Hamden, CT — June 29, 2026 — Arts for Learning Connecticut (AFLCT) has been awarded a $3,750 community grant from Chelsea Groton Bank to support its Higher Order Thinking (HOT) Schools initiative at Regional Multicultural Magnet School (RMMS) in New London during the 2026–2027 school year.
The funding will help sustain AFLCT’s whole-school arts integration model, bringing professional Teaching Artists into classrooms to collaborate with educators through arts-integrated residencies, workshops, performances, and professional development. The grant will specifically support schoolwide arts experiences and a portion of RMMS’s residency programming, ensuring students continue to benefit from engaging, creative learning opportunities throughout the academic year.
Regional Multicultural Magnet School has partnered with AFLCT for the past four years to implement the HOT Schools model, which uses the arts as a catalyst for deeper learning, creative expression, and stronger school communities. The initiative is designed to enrich school culture, strengthen instructional practice, and increase student engagement by embedding the arts throughout teaching and learning.
“We are grateful to Chelsea Groton Bank for its continued investment in the students and educators of Regional Multicultural Magnet School,” said John-Michael Parker, Executive Director of Arts for Learning Connecticut. “Their support helps ensure that students have access to meaningful arts experiences that foster creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and confidence while equipping educators with innovative strategies that enhance learning across the curriculum.”
RMMS serves approximately 580 students from New London and surrounding communities, with more than 70 percent of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals. Through HOT Schools, AFLCT works alongside school leadership and classroom teachers to create equitable, culturally responsive learning experiences that engage students academically, socially, and emotionally.
“Partnerships like this demonstrate the powerful role local businesses play in strengthening public education,” said Jed Kornbluh, Director of Business Development at Arts for Learning Connecticut. “Chelsea Groton Bank has been a valued supporter of this work, and we’re thankful for their continued commitment to helping New London students thrive through the arts.”
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.