Depot Campus

A student present his workA student presenting

"If you can't fly, then run, if you can't run, then walk, if you can't walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward."

- Martin Luther King Jr.

"You will find only what you bring in."

- Yoda

 The Depot Campus at E.O. Smith High School understands that each student learns and grows differently. We’ve designed our program to support students who have the ability to thrive but require a different kind of setting to do so.

Using the innovative Big Picture Learning model, we offer individualized instruction in a small-class setting. Depot Students’ learning experience is tailored to each student’s interests, talents and needs. Students learn to engage, communicate and collaborate. Under their teacher-mentor’s guidance, they can discover and pursue their passions and define their place in the world.

A. For Parents of Students Grades 9-12

 “Parents tell us that they see a big change in their kids since they came to the Depot Campus. They say their kids have become their kids again.” – Bill Green, Depot Campus director

 
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, then the Depot Campus at E.O. Smith High school may help your child.?

  • Is a traditional school environment not working out for your child?
  • Are they anxious about the prospect of attending high school?
  • Are they struggling or overwhelmed in their high school classes?
  • Do they act bored or uninterested in learning?
  • Are their grades beginning to fail?
  • Are they anxious about their relationships with other students?
  • Do they find excuses to not attend school – or are they regularly skipping school? 
  • Is their lack of interest and participation jeopardizing their future life and career options?
 “My son jumped right into the Depot Campus program and was well-supported by his teachers. It really opened him to want to learn. At Depot Campus, it’s all about what works for each individual child.” –  Mom of Depot Campus graduate

 
In addition to mastering the six competencies – Communication, Information, Media, and Technology, Career Skills, Life Skills, Critical Thinking, and Creativity and Innovation, Depot Campus students:

  • Complete a successful internship every year with a mentor at a business or organization in the region.
  • Prepare for college, vocational training or other types of post-graduate programs to develop a career.
  • Have the ability to participate in after-school or intramural programs with other E.O. Smith High School students at E.O. Smith High School.
  • Graduate with an E.O. Smith High School diploma.

Parents of the Depot Campus are valued members of the school community. Parents play a proactive role in helping to assess their child’s needs and in their children’s learning journey. With support from their personal teacher and their parents, each student develops a plan for their future success, be it through college, trade school, travel, military or the workforce.

  I entered the Depot Campus my sophomore year not really knowing what I wanted to do with my life. Nothing in my regular high school courses felt meaningful and I had begun to give up. The internships I had during my three years at Depot included a youth outreach program at the Access Community Action agency in Windham. These experiences helped me realize I wanted to be a social worker or family therapist.

The Depot School’s teachers and my mentor at Access have been behind me every step of the way. They gave me the power to drive my own learning while still meeting Connecticut’s educational requirements for a high school diploma. I was nervous about the discipline and focus that college would require, so they gave me relevant assignments to help me prepare. They helped me put together my college application. They allowed me to interview social workers so I’d understand what this career would offer.

As a result, I entered the social work program at Eastern Connecticut State University much better prepared than most. Now I’m a graduate student at Central Connecticut State University. I look forward to a career as an outpatient clinician, ideally for a school that helps other young people find their own passion and purpose!

Depot School is a supportive environment. The teachers are there to support and encourage your passion…

                                                                                                                            Amber Barr, Depot Campus Class of 2014

 

Students show an exhibit

 

The Depot Campus may be just what your child needs to find their passion, purpose, focus and a productive future.

Want to learn more?

Let’s talk or meet.

 

  • If your child is in 9th or 10th grade, begin with a conversation about your child’s needs with her/his current school counselor.
  • While The Depot Campus program begins in 9th grade, we understand that concerned parents of middle school students may also want to explore alternative learning options for their student before they enter high school. If your child is in middle school and you are concerned about her/his ability to succeed in a traditional high school setting, we encourage you to speak to your middle school counselors and administrators.
  • Contact Principal Lou DeLoreto at  860.487.0877 ext. 4980 or [email protected], Monday-Friday, 7:00 am-2:30 pm

 

B. For Student Grades 9-12

The Depot Campus is great for self-directed learners like me – students who grab every opportunity and try each of them out. It’s also great for creative thinkers who see things in unexpected and new ways! I came to Depot as a junior with a total lack of motivation. I thought I wanted to become a graphic designer. Then I did an internship at Mansfield Middle School where I worked with a student from Saudi Arabia in the school’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program.

That helped me realize that education was where I belonged. I graduated magna cum laude from Eastern Connecticut State University with a degree in secondary education with an English concentration. While doing some freelance teaching this summer, I’m now thinking about where I want to pursue graduate degree; Central Connecticut State University or Quinnipiac University are two I’m exploring.

The Depot Campus is like living in a small town. We students know each other well and support each person’s interests and efforts. The Depot Campus provides one of the few times in life that we get to experiment as much as we want, mess up as much as we like, explore our options, then choose a path we love.

Zoe Stephen, Depot Campus Class of 2012
A student speaks in public 

 

Students working on various projects


   Have you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions?

  • Does going to school fill you with dread?
  • Do you feel lost or overwhelmed in class?
  • Do you feel isolated from other kids in your grade?
  • Are you having a tough time focusing on or completing school assignments?
  • Are you anxious about moving from middle school to high school?
  • Do you feel like a square peg in a round hole?

 

You are not alone.

The Depot Campus at E.O. Smith High School understands that each student learns and grows differently. We’re not like any other school. And we’re dedicated to helping each student thrive in his or her unique way. At the Depot Campus, you will work one-on-one with a teacher-mentor who focuses on your individual needs. You’ll work on projects that you define in small groups. You’ll have the opportunity to explore your interests and passions, both at school and in real-world internships with local businesses and organizations.

There are no tests. Depot Campus students have the freedom to explore and learn in their unique ways, up front and hands-on.

In addition to the goal of earning a high school degree, Depot Campus you can participate in after-school programs and intramural sports at E.O. Smith High School.

The Depot Campus can help you develop and express your unique talents. We can help you define and pursue your passions. And we’ll help you create a path to your future.

Want to learn more?

  • Begin by talking with your parents about the challenges you are having in your current school situation.
  • Meet with your current school counselor to discuss whether the Depot Campus may be right for you.
  • With your parents, schedule a visit to the Depot Campus and meet with our amazing staff.

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