The Center for Global Studies is an interdistrict magnet school committed to preparing students to become citizens of our global society.

Our 290 students learn Arabic, Chinese, or Japanese, study the cultures and history of Asia or the Middle East, read literature from around the world, and travel on two-week study tours to broaden their understanding of the world.

CGS is located within Norwalk’s Brien McMahon High School, a comprehensive high school that was completely renovated in 2005. The result is a beautiful building that is home to a diverse student population of more than 1700 students. CGS occupies a section of the west wing of the building, and our classrooms are equipped with ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive displays. We are a 1:1 district providing Dell laptops to every student thanks to a grant from Dalio Education. We have a large community room for cultural events and a working kitchen where students cook international foods.

Students choose to come to CGS from all over Fairfield County from suburbs like Darien, Ridgefield, and Fairfield and cities like Bridgeport, Stamford, and Norwalk. They study world language, world literature, and world history, and they enroll in global studies-themed math, science, art, gym, and health classes as well as other electives.

Our students are special. They want to learn unusual languages and gain cultural understanding.  They want to travel to foreign countries to live with families, attend school, and see the world.   They want to make friends with students from different towns.  Their intellectual energy and curiosity create a vibrant sense of community in the Center for Global Studies.

Our focus on international-mindedness makes us a natural fit for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. The IB Diploma Program is a two-year liberal arts course of study that begins in 11th grade and serves a rigorous preparation for college. Students enrolled in the entire program take 7 college-level courses over the course of 2 years, complete a 4,000-word Extended Essay, and complete extra-curricular work through the Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) project. Students may also opt to take individual IB classes.  CGS is also working towards adding an IB Middle Years Program for grades 9 and 10.