Released: April 4, 2005

Metropolitan Learning Center Receives Third National Magnet School Award

CREC Magnet School to be Recognized April 19

The CREC Metropolitan Learning Center has been named a School of Distinction for the third time by Magnet Schools of America.  School representatives will receive a plaque during an awards ceremony April 19 at the organization’s 23rd national conference in Miami.

The CREC interdistrict magnet school, located in Bloomfield, serves 700 students in grades six through 12 from Bloomfield, East Windsor, Enfield, Hartford, Windsor and Windsor Locks with a global and international studies theme.  The school, which will host its first graduation ceremony in June, was selected from among candidates nationwide based on such criteria as desegregation/diversity goals, innovative instructional strategies, student achievement and parent/community involvement.  The school’s first award was presented in 2002, after just four years of operation; MLC received its second award last year.

“The MLC community deserves this recognition,” said Bruce Douglas, Executive Director of the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC), the organization that developed and manages MLC.  “From the students and parents to the staff and even the international visitors MLC hosts from schools around the globe, there is a true love of learning throughout this school that exemplifies the goals of any magnet school.”

MLC is viewed as the students’ workplace, and each student’s job is to learn, grow and give back to his/her respective community.  There is a rigorous emphasis on world languages and state-of-the-art technology, and the curriculum is designed around how the adolescent brain learns.  Each student is assigned a wireless laptop computer and receives instruction in Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish and American Sign Language.

“We are thrilled to receive this prestigious award,” said Anne McKernan, Acting Principal of the nationally acclaimed school.  “The students make this school shine by taking advantage of every opportunity presented – from community service right here in Connecticut to studying abroad.”

Diane Creekmore, President of Magnet Schools of America, and Mary Helen Arbogast, MSA Southeastern Regional Director and Chair of the Merit Awards Committee, will present the Magnet School of Distinction Award during the national conference, which runs from April 17- 21 at the Fontainebleu Hilton Resort in Miami Beach, Fla.  The awards gala is scheduled for Tuesday, April 19.  Attendees will include more than 1,000 school administrators and teachers from magnet schools and districts across the nation.