THE LONG-RANGE FACILITIES PROGRAM
By the year 2000 there will probably be at least 7,000 pupils in the kindergarten and first six grades.
The Schools and Recreation Map shows the schools which are sufficiently modern to
warrant retaining them
in the long-range school program as well as new schools which will be needed.
Schools to be retained:
Schools to be retained, structures and sites to be enlarged:
Five New Elementary Schools: See Schools and Recreation Map
New Middletown High and Junior High Campus
Future School Age Population
For the purposes of the present study, the term "elementary" has been used to include the grades from
kindergarten to the 6th, both inclusive. Similarly, the term "junior high" has been used to designate the
7th, 8th, and 9th grades and "senior high" the upper three. This is the present practice in effect for
a majority of the pupils today. The Woodrow Wilson Junior and Senior High Schools each house three grades.
The Middletown High School accommodates approximately 100 resident pupils in each of the upper four grades
and about 300 tuition pupils from neighboring towns.
Educational policy may later change this division of grades. We understand that the present Board of Education
favors limiting the elementary schools to Grades K through 5, placing Grades 6 through 8 in a
"Middletown school"
and the upper four grades in senior high. From the point of view of today's planning, the most important
factor is the provision of adequate sites in the right locations. These sites should be large enough to
allow flexibility in the placing and capacity of future buildings, as well as to provide plenty of room for
recreation and other community activities. They should also be large enough to insure a flexibility in the
policy of dividing the grades between elementary and secondary schools. The recommended size of senior
high school site is adequate for either a four- or a three-year school.
TABLE 10 Age Groups
Source: Population from 1960 Census, excluding institutional population; enrollment from School Department.
Each year a census is taken by the School Department of all the residents under the
age of 18. Table 11
taken from the September, 1964, Enumeration Report of that Department shows that there was a growth slightly
more than 10 percent in the school age residents between April, 1960, and September, 1964,
but little change
in the preschool group. There has been a reduction in the percentage of each group who are enrolled in the public
schools, especially in the junior and senior high categories. In these two groups the reduction in percentage
is in part accounted for by the establishment of the Catholic High Schools.
Future Enrollment
From the projections of future school-age residents made in the Development Commission study, we see that
the school-age group is likely, by 1990 or 2000, to represent a figure somewhere between 22 percent and
26 percent of the total population, compared with 21.8 percent in 1960. Considering the fact that by that date
Middletown will be rather fully developed, with smaller proportion of new houses and consequently of
young families, we doubt that the proportion of children will be so much higher than now. For the purposes
of the present study, we have assumed that the 5-17 age group will, in the "target year, 2000", account for
22.5 percent of the total resident population, divided as follows:
Bielefield
Farm Hill
Wilbert Snow
Bertrand Spencer
Van Buren Moody
MacDonough
Stillman
In order to develop a sound plan for school facilities which the City will have to provide, we must
first estimate the future population of school age. We have assumed from the studies reported in Chapter
on population that the total resident population of Middletown in the "target" year of the Plan will be
in the neighborhood of 65,000. The 1960 U.S. Census gives the population by age groups, corresponding
to preschool, elementary, junior and senior high school grades. Table 10 gives these figures, based on the
actual resident population, eliminating the patients and inmates of institutions and nonresident college
students. This shows that the school age group in 1960 represented 21.8 percent of the resident population.
Table 10 also gives the enrollment in all grades in the public schools in 1960, excluding tuition pupils
from other towns, and the relation of enrollment to resident population. In 1940 the corresponding public
school enrollment amounted to 16.2 percent of the resident population, and in 1950 it dipped to 14.5
percent compared with 17.5 percent in 1960.
