The story of Norwalk Public Schools is not captured by any single test score, superintendent’s tenure, or school year. It is a story of sustained effort across changing leadership, evolving academic standards, and the unprecedented disruption of a global pandemic.
Most importantly, it is a story of progress.
Since Carver began expanding its partnership with Norwalk Public Schools, the district’s four-year graduation rate has risen from approximately 84% to a record 92.6%. Norwalk has now ranked first in graduation rates among Connecticut’s larger urban districts for three consecutive years, and its latest rate stands well above the statewide average of 88.9%.
The district is also reaching important academic milestones. Norwalk students recently surpassed statewide growth rates in both English language arts and mathematics. Science performance exceeded the Connecticut average for the first time in the district’s available records. Following the extraordinary challenges of the pandemic, chronic absenteeism has fallen by nearly nine percentage points—from 26.8% in 2021–22 to 17.9% in the latest reported year.
These accomplishments belong first to Norwalk’s students. They also reflect the dedication of teachers, administrators, support professionals, families, Board of Education members, community partners, and successive district leaders who have continued building on one another’s work.
Carver has been honored to participate in that shared effort.
What began as an incremental expansion into Norwalk’s schools has grown into a district-wide partnership serving students from kindergarten through high school.
Throughout that journey, Carver has worked closely with every NPS superintendent and with principals across the district. Leadership has changed, but the essential relationship has remained constant: a mutual commitment to helping Norwalk’s young people succeed.
That collaboration now reaches every Norwalk public school. Certified teachers and Carver staff provide before-school, after-school, summer, transition, college-readiness, enrichment, wellness, and workforce-development opportunities. Carver’s role is not separate from the work of the schools. It is designed to reinforce and extend that work, giving students additional time, relationships, experiences, and support.
Norwalk students are graduating at a historic rate. Academic growth is exceeding statewide growth. Science performance has reached a new benchmark. Attendance is recovering since the pandemic. Those are meaningful achievements worthy of recognition.
As NPS prepares for its next chapter of leadership, Carver celebrates the educators and administrators who brought the district to this point and remains committed to the partnership that has connected our organizations through the years.
Carver is proud to continue that work alongside Norwalk Public Schools.