Press Releases

ACES at Chase Announces New Principal

August 9th, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(North Haven, CT – August 3, 2022) Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) is pleased to announce the appointment of Frank LaBanca, EdD, as the new principal of ACES at Chase in Waterbury, CT. Dr. LaBanca was the founding principal at Westside Middle School Academy Magnet in Danbury and has grown the school since 2014. Prior to that time, Dr. LaBanca worked at EdAdvance, serving as Director of its Center for 21st Century Skills. He also served as Science Chair at Oxford High School, and was a high school science teacher at Newtown and Stamford High Schools. Dr. LaBanca will take his post as principal at ACES at Chase in August.

Dr. LaBanca will serve as an educational leader, overseeing aspects of school culture, continuous improvement, and academic success. He will oversee the adherence of policies, regulations, and procedures, to ensure that all students are able to learn in a safe environment that promotes the vision and mission of ACES, all while providing a rigorous curriculum that meets the needs of diverse learners. Dr. LaBanca will focus on the promotion of equity and diversity among students and staff within the ACES at Chase community. Additionally, he will ensure student success and achievement by promoting high standards and expectations for all students and staff in regards to academic, social/emotional, and behavioral performance.

Dr. LaBanca holds a Doctorate of Education from Western Connecticut State University. In addition, he holds a Master’s of Science degree in Science Education from the University of Bridgeport, and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biological Sciences, with a concentration in Genetics and Computer Science Continuing Education, from the University of Connecticut.

“We look forward to Dr. LaBanca’s work with the staff regarding the development of the STEAM curriculum at Chase,” said Dr. Thomas Danehy, Executive Director of ACES. “Dr. LaBanca is a hands-on administrator who has even taught engineering in his school, as a means of furthering his connection with teaching, learning, and understanding the needs of students, teachers, and parents. His focus on curriculum development and work with staff and students are commendable. He will bring out the best in all that ACES at Chase has to offer.”

ACES at Chase is a premier inter-district magnet middle school where the mission is to prepare students for success through innovative Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). ACES at Chase’s vision is to empower students to engineer, write, grow and change their futures. Chase honors diverse perspectives and experiences so that its students can effectively solve problems to achieve equity and inclusion in an ever-changing, complex world. The campus will transform through renovation and construction and the program will gradually expand to a 6-12 model from a 6-8 model.

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About ACES:

Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) is the regional educational service center for New Haven and parts of Middlesex Counties. Established in 1969, ACES strives each day to fulfill its vision of creating an equitable and socially just world, one life at a time. ACES serves its members districts and others through an ever-growing array of programs, services, and schools that meet the needs of a changing educational landscape. As a school district, ACES operates three magnet and eight special education schools. ACES services range from transportation, professional development, school improvement services, technology, translation, international, security, and occupational and physical therapy. ACES operates the Open and Magnet School Parent Choice programs for New Haven County. Its programs include a federally funded Early Head Start Program and ACES ACCESS, a vocational and life skills program for developmentally and physically disabled adults ages 21 and older. For more information, go to www.aces.org.