RESIDENT POPULATION, 1960: SCHOOL AGE GROUPS
1960
Resident PopulationPercent
of Resident Population
Public School Enrollment, 1959-60
Numbers
Percent of Age
Group
Percent of Resident
Population
Total
29,419
100.0
5-11
(Grades K-6)3,618
12.3
2,883
79.7
9.8
12-14
(Grades 7-9)1,486
5.1
1,217
81.9
4.1
15-17
(Grades 10-12)1,308
4.4
1,053
80.5
3.6
5-17 (Grades K-12)
6,412
21.8
5,153
80.4
17.5
0-4
(Preschool)3,238
11.0
Total:
17 or less9,650
32.8
Estimates of enrollment in the various grades for the next few years have been prepared by the School Department on the
basis of recent trends and birth records. This gives a reliable projection for a limited time, but it cannot
take into account the unknown factor of in-migration of new families into the City, except by allowing for a
continuation of the present trend. Since the purpose of the present Plan is to provide facilities for the "target"
population on a long-range basis, certain assumptions must be made as to the percentage of the population
which will be represented by school-age residents and the proportion of these age groups who will attend
public schools. The Connecticut Development Commission in its Interregional program has prepared projections
of the State's population by age groups to the year 2000.* They have used both a cyclical and a straight
line method of projection and the results give a range of upper and lower estimates, within which the actual
future figure may be expected to fall. The upper range of estimates mage in the Development Commission study
indicated that the 5-17 year group might include as much as 24.5 percent of the total population in the years
1970, 1980 and 1990 and possibly 26 percent in the year 2000. Another method of projection gave lower
figures: 22.9 percent in 1970, 17.8 percent in 1980 and 21.9 percent in 1990.
| 5-11 years (Grades K-6) | 13.0% |
| 12-14 years (Junior High School) | 5.0% |
| 15-17 years (Senior High School) | 4.5% |
| 22.5% |
From Table 11 we see that approximately 78 percent of the 5-11 year age group attend a public elementary school. At present there are approximately 900 pupils in K-6 grades in parochial schools, or about 22 percent of the same age group. Assuming that the parochial elementary enrollment does not increase as fast as that of the public schools, the public elementary enrollment will probably represent around 85 percent of the age group. In the junior high grades the percentage is likely to be also in the neighborhood of 85 percent. Enrollment in the senior three grades has recently been between 75 and 80 percent of their age group. A normal increase in this percentage may be somewhat lessened by the establishment of the two Catholic High Schools and the growth of the Vinal Technical School. However, there is a continuing increase in the demand for secondary education. Therefore, the projections below for the upper three grades are based on 85 percent of the anticipated residents of that age group.
TABLE 11
PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN ATTENDING PUBLIC SCHOOLS, 1964
|
Age Group |
Total Residents In Age Group | Number In Public Schools | Percentage of Age Group |
| 5-11 years (Grades K-6) |
4,144 | 3,240 | 78.2 |
| 12-14 years (Grades 7-9) |
1,528 | 1,123 | 73.5 |
| 15-17 years (Grades 10-12) |
1,594 | 1,202 | 75.4 |
| 5-17 years (Grades K-12) |
7,266 | 5,565 | 76.6 |
| 0-4 years (Preschool) |
3,215 | 111* | |
| 10,481 | 5,676 |
Source: Enumeration Report, September, 1964
Note: Between 15 and 20 percent of the 4-year olds attend public kindergarten. They add about 3 percent to the anticipated total elementary enrollment based on the trends of population in the 5 to 11 group.
Table 12 summarizes the projections of public school enrollment to the "target" year for today's planning. Based on a future resident population of 65,000, the numbers of persons in the three school age groups and the probable public school enrollment are derived by applying the percentages described above. While the figures listed in Table 12 are estimates only and represent enrollments which may be reached at a time earlier or later than the "target" year 2000, they give the best picture now available of the the requirements for which we must plan, especially in securing sites today.
Elementary Schools
Elementary schools are the ones which are most closely related to the home and to home neighborhoods.
Since they take in the youngest children, they are usually limited in size of each unit. It is generally
the policy of educational authorities to consider the optimum size of a K-6 elementary school as one with
from 20 to 24 rooms and with an enrollment of around 600 in those grades. Under this policy, when the
elementary enrollment reaches the "target" figure of 7,200, there should be 12 such schools. These schools
should be located where each can serve a neighborhood which will have approximately 600 to 700 elementary
pupils when it is fully developed.
