For the past 30 years the little brick building sitting on Locust Ave. has been home to the Alternative Center for Excellence, but it wasn’t always home to the alternative high school. Before 1977 the building was used as the Locust Ave. Elementary School.

In 1976 as a result of the race riots over at Danbury High School the faculty and outsiders decided that there needed to be an alternative option for students, due to the large size and racial tension. They came up with the idea to start a considerably smaller option for students who couldn’t learn to their potential in the large setting of Danbury High. Our principal, Dave Canavan, was a part of the initial group that worked to make this dream a reality. They worked solid for a year planning and coming up with criteria for enrolling students.

Guidelines and rules for enrollment were made so that only students who truly wanted to be a part of the program and have a second chance could have the opportunity. 15 hours community service before starting, student/teacher interview, 3 letters of recommendation, and more are all criteria for starting at the school. Even though the criteria is somewhat strict it is all in good interest of the school and the students. The strict criteria helps keep the small student population. The small student body is the reason why ACE can do some of the things it does. For example if we were a large school we wouldn’t be able to go on some of the trips that we are so well known for.

Now the school is starting their 30th year as ACE and our little school building has been named “the oldest building still being used as a school in CT.” This year we are home to about 100 students of all ages and backgrounds and are looking forward to our 2008 January and June graduations.