Schools

We Create Innovative Thinkers for a Dynamic World

Colchester Public Schools (CPS) has a proud tradition dating back from the first Bacon Academy, established in 1803. In Colchester, "where tradition meets tomorrow," families and community join together in the education of our youth, proudly partnering to offer the best education possible. 

Colchester Elementary School (CES)

315 Halls Hill Rd, Colchester, CT 06415
Grades PK-2
Tel: 860-537-0717
Fax: 860-537-6573

Colchester Elementary School, designed for Colchester’s youngest citizens in preschool through grade two, opened its doors in September 2006. CES is home to the Colchester Early Childhood Program for students ages 3 to 5. In addition, we house Head Start and an Early Head Start program at CES and the district’s School Readiness Coordinator’s office is on site. CES serves approximately 500 students in our fully inclusive school.
 

Jack Jackter Intermediate School (JJIS)

215 Halls Hill Rd, Colchester, CT 06415
Grades: 3-5
Tel: 860-537-9421
Fax: 860-537-0349

Jack Jackter Intermediate School opened its doors in September of 2006 to educate the third, fourth and fifth graders of the Colchester community.

We at JJIS pride ourselves in servicing the academic and social curriculum needs of third, fourth and fifth graders in our town.  Staff members are constantly striving to become experts in the development of the intermediate aged child. School procedures, routines and expectations are developed collaboratively by our faculty to ensure the well being and academic success of each and every student. We are constantly seeking ways to better foster and maintain our positive school environment.

JJIS offers a rich curricula which includes a literature-based reading and process writing program. Students regularly participate in hands-on math, science and social studies activities. This ensures that learning is both interesting and relevant. Weekly art, music, media, technology, health and physical education classes are an important part of our students' comprehensive education program. Students may also elect to participate in the popular instrumental and choral music programs.

William J. Johnston Middle School (WJJMS)

360 Norwich Avenue, Colchester, CT 06415
Grades: 6-8
Tel: 860-537-2313
Fax: 860-537-6258

On May 19, 1990, Central Middle School was renamed the William J. Johnston Middle School in honor of Colchester's World War II Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, William J. Johnston. Mr. Johnston, a native of Colchester, received the nation's highest award for his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty, in action against the enemy.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt presented the Medal of Honor to Private First Class Johnston on May 29, 1944. Following his discharge from the Army, Mr. Johnston built a career with the Veteran's Administration as a service officer. He was also a former Selectman of the Town of Colchester and an active member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Mr. Johnston's message for the students of Colchester was to "respect each other" and to respect the right to disagree without being disagreeable, to be decent, and to be willing to accept other people's opinions.

Mr. Johnston passed away on May 29, 1990, forty-six years after he received his most prestigious honor.

Bacon Academy (BA)

611 Norwich Avenue, Colchester, CT 06415
Grades: 9-12
Tel: 860-537-2378
Fax: 860-537-5410

In 1800 a prominent Colchester farmer, Pierpont Bacon, died and left an endowment of thirty-five thousand dollars.  The endowment was to the inhabitants of the First Society of Colchester for the purpose of supporting and maintaining a school "... for the instruction of Youth in Reading and writing English, in Arithmetic, Mathematics, and the Languages, or such other branches of Learning".

This established the academy that bears his name. Bacon Academy's doors opened to the children of Colchester on the first of November 1803 and from that point forward, has prepared many young men and women for the life that lay ahead.[1]

 

References

  1. "Bacon Academy" Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. Jan 2005. Web. Oct 2020