Pulaski Elementary School, 100 Clearview Ave, Meriden, CT 06450, US

With approximately 700 students, Casimir Pulaski is Meriden's largest public elementary school. Its staff is heavily focused on developing literary skills in students before they move on to middle school, and uses innovative programs to assist them in learning these skills. This includes a Wednesday library night, where from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. parents can drop their children at the school for reading time and accelerated reading tests. "Literacy for us is a passion. Our staff is a high-energy and a risk-taking bunch. They are really willing to try out new ideas and try new ways of getting things done," Pulaski's principal since 2004, Tom Brown, says. "The whole personality of this building tends to be very busy, active and optimistic." In addition to its general science, math, social studies and English curriculum, Pulaski students have art, music and physical education each once a week. They also have access to a computer lab, a media specialist and a media room with an 11,000-book collection.