Your voice.
Our future.

Your voice.
Our future.

The future of Hartford Public Schools is built with our communities — and that starts with listening to what matters the most to you and your family. Keep scrolling to explore what our community is saying.

The future of Hartford Public Schools is built with our communities — and that starts with listening to what matters the most to you and your family. Keep scrolling to explore what our community is saying.

Community Feedback & What's Happening

Community Feedback & What's Happening

Community input is shaping district conversations every day. Here’s a closer look at what we’re hearing and how it connects to the work underway.

Community input is shaping district conversations every day. Here’s a closer look at what we’re hearing and how it connects to the work underway.

Families Feel the Impact of Special Education Coordination

Families Feel the Impact of Special Education Coordination
Special education needs are mentioned, highlighting the importance of IEPs, special education services, and support for students with disabilities. There are concerns about the availability and adequacy of these services, particularly for children with complex needs.
"My child is special needs and him getting out of school at 1pm everyday isn't working for my family of 2 working parents"

"My child is special needs and him getting out of school at 1pm everyday isn't working for my family of 2 working parents"

Anonymous Family Member

Anonymous Family Member

"Consistent communication with teachers and school staff is the support our family relies on most to help address academic and social needs. individualized learning support provided by the school, including specialized instruction and progress monitoring. "

"Consistent communication with teachers and school staff is the support our family relies on most to help address academic and social needs. individualized learning support provided by the school, including specialized instruction and progress monitoring. "

Anonymous Family Member

Anonymous Family Member

"Consistent communication with teachers and school staff is the support our family relies on most to help address academic and social needs. Individualized learning support provided by the school, including specialized instruction and progress monitoring. School counseling services, academic support services, including teacher communication and tutoring, to help ensure our child stays on track academically."

"Consistent communication with teachers and school staff is the support our family relies on most to help address academic and social needs. Individualized learning support provided by the school, including specialized instruction and progress monitoring. School counseling services, academic support services, including teacher communication and tutoring, to help ensure our child stays on track academically."

Anonymous Family Member

Anonymous Family Member

District Priority:

District Priority:

Legislative Priority #3: Count open choice students fully in Hartford’s ECS formula and pay for door-to-door transportation for choice students

Legislative Priority #3: Count open choice students fully in Hartford’s ECS formula and pay for door-to-door transportation for choice students
This priority focuses on aligning responsibility for special education services in the open choice process. Currently, the district responsible for developing a student’s IEP is not always the same district responsible for covering the cost of services. We support aligning both responsibility and funding, while ensuring adequate resources to manage the increased IEP workload. We are also advocating for the State to assume the cost of door-to-door transportation for open choice and magnet students to create greater consistency and sustainability.

Critical Role of Classroom Support and Specialized Services

Critical Role of Classroom Support and Specialized Services
Families describe strong reliance on classroom aides, individualized academic support, and expanded services for students with special needs, while highlighting strain when access is limited.
“Classroom aides are crucial, especially in the lower elementary grades… It’s a Godsend to have Miss [Anonymous] at Breakthrough Magnet School”

“Classroom aides are crucial, especially in the lower elementary grades… It’s a Godsend to have Miss [Anonymous] at Breakthrough Magnet School”

Anonymous Family Member

Anonymous Family Member

“Consistent communication with teachers and school staff is the support our family relies on most… individualized learning support… specialized instruction and progress monitoring…”

“Consistent communication with teachers and school staff is the support our family relies on most… individualized learning support… specialized instruction and progress monitoring…”

Anonymous Family Member

Anonymous Family Member

“I rely on the after school program so I can have stable employment… Wait lists, lack of paraprofessionals… special needs children are often overlooked…”

“I rely on the after school program so I can have stable employment… Wait lists, lack of paraprofessionals… special needs children are often overlooked…”

Anonymous Family Member

Anonymous Family Member

District Priority:

District Priority:

Strategic Priority #3: Skilled and Diverse Teams

Strategic Priority #3: Skilled and Diverse Teams
Priority 3 focuses on building and sustaining a strong, skilled, and diverse workforce across Hartford Public Schools. The district aims to recruit, develop, and retain talented educators and staff by fostering a welcoming culture, strengthening professional learning opportunities, improving hiring practices, and enhancing supports and incentives that help educators thrive and serve all students effectively.

Work Schedules and Timing Limit Family Participation

Work Schedules and Timing Limit Family Participation
Families describe work schedules, commuting distance, and event timing as barriers to participating in school activities and after-school programming.
“Work Schedules & Distance: Many parents work multiple jobs or non-traditional hours, and some families live outside Hartford, making it challenging to attend daytime school events…”

“Work Schedules & Distance: Many parents work multiple jobs or non-traditional hours, and some families live outside Hartford, making it challenging to attend daytime school events…”

Anonymous Family Member

Anonymous Family Member

“After-school activities end at 4:30. I work until 5. How do I get there in time to pick them up?”

“After-school activities end at 4:30. I work until 5. How do I get there in time to pick them up?”