TABLE 12
PROJECTION OF PUBLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT
2000 OR "TARGET" YEAR OF DEVELOPMENT
|
Age Groups |
Number | Percent of Total | Percent of Age Group in Public School | Equivalent Public School Enrollment | Percent of Population |
| 5-11 years (Grades K-6) | 8,450 | 13.0 | 85 | 7,200 | 11.0 |
| 12-14 years (Grades 7-9) | 3,250 | 5.0 | 85 | 2,750 | 4.2 |
| 15-17 years (Grades 10-12) | 2,925 | 4.5 | 85 | 2,500 | 3.8 |
| 14,625 | 22.5 | 12,450 | 19.0 | ||
| Estimated Resident Population | 65,000 | 100.0 |
A study of the projected growth of the various residential neighborhoods was described in the Chapter on Neighborhoods. Table 9 in that chapter gives estimates of the number of residents in each neighborhood when the "target" population of 65,000 is reached. From data furnished by the School Department, the present (1963-64) number of elementary pupils in each neighborhood was determined. These figures are given in Table 13, along with the present ration of public school elementary enrollment to resident population. The boundaries of these neighborhoods are shown on Neighborhoods Map.
We see immediately that the area where there has been the highest volume of recent home building have the highest percentage of elementary pupils, notably Areas A and C. The older urban Areas, K and L, have the lowest percentage since they have a greater proportion of older families whose children are past school age.
As the City becomes more completely developed, the neighborhoods will tend to become more uniform in this respect, although the central urban areas may always be expected to have a much smaller proportion of children than the other sections. Based on the anticipated character of each neighborhood, when the 2000 or "target" population is reached, we have made an estimate of the percentage of the future residents to be found in public elementary school in each such area. These estimated percentages are given in the fifth column of Table 13. This table also lists the 2000 population to be expected in each neighborhood, taken from Table 9. The last column gives the resulting K-6 enrollment in public schools for the "target" year.
TABLE 13
ESTIMATED 2000 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ENROLLMENT BY NEIGHBORHOODS
| Neighborhood Area | 1960 Pop. in Households | 1963-64 K-6 Enrollment | Percent of Population | Estimated 2000 Population | 2000 Enrollment % of Pop. | Est. 2000 Enroll. |
| A | 1,292 | 210 | 16% | 6,000 | 13% | 780 |
| B | 1,440 | 195 | 13% | 5,500 | 13% | 715 |
| C | 1,656 | 357 | 21% | 5,670 | 12% | 680 |
| D | 2,479 | 281 | 11% | 5,580 | 11% | 615 |
| E | 1,775 | 174 | 10% | 3,710 | 13% | 480 |
| F | 595 | 90 | 15% | 4,180 | 13% | 545 |
| G | 1,137 | 146 | 13% | 4,800 | 12% | 575 |
| H | 2,325 | 320 | 14% | 3,490 | 12% | 420 |
| I | 1,764 | 234 | 13% | 4,350 | 12% | 520 |
| J | 2,139 | 260 | 12% | 3,170 | 12% | 380 |
| K | 5,263 | 484 | 9% | 7,070 | 6% | 440 |
| L | 5,056 | 300 | 6% | 6,400 | 8% | 510 |
| M | 1,470 | 116 | 8% | 3,850 | 10% | 385 |
| N | 494 | 60 | 12% | 1,230 | 10% | 125 |
| O | 19 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Totals | 28,904 | 3,227 | 11% | 65,000 | 11% | 7,170 |
Present Elementary Schools
In the central part of the City there are two elementary schools. The Central School is a rebuilding
in 1952 of an older structural condition, it is on a very inadequate site. The Stillman School was built in
1936 and is also on a very small site although it is adjacent to the City School's Field used as an
athletic field for the Middletown High School. In the north end of the urban area, the MacDonough School,
built in 1925, occupies a site of approximately two acres. The building is of reasonably good construction
and in good condition, although the site is not large enough to meet present standards. In the southern
part of the urban area is the Farm Hill School, which occupies a site recently enlarged to five acres.
An addition containing five classrooms was completed at this school in 1964.
There are two other schools in the south end. The Eckersley-Hall School, built in 1928, occupies a small
site, hemmed in by streets on all sides. The Hubbard School is the oldest of the elementary schools now
in use, having been built in 1908. It is an obsolete school building, lacking fire resistive construction
and without gymnasium, auditorium or cafeteria facilities. There is a small four-room school in the
south portion of the City, known as the Long Hill School. It was built in 1926, but is not of fire resistive
construction. Although is has a site of approximately six acres, which could be enlarged, the location at
the busy traffic intersection of South Main Street and Randolph Road makes it unsuitable for long-term use.
