What does the hit 1987 movie Dirty Dancing have in common with the new Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) Leeder Hill Campus?
Mark Dougherty, principal of ACES Whitney High School North, channels Patrick Swayze’s infamous line, “Nobody puts Baby in a corner.”
Just as Baby got her chance to strut her stuff on the dance floor, the new campus in Hamden gives special-education students an opportunity to shine, according to Dougherty. Specially designed for students with special needs, the 140,000-square-foot facility can accommodate 300 students.
“This building delivers a similar message: ‘Nobody puts ACES students in a corner,’” Dougherty said. “Our students and staff are thrilled with the new building. The kids say the food even tastes better. The light and space is amazing, and they can’t wait to come to school.”
On Wednesday afternoon, a crowd of students, staff, local dignitaries and state education officials gathered at the campus for a formal celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The campus, at 130 Leeder Hill Drive, brings two special education programs under one roof, including ACES Whitney Academy Explore & Create and ACES Whitney High School North.
Renovations and construction started in December 2017.
ACES Executive Director Thomas Danehy said the project cost $75 million. ACES selected the Hamden architectural firm Silver/Petrucelli + Associates to spearhead the design effort. ACES officials reviewed a dozen potential sites before deciding on Leeder Hill Road, the location of a former charter school. ACES bought the property in 2016 for $14 million, according to Hamden town records.
“Here we have a building specially designed to meet the needs of individuals with special needs,” Danehy said. “When you enter the facility you are immediately struck by the bright natural lighting, wide hallways, large classrooms, and ease of moving throughout the building. This is just what our students need to thrive and learn.”
The campus features new technology, specialty laboratories, occupational therapy rooms, sensory and aqua-therapy rooms, assistive technology training spaces, art and pottery studios, media studios, and a vocational center.
Norman Hicks, chair of the ACES board, donned a hard hat for part of the ceremony.
“The nicest part about today is, I don’t need this anymore,” Hicks said of his hard hat. “Today, we celebrate. Today, we are in a building which is absolutely magnificent. It’s a state-of-the-art school facility that our children deserve, and where they will be educated for many years to come.”
Lisa Mucciacciaro, principal of ACES Whitney Academy Explore & Create, said students were “all smiles” on the first day of school.
She described overhearing students saying, “I can’t believe this is our school,” and “This is bigger than the school in High School Musical.”
“To say we are fortunate to have this building to teach and learn in is an understatement,” Mucciacciaro said.
