Zion Bridges accepts a promotion certificate from Principal David Diah.
The eighth graders hand sunflowers to people who have been a “source of light” for them in hard times.
Rufus Spearman is bound for Wilbur Cross High School.
When it was Marshall Curry’s turn to collect his promotion certificate from Wexler-Grant Academy Tuesday morning, his mother walked in his place. The 13-year-old died earlier this year in a high-speed car chase. Jennifer Baker wept as she embraced the teachers who supported her struggling son.
“I am really happy for all the eighth graders. I just wish my son was here too,” Baker told the Independent.
On Tuesday, nine eighth graders graduated from Wexler-Grant Academy of Exploration and Innovation, a new public middle school for non-traditional, skills-based learning. The academy is housed at 55 Foote St., the building of the former Wexler-Grant School. Before the 2025-26 school year, New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) merged Wexler-Grant with Lincoln-Bassett, leaving the Foote building open for the alternative middle school.
The new Wexler-Grant Academy enrolled 14 students in fall 2025. The school is piloting a program of career-focused instruction for students who struggle in traditional school settings. It currently serves students from sixth through eighth grade. Next year, they will add a ninth-grade class. Principal David Diah expects to enroll between eight and 12 ninth-grade students.
On Tuesday, Wexler’s nine eighth graders donned blue and white graduation gowns. They read short speeches thanking their teachers and family members for supporting them through the last year.
“When I came [to Wexler-Grant], things starts to change for me,” said Rufus Spearman, one of the eighth graders. “I became calmer, I made better choices, and I learned a lot about myself.”
Rufus’s mom, Vitealya, said the school has been “a breath of fresh air.” When he had a problem, teachers would set up meetings with Vitealya to figure out a solution, she said. They “really want him to succeed.”
Next year, Rufus will attend Wilbur Cross High School and enroll in their welding program, which trained dozens of students for $23-per-hour jobs at General Dynamics Electric Boat. At Cross, “I want to play football, get good grades, and be a scholar-athlete. I want to continue making my family proud,” said Rufus.
During their speeches, some students reflected on the heartbreak of losing their friend and classmate. The entire class put together a video tribute for Curry’s mom, including a song titled, “Shine Through Me, Marshall.”
Later in the ceremony, Principal David Diah congratulated the students on their promotion, while reminding them of the long journey to come. “You proved that your past does not determine your future, and that your mistakes don’t define your value,” he told the class. “But I’m not going to lie to you. This is nowhere near the mountaintop… There is still so much work to be done.”
Sean Allen, a guest speaker, focused on what the ceremony means for Wexler-Grant. “I want you to cherish this moment,” he told the students. “The bricks that you have laid will either make or break this school.” After the ceremony, he handed each student and teacher a foam red brick, representing their contributions to Wexler-Grant.
During the reception, Victoria Vilarino, 14, told the Independent that she found her love for cosmetology at Wexler-Grant. “I like the creative and artistic side to it,” she said. She learned how to do “colorful eyeshadow looks” and other styles of makeup.
Reflecting on her school year at Wexler-Grant, she said, “It was good.” She plans to return next year for ninth grade.
Amy Ramirez, the school’s social worker, handed each student a yellow sunflower as they crossed the stage. “I saw a lot of transformation and growth from the students” over the school year, she said. They have “a lot of potential.”
The sunflowers represent strength during tough moments, said Heidi Pitkin, the school counselor. “On cloudy days, when the sun is hidden, they don’t droop,” she said. “Instead, they turn and face one another, sharing their energy and warmth to get through the darkness.”
Hand the sunflower to someone in the audience, Pitkin told the eighth graders. “Someone who has been that source of light for you.”
Victoria Vilarino will spend another year at Wexler-Grant, learning more about cosmetology.
The middle schoolers worked together to create a video tribute for their late classmate.
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