We are so grateful for the wonderful experiences and excellent education our son has received at CELC middle school. The amazing, dedicated teachers have created a nurturing environment, where the students really get to know each other. As a result, they have created a unique space where kids feel comfortable to learn, grow, and to be curious. Students are advanced and challenged according to their abilities and interests in a small class environment where they stay engaged and connected. The school provides wonderful breadth of activities beyond the core academics, including twice a week field trips, a Kingian nonviolence class, music, theater, cooking, community service, student run work shops, and other enriching experiences. Our son loves going to CELC, and CELC has inspired him to learn and to be his best self there. read more

We enrolled our daughter in CELC MIDDLE SCHOOL starting September 2020. We were attracted by their plan to school "in person", 5 days a week if possible. With a well reasoned plan and strict approach they have been able to do that and much more. The mix of activities has our Daughter fully engaged. She is also showing a sense of obligation to do her part and meets CELC's expectations of Her.....in a most positive way. read more

As a student, CELC has helped me grow and develop in countless ways, socially, academically, and personally. CELC has not only provided me with the skills needed to transition too high school, but has also been an integral aspect in my development as a person, teaching important lessons that apply to all of life. The impact it has had is tremendous - I came into CELC at 7th grade barely able to write a paragraph or start a conversation. Over the course of the my experience with CELC I was constantly pushed outside my comfort zone and encouraged to grow, which ultimately lead to the spectacular outcome of my drastic development in these and numerous other areas. I would absolutely not be the same person I am today without having been part of the CELC program and learning community. I am very appreciative of the opportunities offered over the course of my experience, and I would absolutely recommend the program to anyone. - Ethan Reynolds, CELC Alum 2020 read more

CELC = Phenomenal. Writing a review to encapsulate the essence of an experience to someone unfamiliar is daunting. Students spend so much time in school that it is second only to home and family in its impact on their development. CELC is the first time our student has been seen completely and as an individual. Melinda and Maria have the unique gift to see where students are and to meet them there. They can challenge and support each learner. We have been impressed by their ability to individualize while maintaining a cohesive whole. Watching our student's mind be stretched is exactly what we hoped for during these middle years. Teaching critical thinking and how to learn while covering the core fundamentals. The students have been equally impressive in their inclusivity and support for one another during a year like no other. Just like the experiential nature of the school nothing replaces a visit to experience CELC for yourself. We feel extremely fortunate to have found this excellent niche of a learning community. read more

Connecticut Experiential Learning Center (CELC), literally, takes my breath away. The opportunity for the students at CELC is amazing and the dynamics of the group of students is absolutely beautiful. CELC is what, I believe, every parent would want for their child: a bully free and truly challenging (individully titrated, another miracle for a school) learning environment. Melinda Alcosser and Maria Mortali are the two exceptional forces that lead the learning process at CELC: for kids in grades 5th through 8th. Why CELC for my family? Coming from a fantastic public school in Shaker Heights, Ohio, (Onaway elementary school) we moved to the shoreline of Connecticut into a school system with high ratings. The bullying was so unexpected and frightening. Worse, my child was "viewed" as the problem. We moved him to a private school (in the same community), and found the same dynamic continued to occur in this private school. He continued to be bullied and he fell through the cracks with regard to academics. My husband and I had a difficult time getting him to do his homework, and as a result, teachers disregarded his abilities and did not challenge him. We moved him to CELC in March of 2012. The second week he was there, on the way home he said, unprompted, "I love being there. It is like something was missing in my heart before, and now I am complete." Since moving to Connecticut two years ago, my son is finally happy. He loves going out the door in the morning to CELC, and he comes home at night and completes his homework!!!!! It is only believable, because I have seen it happen for my son. At CELC, he is not only accepted for who he is, he is valued. He is challenged. He is doing his homework. He is finally happy. That makes me and my husband happy. Connecticut Experiential Learning Center takes my breath away. A truly miraculous school program on the Connecticut shoreline. read more

I'm a homeschooling mom and I sometimes feel as though I've hit a wall when working with my daughter. After working with the teachers at CELC she has went from dreading math to looking forward to it! It has been an amazing turn around and I am so grateful to have quality education so close to home. read more

CELC Middle School - Math at CELC - Middle Schools & High Schools Near Me - Branford, Connecticut

I am greatly appreciative to you two because you prepared me for high school. Through my two years in the highly personalized teaching, that was matched to my skills and abilities, I would not be were I am today. In my first semester of my freshman year of high school, I managed to get all A's! I greatly appreciate you guys! read more

CELC is an amazing middle school. With a small class size, challenging academics and the numerous "hands on" field experiences, my son is receiving a top notch education. Students are encouraged to be self-motivated and to think for themselves. The dynamic, thoughtful and engaging CELC teachers (M&M) foster an environment of respect and a desire to learn. M&M are experts in understanding the middle school student's academic, social and emotional growth. And because of their experience teaching students in this age range, M&M are uniquely qualified to tailor the program to each child. While the traditional subjects are taught, what truly sets CELC apart is the experiential component. Whether it is a field experience led by M&M or an adjunct instructor, CELC students learn by doing. Hiking, museums, planetarium visits, Long Wharf play productions, woodworking, art instruction, team building exercises, visits to an organic farm, distinguished author guest speakers, science experiments, etc..students do not sit idly by being lectured all day. Instead, the CELC student actively participates in the learning process with field experiences directly linked to the yearly school theme. My son is a lucky young man to be able to attend this school. read more

I am a retired elementary school teacher of twenty three years. I have worked with CELC since their beginnings at our small, organic farm on environmental and agricultural education with a focus on sustainable living. I have also taught language arts in the their classroom. From day one, I have been impressed with the teachers' presentation, expectations, and accountability of both academic and experiential programs. Maria and Melinda have a well thought out and planned curriculum, intentionally designed to address academic, social, emotional, and physical needs of each child. And each child has very different needs in each of these four realms. This type of education is almost non-existent in our society but oh so necessary. It addresses the whole child and all of his or her needs. I have been impressed with the maturity, focus, and productivity of these young people when they come to our farm. They come to learn but they also come to work. And they do work as they learn. They share camaraderie, laughs, and knowledge amongst themselves in a respectful manner. On occasion, when disrespect is observed by the teachers it is addressed immediately in the context of the experience. It is not tabled or ignored and replaced by a future, theoretical, group discussion. Though that may happen additionally. CELC kids learned how to speak with confidence during conversations with peers and adults, when asking a question or when doing a major academic presentation. They also learn to listen patiently and intently so they can respond in a thoughtful way. In my opinion and from my experience this is the way education should be. The CELC kids will, no doubt, look back on their experience with Maria and Melinda and see how important it was to their future growth, maturity, and success in our world community. Rob Cole-Whiffen read more

Two of the most committed teachers I have ever met. Wiling to work with each student and family indivdually while also prioritizing community. Academics are both intellectually rigorous and balanced with real life experiences and kid friendly activity. A very good value, as well, as far as private education. A truly drug free, bully free, place to experience the transition to adolecsence which is a miracle! read more