Goodwin University has broken ground on RiverTech, Connecticut‘s first technology magnet school, which will offer specialized programs in AI, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing. The four-year high school program will begin serving freshmen this fall and aims to address workforce needs at major Connecticut manufacturers like Pratt & Whitney while expanding the state’s magnet school network established through the landmark Sheff v. O’Neill civil rights case.
What you should know: RiverTech represents a significant expansion of Connecticut’s School Choice program, which emerged from a successful civil rights lawsuit challenging racial discrimination in public education.
- The school will occupy a 90,000-square-foot, four-story building scheduled for completion next year, featuring what officials describe as unique facilities including a fourth-floor replica of Mars’ surface for astronaut training simulations.
- Students will focus on artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, computer science, and advanced manufacturing, with partnerships being developed with major Connecticut manufacturers for internships and pre-apprenticeships.
- Goodwin University operates what President Mark Scheinberg claims is the only university-owned and managed public school system in the country.
The big picture: The school’s launch comes at a time when Connecticut’s Democratic education initiatives face national scrutiny, but supporters view it as evidence of the state’s continued commitment to public education innovation.
- “Despite what’s going on at the national level, the commitment to public education in Connecticut continues,” said Elizabeth Horton Sheff, the plaintiff behind the original Sheff v. O’Neill case.
- The Greater Hartford region has built an extensive network of specialized magnet schools since the Sheff victory, with RiverTech adding to this infrastructure.
What they’re saying: Students and local officials express enthusiasm about the school’s potential to prepare workers for regional manufacturing needs.
- “I finally found something that truly excites me: engineering. I’m ready to get hands-on experience and certifications to set myself up for a stable career in a field that’s only going to keep growing,” said incoming freshman Zaidyn Williams of East Hartford, who’s particularly interested in aerospace engineering.
- East Hartford Mayor Connor Martin, a Goodwin graduate, emphasized the school’s role in workforce development: “Before this campus was what it is today, this was an industrial wasteland.”
Why this matters: The school addresses a critical need for skilled technology workers in Connecticut’s manufacturing sector while providing students with direct pathways to stable careers in growing fields like AI and cybersecurity.
- RiverTech transforms what was once described as an “industrial wasteland” into a vibrant educational hub while restoring community access to the Connecticut River.
- The initiative demonstrates how targeted education programs can bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry demands, particularly in aerospace and advanced manufacturing where companies like Pratt & Whitney face ongoing workforce challenges.
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