Stamford, CT: District opens preschool ABA program

Aug 28, 2025, Stamford Advocate: Shelton launches new year with new preschool in partnership with ACES

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/shelton-schools-perry-hill-nest-open-21014433.php 

Shelton Superintendent Ken Saranich said the district is partnering with Area Cooperative Educational Services to open a collaborative preschool applied behavior analysis program at Perry Hill School, dubbed Perry Hill Nest. 

 “We are proud to introduce the Perry Hill Nest program in partnership with ACES," Saranich said. "This regional program enables us to collaborate with other districts to provide high-quality, specialized instruction while helping to mitigate the rising costs of special education."

"By combining expertise and resources, we are making sure our youngest learners get the personalized support they need to succeed, creating a positive start for both the Shelton Public School system and our larger educational community," Saranich said.

The program, which opens Sept. 2, will be fully staffed with ACES specialized professionals — including a full-time speech and language pathologist, board-certified behavior analyst and special education teacher — to provide early intervention and meeting each student’s individualized needs. 

Classrooms will operate in morning and afternoon sessions, with a maximum of 10 students per classroom. 

The city’s high school, intermediate and elementary schools welcomed students on Aug. 26. 

Overall enrollment dropped slightly to 4,431, but the number of special education students jumped from 895 to 908 this school year. . . .