Who We Are

The Global Communications Academy (GCA) is an exciting new pre-K through 12 school that was launched August 25, 2008, in Hartford, CT. It is the first collaboration between International Baccalaureate of North America (IB), George Weiss' widely acclaimed Say Yes to Education Foundation, and Hartford Public Schools. The Academy emphasizes college readiness, academic press, and financial, social-emotional, and health supports.

As an international baccalaureate candidacy school, The Academy features a rigorously tested college preparatory curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking skills, small instructional groups in reading, writing and mathematics, Spanish as a second language starting in kindergarten, instruction in fine arts, music and physical education, and an extended day enrichment program, among other features.

The Say Yes Foundation provides a wide range of integral holistic supports and enrichment programming, including student assessment and growth planning, mentoring, tutoring, and study skills as well as leadership development, that ensures the academic achievement of each GCA student. The integration of the IB curriculum with Say Yes represents an unprecedented opportunity for urban students to access one of the most rigorous and effective college preparatory programs in the country.

The Global Communications Academy creates a college-bound culture that will prepare all students for success in post-secondary education and will eventually provide opportunities for students to investigate international job markets and careers in the fields of business, finance, banking, government, education, law, media and communications and other fields.

We anticipate that GCA will attain official IB certification in late 2009/early 2010.

Our Philosophy

We encourage and challenge our students to develop the knowledge and skills of lifelong learners. We encourage our young people to become responsible, internationally-minded citizens of the world.

Our goal is that all members of our school community become critical and compassionate thinkers and learners who respect the variety of cultures and attitudes that make up the diversity of the world.

What is IB?

The IB is a nonprofit educational foundation which emphasizes learning in a global contest. IB programs for students aged 3 to 19 help develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world. Founded in 1968, the IB organization currently works with 2,379 schools in 128 countries to develop and offer three rigorous programs to over 644,000 students aged 3 to 19 years.

For more information on the IB curriculum, please visit The International Baccalaureate web site.

Who Can Apply?

GCA launched in 2008 with a kindergarten, 1st grade and 5th grade class. Every year we will add a grade until GCA is a full K-12 IB campus.

Can We Apply If My Child Was a Member of the Previous Say Yes Hartford Chapter?

Hartford's 1990 Say Yes student cohort who are residents of Hartford will be given a partial point for their children applying for a GCA seat. GCA's staff and a Say Yes representative will conduct interviews after completed applications are received and prior to enrollment to make sure the Say Yes/IB concept is understood. All school expectations will be detailed to parent and student during this interviewing process.

How Do We Apply?

Parents should call 860-695-1960 to receive information about applying/registering to GCA.

What is the School Schedule?

The school opened on August 25th, 2008. The GCA day begins at 8:15 a.m. and lasts until 3:45 p.m. The extended day allows for additional help, tutoring, clubs and enrichment activities that maximize student learning, as well as give students opportunities to receive additional instruction in their second language. Say Yes assists in this extended day by providing an hour of study hall/tutoring and an hour of enrichment classes daily. GCA's enrichment classes include Dance, Music, Art and Technology. GCA also establishes relationships with college students who work as tutors and facilitators for the program, and share with students their college experiences.

For the full GCA school schedule, please click here.

GCA Summer Program

GCA conducts a 4-6 week mandatory summer program. The summer program is an extension of what takes place in the extended part of the day.

GCA Support Services

GCA welcomes the chance to educate every child. Neither disability nor limited English language ability will be used as a criterion for non-eligibility for enrollment. GCA meets all the requirements mandated within a student's Individual Education Plan (IEP). Experienced and certified Special Education teachers and related services staff members are employed to ensure that the unique needs and learning styles of all students are being met. Supports including tutoring and counseling are provided in the environment most conducive to the student's growth and development. GCA serves any and all students with limited English proficiency (English Language Learners or "ELL") using structured English language immersion so that they achieve proficiency in the English language as quickly as possible. Study Skills sessions during the day will be used to help students with their school work. During the extended school day tutoring is available for those that need targeted skill development.

The History of Say Yes in Hartford

Say Yes has a long and successful history in Hartford. The Hartford Chapter of Say Yes to Education began in October 1990, when 76 fifth grade students from the Annie Fisher Elementary School went to the University of Hartford and received a pledge from Say Yes founder George Weiss, along with local sponsors Mort and Irma Handel, and John Berman and his late wife Beverly, to pay post-secondary school tuition for every student in the class. The University of Hartford gift was linked with what is now called the Hartford Scholars Program, which provides half tuition at the University of Hartford for Hartford public school graduates. Over the course of 15 years, the Hartford Chapter developed and implemented a number of successful support programs. By all accounts the Hartford Chapter was a resounding success: 79 percent of the 76 Say Yes students have received a high school diploma or GED. As of 2007, 70 percent of high school graduates affiliated with the program had completed a post-secondary education. These students attended 24 universities and colleges, three junior colleges, two community colleges and five vocational schools. The students received 20 bachelor's degrees, seven associate's degrees, 11 trade certificates and four master's degrees. It was, in part, the success of the Say Yes Hartford Chapter which led the Hartford School District to explore expanding the Say Yes program through the establishment of GCA, this time for an entire school, rather than just one class.