The Department of Economic and Community Development, Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA), proudly presents Higher Order Thinking (HOT) Schools(™), a cadre of select urban, rural, and suburban schools that model best practices through the HOT Approach.

COA, Connecticut's State Arts Agency, believes that arts education is essential to the creative learning process and significantly contributes to a vibrant community. COA is dedicated to advancing the arts as an essential element of life-long learning

The Connecticut Office of the Arts has invested in HOT Schools for nearly 25 years. The HOT Approach:  Changing Instructional Practice Through Strong Arts, Arts Integration and Democratic Practice, has evolved from HOT Schools(™) and serves as the genesis for developing COA's Arts Education programs and services.  

Those interested in igniting curiosity and wonder, revolutionizing instructional practice, and transforming school culture are encouraged to observe HOT Exemplary Schools in practice and to participate in HOT professional development.