Blurring The Boundaries; The University HS of Science and Engineering

Blurring the Boundaries;
The University High School of Science and Engineering

Blurring the Boundaries

Speakers

• Alan J. Hadad PhD,
Associate Vice President and Dean of University Magnet Schools,
University of Hartford
• James LaPosta Jr. AIA LEED AP,
Principal, Chief Architectural Officer,
JCJ Architecture


Learning Objectives

1. Explore the process of joint school district / university planning

2. Review the design of learning environments for science and
engineering

3. Understand the challenges of developing an inter-district
magnet school


The Players


The City

University of
Hartford

Downtown
– Independent, nonsectarian, coeducational university founded in 1877
Hartford
and offering graduate and undergraduate programs in nine distinct
colleges


The University

– Independent, nonsectarian, coeducational university founded in 1877 and
offering graduate and undergraduate programs in 7 distinct colleges
– A Private University with a Public Purpose


The Players


Hartford Public Schools

Capital Region Education Council (CREC)

State of Connecticut


The Timeline

2002 Planning grant to University of Hartford
2003 Educational Specifications
2003 State of CT Grant Application
2003 Site Selection on University campus
2004 State of CT approves 95% grant
2004 A/E Team Selected
2004 Freshman class begins on UoH West Campus
2005 Design Begins
2006 Original occupancy target
2007 Construction Start
2008 First Class graduates
2009 New Building opens (September)


The Mission

Major changes in higher education in the United
States in the past half-century
Shift from private to public sector. 1959: 50% public;
50% private. 2009: 78% public; 22% private.
Massachusetts is the only state where enrollment in the
private sector outnumbers enrollment in the public
sector.
– Morrill Land Grant Act, 1862.
– G.I. Bill, 1944.
– National Defense Education Act (NDEA), 1958 (post-
Sputnick).
– Higher Education Act, 1965 (Pell Grants).


The Mission

Net effect: Gave opportunities for populations that had
historically been excluded from higher education due to
economic restrictions.

Enormous growth of Student Affairs sector of colleges
and universities.

Blurring the boundaries between high school and college

– Dramatic growth of Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high
schools
– Emergence of offerings for college credit previously referred
to as “remedial courses” given in many colleges and
universities.

The Mission

Relative world-wide standing of the United States
educational system

Higher Education: still considered the pre-eminent
country in the world.

K-12: ranked 20th-25th in most studies, depending on the
nature of the study.


The Mission

Conclusion:

United States is a country at risk; colleges and
universities must get involved in K-12 education,
particularly in STEM disciplines, and above and beyond
schools of education (i.e., math, science, engineering
departments must play a significant role).


The Solution

Gates Foundation

Commitment of huge sums of money to reform K-12
education; one of foci is the concept of “Early College”.

Through Woodrow Wilson Foundation, University of
Hartford received $400,000 planning grant to develop
University High School of Science and Engineering
(UHSSE) on its campus.


The Solution

UHSSE opened in temporary quarters on an auxiliary
University of Hartford campus in fall 2004.

Permanent structure and road, on the main campus, were
completed summer 2009.

Qualified students have the opportunity to take
University of Hartford courses for credit free of charge
while still matriculated in high school.


The Solution

Qualified students have the opportunity to take
University of Hartford courses for credit free of
charge while still matriculated in high school.
– Admissions Committee of tenured University faculty
– Students may apply in any year
– Higher standards than regular University admission
– Review HS faculty recommendation; GPA; national
test scores
– Average GPA of 3.8 for HS students in college
courses


The Program


The Program

…a rigorous, interdisciplinary curriculum in the
sciences and engineering with a strong foundation
in core academic subjects.


The Program

Grades 9-12
400 Students
30 Cities and Towns
70% City of Hartford students (now 50%)
30% Suburban students (now 50%)
Lottery based
Shared facilities with the University
…maybe


The Program

Classrooms
Science Labs
Engineering Labs
Satellite Resource Media Center
Exhibition/Conference/Discovery Center
Internet Café
Half-Court Gymnasium
Administration and Support Areas


The Site


The Site

Site Characteristics

On the Hartford side of the campus
New gateway to the University
Easy access to University facilities
Feel like a part of the University


Weaver HS

West Hartford Hartford

Mark Twain ES
Watkinson School

Public Housing


The Building


Ground Level Plan


9th Grade Laboratories 10th Grade

Second Level Plan


11th Grade Laboratories 12th Grade

Third Level Plan


So how did it go?

Public K-12 environment is different than private higher
education
– Teacher Certification
– Admission via lottery
– Union contracts
– Comprehensive vs. specialized
University had no direct role in design and construction
– City of Hartford design oversight
– State of Connecticut funding regulations
– State of CT DEP public hearing process
– Challenging bid environment for city of Hartford projects


So how did it go?

First class graduated in Spring 2008. Of 69 graduates, 67
went on to college (the other two entered the military).
Class of 2009; 70 graduates, 68 went on to college
3 members of the Class of 2010 (of 57) admitted to MIT
Early Decision
2008 School of Excellence; Magnet Schools of America
Top performing school (of all types) in Hartford
US News & World Report; 2009Top 100 High Schools,
Bronze Medal


The last word


The End


Blurring The Boundaries; The University HS of Science and Engineering

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