Open enrollment registration is now available for Howard Connect Academy. The innovative new school will open its doors this August to welcome the class of 2026, with seats available to 150 rising sixth graders.
“Howard Connect Academy will break the mold of what a middle school education can be for children,” said Mardee Miller, principal of Howard Connect Academy. “We are creating a space where our diverse community will learn to collaborate, communicate, and solve world problems in a fun, safe and accepting environment.”
Howard Connect Academy approaches learning through five design principles:
· Authentic learning focused on lessons that are relevant to the children because they will be able to connect what they learn to the world around them
· Fostering curiosity that encourages critical thinking and allows students to discover their own genius
· Collaborative experiences where everyone works together to have the best possible learning experience
· Equitable opportunities where every child can become their best they can be academically, socially, and emotionally
· Love and joy will be the norm as the school will be a place where people want to be because learning is fun and the learning community cares about each other
Officials said, "Curiosity will be encouraged for children at Howard Connect Academy as students approach learning through experiences grounded in relevance, purpose, and flexibility. Also, equity between individual learners is a top priority, developed through relationships between students, teachers, parents, and community members. The school will utilize a collaborative culture to foster a joyful community, where students are encouraged to change the way they see things, by acquiring new skills and altering the way they view themselves and their potential."
“Our teachers are innovators who use their creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking to design learning opportunities that are authentic and rigorous,” Miller added. “Howard Connect Academy teachers find it essential to develop relationships with students, colleagues, parents, and the community to ensure equity for our young learners.”
Howard Connect Academy gives enrollment priority to those living in the Howard community and will have two lotteries. Half of the 150 seats available will go to students in the traditional feeder schools Battle Academy and Calvin Donaldson, and the other half will be open to all Hamilton County students. If a student attending Battle or Calvin Donaldson does not receive a seat in the first lottery, they may enter again into the second lottery. The lottery for Battle and Calvin Donaldson students closes on Friday, Feb. 15, and the second lottery available to all students in Hamilton County will open that Friday and continue through Friday, March 15.
Howard Connect Academy is at 100 25th Street, in a newly-renovated space from floor to ceiling. The school has adequate space to support its design principles, featuring an industrial vibe with bold use of color in the school decor. The Howard Connect mascot is the Hustlin’ Tigers, and the school colors are maroon and gold. The school will have sports teams, after-school clubs, extra-curricular activities, and more as the school grows. Howard Connect Academy will have no interaction with the high school for safety purposes.
Apply today for Howard Connect Academy on the Hamilton County Schools’ website at HCDE.org. Click on the Schools tab at the top of the page, then My Future Schools in the drop-down menu. Click the English or Spanish link under “Open Enrollment Application” to apply.