STUDENT WORK

Common Ground students do serious work. Much of this work is about New Haven – its people, natural environment, political and economic realities, arts, and history. We believe that the products our students produce is worth sharing – because it's of high quality, and because it's a valuable resource to the community. Below is a sample of some of the work our students have taken on.

Leading Green

This year, Common Ground students are transforming Common Ground into the nation’s greenest high school. In the fall, students wrote and received a $100,000 grant from the State Farm Youth Advisory Board to fuel their efforts. Since then, they have developed over three dozen concrete sustainability proposals for our 20-acre site -- from greywater harvesting, to new green construction, to a living machine -- and shared their proposals with fellow students, community members, school staff, and professional architects. The Common Ground community has selected the best of these proposals, which will be put into action across our campus over the next several months. At the same time, students are playing a leadership role in the development of a 20-year master plan for Common Ground's site. Learn more about their amazing work.

Lessons from the Land

When current Common Ground students arrive back for their tenth reunion, they will see the lasting impact of their work: a series of 20+ outdoor interpretive exhibits exploring "Lessons from the Land." Common Ground students are developing these exhibits -- on home composting, invasive species, site history, nature writing, and many other topics – through a partnership with the Yale Peabody Museum. Now, visitors to Common Ground can visit the first set of these exhibits, focusing on observing, explaining, and promoting bird diversity. Funding from the American Honda Foundation and the Toshiba America Foundation is allowing us to make these exhibits a beautiful and permanent part of our site. See some of our students' good work.

Writing Our Hope

Common Ground students constantly amaze us with their sense of possibility, and with their capacity for insight. This was particularly true when we read their words in a special Common Ground edition of the national literary magazine, Writing Our Hope. Click here to hear their voices of hope – focusing on the environment, justice, and identity.

Senior Projects

Common Ground seniors complete in-depth projects focused on social justice and environmental topics. They also explore career and life goals through internships and personal reflection. Click here to view a senior project presentation on the dropout crisis, presented to middle school students and the dropout prevention staff for New Haven Public Schools.

Common Ground Goes to Washington

In 2008, a busload of Common Ground students and teachers travelled to Washington, DC, to witness the inauguration of Barack Obama. Read their words and see their photographs.

Pass it On

Pass It On is a growing collection of first-hand descriptions, histories, walking tours, and essays about New Haven's neighborhoods. Students in the Four Corners class – an interdisciplinary history and English course – have created the content for this Web site. It's a work in progress; each year’s class improves and adds to the work of previous students. Click here to visit the Web site in progress.

City-Wide Global Warming Art & Writing Contest

What will YOU do to address global warming? That was the galvanizing question for a contest organized by Common Ground 9th graders, and involving 75 contributors from middle and high schools throughout New Haven. Entries included poems, stories, paintings, drawings, videos, essays, and art in a variety of other media. Read more about the contest here.

Environmental Research

In 2006, Common Ground students took part in an EPA-funded project that monitored on air and water quality in New Haven. Their research resulted in presentations to other students, community leaders, and on public access television. To see a powerpoint sharing their work, click here.

Award-Winning Art and Poetry

Common Ground students are passionate writers and artists, and are proud to share their work with public audiences. Samples of their work coming soon.


	Student work STUDENT WORK Common Ground students do serious work. Much of this work is about New Haven – its people, natural environment, political and economic realities, arts, and history. We believe that the products our students produce is worth sharing – because it's of high quality, and because it's a valuable resource to the community. Below is a sample of some of the work our students have taken on. Leading Green This year, Common Ground students are transforming Common Ground into the nation’s greenest high school. In the fall, students wrote and received a $100,000 grant from the State Farm Youth Advisory Board to fuel their efforts. Since then, they have developed over three dozen concrete sustainability proposals for our 20-acre site -- from greywater harvesting, to new green construction, to a living machine -- and shared their proposals with fellow students, community members, school staff, and professional architects. The Common Ground community has selected the best of these proposals, which will be put into action across our campus over the next several months. At the same time, students are playing a leadership role in the development of a 20-year master plan for Common Ground's site. Learn more about their amazing work. Lessons from the Land When current Common Ground students arrive back for their tenth reunion, they will see the lasting impact of their work: a series of 20+ outdoor interpretive exhibits exploring "Lessons from the Land." Common Ground students are developing these exhibits -- on home composting, invasive species, site history, nature writing, and many other topics – through a partnership with the Yale Peabody Museum. Now, visitors to Common Ground can visit the first set of these exhibits, focusing on observing, explaining, and promoting bird diversity. Funding from the American Honda Foundation and the Toshiba America Foundation is allowing us to make these exhibits a beautiful and permanent part of our site. See some of our students' good work. Writing Our Hope Common Ground students constantly amaze us with their sense of possibility, and with their capacity for insight. This was particularly true when we read their words in a special Common Ground edition of the national literary magazine, Writing Our Hope. Click here to hear their voices of hope – focusing on the environment, justice, and identity. Senior Projects Common Ground seniors complete in-depth projects focused on social justice and environmental topics. They also explore career and life goals through internships and personal reflection. Click here to view a senior project presentation on the dropout crisis, presented to middle school students and the dropout prevention staff for New Haven Public Schools. Common Ground Goes to Washington In 2008, a busload of Common Ground students and teachers travelled to Washington, DC, to witness the inauguration of Barack Obama. Read their words and see their photographs. Pass it On Pass It On is a growing collection of first-hand descriptions, histories, walking tours, and essays about New Haven's neighborhoods. Students in the Four Corners class – an interdisciplinary history and English course – have created the content for this Web site. It's a work in progress; each year’s class improves and adds to the work of previous students. Click here to visit the Web site in progress. City-Wide Global Warming Art & Writing Contest What will YOU do to address global warming? That was the galvanizing question for a contest organized by Common Ground 9th graders, and involving 75 contributors from middle and high schools throughout New Haven. Entries included poems, stories, paintings, drawings, videos, essays, and art in a variety of other media. Read more about the contest here. Environmental Research In 2006, Common Ground students took part in an EPA-funded project that monitored on air and water quality in New Haven. Their research resulted in presentations to other students, community leaders, and on public access television. To see a powerpoint sharing their work, click here. Award-Winning Art and Poetry Common Ground students are passionate writers and artists, and are proud to share their work with public audiences. Samples of their work coming soon.