Bridgeport, CT: $74M school for students "with complex needs" soon to be built
- The end of childhood
- Jun 29
- 2 min read
June 28, 2025, Fox61, Bridgeport, CT: Bridgeport to build a $74 million state-of-the-art special education center
The state-funded project will create a facility serving up to 260 K-12 students with complex learning needs. It will replace the old Bridgeport Learning Center.
A $74-million state-of-the-art special education center capable of serving 260 K-12 students with complex learning needs will soon be built in Bridgeport.
The city’s school district announced the state-funded project this week, calling it a historic first for Connecticut.
The center will be built in the city’s North End and showcase the district’s commitment to revamping and strengthening its special education services. The funds were secured by the Bridgeport Delegation in Hartford.
In a release, Bridgeport Public Schools personnel express that the new facility could set a precedent for other districts in the state by representing equity, access and sustainability.
The building will replace the aging Bridgeport Learning Center. The project is part of the district’s ongoing work to prioritize students with disabilities by enhancing and expanding services geared toward them.
District officials hope the facility will reduce out-of-district placements and bring essential resources back to the city.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Royce Avery said the new center will signify a long-term investment in the city’s students and the district’s financial future. . . .
Bridgeport Public Schools has long been burdened by the high cost of outplacement. The district reportedly spent over $22 million last year alone to send students to private programs because of a lack of necessary in-district options.
The new center should turn the tide and enable more students to learn in their own community while taking advantage of a consistent, high-quality learning environment designed to meet their individual needs. . . .
State Rep. Christopher Rosario is the chair of the Bridgeport delegation and described the allocation as being what advocacy looks like.
“We knew how urgent the need was, and we fought together to bring this funding home,” Rosario said. “This new center is a win for our students, our families and the future of public education in Bridgeport.” . . .
The district currently serves 20,000 students across 40 schools. This new center could be its most advanced facility.
----
Comentarios