High School Options for 8th Graders

The Academy of Information Technology & Engineering (AITE) is Stamford Public School’s inter-district, public, magnet high school. With a maximum enrollment of 700 students, AITE offers a dynamic college preparatory environment that integrates 21st century learning expectations with a STEAM focused curriculum.  AITE offers rigorous academic courses, as well as electives in information technology, architecture & engineering, Bio-medical sciences, and digital arts.

The learning environment includes 88-minute classes in an alternate day block schedule with a focus on student-centered, project based learning. Honors, advanced placement, college credit, and virtual high school courses are available to all students. Students are also required to complete a minimum of 50 community service hours and a Senior Capstone project to graduate.  Admission is based on an application and lottery system.  AITE Admissions: https://www.stamfordpublicschools.org/aite-high-school/admissions.  For additional information please contact the main office at (203) 977-4336 ext: 0.

The Early College Studies Program at Stamford High School is Now Accepting Applications for the Incoming 2021-2022 Academic Year

The Early College Studies (ECS) Program at Stamford High School is a dual-enrollment program with Norwalk Community College (NCC) in which students have the opportunity to simultaneously earn their high school diploma and an associate’s degree in computer science within four to six years. Stamford High School educators provide students with the coursework they need to develop appropriate academic and executive skills while content-specific educators at Norwalk Community College (and adjunct NCC faculty at SHS) provide coursework students need for the degree in Computer Science.

The Early College Studies program is open to all Stamford residents regardless of their zoned high school.  Students can apply to ECS via a lottery and/or an Early Decision or General Admission process.  More information about our program and the application process can be found on our website at www.ecsstamford.com.

For further questions, please email Adam Scianna, the Director of the Early College Studies program at ascianna@stamfordct.gov

SPS is pleased to announce that Stamford High School has been selected as the first high school in the State of Connecticut to offer the High School of Business™ (HSB) program beginning in Fall 2023. 

Created by MBAResearch, the High School of Business program prepares students to excel in college-level business administration programs through an accelerated, project-based curriculum delivered in the context of solving real world business problems. The three-year High School of Business program includes six semester-length courses: Principles of Business, Business Economics, Principles of Marketing, Principles of Finance, Principles of Management, and Business Strategies, which is the culminating capstone course in which students start and run their own business.  

All students who reside within the Stamford Public School District are welcome to apply to the HS of Business.  To be considered for admission, you must first complete this application form. Please note:  This form will close on  February  28, 2023 A lottery will be held on March 1, 2023 1st and acceptances are due by March 31, 2023 .

High School of Business Brochure 

SHS HS of Business Parent Presentation (2/15/23)

All students who reside within the Stamford Public School District are welcome to apply to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) during the fall of their sophomore year.  The IBDP offers a challenging, internationally respected curriculum that is designed to prepare students for success both in higher education and the real world.  Participation in the IBDP requires a significant commitment on the part of the candidate and their family.  The commitment is rewarded with a high quality education that is recognized by institutions for higher learning around the world.  To learn more, visit our website at https://shsibdp.wixsite.com/shsibdp or email the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Coordinator Tiffany Clark at TClark@StamfordCT.gov.

UConn Early College Experience (ECE) is an opportunity for students to take UConn courses while still in high school. ECE is offered at AITE, Stamford High and Westhill High.  Every UConn ECE course is equivalent to the same course at the University of Connecticut. There are approximately fifty courses in over twenty disciplines made available to partner high schools. Courses are taught on the high school campus by high school instructors who have been certified as adjunct faculty members by the University of Connecticut. UConn ECE students benefit by taking college courses in a familiar setting with an instructor they know. Courses offered through UConn ECE are approximately one-tenth of the cost in comparison to taking the same course on a UConn campus.  Please contact the guidance department at your districted high school for additional information about the ECE courses offered.  Additional information can be found at https://ece.uconn.edu/.

