Press Releases

ACES at Chase Named National Merit School of Excellence by Magnet Schools of America

January 29th, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

(Hamden, CT – January 26, 2024) Area Cooperative Education Services (ACES) is pleased to announce ACES at Chase has been named a National Merit School of Excellence by Magnet Schools of America, the national association for magnet and theme-based schools.

ACES at Chase is an lnterdistrict magnet school where 6th through 8th grade students focus on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics). The school empowers students to examine challenging problems through design, writing, research, and investigation in order to find innovative solutions. ACES at Chase is a five-time recipient of the Project Lead the Way School of Distinction and was the only middle school in Connecticut for 2022-2023. In 2020, ACES at Chase earned the Magnet Schools of America's National Magnet School Merit Award of Distinction. ACES at Chase looks forward to the continued development of its project-based learning programming and deepening instructional practices to support all elements of a STEAM education.

"It is with great satisfaction that we announce ACES at Chase's designation as a National Merit School of Excellence by Magnet Schools of America,” said Dr. Frank LaBanca, Principal of ACES at Chase. “This acknowledgment highlights the exceptional dedication of our students, the expertise of our educators, and the cohesive engagement within our school community. As we acknowledge this professional milestone, we reaffirm our commitment to providing an outstanding educational experience, cultivating an atmosphere where excellence thrives and becomes a hallmark of our institution."

Dr. Frank LaBanca will be recognized and receive a National Merit School of Excellence Award on behalf of the school during an awards ceremony held at Magnet Schools of America’s National Conference hosted by New York City Schools, April 16-20, 2024.

Merit School of Excellence Awards are only given to a select group of magnet schools. Schools of Excellence are eligible to receive monetary awards and are eligible to be named the nation’s top Elementary, Secondary, or New & Emerging Magnet School. One of the Schools of Excellence will also be selected to win $5,000 and the Dr. Ronald P. Simpson Distinguished Merit Award, which is considered the most prestigious magnet school award in the nation.

To receive a national merit award, members of Magnet Schools of America must submit a detailed application that is scored by a panel of educators. These schools are judged and scored on their demonstrated ability to raise student academic achievement, promote racial and socioeconomic diversity, provide integrated curricula and instruction, and create strong family and community partnerships that enhance the school’s magnet theme.

To learn more about the national merit awards program, please visit www.magnet.edu.

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About Magnet School of America:

MSA is a national nonprofit professional education association whose members are schools and school districts.  The association represents and, is a resource to, magnet schools, parents, teachers, school boards, administrators, business leaders, community organizations and institutions of higher education. For more information, go to www.magnet.edu

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.