New Haven Interdistrict Magnet Schools

150 Kimberly Avenue New Haven, CT 06519 MAP
203-946-8974

Grades: 5th – 8th grade
School Hours: 9:15am – 3:30pm
Principal: Peggy Moore
Enrollment: 500 students

Open House Dates

Tuesday, January 19, 2010 10:00AM
Thursday, February 4, 2010 5:00PM

Students at Betsy Ross study dance, music, writing, theatre and visual arts at an advanced level with certified teachers who are also professional artists. In 2002 the school building and classrooms were renovated specifically for arts education, with specially designed display areas, rehearsal and performance facilities. Students spend a period each day in the arts and are exposed to all art disciplines while also receiving intensive instruction in the art area of their choice.

Students learn to make connections between the different arts and discover how each builds on and supports the others. This creative understanding helps to improve students’ overall academic performance — Betsy Ross students consistently score at the top in city- and state-wide academic challenges like Book Bowl, science fairs and the Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT).

Betsy Ross students perform throughout Connecticut – at gubernatorial inaugurations, in parades and most recently in a world premiere performance of "Really Real!" at the Festival of Arts and Ideas. They also perform for community service organizations like Casa Otonal, Ronald MacDonald House and Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Additional School Features

• Advanced arts education including: ballet, modern, lyrical, tap and jazz dance; instrumental and vocal music training; drawing, painting, photography, sculpting and video instruction; play writing workshops; theatre arts
• Saturday and after school programs
• Professional performance and exhibition opportunities at venues like Carnegie Hall in New York City, the New Haven Symphony , and the American Ballet Theatre
• 8th grade theatre arts students are offered opportunities to take workshops with students from Educational Center of the Arts as well as other local theatre groups
• School-wide multi disciplinary performances throughout the year
• State-of-the-art computer and science labs
• Honor students eligible for tuition scholarships to Quinnipiac University
• Advanced placement classes offered in Math
• Advancement Via Individual Determination-AVID program involves students in grades 5-8
• PBS-Positive Behavior Support Program is intiated throughout the building
• Shadowing a BRAMS student is available upon rquest, for prospective students
• Numerous opportunities for students to expand their arts knowledge with trips to venues throughout the greater New Haven area
• Convenient location directly off I-95

Betsy Ross’s Education Partners

• Jazz Haven
• Long Wharf Theatre
• Neighborhood Music School
• Peabody Fellows
• Shubert Theatre
• Quinnipiac University Scholars program
• Yale University

 

"When I was in 6th grade I accompanied our choral teacher on the piano for our school wide musical, "Seussical". It was an honor to be chosen and a great opportunity for me. I would recommend other students come to BRAMS because they will be able to enter into things they may already be doing such as dance, theatre and music. They will learn more than they knew before coming to BRAMS. If they haven't taken arts classes before they will learn new things. Many students who like the arts will be able to follow their dreams at BRAMS." - Jarrad M., 8th grade, New Haven

"The most exciting experiences I have had were many different experiences. The partnership with Qinnippiac University, as it sponsors an honors program which I have been involved in since 5th grade. I started to take Chinese in 6th grade. All the arts have given me opportunities to gain experience. I performed in the dance showcase in 5th grade for my tap class and I am in Museum Club at the Yale Art Gallery. There are so many exciting experiences at BRAMS.  Students should come to BRAMS for the arts. You learn so much from them and you get a different way of looking at things from an arts perspective. You become more creative. I am able to present all my school work well because of my arts background. It makes me think of all my options when trying to solve a problem. I like the academics because the teachers here really get into their subject and make you want to learn.  I am a member of the National Junior Honor Society, an honor student and I have been selected as 'Sudent of the Month'. One of my stories was published in 'Artful Magazine'. I won first place in the school Science Fair in 5th and 7th grades. I entered the Colt Foreign Language poetry contest and attended the competition. I have been a member of our school winning Book Bowl team and have competed city wide." - Alyssa C., 8th Grade, Derby

"Your dreams will come true when you come to Betsy Ross!" - Destry H-B, Grade 8, New Haven

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