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Alice Peck Learning Center

The Promise, Pride and Power of Learning

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Hamden’s Vision of a Learner

Hamden Public Schools is dedicated to cultivating dynamic learners who are fully prepared to navigate and contribute to an ever-changing world. By fostering a culture of high-quality, equitable, and ambitious instruction, we empower our students to develop a strong sense of identity, purpose, and agency. 

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Curious

Students maintain an inquiring, self-directed mindset, turning an inherent joy in learning into a lifelong pursuit of knowledge.

Creative

Students use unique self-expression and imaginative thinking to solve problems, adapt to a changing society, and innovate.

Compassionate

Students show deep respect for diverse human and natural resources, celebrating differences and caring for community well-being.

Collaborative

Students work effectively with peers and the community, practicing open communication and teamwork to solve real-world problems.

Critical Thinkers

Students reason effectively, analyze complex data, and apply sound logic to navigate academic, personal, and community challenges.

Our Commit­ment

We guarantee safe, equitable, and ambitious instruction for all, eliminating disparities so every student has the resources to excel.

Alice Peck Programs

  • Alice Peck continues to offer AM/PM special education preschool programming for our youngest learners. Students who are new to the program are typically offered a spot in our AM preschool classrooms. Students who are returning for a second or third year of preschool are typically offered a spot in our PM preschool program. “BER” babies, or students who will attend preschool for a third year, will remain in the Pre K 3 Program until they enter their third year of preschool. During the third year of preschool, they will join our Pre K 4 Program. 

     

    Alice Peck is committed to offering students intentional play activities throughout the day in alignment with the Connecticut Early Learning and Developmental Standards (ELDS). Play activities are designed to assist children with literacy, math, science, social studies, social and emotional skills and executive functioning.

  • Alice Peck offers a limited number of full-day preschool spaces for eligible students. Eligibility for the Pre-K 4 program does not automatically guarantee a full-day placement. For students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), placement, services, and the length of the school day are determined individually by the Planning and Placement Team (PPT), which includes the child’s family, based on the child’s educational needs. Limited program capacity does not restrict the services or programming required by a child’s IEP.

    The full-day Pre-K 4 program operates Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Students have opportunities to learn and play alongside peers from HELP (Hamden Early Learning Program). Two of our Pre-K 4 classrooms have an equal enrollment of students with IEPs and play partners. Additional opportunities for shared learning and play occur during recess, physical education, art, music, and classroom play activities.

    Alice Peck is committed to providing intentional, play-based learning aligned with the Connecticut Early Learning and Developmental Standards (ELDS). Activities support children’s development in literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, social-emotional skills, and executive functioning.

    Families interested in having their child join the program as a play partner may contact the HELP office at 203-407-2255 for application information.

     

  • If families are concerned about their child’s development, they may refer their child for a special education evaluation to determine if their child is eligible for special education. Referrals are ongoing and are available to students who are 3 to 5 years of age or any child who has not yet begun kindergarten. 

     

    To initiate a referral for special education services, please call the main office at 203-407-2010 or send an email to Betty Murray (bmurray@hamden.org) or Amy Shaver (ashaver@hamden.org). 

     

    Referrals are processed during the school year. The school year is determined by the Board of Education and is posted on the district website. Referrals cannot be processed over the summer.