Hamden, CT — April 9, 2026 — Arts for Learning CT is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the NewAlliance Foundation to support the continued implementation of its Higher Order Thinking (HOT) Schools program at Church Street School and ACES Wintergreen Interdistrict Magnet School in Hamden.
This funding will support arts-integrated learning experiences reaching all Church Street School and Wintergreen students and educators through in-school workshops, residencies, performances, and professional development. The HOT Schools program is AFLCT’s flagship initiative, designed as a comprehensive, whole-school model that integrates the arts into core academic learning.
Through this initiative, AFLCT partners with schools to strengthen student engagement, enrich school culture, and expand teacher practice. Programming includes school-wide performances, in-class residencies and workshops, and professional development for educators, all grounded in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), creativity, and culturally responsive teaching practices.
“NewAlliance Foundation’s continued support allows us to sustain and strengthen this work in Hamden,” said John-Michael Parker. “The HOT Schools model ensures that the arts are not an add-on, but a core strategy for helping students engage in learning, express themselves, and succeed in school.”
About NewAlliance Foundation
The NewAlliance Foundation supports nonprofit organizations throughout Connecticut that advance education, community development, and the arts, with a focus on strengthening local communities and expanding opportunity.
About Higher Order Thinking Schools
The Higher Order Thinking Schools program is a comprehensive initiative integrating arts learning into the core curriculum to improve school and student outcomes. Its goals are to improve student engagement, enrich school culture, and expand teacher practice. It is built on the belief that arts learning promotes higher-order thinking and develops skills such as problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration. HOT Schools partner schools are characterized by their focus on Social and Emotional Learning, Culturally Responsive Teaching practice, and school culture, fostering an environment where every student is encouraged to engage actively in their learning. The program has been recognized nationally for its innovative approach to education and its success in enhancing student achievement.