Alternative High May Be Named ‘Academy’

By Dirk Perrefort, Connecticut Post, Bridgeport

Feb. 13–MILFORD — A former Milford Academy student said a proposal to name the city’s alternative high school after his alma mater would help ensure the academy’s place in history for generations to come.

“There are a lot of people in the city who went to Milford Academy and enjoyed a great education,” said Jim Beard, who graduated from the former Gulf Street private school in 1965. “It’s great that the city wants to keep the heritage and the history of the school alive. It was an institution in the city for many years.”

Acting Supt. of Schools Larry Schaefer said administrators have proposed naming the alternative high school “The Academy” once the alternative high school is relocated to the former Milford Academy campus in the fall. The alternative high school, which has about 85 students, is designed to help students who have difficulty succeeding in a larger school environment.

“We’ve never really liked the name alternative high school,” he said. “It doesn’t put much of an emphasis on academics. The new name would help instill a more academic focus while drawing on the history of the site.”

Schaefer added that officials hope to break ground on the $3.5 million project by March 1. The city purchased the 3-acre Milford Academy site five years ago after the school closed its doors.

Selma Rosenbaum, the daughter-in-law of Milford Academy founder Harris Rosenbaum, is happy that another school will be located at the site. “For years I was worried that the property would be developed into a condominium complex,” she said. “The academy was an important part of Milford for many years. It’s nice that the city wants to continue the name. I’m sure people would much rather say that their kids go to the academy than the alternative high school. It sounds a lot better.”

Schaefer said the proposal to name the school still needs the approval of the Board of Education.

“I assume if there aren’t any concerns from the community, they would go ahead with it,” he said.

Dirk Perrefort, who covers Milford, can be reached at 878-2130.

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Copyright (c) 2007, Connecticut Post, Bridgeport

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