TABLE 14
Middletown has four thoroughly modern elementary schools, constructed since 1950, and each on an adequate
site. All of these are of fire resistive construction. Their locations are shown on the School and Recreation Map.
They include:
Bertrand Spencer School, 1951, enlarged, 1958
F.J. Bielefield School, 1954
Wilbert Snow School, 1955
Van Buren Moody School, 1964
EXISTING ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
| School | Year Built | Site Area Acres | No. of Classrooms | Optimum Enrollment | Maximum Capacity | Playground Area Acres |
| Van Buren Moody | 1964 | 34 | 20 | 550 | 640 | 3 |
| Wilbert Snow | 1955 | 25 | 20 | 550 | 640 | 5 |
| Bertrand Spencer | 1951-58 | 12 | 20 | 550 | 640 | 2 |
| F.J. Bielefield | 1954 | 10 | 9 | 250 | 290 | 1 |
| Stillman | 1936 | 1 | 8 | 215 | 250 | 0.25 |
| Eckersley-Hall | 1928 | 2 | 7 | 190 | 230 | 0.5 |
| Farm Hill | 1927 | 5 | 14 | 250 | 350 | 1 |
| Long Hill | 1926 | 6 | 4 | 100 | 120 | 2 |
| MacDonough | 1925 | 2 | 12 | 300 | 380 | 0.5 |
| Hubbard | 1908 | 5 | 11 | 300 | 350 | 3 |
| Central | 1952 | 1 | 17 | 450 | 530 | 0.25 |
| Totals | 103 | 142 | 3,705 | 4,360 | 18.5 |
Notes: eight classrooms at Central School are currently being used for seventh and eighth grade pupils.
The number of K-6 classrooms available is therefore 134.
Tomorrow's Sites
The three most recent schools have set a pattern for a K-6 unit. Each contains twenty classrooms and has a
maximum capacity of 640 pupils, although the optimum enrollment is 550. The two newest have sites of 25 and
34 acres, respectively. The standard established by the State Department of Education requires a site of
5 acres plus one acre for each 100 pupils. On this basis the site of the Spencer School just meets the
minimum.
In acquiring new sites, it is most important to secure enough land for several purposes. There must be room
for a single story building, located well back from traveled highways, with plenty of recreation and parking
space. There is an increasing tendency for school buildings and grounds to be used outside of school hours
and all year for community activities and especially recreation. Planning for school sites should
be combined with planning for recreation. The school site may be part of a larger park area.
The minimum area for each new elementary school, for school purposes only, should be 15 or 20 acres. If
the land can also include community facilities for recreation and other activities, it should be correspondingly
larger. This may mean that the land will be acquired and developed under two separate
programs:
School purposes and community recreation, open space or conservation.
The Program for Elementary Schools
Data from School Department
From the point of view of planning today the most important factor is the securing of adequate sites before
the land is all developed and therefore it becomes prohibitively expensive. Today's plan for school sites
must be flexible enough to allow for possible changes in policies and requirements. Ideas about the size of
school sites have changed drastically in the last two or three decades. Formerly it was adequate to include
a small yard around a school, and the buildings had two or three stories. Today it is necessary to provide
plenty of room for recreation, adequate space to park automobiles and to load and unload school buses.
The most efficient and most economical buildings now are generally one or at the most two stories high.
All of Middletown's elementary schools built since World War II are on one level, with the exception of
the rebuilding of Central School.
From Table 14 we see that the present elementary schools, including the new Van Buren Moody School,
have an optimum capacity of 3,705 and a maximum capacity of 4,360. The School Department's projections
of enrollment to the school year of 1968-69 are as follows:
| K-6 enrollment | 1963-64 | 3,220 | (actual, October 1) |
| 1964-65 | 3,391 | (actual, October 1) | |
| 1965-66 | 3,537 | ||
| 1966-67 | 3.622 | ||
| 1967-68 | 3,673 | ||
| 1968-69 | 3,639 |
These figures are based on births allocated to Middletown in prior years and may not reflect a possible increase due to a heavier in-migration of families into the City in the next few years. However, referring to Table 14, it appears that Middletown has sufficient capacity in elementary facilities for a number of years. This allows a period in which the community can give its attention to replacement of obsolete buildings, to consolidating some inefficient schools and to planning for schools in the locations where they will be needed by the future pattern of residential development.
