Hamden, CT — August 5, 2026 — Arts for Learning Connecticut (AFLCT) has received a $3,500 grant from the George A. & Grace L. Long Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Co-Trustee, to support Higher Order Thinking Schools programming at F.J. Kingsbury Elementary School in Waterbury during the 2026-27 school year.
The grant will help AFLCT provide arts integrated residencies, classroom workshops, school-wide performances, and professional development for educators. The program will serve 416 students in kindergarten through fifth grade at Kingsbury, a Title I school where more than 83% of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
“Every student deserves opportunities to create, collaborate, and discover their voice through the arts,” said Jed Kornbluh, Director of Business Development at Arts for Learning Connecticut. “The Long Foundation’s continued partnership helps us bring sustained arts learning to Kingsbury’s students while giving educators practical strategies they can continue using throughout the school year.”
HOT Schools is AFLCT’s comprehensive, whole-school approach to arts integration. Professional Teaching Artists work alongside classroom educators to create curriculum-aligned experiences that strengthen student engagement, communication, confidence, and belonging. The program also helps teachers develop new approaches for reaching students with a wide range of learning styles and needs.
An external evaluation of HOT Schools’ 2024-25 programming found that 98% of teachers reported active student engagement, 94% said students’ creative expression was supported, and 91% of students indicated that the program helped them better understand their classmates.
The award builds on the Long Foundation’s previous support of HOT Schools at Kinsella Magnet School in Hartford and other AFLCT partner schools.
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.