser arrive in Stony Creek Harbor to begin their adventure and set sail from Branford, Connecticut to Portland, Maine! First, a short dinghy ride to get aboard the Morgan 46-foot Ketch sailboat Boundless! with Captain Jeff and his wife Liz who run [...]
Each year we at CELC hold an Honoring Ceremony in celebration of our academic year of learning and growth. We recognize, honor, and reflect upon the time spent together and also give send-off to those moving on to high school and the next parts of their lives. Click on this link to view and listen [...]
Kudos and a big thank you goes to Professor Michael Hernandez for his work with CELC students during this year to learn the process of creating their own videos, from the idea stage to the use of Keynote and other digital media platforms.
Restore learning from a “lost” academic year in a fun and meaningful way! CELC Middle School teams up with Mathnasium of Guilford for The Arithmetic of Architecture! and Debunking Billiard Math! Work with Colombian-born Instructor for Tell Your Story in Spanish to discover the world of native characters by learning about their countries [...]
With many parents who feel their children may have "lost" another part of a school year by being remote or hybrid, CELC has much to offer - a place where students receive personalized attention to rebuild engagement and have solid and joyful middle school experiences that offer growth of the person, academically/socially/emotionally, towards preparedness for [...]
"Why is CELC an effective choice for your child's middle school education?" Testimonials from CELC Middle School families, past and present.
About this book - a note from CELC: The creation of this book takes place during a multi-week Digital Storytelling class that is designed to provide digital literacy skills and empower students to create positive change in their communities. Students learn the fundamentals of digital photography, including composition and lightning, digital image editing, and making [...]
As one of only 50 educators selected from across the U.S. and Canada, CELC’s Digital Storytelling teacher Michael Hernandez was chosen for an exciting professional development opportunity that will allow him to bring geographic awareness to students at CELC Middle School of Branford, CT.
This multi-week Digital Storytelling class takes place on Zoom and is designed to provide digital literacy skills, empowering students to create positive change in their communities. Thursdays: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. (Eastern time) 7, 14, 21, 28 January 2021 4,11,18, 25 February 2021 4, 11 March 2021 Spaces are limited – register now! Digital Photography [...]
Establishment of community values, inscribed into an artistically done “hand circle” begins a CELC year. This symbolic circle of words then can be utilized throughout the year as a guide. Students are asked to think about the type of community they want to create, to be a part of, and then determine what we all [...]
Do you have gently used winter clothing to offer to keep warm the students at Parkville Community School this winter? If so, contributions including jackets, hats, and gloves in children’s sizes can be delivered to the bins that are located in the front lobby at 28 School Street, Branford, between 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., [...]
Beginning in October CELC students have worked (in-person) with drama instructor Nicki LaPorte at Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown, Connecticut. This endeavor brought together aspects of theater from past to present as part of CELC’s thematic study for this year, Ancient to Modern Civilizations. We are so thrilled to be able to present this play to [...]
CELC Middle School’s weekly Outdoor Education class brings them to Guilford’s Jared Eliot Preserve with Eco Artist / Activist Professor Carolyn Monastra, whose research includes the effects of climate change on birds’ population. Students observe and identify local birds as they explore aspects of bird behavior. ~ Click on any image for a scrollable gallery. [...]
Since its 2009 founding year, CELC Middle School continues to provide a beginning-of-the-year adventure for students as a way to launch the year, to build and strengthen the newly formed group. By traveling away from home turf, bringing students to places where they can discover their own abilities while experiencing some independence from parents, they [...]
From our Open House sessions, we receive certain frequently asked questions from prospective parents. More detailed information exists on the FAQ page of CELC’s website. I have tried here to summarize in response to a few of the recently asked questions: What is the focus of the CELC curriculum? Information is “Google-able”. The CELC curriculum [...]
All aboard the 46’ ketch Boundless with Different Drum Sailing Adventures, a small group of CELC Middle School students enjoyed 7 days of sailing Casco Bay, Maine. CELC supports Captain Jeff’s philosophy of giving students experiences and modeling that life does not have to come to a halt, even within such challenging times. After all participants [...]
One of the most outstanding aspects of CELC’s experientially-based curriculum is something known as “theme”. CELC has four themes that rotate during the four years between 5th and 8th grade. The theme for this 2019-20 academic year: Exploration and Discovery. Students began by exploring and then sharing their personal passions. We believe that “exploration and [...]
The Getty Museum in Los Angeles offers an interesting new approach to exploring art by asking people to recreate favorite (famous) works of art using household objects. Thanks also go to CELC student Emma, who led this activity for her peers. The following choices of artwork were suggested for each of her classmates to ‘create [...]
Maria pre-planned with each family to obtain the necessary ingredients in time for the Friday morning start that brought us toward making lemon meringue pie with homemade pastry crust! The class assembled in CELC’s regular Zoom meeting room, each from his or her own kitchen! Unexpected elements of this first-time experience were certainly discovered. [...]
