Superintendent of Schools

Dear Waterbury Public Schools Community,

We have been eagerly preparing for the first day of school and are excited to see you. It is my honor and privilege to serve as your Interim Superintendent as we embark on another exciting school year. This is a moment for celebration, reflection, and anticipation. I truly believe that we are a team, and each role we play is essential in accomplishing our mission: to inspire and prepare every student to succeed in and beyond school. It is through our collective efforts that we shape the future of our community.

As we move into this new school year, remember that our strength and growth comes from our unity. Let us support one another, collaborate, and share our successes and challenges. Let us continue to foster a culture of respect, kindness, inclusiveness, equity, and teamwork. By doing so, we create an environment where our students can reach their full potential, knowing they have a dedicated team behind them every step of the way. The best possible outcome for students happens when the city, district, administrators, teachers, support staff, and families/guardians all work together in common purpose to enable each student to reach maximum potential as our future leaders.

I am confident that together, we can overcome challenges and achieve extraordinary feats. This year, let us reaffirm our commitment to working as a cohesive team, united by the fact that when students succeed, we all succeed.

Sincerely,

Dr. Darren Schwartz
Interim Superintendent of Schools

last updated 8/23/24

Mission: The mission of Waterbury Public Schools is to inspire and prepare every student to be successful in and beyond school.

Vision: ALL Waterbury Public Schools students will graduate ready to transform their world.

Core Values:

• Holds high expectations for excellence in teaching and learning
• Promotes equity in policy, practice and resources
• Provides students a quality learning experience aligned to our Portrait of a Graduate
• Acts as stewards for community resources and managing our assets to ensure equity and excellence
• Recognizes that meaningful relationships are the foundation of a high-quality education
• Committed to embracing a diverse community
• Committed to civility, honesty, responsibility and transparency 

Every few years, the Waterbury Public Schools undergoes a strategic planning process that culminates in a multi-year plan for educational improvement. This plan serves as an important blueprint for all educators, guiding the district forward in its goals to improving student achievement in literacy and numeracy and providing students with a healthy and safe learning environment while encouraging parents to participate in a meaningful way in their children's education.

Waterbury's first District Improvement Plan, Empowering for Success, was developed in 2000 to serve as a guide for school improvement. This plan sought to provide the map needed to move forward to educational excellence in student achievement, cultural diversity, long range planning, effective assessment and monitoring of expenditures. It was developed through the cooperation of Central Office staff, principals, teachers, students, parents and school community organizations. The plan improved accountability and raised expectations for the district. 

The first District Improvement Plan followed a specific timeline for improvements (2000-2005) and was cited by the State Department of Education as an exemplary plan. Since then, the district has updated its strategic plan three times. The latest plan, Blueprint for Change: Moving Forward for Student Success, was approved by the Board of Education in December of 2012 and served as a guideline for educators through 2017.

The district is currently working on a new strategic plan for educational reform based on Portrait of a Graduate.  

• 2020-2027 District Strategic Plan
• 2023-2026 Equity Strategic Plans
• 2012-2017 Blueprint for Change, 2nd Edition
• 2012-2015 Blueprint for Change: Moving Forward for Student Success 
• 2008-2011 District Improvement Plan and Tier II Action Plans
• 2005-2008 District Improvement Plan 
• 2000-2005 District Improvement Plan

The Annual Report is compiled in June of each year and submitted to the Mayor's Office in August. The Department of Education's Annual Report consists of several sections, including an executive highlights summary section, an Academic Departments section, a Special Education Department section, a section with reports from other Central Office areas, including Human Capital, Grants and Operations and a final section for reports from each of the district's school. 

Downloadable Organizational Chart - August 27, 2024