Woodland Regional High School, serving students from Beacon Falls and Prospect in Region 16, has been honored with the inaugural 2024-2025 Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) High School of the Year award, recognizing its unwavering commitment to fostering a safe, healthy, and academically rigorous environment for all students. Despite this being the first year for the high school award, the exceptionally strong applications made for a highly competitive selection process. This recognition highlights Woodland’s dedication to student well-being, academic excellence, and community engagement.
Principal Kurt Ogren shared with the committee, “We are deeply grateful for the support of the families of Beacon Falls and Prospect in addition to our exceptional students and staff for their commitment to foster an environment of continuous growth and achievement. We look forward to continuing our work together to make Woodland Regional High School even stronger.”
Woodland’s commitment to student well-being was evident in both the application packet and the on-site visit evident with its comprehensive programs and initiatives, including the social-emotional learning “Choose Love” curriculum; an expanded Peer Buddies program that pairs regular education students with special education peers, promoting inclusion, friendship, and leadership; the Hawk Wings Kindness Club where students actively promote kindness and community through service projects and positive initiatives; and a robust athletics program that engages more than 60% of the student population in the athletics program. Additionally, the “Cop Talk” Program engages seniors in candid discussions with law enforcement professionals about responsibility and safety.
While there were many innovative programs and initiatives at Woodland, the school’s exemplary career-focused partnerships that provide for collaborations with local community colleges, EMS, and fire departments provide students with valuable certifications and real-world experience, including CNA and EMT programs. Woodland’s Advisory Program, a cornerstone of its success, also stood out to the visiting committee. The program pairs small groups of students with dedicated advisors for all four years, culminating in student presentations that address a passion area for the student or an electronic portfolio presentation that shows how the student’s learning has addressed all areas of Portrait of a Graduate. At the end of senior year, advisors in the program present students with their diplomas at graduation. This program has been so successful that Woodland has hosted numerous schools for site visits.
At Woodland, student services go beyond the typical, with initiatives like the Woodland Strong program, Math Lab, Unified Sports, and a wide array of student-driven clubs. Personalization and student ownership are key priorities, with initiatives like Senior Project, Internship Program, and Learning Pathways empowering students to take control of their education. Smaller class sizes and strong student-teacher relationships further enhance the personalized experience.
Collaborative leadership and professional learning communities are integral to Woodland’s success. The Portrait of a Graduate, department-centered offices, Woodland Metal Works collaborative, new teacher support, and the School-Wide Data Team exemplify the school’s commitment to teamwork and continuous improvement.
When learning of the school’s award, Superintendent Michael Yamin stated, “Woodland Regional High School’s exceptional social-emotional support, coupled with its comprehensive curriculum and vital advisory program, makes it an outstanding choice for Connecticut High School of the Year. Through rigorous, engaging, and personalized learning, Woodland empowers all students to thrive. The school’s commitment to fostering strong student-adult relationships cultivates a safe and nurturing environment, ensuring graduates are empathetic, responsible, and prepared for success.”
It is because of their dedication to creating a safe, inclusive, and academically challenging environment for all students that Woodland Regional High School has earned the 2024-2025 CAS High School of the Year award.