Sound School

The Sound School is a regional vocational aquaculture center situated in the City Point neighborhood of New Haven, Connecticut.

The Sound School Regional Vocational Aquaculture Center is an accredited inter-district, college preparatory, high school, one of the 19 vocational agriculture centers in Connecticut, and a part of The New Haven Public School System. It is the first (full-time center) to concentrate in the study of aquaculture and marine trades.Located on the banks of New Haven Harbor in historic Oyster Point, The Sound School boasts a five building campus with sweeping water views. This is the ideal location for the unique high school program with a dual focus on marine and agriculture sciences and technology. The Sound School offers students a blend of the academic and practical education necessary to succeed in today's ever-changing world. It enrolls students from New Haven and twenty-one surrounding towns creating a community of diversity that develops students' social and intellectual skills.

Sound School students take courses in maritime history, literature of the sea, boat building, oceanography, marine biology, aquaculture chemistry and marine technology. Students enrolled in its Agriculture program (available only to New Haven students) take courses in natural resources, greenhouse technology, agricultural chemistry, veterinary science, and hydroponics. All students take standard high school courses such as English, math, foreign language, and history. Sound School students enjoy the aquatic sports of sailing and rowing. It also offers a full range of after school activities including off-site sports.

The expanded Sound School curriculum provides an excellent background for a wide range of choices after graduation. Solid training in math, science and the marine trades allows students to pursue further education in college, the technical trades, or apply their vocational and personal skills directly in the job market. Students who are interested in land and sea sciences, trades, & careers are urged to apply.

Philosophy

Core beliefs

* The marine environment, unique location of the school, and the vocational aquaculture and agriculture curricula are powerful tools to capture student interest and motivation, ensuring student fluency, and therefore, student achievement.
* Fluency in the core content areas is paramount.
* Students who are fluent can use mathematics to solve real-life problems, analyze scientific data, think critically about what they read, command a working knowledge of the world’s history, cultures, and languages, and express their ideas coherently in writing.
* Fluency is not only the greatest factor influencing student success on high-level, high stakes assessments such as the CAPT—it is an essential prerequisite for a successful life.

Learning environment

The Sound School is a learning community where:
* Students and Faculty feel safe and respected.
* Faculty members fearlessly use methods “outside the norm,” which lead to authentic student learning.
* Students recognize the power of academic pursuits.
* Teachers capture student interest and motivation through engaging learning activities.
* Administrators support teachers in their efforts, and make school good for students.
* Students reach beyond their grasp, and teachers consistently challenge them to do better.
* The physical plant supports the educational program.
* The knowledge and values inherent in a love for the marine environment, America’s agricultural heritage, and New Haven’s maritime tradition are transmitted to students consistently.
* Students take care of one another and feel that they are partners in all school endeavors.

Mission

The mission of the Sound School to produce citizens of the World who can think critically; solve problems, question, and act with facility and fluency.

All students at the Sound School will graduate with the ability to demonstrate:

* The use of critical thinking.
* Proficiency in solving multi-step, interdisciplinary problems.
* Proficiency in mathematics, reading, writing, and science.
* Facility with at least one foreign language.
* Appropriate public speaking skills.
* Job readiness skills.
* A working knowledge of the tools of maritime and/or agricultural commerce.
* A working knowledge of marine and/or terrestrial ecology.
* The ability to function as part of a team.
* A healthy respect for the diversity of individuals found at school, in academia, in the workplace, and in the world at large.

Trivia

*It offers maritime classes and has one of the best marine research stations in New England.Fact|date=February 2007
*There are about 330 students.
*The principal is Steven Pynn.
*Some Sound School students built the recreation of the historic ship Amistad.
*The Sound School was founded by George E. Foote, and One of the school's five buildings is named for him.
*The Sound School has a fleet of over 30 vessels, many of which have been built by students.
*The Sound School has a marine railway capable of raising and lowering boats into the harbor.
*The Sound School is so close to the water that one of its buildings stands atop pilings.
*The Sound School's open-water endurance rowing team has won or placed in the top three in international competitions for the past five years.
*The Sound School has successfully hatched and raised lobsters in captivity.
*The Sound School maintains part of the last population of Bay Scallops (Aquipectin irradiens) in the world.

The Sound School's official website is http://www.soundschool.com

The Sound School students themselves have put together a website for students, family, friends, and any other persons related to the community to join and interact. This site is owned by former student Drew Garrity and operated by the student members of the site. http://www.soundcommunity.org/