Trinity Academy to Host Annual Spark Gala on May 14 in Hartford

Trinity Academy, an independent nonprofit K–4 elementary school, will host its annual Spark Gala on Thursday, May 14 at The Lyceum in Hartford, bringing together supporters, families, and community leaders for an evening celebrating student creativity, innovation, and opportunity. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will feature cocktails, dinner, a live auction, and a program highlighting the impact of Trinity Academy’s tuition-free, innovation-based education.

“We rely on community support to make this work possible,” said Joshua Krause, principal of Trinity Academy. “The Spark Gala helps ensure every student has access to a high-quality education at no cost to their family.”

It costs approximately $16,000 to educate one student each year, a cost made possible through donor support and fundraising events like the Spark Gala. Trinity Academy serves approximately 35 students (40-45 in the 2026/2027 school year) with small class sizes and individualized learning plans for each child.

The 2026 gala will honor Sharon Bartlett, a longtime literacy volunteer whose dedication has helped shape generations of young readers, and will feature remarks from Nick Briere, Executive Director of the Connecticut Invention Convention and a key partner in the school’s growing innovation programming.

Students at Trinity Academy build a strong academic foundation in their early years, preparing them for continued success at schools such as Grace Academy and Covenant Preparatory School, and beyond to high school, college, and future careers.

Messiah Price, now a junior at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Full Day High School, attended Trinity Academy and credits those formative years with shaping who she is today.

“My mom wanted my brothers and me in a diverse community where we were supported,” said Messiah, who enrolled at Trinity in third grade. “She felt those early years were really important, and that Trinity was the right place.”

The evening will highlight how Trinity students develop confidence, critical thinking skills, and a strong academic foundation through experiences such as innovation challenges and collaborative, project-based learning.

The Spark Gala will be held at The Lyceum, located at 227 Lawrence Street in Hartford. Attire is business or cocktail, and complimentary parking is available on-site and nearby.

For more information, ticket purchases, or sponsorship opportunities, contact Barton Darney at bdarney@trinityday.org or 203-985-9817.

About Trinity Academy

Trinity Academy is an independent, privately funded, tuition-free elementary school serving students in kindergarten through fourth grade in the Hartford area for more than 10 years. Its mission is to educate students in a nurturing and inclusive environment with a focus on intensive academics, the arts, literacy, and critical thinking, helping students develop strong core skills to grow socially, emotionally, and culturally.