CORE VALUES AND BELIEFS ABOUT LEARNING

The Marine Science Magnet High School is a safe, respectful, and nurturing environment. The MSMHS Family believes that effort creates ability and that all students can succeed. Our learning community is committed to innovative instruction that promotes effort and ensures academic rigor through a curriculum responsive to our diverse student body. Furthermore, the MSMHS community collaborates with all members to prepare students for post-secondary education by supporting the personal, academic, and career goals of every student. MSMHS inspires students to develop the mindset and character needed to be active stewards of the ocean and contributing citizens in a global community.

The vision of the Marine Science Magnet High School community is that
all graduates will achieve proficiency in the following competencies:

Academic, Civic, and Social Competencies:

1. Read and write effectively for a variety of purposes;
2. Speak effectively with a variety of audiences in an accountable manner;
3. Make decisions and solve problems independently and collaboratively;
4. Apply scientific knowledge and concepts to a variety of investigative tasks;
5. Contribute to a positive learning environment with respect and responsibility.

About The School

History of MSMHS

In the 1970s, Connecticut’s State Board of Education (CSDE) authorized the development of four regional marine high schools in the state. Two such schools were built: New Haven’s Sound School in 1980 and Bridgeport’s Aquaculture School in 1993.

In 1998, three school districts in southeastern Connecticut proposed other aquaculture schools. Then-Commissioner Ted Sergi requested that the three districts work together with LEARN, the Regional Educational Service Center (RESC) for southeastern Connecticut, to submit one proposal. An additional district came on board in 1999, and the four districts worked collaboratively with LEARN to develop a proposal. A Magnet School Operations Plan was submitted in December of 2000; a final revision was submitted to SDE in May of 2001 that included a full day curriculum.

The Governance Committee of the Marine Science High School of Southeastern Connecticut began in 2000 to diligently research sites for the new school. Through working with community leaders and the Town of Groton, a site for the Marine Science Magnet High School was established at 130 Shennecossett Road in Groton. The newly constructed school opened its doors on September 1, 2011.

MSMHS was awarded the 2013 School of Distinction Award for the Highest Overall Performance, by the Connecticut State Department of Education. MSMHS’s first graduating class, the Class of 2014, achieved the highest CAPT scores among all the high schools in Connecticut in the areas of writing, reading, and science according to SPI data. In 2012 and 2013, MSMHS ranked second and tenth respectively in overall CAPT performance in all four areas of mathematics, science, reading, and writing. 

In June 2014, MSMHS held its first graduation at the University of Connecticut Avery Point campus. Twenty-three students from the Class of 2014 received the first-ever MSMHS high school diploma in the presence of LEARN Executive Director Dr. Eileen Howley, USCGA Rear Admiral Sandra Stosz, and MSMHS Principal Dr. Nicholas Spera. One hundred percent of the graduating class went on to secondary education.