HOT Schools is a whole school, deep impact, arts program that enriches school culture, improves student engagement, and expands teacher practice. Grounded in Social Emotional Learning, Culturally Responsive Teaching, and Multiple Intelligences Theory, HOT Schools utilizes a skilled roster of Teaching Artists to provide Professional Development, Arts Integrated Residencies, Arts Workshops, and Schoolwide Performances in K–12 schools across Connecticut.
In the 2026–27 school year, we are partnering with seven schools. With a school portfolio that bridges urban, suburban, and rural divides, we seek educational equity by serving schools and communities with significant proportions of students who are eligible for Free or Reduced Price Lunch or who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color.
HOT Schools was established in 1994 by the Connecticut Office of the Arts and has since partnered with dozens of schools and hundreds of teaching artists, serving tens of thousands of students over three decades. In 2019, COA and AFLCT leadership began working together to envision the next chapter of this nationally recognized program, which led to HOT Schools becoming a core program of AFLCT.
We’ve worked in collaboration with Elizabeth Osche of PERG Learning to evaluate the impact of HOT Schools. For a review of the program during the recently completed 2025–26 school year, see our HOT Schools Annual Impact Report below. A HOT Schools Developmental Evaluation Report on the 2021–22 program can also be found below.
Innovation is not a destination. It is a mindset. Innovation requires a readiness to see possibility where others follow routine. This year, Higher Order Thinking Schools embraces innovation not only as an appreciation of the new, but as the practice of asking HOT questions, taking meaningful risks, and imagining what teaching and learning can become. Through the arts, we create opportunities where curiosity leads, creativity flourishes, and every learner has the chance to contribute something only they can offer.
—Christopher Eaves, Director, HOT Schools
2026–27 HOT Schools partner schools
- Concord Magnet School, Norwalk (2022…)
- Kingsbury Elementary, Waterbury (2021…)
- Kinsella Magnet School of Performing Arts (2024…)
- Reed School, Waterbury (2024…)
- Regional Multicultural Magnet School, New London (2022…)
- Roxbury Elementary School, Stamford (2022…)
- Wolfpit Integrated Arts School, Norwalk (2023…)
Higher Order Thinking Schools Annual Impact Report
HOT Schools Funding Partners
Special thanks for the support of our generous 2026–27 HOT Schools funders, including: American Savings Foundation, Barnum Foundation for Life, Chelsea Groton Foundation, Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, Connecticut Office of the Arts, Dime Bank Foundation, Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, Elizabeth Carse Foundation, Frank Loomis Palmer Fund, George and Grace Long Foundation, Ion Bank, Jeffrey P. Ossen Family Foundation, Liberty Bank Foundation, Linford & Mildred White Charitable Fund, M&T Charitable Foundation, Maximilian E & Marion O Hoffman Foundation, Near & Far Aid, New Alliance Foundation, Pincus Family Foundation, ScanSource Charitable Foundation, Scripps Family Fund for Education and the Arts, Union Savings Bank Foundation and Zayas Law Fund for Arts and Education.