Whiting Lane Elementary School

Public, Suburban

Grades PK-5

West Hartford, CT

Designated a School of Distinction by the Connecticut Department of Education 6 times in the past 9 years.
Recognized as a national Blue Ribbon School in 2022 for academic performance and strong efforts to close the achievement gap amongst all subgroups of students.
School survey data collected in the 2023-24 school year reflects that 95% of students feel safe at school.

Brain-Based Learning
Learning to Synthesize Through a Hands-On Activity
Using construction paper and glue sticks to practice a higher-order thinking skill makes the task more accessible for students—and more engaging.
Communication Skills
Building Communication Skills With Peer Critique
When students use a rubric and sentence starters to provide feedback to their classmates, they help each other improve their work.
Culturally Responsive Teaching
Building Belonging With Cultural Ambassadors
This school builds inclusivity and creates a sense of community and connection for all students through cultural ambassadors.
Student Engagement
Making Math Tangible With a Dream House Project
When students work together to calculate construction costs and negotiate design choices, they develop skills in math and collaboration—all while letting their imaginations run wild.
Classroom Management
How Punch Cards Can Simplify Classroom Management
By replacing the traditional ticket system, teachers can gain back time and energy while still encouraging positive behavior and strong work habits from students.