Database: Public Alternatives to Brookfield Schools

Over the years, Brookfield has had a relatively stable number of students outplaced to other school districts, vacillating between 2.45 percent and just over 3 percent of the student body [see chart below].

Local residents were schooled in 12 districts other than Brookfield between the 2006-07 academic year and 2010-11, with students outplaced to a high of 10 school districts in 2007-08.

The two districts that take in the most Brookfield students annually are the Connecticut Technical High School System, which includes Henry Abbott Tech in Danbury, and the Western Connecticut Academy of International Studies Magnet School, also in Danbury. Brookfield’s 2013-14 proposed education budget includes transportation funding for 45 and 43 students to each school, respectively.   

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Compare Brookfield’s numbers with other Connecticut school districts using the database above.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Connecticut offers great educational opportunities for all of its kids, from charter and magnet schools, to open choice and vo-ag programs.

"All of these schools, particularly magnets and the Open Choice program, have the twin goals of increasing student achievement and reducing racial, ethnic, and economic isolation," said State Department of Education Communications Director Kelly Donnelly. 

There is still a high demand and substantial waiting lists for many Connecticut magnet and charter schools, she added.

But these fantastic options come with a price tag for local school districts and their budgets. Donnelly provided funding info to break down the numbers:

Magnet schools: 

What are they?: Magnet schools are publicly-funded and are run by local districts, regional school districts or as a cooperative between two districts. Each school has an educational theme (i.e. performing arts, technology, etc.). Info from the Public School Choice brochure on the state DOE website.

Funding: State magnet schools receive $7,085 for each out-of-district student and $3,000 for in-district students. The local school district must provide transportation for in-district students. The tuition costs are paid through state grants, the local school districts, federal grants, corporate contributions and from tuition paid by parents. The magnet school or the students' hometown districts receive state grants if they choose to transport the out-of-district kids.

Donnelly clarified that the portion of the tuitions paid by local school districts for the magnet schools can vary, depending on whether schools are in a "Sheff" region or not, as well as several other factors.

Charter schools:

What are they?: Charter schools are public schools run independently from local or regional school districts. A charter school can determine how large of a geographic area it wants to serve. Info from the Public School Choice brochure on the state DOE website.

Funding: State charter schools receive $10,200 per student. The school or local school district has to provide transportation for in-district students. State and federal grants pay for the tuition of charter schools. 

Open Choice Schools:

What are they?: Open Choice schools allow urban students to enroll in participating non-urban schools and vice versa. Info from the Public School Choice brochure on the state DOE website. 

Funding: The state pays for the Open Choice program on a sliding percentage scale. Transportation is also paid for by the state.

Agricultural Science and Technology Centers:

What are they?: Located at comprehensive high schools, these centers train students for entry-level employment or college in the agricultural science and technology fields. Info from the Public School Choice brochure on the state DOE website. 

Funding: The state pays a grant for each student enrolled, and the student's hometown school district pays a tuition fee to the district hosting the center.

Technical High Schools:

What are they?: There are 17 technical high schools in the state that give students a diploma and a certificate in a trade of technology when they graduate. Info from the Public School Choice brochure on the state DOE website. 

Funding: The State Department of Education pays for the operation of these schools. The student's hometown school district must provide transportation.