A Catholic “STREAM” School to Be Formed in Branford

We're pleased to announce that in the 2018 – 2019 academic year, St. Mary School in Branford will partner with Our Lady of Mercy School in Madison to form a successor school serving east shoreline communities – the East Shoreline Catholic Academy (ESCA). ESCA will be housed at the current site of St. Mary School, located at 62 Cedar St., Branford. Fr. Daniel McLearen (St. Margaret Parish, Madison), Fr. Stephen Sledesky (St. George Parish, Guilford), and Fr. Daniel Keefe (St. John Bosco Parish, Branford), who operate the two schools, and the Archdiocese of Hartford, share in the excitement and promise characterizing this new initiative.

Children will learn in a loving and supportive school environment where each student’s special gifts are celebrated and they are encouraged to reach their full potential. Every student will be held to high academic standards, and their relationship with God will be simultaneously nurtured in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic faith integrated across the rigorous curriculum.

ESCA will employ the progressive STREAM model, endorsed by the National Catholic Educational Association, which connects every content area by incorporating technology and engineering into a traditional curriculum. The STREAM curriculum includes Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics. Interdisciplinary instruction and project-based application will help children acquire leadership skills while preparing them for success in those careers most in demand in the twenty-first century.

Learning within a climate of innovation, Academy students will explore, analyze, and create whether they are collaborating with others or doing independent research. Highly trained, dedicated faculty will teach them to problem solve, to inquire, to think, investigate and innovate, developing the skills necessary for their current and future success. Woven throughout all of these activities will be a strong faith tradition, guiding their development as children of God who respect the dignity of every person.