Graduations Reveal Enrollment Divide

More than 100 eighth-graders walked across the stage in Fair Haven Friday morning to celebrate graduating from one of New Haven’s fastest-growing schools — at the same time that eight of their peers on the far west side of town gathered for a much smaller ceremony at one of the city’s fastest-shrinking schools.

That split-screen contrast was on display Friday morning during separate graduation ceremonies for Fair Haven School at 164 Grand Ave. in Fair Haven and Brennan-Rogers Magnet School at 199 Wilmot Rd. in West Rock.

Fair Haven School sent off 104 eighth-grade graduates. The number — the largest number to matriculate from any elementary/middle school in the city this year — reflects how student enrollment has grown at Fair Haven as the K‑8 school continues to accept more and more new arrivals from around the world. 

Brennan-Rogers, meanwhile, graduated only eight eighth graders on Friday, a small class size resulting in part from a surge of voluntary student transfers last year as the school struggled to find enough teachers to staff its classrooms.

These disparate graduation numbers come as the district has seen an overall decline in enrollment since the pandemic, a sharp increase in the number of multilingual learners, an expected $12 million budget deficit that could lead to dozens of staff cuts next year, and an accelerating conversation among district leadership about which and how many schools should close — even as the superintendent has said the district won’t close any schools next year.

Asked on Friday if the district plans to close Brennan-Rogers, given that the school’s graduating class this year included just eight students, New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) spokesperson Justin Harmon replied that the low enrollment in this year’s eighth-grade class stemmed from last year’s student transfers due to teacher vacancies. ​“We since have had better luck in hiring, and the subsequent classes at Brennan are larger.”

Fair Haven: "A Brighter Future"

Fair Haven School has grown fast this year, as the school has welcomed approximately 190 new-arrival students since the start of the school year, according to the school’s principal, Monica Morales.

According to New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) Superintendent Madeline Negrón, who was the keynote speaker at Friday’s ceremony, Fair Haven School received new eighth graders this year from Syria, Egypt, Turkey, Afghanistan, Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, Colombia, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras.

School staff described the increase in new arrivals as contributing to a cherished cultural vibrancy at Fair Haven School, while also presenting the challenge of how the school can provide appropriate support to students and their families when the school is at full student capacity. 

Assistant Principal Nellie Martinez described the graduating class as a ​“force to be reckoned with.” The students pushed staff to be better educators, she added. She said the grads have futures as actors because of their love for the spotlight and drama, as journalists because of their passion for being in others’ business, as supervisors thanks to their goal of controlling all situations, and as lawyers because of their love of challenging anything and everything.

During her keynote speech, Negrón shared her journey from Puerto Rico to Connecticut and the challenge she faced of being overlooked for academic success because she did not speak English. ​“I see young people who persevered, who will succeed whatever the circumstances you will face,” she said.

Top academic students Saidy Alvarado Escobar and Cristopher Guartan Crespo spoke on Friday about how thankful they are for their time at Fair Haven School. ​“Coming to this school has never been a decision that I regret,” Guartan Crespo said. ​“May the staff continue to bring a brighter future upon other students.”

Grad Giselle Pernia walked the Friday stage to receive her graduation diploma wearing a pink flower-decorated cap reading: ​“If you knew my story you’d be proud.” 

After Friday’s ceremony, Pernia joined her graduating class in the school’s courtyard to take pictures and celebrate with family. She described feeling excited but most of all proud of herself for making it to this point. While very young, Pernia endured chemotherapy and brain surgery. And while that was an obstacle in itself, more came when she returned to school and began getting bullied throughout middle school.

It took her until her eighth-grade year to learn how to overcome the challenge of daily bullying. ​“I went through lots of things as a little girl and that’s how I got made fun of,” she recalled.

But now she’s stopping paying mind to her peers who bullied her. She learned to tell herself, ​“Don’t pay attention to what they say, focus on yourself, believe in what you can achieve.” She added that she also found friends that protect and stand up for her.

With more strength, support, and confidence, Pernia was able to enjoy her eighth grade year, particularly moments like the class’ dinner dance earlier this month.

Pernia is next headed to Cross to pursue her interest in culinary arts.

Brennan-Rogers: “We Love You. We’re Here For You.”

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city Friday morning, a group of eight students capped off their middle school years at West Rock’s Brennan-Rogers Magnet School graduation ceremony in the school’s ​“gymnatorium.”

Brennan-Rogers Principal Kimberly Daniley spoke during the ceremony about how the school and its students faced challenges last year as dozens of families chose to move their kids to other city schools amid teacher vacancies.

Ca’Nayza Smalls, one of the school’s graduating eighth graders, spent half of the last school year at John S. Martinez Magnet School in Fair Haven before returning to Brennan-Rogers, according to her mother Jovanna Coardes. ​“I’m happy she made it through,” said Coardes, who had attended Brennan-Rogers herself. 

“She came a long way,” said Teneshia Harrington, Smalls’s grandmother. 

Smalls, who will be attending Metropolitan Business Academy in the fall, delivered a speech during the ceremony. ​“I have attended Brennan-Rogers since kindergarten,” she said. Her voice began to break as she became emotional. A voice from the crowd yelled out, ​“Take your time! Don’t cry.” 

The crowd, mostly made up of families, teachers, and seventh grade students, cheered and applauded when Smalls did start crying while talking about the friendships she’s made at Brennan-Rogers. When asked what her favorite memory from Brennan-Rogers will be, Smalls just said, ​“This.” Graduation.

Former King/Robinson Interdistrict Magnet School Principal and current Assistant Superintendent of Waterbury School District Dr. Joseph Johnson wore turquoise shorts and knee-high black socks as the guest speaker at the graduation. ​“My family is from Bermuda,” he explained, ​“and this is traditional professional dress for a man.” 

“Lethargy is the enemy of progress,” he advised the graduates.

School counselor Elizabeth Yarbrough, also known as ​“Ms. Liz,” received a surprise plaque for her service to Brennan-Rogers. Her children attended Brennan-Rogers, and so did her grandchildren, whom she’s raising. Her grandson Tyjon Yarbrough was one of the eight graduates. He’s heading to Hill Regional Career High School, where his older brother just graduated. 

Assistant Principal Alex Sinclair gave the closing remarks. He advised the graduates to attend class, find mentors, and find activities to latch onto in high school. ​“I need my babies to show up,” Sinclair said. ​“We love you. We’re here for you.” He encouraged the students to come back and visit any time. 

The other grades are larger, but for these grads, it’s just these eight: Jaylize Council, Avea’yia Miller Dixon, Angel Ortiz, Isaiah Romero, Ca’Nayza Smalls, Jaden Smith, Isaiah Vasquez, and Tyjon Yarbrough.