Carver’s long-standing commitment to nurturing global citizenship finds powerful synergy with Norwalk Public Schools’ growing adoption of the International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum of education. Together, these efforts are transforming how young people in Norwalk experience the world — preparing students not just for academic success, but for compassionate and thoughtful engagement in an increasingly interconnected world.
Carver has always believed in the power of global experiences to shape young minds. From 2011 to 2015, Carver high school students partnered with NicaPhoto to collaborate with youth in Sonrisa de Dios, one of the poorest neighborhoods in Nagarote, Nicaragua. Through poetry, photography, and shared storytelling, Carver students connected with their peers digitally and in person — even helping establish an organic garden in Nicaragua. Their cross-cultural journey was beautifully captured in a published photojournal book.
In 2018, Carver was invited by the Concord Consortium to help test an innovative pilot called Learning Everywhere, connecting students with museums in the UK, France, and across the U.S. through cutting-edge technologies. Whether nudged by a smartwatch or guided by a mobile prompt, students were encouraged to explore new areas of interest in immersive, curiosity-driven ways — all aimed at expanding worldviews and making global learning feel personal and tangible.
Carver students have also been introduced to global conversations through WeR1Voice, founded by internationally acclaimed musician Morris Pleasure. Through this initiative, Carver students have promoted the Ghana National Museum on Slavery and Freedom and made digital connections with youth in Tanzania, giving them a voice on a world stage and deepening their understanding of global cultures and shared histories.
Sometimes, Carver’s support is highly personal. When one of our students was selected to travel to Japan through the Center for Global Studies, Carver stepped up to help fund the experience. It’s a reflection of our belief that international opportunities should never be out of reach for the students we serve.
These experiences perfectly complement the vision now unfolding across Norwalk Public Schools. The district recently announced that Naramake Elementary School, Nathan Hale Middle School, and Roton Middle School have officially been authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization to offer two of its globally respected educational programs. These schools join Brien McMahon High School, which has offered the IB Diploma Program since 2017.
This milestone positions Norwalk Public Schools to offer a comprehensive K–12 IB continuum — a globally recognized pathway that emphasizes critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and academic excellence. It’s a vision that aligns deeply with Carver’s values and programming, including our cultural celebrations and cooking classes that honor the diversity of our student body. In fact, Norwalk’s families speak 59 different languages and represent more than 70 countries — global citizenship isn’t an idea here, it’s a lived reality.
Carver is proud to play a role in reinforcing and extending the impact of the IB mission — “to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.” Whether through international exchanges, digital global classrooms, or everyday lessons that celebrate our shared humanity, Carver and Norwalk Public Schools are together helping students discover that the world is both vast and within reach.
Together, we are not just preparing students for graduation — we are preparing them to lead, serve, and thrive in a global society.