Anonymous Family Member

Anonymous Family Member

“A lot of the family activities are during regular work hours, or the evening ones are long enough after school gets out that it is not practical to drive back.”

“A lot of the family activities are during regular work hours, or the evening ones are long enough after school gets out that it is not practical to drive back.”

Anonymous Family Member

Anonymous Family Member

District Priority:

District Priority:

[Optional Explanation from Community Engagement Team]

[Optional Explanation from Community Engagement Team]
[Description]

Possible Improvements to Communication Channels

Possible Improvements to Communication Channels
Families report high volumes of messages across multiple platforms, inconsistent updates, and last-minute changes that create confusion and stress.
“Communication! Most parents have notifications from HPS turned off because they are so chaotic… Parents need one clear channel without extra noise… It is very stressful.”

“Communication! Most parents have notifications from HPS turned off because they are so chaotic… Parents need one clear channel without extra noise… It is very stressful.”

Anonymous Family Member

Anonymous Family Member

“Time last minute Communication, care for elderly and young… perhaps having the ability to take part by zoom meeting if not being able to do it in person… would help.”

“Time last minute Communication, care for elderly and young… perhaps having the ability to take part by zoom meeting if not being able to do it in person… would help.”

Anonymous Family Member

Anonymous Family Member

“There can be a lot of information coming at different times. It would be nice to have the information at the beginning of the year or communicated more clearly. Sometimes information is through parent square, other times through email and other times through flyers.”

“There can be a lot of information coming at different times. It would be nice to have the information at the beginning of the year or communicated more clearly. Sometimes information is through parent square, other times through email and other times through flyers.”

Anonymous Family Member

Anonymous Family Member

District Priority:

District Priority:

[Possible Tip from Comms Team]

[Possible Tip from Comms Team]
[Explanation]

Examples of Strong School Culture and Positive Student Experience

Examples of Strong School Culture and Positive Student Experience
Families consistently describe welcoming school environments, strong communication, meaningful academic growth, and students who are excited to attend school.
“The culture and climate at BMS North is welcoming and positive… We have seen a lot of academic growth in our child as well!”

“The culture and climate at BMS North is welcoming and positive… We have seen a lot of academic growth in our child as well!”

Anonymous Family Member

Anonymous Family Member

“A strong sense of community. Teachers who genuinely care… When my child comes home excited about what they learned, it’s a sign the school is doing something right.”

“A strong sense of community. Teachers who genuinely care… When my child comes home excited about what they learned, it’s a sign the school is doing something right.”

Anonymous Family Member

Anonymous Family Member

“My child is happy to go to school! … This is a welcoming environment… where everyone strives together for the betterment of all.”

“My child is happy to go to school! … This is a welcoming environment… where everyone strives together for the betterment of all.”

Anonymous Family Member

Anonymous Family Member

District Priority:

District Priority:

Legislative Priority #3: Count open choice students fully in Hartford’s ECS formula and pay for door-to-door transportation for choice students

Legislative Priority #3: Count open choice students fully in Hartford’s ECS formula and pay for door-to-door transportation for choice students
This priority focuses on aligning responsibility for special education services in the open choice process. Currently, the district responsible for developing a student’s IEP is not always the same district responsible for covering the cost of services. We support aligning both responsibility and funding, while ensuring adequate resources to manage the increased IEP workload. We are also advocating for the State to assume the cost of door-to-door transportation for open choice and magnet students to create greater consistency and sustainability.

Interest in Broader Enrichment and Developmental Programming

Interest in Broader Enrichment and Developmental Programming
Families express interest in expanded free after-school programs, college readiness, life skills, extracurriculars, and stronger individualized developmental support.
“Well rounded program, Curriculum for college readiness, athletics for physical development, extracurricular programs like Robotics for kids growth.”

“Well rounded program, Curriculum for college readiness, athletics for physical development, extracurricular programs like Robotics for kids growth.”

Anonymous Family Member

Anonymous Family Member

“One thing that I like the most is more after school programs for the kids for free. These kids need tutoring and math and reading… teach them etiquette… how to cook… money management… about stocks…”

“One thing that I like the most is more after school programs for the kids for free. These kids need tutoring and math and reading… teach them etiquette… how to cook… money management… about stocks…”

Anonymous Family Member

Anonymous Family Member

“(Translated from Spanish) My son is currently receiving extra help with reading in English… but I think he is not being given enough time, as there is no set day or time for this extra help, and there are many children who need extra help but not enough staff.”

“(Translated from Spanish) My son is currently receiving extra help with reading in English… but I think he is not being given enough time, as there is no set day or time for this extra help, and there are many children who need extra help but not enough staff.”

Anonymous Family Member

Anonymous Family Member

District Priority:

District Priority:

Strategic Priority #2: Expansive Learning & Opportunity

Strategic Priority #2: Expansive Learning & Opportunity
Priority 2 focuses on expanding learning opportunities for students through strong partnerships with families, community organizations, and local institutions. The district aims to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences, increase access to enrichment opportunities, and strengthen communication and engagement so that all students and families can actively participate in the educational experience.