The Academy of Finance is a three-year business program that will introduce students to a world of educational and business opportunities they may not otherwise encounter. It is a program designed to broaden students’ knowledge of the world of finance through meaningful and structured educational experiences. The program is composed of one full year of Accounting in 10th grade and four semester courses spread through 11th and 12th grade. Students are required to take one year of computer classes. In addition to the required courses, students must complete an internship. In addition to regular class work, students will participate in extra  activities and go on various field trips. Students will visit corporations and gain hands-on experience in the corporate world. Students will be able to take a tour of the Federal Reserve in New York and see the bricks of gold in the vault beneath the building. Download the brochure.

Agricultural Science and Technology Education (ASTE) prepare students for college and careers in animal science, agribusiness, agricultural mechanics, aquaculture, biotechnology, food science, marine technology, natural resources, and plant science. The ASTE programs incorporate a hands-on, active curriculum that integrates subject area skills and knowledge, applied skills in the core subjects of mathematics, science and English/Language Arts while incorporating leadership skills and work-based learning experiences through the National FFA Organization and supervised agriculture experiences. The Agriscience program is not only focused on agricultural education, but also on allowing students to explore their passions and interests in a smaller community within the school.    The program includes real-world agricultural activities done by students outside of planned classroom and laboratory time, enabling students to obtain practical career skills in a part of agriculture in which they are interested. Additional Agriscience information can be found on our website: https://www.stamfordagriscience.com/prospective-students.

JROTC is an elective leadership and citizenship development program available to all students. They earn 5 credits while participating in the program to gain valuable, practical leadership skills by serving in class leadership positions. Students may earn awards and progress in rank by participating in various activities including community service projects, marching in parades, and by supporting other school and city events. JROTC also has a competitive drill team, color guard, and raider team all of which rank among the best in the New England region. Other JROTC activities include field trips, adventure training events, an annual military ball, and a summer leadership camp program. Students wear a uniform on every Wednesday and when participating in special events. Students also participate in military style physical training on Fridays. There is NO military service obligation associated with this program.  Additional information can be found at https://www.stamfordpublicschools.org/westhill-high-school/jrotc.

The Computer Science Academy of Westhill (CSAW) was established with the mission to expose students to the rapidly growing field of Computer Science. We strive to get more girls and underrepresented students to consider STEM careers.  Participating students who complete a Computer Science Pathway will be recognized as such on their Westhill transcript. A computer science pathway is a sequence of 4 courses totaling at least 3.5 credits.  CSAW is currently available to students districted to Westhill High School.  Students must wait until near the end of their Freshman year to apply for admission to CSAW. However, eighth graders districted for Westhill who think they may have eventual interest in joining CSAW are strongly advised to take a computer science class during their Freshman year at the school. For additional information, please send an email to CSAW@StamfordCT.gov or go to www.westhillcs.com.

The Center for Global Studies is a very unique inter-district program which is held at Norwalk’s Brien McMahon High School. An inter-district magnet high school in Norwalk, the school focuses on teaching the languages, culture, history, and literature of China, Japan, and the Middle East.  Through the study of Arabic, Chinese, and Japanese, language and cultural immersion study tours overseas, and by learning through experiences, the Center for Global Studies provide students opportunities to become informed, active, and compassionate scholars and global citizens. Please contact Laurie Cawley for more information at cawleyl@norwalkps.org. Additional information can be found on the school’s website at https://cgs.norwalkps.org/home.

J.M. Wright Technical High School is located in Stamford, part of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System. J.M. Wright is an innovative high school with a technology-rich environment that prepares students for jobs of the future. The dual curriculum allows students to pursue academic college-bound courses, while also getting real-world experience.  J.M. Wright has students from eight towns enrolled in grades 9-12. The school offers nine career technical education programs in addition to academic courses.  Applications are available online at  https://www.cttech.org/admissions/ctecs-applications/.  For additional information, visit the school website at https://wright.cttech.org/.