In developing the long-range program we have first consideration to what will exist when Middletown reached what we have called the "target" growth. This contemplates a complete development in accordance with the present plan. If represents the stage at which the community will have attained a maturity and a leveling off of its growth, unless the nature of all present day development undergoes a complete and unforeseeable change.
The program for converting the city's elementary school plant from the 1964 enrollment of 3,200 to the
projected 2000 enrollment of 7,200 must go on progressively. While all estimates about the future are,
at best educated guesses, especially as the time element recedes into the future, nevertheless, these
projections give a direction to our thinking. The transition in elementary school enrollment over the
future years may be expected to follow the pattern below, remembering that the progression may be slowed
down or considerably speeded up by external circumstances. The K-6 enrollments suggested below may be
achieved several years earlier or later than the corresponding years. The 1980 figures may be reached only in
1985 and the 1990 ones in 2000, or vice versa, but this table gives a guide to our program.
| K-6 enrollment | 1967 | 3,500 |
| 1970 | 4,000 | |
| 1980 | 4,900 | |
| 1990 | 6,000 | |
| 2000 | 7,200 |
Neighborhoods and Elementary Schools
The Central Neighborhood
We therefore propose that the City negotiate with Wesleyan University for the sale of the Central School,
which is located in an area which already has considerable university property and is suitable for university
expansion. The same suggestion is made below concerning the Middletown High School property. Relocation
of the latter to another site outside the urban area would permit use of part of the City School's Field
for expansion of the Stillman School to take care of the present and future needs of this neighborhood.
The present enrollment in the neighborhood designated as "K" is approximately 480. Urban renewal projects and
expansion of Wesleyan University are likely to reduce the area of land used for residence considerably,
but the development of multiple housing projects will probably offset a drop in population. The elementary
enrollment is likely to remain constant. If the K-5 program is put into effect, the elementary enrollment
is this neighborhood would probably be around 400.
North of the Center
This area may have several housing projects, with an increase of density. The present school building is suitable
for modernization and enlargement as necessary, if the site is enlarged. The school is adjacent to the
North End Playground, but additional land is needed for expansion of both school and playground facilities.
It appears likely that this area may be included in a future urban renewal project, which would facilitate
the acquisition of more land. The "L" neighborhood will probably have a 2000 K-6 enrollment of about 500.
If the K-5 program is adopted, this neighborhood is likely to have an elementary enrollment of around 430. It
may prove wisest to consider an entirely new school for this neighborhood if the present site appears
to be adversely affected by future changes in the highway pattern if urban renewal makes it financially
attractive.
South of the Central District
The Northwest Sector
The future of the two elementary schools in the center of the City, Stillman and Central, is closely related
to the urban renewal program in the area. At the present time the area served by these two schools has a
total of 404 pupils in the K-6 grades. In addition, the Central School accommodates
nearly 200 junior
high school pupils in the seventh and eighth grades, who reside in a much larger area. The need for additional
junior high school facilities is discussed below. If the seventh and eighth graders are removed from the
Central School, there would remain approximately 400 elementary pupils in this neighborhood. It would be
much more efficient to house these in one school rather than two.
The present K-6 enrollment for the neighborhood designated as "L" is 300. It is served by the MacDonough
School, which has a maximum capacity of 380.
