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 2025–26 school year, we are partnering with eight 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 partnered with Elizabeth Osche of PERG Learning to evaluate the impact of HOT Schools. For a review of the program during the recently completed 2024–25 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.
This year, Higher Order Thinking Schools elevates Student Voice as the center of Arts Integrated Teaching & Learning. Through voice, choice, participation, and responsibility, students develop their roles as active citizens of their classrooms and communities. Grounded in the theme of Arts Education & Citizenship, we embrace the arts as a creative force for belonging, dialogue, and discovery. Democratic Practice shapes how we create spaces where every learner contributes and leads. When students claim their voice through the arts, we all grow in understanding, empathy, and possibility.
—Christopher Eaves, Director, HOT Schools
2025–26 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…)
- Wintergreen Interdistrict Magnet School, Hamden (2023…)
- 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 2024–25 HOT Schools funders, including: American Savings Foundation, Chelsea Groton Foundation, Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority, Connecticut Office of the Arts, Dime Bank Foundation, Elizabeth Carse Foundation, Frank Loomis Palmer Fund, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Zayas Law Fund for Arts and Education, Jeffrey P. Ossen Family Foundation, Liberty Bank Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Near & Far Aid, New Alliance Foundation, and Scripps Family Fund for Education and the Arts.
And thank you to those funders who have already committed to funding the program in 2025–26, including: American Savings Foundation, Chelsea Groton Foundation, Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, Connecticut Office of the Arts, Hamden Rotary, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Zayas Law Fund for Arts and Education, Jeffrey P. Ossen Family Foundation, New Alliance Foundation, Northwest Community Bank Foundation, Scripps Family Fund for Education and the Arts, and Stocker Foundation.