Press Releases

ACES at Chase Renamed to ACES Chase Academy

August 14th, 2025

ACES at Chase Renamed to ACES Chase Academy

(Hamden, CT – August 6, 2025) — Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) is proud to announce that its interdistrict magnet school formerly known as ACES at Chase has officially been renamed ACES Chase Academy. The name change marks a milestone in the school’s evolution as a leading STEAM-focused academy serving students from districts across the region.

Located on the former Chase Collegiate School campus in Waterbury, ACES Chase Academy currently serves students in grades 6 through 10, with a planned expansion to grades 6 through 12 by 2027. As a public interdistrict magnet school, ACES Chase Academy provides students with a rigorous, project-based learning environment that emphasizes Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM).

“The shift to ACES Chase Academy signals our deepening commitment to STEAM education,” said Dr. Thomas M. Danehy, Executive Director of ACES. “This name better reflects who we are today, a forward-thinking learning community where students solve real-world problems through science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math.”

“This name change represents our growth as a future-focused academy where students engage in real-world learning through STEAM,” said Dr. Frank LaBanca, Principal of ACES Chase Academy. “We are proud of what our school stands for and the name ACES Chase Academy communicates that clearly.”

In recognition of its innovative curriculum and student achievement, ACES Chase Academy has earned multiple national honors, including designation as a Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School for 2024–2025. The school was also recognized by Magnet Schools of America in 2024, affirming its status as a model for high-quality magnet programming.

For more information about ACES Chase Academy, including enrollment opportunities and program details, please visit www.aces.org.

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About ACES:

Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) is the regional educational service center for New Haven and parts of Middlesex and Fairfield Counties. ACES serves school districts through innovative programs and services that meet the needs of a changing educational landscape. ACES operates magnet, special education, and alternative schools, as well as providing a wide range of educational services including professional development, transportation, translation, and adult vocational programs. Learn more at www.aces.org.