Integrated Day Charter School
Encyclopedia
Norwich, Connecticut
Regular steamship service between New York and Boston helped Norwich to prosper as a shipping center through the early part of the 20th century. During the Civil War, Norwich once again rallied and saw the growth of its textile, armaments, and specialty item manufacturing...
was established within the existing public school system. In 1997, Joan Heffernan, June Morrone, and Joyce Werden helped to create an alternative school, as a free public school choice, for all members of the Norwich community and surrounding areas. The charter was awarded in February 1997. The school opened its doors August 1997 with 175 students and a sizable waiting list. In 1999, the school expanded its enrollment to 240 students in grades kindergarten through 8th grade. In 2000, the number of enrolled students increased to 264 students and increased again in 2001 to 286 students. In June 2001, early renewal of the charter was awarded. Integrated Day Charter School (IDCS) is now at its full capacity with 300 students in grades pre-kindergarten through 8th grade.
Academic Performance
The staff at IDCS(Integrated Day Charter School ) holds high expectations for all students. It is the school's objective to have all students reach, or exceed, level 60 proficiency in all areas of the Connecticut Mastery TestConnecticut Mastery Test
The Connecticut Mastery Test, or CMT, is a test administered to students in grades 3 through 8. The CMT tests students in mathematics, reading comprehension, writing, and science...
as required by the No Child Left Behind Act.
Parent Involvement
According to IDCS' mission statement, the school firmly believes parents and caregivers are the first teachers. Parents are involved in a multitude of projects at the school including: arranging after school activities for students, volunteering in the classrooms and on trips, and contributing and chaperoning at the school dance. In 2005, there were over 1,594 entries in the volunteer blog.Achievements
IDCS is a demonstration school for learning. The Connecticut State Department of EducationConnecticut State Department of Education
Connecticut State Department of Education is a branch of the state government of Connecticut in the United States. The agency is headquartered in the State Office Building at 165 Capitol Avenue in Hartford...
awarded IDCS a dissemination grant to publish manuals for two facets of the charter school philosophy.