District Overview
Working closely with the Norwalk community, Norwalk Public Schools is focused on creating a student-focused culture that motivates, challenges and supports each individual student to his or her highest levels of achievement. Over 1,900 dedicated professionals work closely with nearly 12,000 students in 22 schools.
The Norwalk Public Schools district is made up of 13 elementary schools, four middle schools, four high schools and one inclusive pre-school program. The state-of-the art Norwalk Early Childhood Center opened its doors in September 2016 to serve preschool families of both typical and special needs children. Norwalk offers several magnet schools at the elementary level, including Concord, based on the Bank Street School model; Silvermine Dual Language Magnet School, an English-Spanish immersion program, and Tracey Magnet School, a 2019 Blue Ribbon School with a curriculum based on character education.
Norwalk is also home to the Center for Global Studies, an inter-district high school magnet housed at Brien McMahon High School, as well as P-TECH Norwalk, which was the state’s first early college. The P-TECH model program is in partnership with IBM and Norwalk Community College. In 2017, Brien McMahon High School was approved to offer the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma program.
Our district's rich diversity is a key part of our strength. Norwalk students come from a variety of backgrounds, with more than 41% of students speaking a second language at home. The Norwalk Public Schools system delivers a learning experience that is rich in cultural diversity, as well as one that is reflective of the global society in which our graduates will work and live.
Norwalk Public Schools provides comprehensive special education and bilingual education programs, full day Kindergarten, and expanded Pre-K opportunities. Before and after-school programs are available throughout the city for both elementary and secondary students. Students can also take advantage of a full array of interscholastic athletics and extra-curricular activities that cover a full range of interests from computers to chess to community service. Programs like the Center for Youth Leadership, and the Norwalk High School and Brien McMahon Marching Bands, have received national recognition.