I am a parent of a child who attends breakthough and I want to comment on the only non-5 star review for this school posted on January 15, 2009. The reviewer gave breakthrough two stars primarily because 'BMS fell consistantly below our local schools in test score comparisons'. Breakthrough, while in
... Read more the top tier of Hartford Schools, does not compare to other non-city districts in our state. Never has, never will. But this misses the point. Breakthough is about improving the human condition - teaching us that responsibility starts and ends with our own actions. BMS reminds us that how we view ourselves, our friends, and our families is as important to how we'll we circle our exam questions and make grades in elementary school. With these core values in place, children go on to make the grade in highschool and, more importantly, in life. Mine certainly did. Read less
Posted by a parent on 02/24/09
My children were students at Breakthrough Magnet School from Kindergarten on. The school's mission, vision are absolutely wonderful on paper. The concept is wonderful to hear about. Unfortunately the 'product' of reality does not stand up to all of the glory of the marketing. I believe there are
... Read more many teachers who care a great deal about the idea of the school and who deeply care about the students. That being said I believe those teachers become frustrated quickly and move on at an alarming rate. I spent countless hours in PTO meetings, Communitiy meetings, and class room audits. In the end I felt the education my children were getting was not at all better than the schools in my local community. BMS fell consistantly below our local schools in test score comparisons. When I brought it up time and again to the school director I felt chastised. Read less
Posted by a parent on 01/15/09
I attend BMS(Breakthrough Magnet School.) I am in 7th grade and I started last year and I felt like I have been there for my whole life. The staff and faculty are so welcoming. Also my attitude has improved greatly.
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Posted by a student on 11/09/08
I was a former student of Mrs. Neumann-Johnson s Project Breakthrough in 1991-1992. It is satisfying as a parent to know what was once an idea became a pilot, to a charter school and now the breath-taking superstructure known as Breakthrough Magnet School and now my child can benefit from it. I use
... Read more the word superstructure because this school really captures what makes a difference in the quality of a school. The entire staff and even the children are courteous and always greet with smiles. My child s teachers always give updates on my kid s progress and encourage involvement from myself and mom all the time. Her vocabulary, writing skills and social interaction have improved dramatically since September. There are no empty seats at school functions due to parent involvement. It's a great, family oriented environment for children to learn in and my child and I are proud to be apart of it. Read less
Posted by a parent on 06/05/07
My daughter started in the fall 2006 and now we're in April '07. In these 8 months my daughter's behavior has improved dramatically. Even at 4 years old, the program works! I speak on a regular basis to her teacher and also have our conferences. Any issues with my child's behavior is handled immediately
... Read more in a way the encourages her to make better choices. I have particpagted in field trips and class activities. Her grandfather has also helped out in her class during center times. Family involvment is great. The school also offers classes to the parents. The principal is remarkable-the best I've ever seen anywhere. Very open and friendly atmosphere. All staff arfe required to learn every student's name in the school. I'm thrilled that all my children will be attending (I just wish it went up to 12th grade!) Focus is character development-something we all need continuously! Read less
Posted by a parent on 04/12/07
my sons behavior has got so much nicer, he wants to go to school. he dose his home work extra... its the small things that makes it so much nicer! and knowing that I can go to his classroom, and be part of that, nothing compares to that.
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Posted by a parent on 09/15/06
Teachers Love their jobs and it shows. They are incredible with the students. The teachers are in constant contact with the parents. The breakdowns to break through program is awesome. It has helped my son so much, now my daughter attends too. They also start spanish in pre-k.
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Posted by a parent on 09/21/04
My four children have travelled from the suburbs to attend Hartford's Breakthrough Magnet School where students are not only held to a very high academic standard, but are also taught the valuable lessons of personal responsibility, independent thinking, interpersonal communication skills, and more.
... Read more The remarkable director and talented staff are a cohesive unit, structuring their academics to include the crucial component of reinforcing the character curriculum through modeling, encouragement, and coached practice. Parents, guardians and grandparents are also invited to attend 7 week training courses in this approach. Our students become confident, capable and well-suited to face the challenges of the diverse world they will inherit. The atmosphere at Breakthrough is creative, supportive and uplifting. At Breakthrough my children are taught to face the worls as a BRICK, not a marshmallow. B stands for turning Breakdowns into Breaktheoughs, R - Responsibility, I - Integrity, C - Contribute, K - Knowledge Read less
* In 2007-2008 Connecticut used the Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT) to test students' skills in reading, writing and math in grades 3 through 8. The CMT is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Connecticut.
Student enrollment:
300
Students per teacher:
18
Full-time teachers:
17
Number of classrooms:
16
Arts
Art
Computer Science
Computer Science
Vocational Education
Health, Phys Ed
Special Education
Speech/Language Pathologists
*The resources listed are programs that the institution is staffed to support. Staffing for a program does not guarantee that it will be offered. This content is provided by the institution and may be incomplete. The institution may offer programs not listed here. Please contact the school directly for additional details.
Advanced Placement
AP classes are college-level classes offered at the high school level. Once a student completes an AP class and passes a final comprehensive examination conducted by the College Board, the student earns college credit for the course. AP classes are specific and not to be confused with other higher-level classes such as honors classes.
Before/After School
"Extended day" programs where the school day is extended before and after school to accommodate working parents. These programs should not be confused with common after school clubs or athletic activities.
Gifted and Talented
A school system may identify 10% to 15% or more of its student population as gifted and talented. A brief description of each area of giftedness or talent as defined by the Office of Gifted and Talented:
general intellectual ability or talent - high intelligence test score (usually two standard deviations above the mean), and high levels of vocabulary, memory, abstract work knowledge and abstract reasoning;
specific academic aptitude or talent in one area such as mathematics or language arts;
creative and productive thinking, the ability to produce new ideas;
leadership ability, the ability to direct individuals or groups to a common decision or action;
visual and performing arts, special talents in visual art, music, dance, drama, or other related studies;
psychomotor ability, such as practical, spatial, mechanical, and physical skills.
Vocation/Technical Curriculum
Vocational and/or technical courses offered within a comprehensive school, usually a senior high school.
Special Education Classes
A school or program within a school that provides services and training to students with moderate to severe mental and/or physical disabilities.
Adult Education Classes
Programs offering GED or equivalent courses for adults within regular schools, whether classes are held during evening or daytime schedules.
English as Second Language
English language classes for students whose first language is not English.
Hartford schools — Breakthrough Magnet School is located at 290 Brookfield St, Hartford CT 06112. 290 Brookfield St is in the Behind the Rocks neighborhood and 06112 ZIP code in Hartford, CT The school district for Breakthrough Magnet School is the Hartford Public School District. Breakthrough Magnet School is a Public school that serves grade levels PK - 8.
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Test Score Ratings
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not provided by the state Department of Education, which may have their own rating systems.
