• What does ECA stand for?

    ECA is the Acronym for Educational Center for the Arts.

  • Is ECA an afterschool program?

    No. ECA is a public, half-time, magnet arts high school serving over 30 districts in and around south-central Connecticut and beyond. Students earn 2 elective credits per year while attending as well as CTE STEM Credits for specific courses.

  • I live in a town outside of New Haven County. Can I still apply to ECA?

    Yes, students from every town in the state are eligible to apply.

  • Can I attend a New Haven magnet school and ECA?

    No. The CT State Department of Education prohibits students from attendning two magnet schools, referred to as "dual enrollment." If you attend school in New Haven, you must attend either Wilbur Cross or James Hillhouse High Schools if you plan to attend ECA.

  • Does ECA provide transportation to/from my sending school?

    No. Transportation is provided by your sending school, in most cases. Many schools provide round-trip transport, some provide one-way transport and a few districts do not provide any transportation. Please check with your district's transportation for specific details.

  • I'm a homeschooled student. May I apply to ECA?

    Yes, homeschooled students are eligible to apply.

  • Do I have to pay tuition to attend ECA?

    Students enrolled in CT public school do not pay tuition. However, homeschooled students must pay the full cost of tuition.

  • How much is tuition to ECA?

    The cost of attending ECA is approximately $11,000 and subject to change each year. For students enrolled in CT public schools, the cost of attending ECA is shared by the sending district and the CT State Department of Education.

  • What will my ECA schedule be?

    ECA is in session, Monday-Thursday from 1:00-4:10pm. Students attend their sending high school in the morning for academic classes and take a bus to/from ECA (if the sending district provides transportation). Check with your school to confirm your Friday schedule as ECA is not in session on Fridays.

  • How do I apply to ECA?

    Details about the application process can be found on the Admission Page of our website.

  • Will students who apply to ECA have an opportunity to meet with current students in their department?

    Yes. We have various opportunities for prospective students to come in and see the campus and interact with students and faculty through student Shadows, Tours and Open Houses. Please check our tours page to reserve a spot for a tour or shadow.

  • Do you only accept high school freshman?

    Students in grades 8-11 are welcome to apply.

  • Can I apply to more than one department?

    Yes, you may apply to a maximum of two departments. Currently, students may attend only one department during their ECA experience.

  • Are classes single or mixed grade?

    Some classes at ECA are for first year students only, other are mixed with students from all grades.

  • How many students are accepted each year?

    Total Enrollment at ECA is approximately 315 students. Available seats in any given year depends on the number of student graduates and available seats per district.