The present enrollment from the area designated as neighborhood "J" is approximately 260. It is served
by the Hubbard School. This neighborhood may be partly included in future urban renewal and may have one or
more housing projects. The present school is old located in an area of mixed industrial and residential
uses. It should be replaced with a modern building on a better site. This should be accomplished as part of
an urban renewal project, in order to take advantage of any possible credit to the City under the renewal
procedure. The site should contain about 12 acres, in order to provide for a possible school load of at
least 400 pupils. If the K-5 program is adopted, the figure will be nearer 350.
| Neighborhood Area | Estimated 2000 Enrollment |
| A | 780 |
| B | 715 |
| C | 680 |
| N | 125 |
| Total | 2,300 |
The present enrollment in these four areas is approximately 820. The maximum capacity of the Spencer and
Van Buren Moody schools is 1,280. Enrollment will be reached this figure about 1970 to 1972. At the time
New School "A" will be needed in the A Area. If it has twenty rooms, it would bring maximum capacity of the
three schools to 1920, which should equal the enrollment to about 1985. After that date it may be necessary
to enlarge these facilities. The Van Buren Moody School has a large site of 34 acres. The site for New School
"A" should contain 20 to 25 acres. The Spencer site is only adequate for the present building, so
that any long-range expansion of facilities would have to take place at Van Buren Moody and New School "A".
Assuming that Neighborhood N remains a rural area, it is not expected to have enough pupils for its own
school and would, therefore, be served by the Van Buren Moody School. The site for New School "A" should be
acquired without delay. Even though the adoption of K-5 might reduce the anticipated elementary enrollment
in these areas, there should be no diminution in the area of the New School "A" site.
The West-Central Area
The present K-6 enrollment in these two areas is approximately 450. They are served by the Snow School
with a maximum capacity of 640. The design of this school, with separate classroom buildings, facilities
enlargement. Enrollment will reach this figure (640) about 1972, on the K-6 basis. On the K-5 basis, a
figure of about 550 is likely to be reached around 1972. This is the optimum capacity of the Snow School.
At that time it will be necessary to increase the capacity of the Snow School, either as a
single elementary unit
or divided into primary and intermediate units. The site is large enough to permit a flexible plan. It seems
reasonable to take care of these two neighborhoods at the Snow site, located midway between them, rather than
to plan an additional school in the D area.
The Southern Area
The present K-6 enrollment in these two areas is approximately 240. The Long Hill School can
accommodate only 120 at the maximum.
Eventually each of these neighborhoods will need a separate elementary school of twenty classrooms;
therefore, a site of 20 to 25 acres should be acquired in each area before development proceeds much
further than at present. Pupils from these two neighborhoods are now accommodated
at Farm Hill and
Bielefield. Building activity is likely to spur the growth to the point where a new school in either
of the two areas will be needed by 1968 or 1970. The first school probably be located in Neighborhood
F, followed by a school in Neighborhood G, about 1980 to 1985.
The South-Central Area
Neighborhood Area
Estimated 2000 Enrollment
D
615
E
480
Total
1,095
Neighborhood Area
Estimated 2000 Enrollment
F
545
G
575
Total
1,120
| Neighborhood Area | Estimated 200 Enrollment |
| H | 420 |
| I | 520 |
| Total | 940 |
The present K-6 enrollment in these two areas is approximately 550, served by Bielefield, Farm Hill and
Eckersley Schools. Eckersley has a current enrollment of about 160. It will be more efficient and economical
to discontinue this School. The future enrollment of these two neighborhoods should be served by Bielefield
and Farm Hill. Farm Hill, with current additions, has a maximum capacity of 350, but its site should be
enlarged by acquisition of land to the south of the present building, to a total of 15 to 20 acres, to
provide flexibility for possible future enlargement.
Bielefield may be enlarged to a capacity of 640. A study should be made at this time to see how much
additional land is needed to insure a proper siting of any building additions and auxiliary facilities at
Bielefield. For a number of years the Bielefield School will have to serve the M neighborhood. This will
advance the date at which the Bielefield addition will be needed. By sometime around 1972 to 1975 a
separate school will be needed in the M area. The date will depend on building activity in that neighborhood.
| Neighborhood Area | Estimated 2000 Enrollment |
| M | 385 |
The present K-6 enrollment is approximately 120. This area has no school and is presently served by the
Bielefield School. It may have considerable building activity, although portions will remain rural.
At sometime around 1972 to 1975 this area will need its own school. A site should be acquired without delay,
large enough for a school of 600 capacity, in case growth exceeds the estimate. It should contain 15 to
20 acres, it is suggested that the City seek to obtain some of the hospital land as a site.
