School Overview
Contact Information
Concord Magnet School K-8
21 Hunter's Lane
Norwalk, Connecticut 06850
Phone: 203-899-2840
Concord Magnet K-8 VISION
Concord Magnet School is committed to educational excellence
where the learning experience combines traditional academics
with an individualized approach to learning based on the child’s physical,
intellectual, social, and emotional needs.
Concord Magnet K-8 MISSION STATEMENT
The CMS K-8 Mission is to develop passionate, lifelong learners who strive for
academic excellence by cultivating their creativity and imagination through
hands-on, interdisciplinary social studies-based units and vibrant arts infusion.
We foster the academic, social and emotional development of each child
while building a caring and ethical community that celebrates diversity
and encourages strength of character.
A Brief History
Columbus Magnet School first opened its doors in September of 1980 under the leadership of Arthur J. Perschino. A modified Bank Street philosophy was selected to develop integrated, hands-on, Social Studies-based learning. All elementary-aged children residing in Norwalk were eligible to apply to the magnet school lottery.
In 2000, Columbus was designated a H.O.T. (Higher Order Thinking) School by the Connecticut Commision of the Arts. The HOTS program featuring arts integration, social/emotional learning, the Multiple Intelligence theory, and art residencies was a natural enhancement to our teaching philosophy.
In August 2017, Columbus Magnet welcomed its first 6th grade class. By 2018, the middle school expansion was complete and Columbus became a K-8 school. The only K-8 public school in Norwalk.
Columbus Magnet was renamed in 2020. The school, often referred to as “CMS,” felt it important to keep those initials. Concord Street was the school address for over 40 years. (It was also the name of a school at the same location prior to the construction of Columbus School.) Even though the school was moving, the name seemed to fit. The definition of the word “CONCORD” - in accordance, community, harmony, peace - mirrored CMS’ ideals. According to Principal Thomas, “Harmony does not live just on Concord Street, harmony can go anywhere you want.”
Today, Concord Magnet K-8 School remains unique within the Norwalk Public School system. It operates in accordance with the policies, standards, regulations and by-laws of the Norwalk Public Schools Board of Education, while holding the unique distinction of being one of the few Connecticut schools to integrate both the Bank Street and H.O.T. educational philosophies. At Concord Magnet K-8, the process of learning is as valuable as the product.