The East School staff believes that every individual has the right to secure an education which is essential to the preservation of democracy. It is our purpose to provide experiences necessary for growth and for learning. We must assist our students in the development of their physical, intellectual, social and emotional potentials.

Our staff believes that students learn best in a happy, tranquil atmosphere in which they feel secure. The teacher must be a well-trained person who thoroughly understands the needs, interests and potentials of growing youths. Teachers should seize every opportunity to increase their own effectiveness.

Our school program must be built around the learner. We must recognize that each of our students is a distinct and unique individual. To accommodate the differences in human development, our lessons must be based on many types of experiences. Our programs must be designed to meet the changing needs and interests of each student.

We believe critical thinking skills are necessary to prepare students to function in a manner which enhances their own growth and development and promotes responsible citizenship.

The East School community takes pride in its students and treats each of its members as part of a family. The school philosophy centers on the needs of the learner stressing the positive accomplishments and multiple intelligences of each student: mathematical/logical; linguistic; bodily kinesthetic; musical; spatial/visual; interpersonal and intrapersonal. The fine educators at East School strive to develop and present the best possible curriculum in a positive and educational stimulating atmosphere. The programs are designed to meet the changing needs and interests of students in today’s world. A key educational objective is to have children learn to enhance their own growth and development and become life-long learners. In addition, another main goal is to assist all students in becoming responsible, and productive citizens in the future.

East school is a K-5 facility which first opened in 1976. The students fairly represent the typical profile of an elementary population, having both strengths as well as needs. The building was thoughtfully designed and functions well at meeting the educational needs of our students and staff. Some interior changes have been made over the years to provide more classroom and office space as the needs have changed. The schools location, on a quiet hilltop with adjacent nature trails and within a reasonable proximity to a city playground, helps make it a most comfortable learning environment.

East School currently provides educational services for approximately 450 students with a staff of 21 mainstream teachers and three special program teachers. Additional programming and staff are provided in art, music, physical education, T.A.G., and computers, as well as occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech pathology, and remediation.

The Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT) is administered to all fourth grade students in late September. The CMT off level Mathematics Test, is also given in September, and is administered to students in grades 3 and 5, while the TASA Degree of Reading Power Test is given to students in grades 2, 3, and 5.

East school has three major areas which make up a substantial part of the facility: a large gymnasium, the library media center, an all-purpose room with a large stage which is used as the cafeteria during lunchtime. These areas sometimes serve as assembly areas for various programs and activities such as author visits, a book-fair, classroom project presentations, school assemblies, music concerts, plays, and the annual D.A.R.E. graduation.

A very strong parent teacher organization continues to provide human resources as well as additional programming and funding to supplement the Torrington school systems budget allocation. The involvement of the PT0 has created a more community-oriented atmosphere, which has had a positive impact on both our students and staff.