Junior High School Grades
The Woodrow Wilson Junior High School occupies a building originally built as a senior high school in 1931,
but added to in 1939 and 1960. It is in excellent condition and is capable of accommodating
from 900 to
1,000 pupils. At present, it has about 840 pupils, while about 270 in Grades 7 through 9 attend the
Central-Middletown High combination.
The School Department projections indicated that the junior high enrollment will grow to about 1,200
next year and to over 1,350 in 1968. If the junior high at that time includes Grades 6, 7 and 8, the
1968 enrollment will be nearly 1,500. This figure could be well increase to about 1,600 in 1970 and to
1,800 by 1975.
If the City maintains a 3-grade junior high organization whether for Grades 7 through 9 or 6 through 8,
and if 900 to 1,000 pupils is considered to be the best size of junior high school, it will eventually
need three such plants. If the Central and Middletown High School buildings are disposed of, one new
junior high school will be needed immediately and by 1975 it would have to accommodate
at least as many
as now attend the Woodrow Wilson Junior High.
We therefore recommend an early acquisition of a site for a second junior high school, to be located in the
northern part of the City. This should be considered in connection with a senior high school site which is
discussed in the next paragraph.
Senior High School Grades
The Woodrow Wilson Senior High School occupies a structure built in 1956 and enlarged in 1962. It can
readily accommodate about 1,000 pupils Its site is somewhat restricted. Additional land, including some
houses, should be acquired in order to protect the investment at this school and to insure space for
future enlargement as may become necessary.
The present enrollment in the upper three grades is slightly over 1,200, of whom about 860 attend the
Woodrow Wilson School. In addition to approximately 400 local pupils in these grades, the Middletown
High School has nearly 300 tuition pupils from other towns. The enrollment in Grades 10 through 12,
exclusive of tuition pupils, is likely to reach 2,500 sometime between 1990 and 2000. However, this
figure may be somewhat reduced by increases at the Vinal Regional Technical School and by the growth
of the two Catholic High Schools. On the other hand, there may be an increase in high school attendance
generally, as well as the introduction of one or more grades at the postgraduate level.
If the Board of Education adopts the four-year senior high program, the enrollment in those grades by 1975
would be approximately 1,700, exclusive of out-of-town pupils. Including tuition pupils, the enrollment
would reach approximately the same figure next year. Middletown, therefore, needs a new high school
immediately and should acquire an adequate site at one. Since the Woodrow Wilson School is in the southern
part of the City, and since the population will be roughly divided into equal parts between the halves, it
follows that the new plant should be located in the northern portion.
It will be most efficient to combine this plant with the required junior high school, since some of the
facilities may be jointly used and since there would be economies in transportation. But the site must
be large enough to separate junior and senior buildings adequately. it is quite possible that post-secondary
education under local auspices will be much more prevalent in the future. This may take the form of
community junior colleges or of similar courses provided by local high schools. In view of the flexibility
needed to meet the long-range requirements and developments which cannot be foreseen today, the site should
be adaptable for a campus type of project. To accommodate the educational facilities which may be provided,
along with related athletic and recreational space and other community uses, the site should contain on
the order of 100 acres.
* Connecticut Development Commission, Interregional Program, Technical Report 131: Population.
At present the 7th and 8th grade pupils are divided between the Woodrow Wilson Junior High School and
the Central School. The 9th grade is divided between the Middletown High School and Woodrow Wilson
Junior High. There are approximately 1,100 pupils in these three grades. By 2000 there are likely to be
about 2,750 junior high school pupils in Grades 7 through 9. If the Board of Education changes its classification
of junior high grades to include 6 through 8, the enrollment in these grades will be at approximately the
same figure.
Until recent years Middletown had two separate school districts, the City ad the Town, going back to the days
before consolidation. As a result, there are two high schools. The Middletown High School, at the
corner of Court and Pearl Streets, is a typical city type of school, occupying almost all of its site.
It was built in 1894 and enlarged in 1914. It has no rook for outdoor recreation or for automobile parking.
It has an athletic field of approximately 2 acres several blocks away. it would be impracticable to
enlarge or modernize this structure or to add to its site. As it lies in the area into which Wesleyan
University may expand, it is suggested that the City enter into negotiations with the University with
a view to dispose of this property.Summary of the School Program