The Derryfield School Viewbook

Fast facts ◆

Founded: 1964

◆ Type:

Independent, co-educational,

college preparatory day school ◆

Grades: 6-12

◆

Area Served: 50 towns within N.H. and MA.

◆

Location: Manchester, New Hampshire

◆

Campus size: 84 wooded acres

◆

Student Body: 395

◆ Faculty:

A passion for excellence

A school built around you

52 faculty members,

50% hold advanced degrees ◆

Student/Faculty Ratio: 8/1

◆

Average Class Size: 15 students

◆ P ercent

of students who are accepted to

four-year colleges: 100% ◆ F inancial

Aid: Awarded on a need basis to

about 25% of students

Promise and potential Empowered learning

2108 River Road Manchester, NH 03104-1302 Phone: 603.669.4524 Fax: 603.641.9521 Website: www.derryfield.org

Passion and Purpose

In a school where students are encouraged

to

take risks in small classes with

dedicated teachers, learning flourishes.

At The Derryfield School, students grow to

expect more from themselves, their teachers, and their lives. They graduate

ready to succeed at the finest colleges and universities. Most important,

they become the

finest kind of

citizens: curious, confident, and committed to lives of passionate engagement.

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“ My relationship with teachers is really

more like a partnership.”

LULU CARTER UPPER SCHOOL STUDENT

Derryfield teachers “lead rather than push,” says Lulu.

“They help me direct my own learning.” A passion for Middle East politics led Lulu to a semester independent study designed by her and a teacher. Including Arabic language study outside of school and summer programs, the project showed Lulu she can “pursue what I want to, rather than follow the curriculum.”

A passion for excellence 3

For 50 years, Derryfield has offered the best of the boarding schools in a day program where arts, athletics, and leadership are built in, not added on. At Derryfield, students go beyond the importance of doing their best.

They discover the joy in becoming their best.

HI GH TEC H T HINK ING FO R THE RE A L WO RL D It’s one thing to have technology and another to use it in meaningful ways. The upper school STEM program teaches design thinking, an innovator’s mindset, and entrepreneurship. Students learn to ask the right questions to solve real world problems. Outside the classroom, technology enthusiasts join the [Art]ificial Intelligence and Robotics Clubs.

Our 1-to-1 middle school iPad program uses the student-centered approach that is a hallmark of Derryfield, emphasizing digital citizenship and collaboration. While the iPad itself is not magical, the engagement and lessons our talented teachers create with it are. In math, students learn coding and create their own math “how to” videos. During Activites, students can join our Everyday Engineering Club and FIRST LEGO League Robotics Teams.

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100% Acceptance rate into four-year colleges and universities.

Connected to Community ALL SIXTH AND EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN MULTIDISCIPLINARY SERVICE LEARNING PROJECTS THAT CONNECT THEM WITH ELL (ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER) STUDENTS WHO COME FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. MANY HAVE NEVER LIVED ANYWHERE BUT A REFUGEE CAMP BEFORE ARRIVING IN MANCHESTER.

PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS In the past five years, two Derryfield seniors have been named Presidential Scholars, one of the Nation’s highest honors for high school students.

KATELYN MULLIKIN UPPER SCHOOL STUDENT

“ My teachers taught me how to find and form my own opinions, to debate and discuss.”

ANU MULLIKIN ’84 PARENT, ALUMNA, ATTORNEY

“ I was amazed at how well Katelyn’s advisor knew her within the first few weeks of school.”

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Teach what you love ROB BRADLEY CHEMISTRY TEACHER

“ I want my students to love chemistry the way I love chemistry. Derryfield allows me to be the teacher I want to be.”

s Chemistry teacher Rob Bradley understands the Derryfield difference. “I’ve had experience in other schools,” he says.

Here, “students really care.” He takes pride in his graduates. “Past

students say, ‘It’s unbelievable how much better prepared I am than my classmates,’” he explains.

“What I really want,” he says with a smile, “is for all of them to be chemistry majors.”

THE LANGUAGE OF LIVING At Derryfield, we believe the study of language connects students to the global community. Here, all sixth grade students study Latin, bringing it to life through chariot building and Roman Holiday. In later grades, students choose to continue with Latin or switch to Chinese or Spanish.

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FIT AND FUN We know how closely physical activity is linked with academic success. While other schools are dropping P.E., our program reaches new heights with high

ropes training, rock climbing, and a circus unit that includes stilt walking, juggling, and unicycle riding.

A Network of Scholars DERRYFIELD IS A MEMBER OF THE MALONE SCHOOLS ONLINE NETWORK (MSON), WHICH OFFERS ADVANCED ONLINE CLASSES TAUGHT USING AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL MODEL. REAL-TIME VIDEO CONFERENCING SEMINARS ARE BALANCED WITH RECORDED LECTURES AND EXERCISES COMPLETED OUTSIDE OF THE CLASS. THE RESULT FUSES INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY WITH CLASSIC TEACHING METHODS.

A WORLD OF LEARNING A sampling of global learning and service opportunities for all students: ◆ C osta

Rica Service &

Sustainability ◆ D ominican ◆ H abitat ◆ N epal ◆ T he

Republic Service

for Humanity

Trekking & Service

Island School Marine

Ecology & Sustainability

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“ Anyone who knows us knows that we have completely different personalities.

It’s cool how they don’t group us together. “ COLBI AND BERKLEE VAILLANCOURT UPPER SCHOOL STUDENT ATHLETES

Looks can be deceiving. Both Colbi and Berklee are avid field hockey players, but the twins have taken individual pathways through Derryfield to explore different sides of themselves. “I loved improv class and learned how to be on stage, to be more open, and laugh at myself,” said Berklee; while Colbi admits that, “I never felt comfortable on the stage but took a set design class for the musical. I loved being able to watch the show and say, “I built that!’“

A school built around you 9

Gifted scholars As a Malone Foundation School, Derryfield was selected to receive

Derryfield is a

a $2 million gift to support

school built around

merit scholarships for gifted and talented students who might

you—a school that

not otherwise be able to attend.

cares about your

We are the only New Hampshire school to be honored.

point of view, your interests, how you learn, and your passions. Small enough and smart enough to truly personalize each learning experience, Derryfield invites students to come together to grow as individuals.

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◆

S T U D E N T / FAC U LTY R ATIO: 8/1

◆

AV E RAG E C LASS SIZE: 15 STUDENTS

◆

PA SS I O N AT E, OR IGIN AL TH IN KER S: 390

Facilities ◆

8 4 wooded acres

◆

5 campus buildings

◆

M ilne Library

◆

C omputer commons

◆ Video

conferencing

seminar room ◆ X

LINDLEY SHUTZ UPPER SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER

“ I love that moment when something a student learns for class leads to a passion they pursue in the world.”

Studio makerspace

◆ Digital ◆ The

project Mac lab

Learning Hub

for Academic Skills ◆

5 science labs

◆

7 5-seat Lyceum

◆

2 student cafeteria/ event spaces

PLACES TO MAKE ◆

ART

4 00-seat state-of-the-art auditorium

◆

2 music/drama rehearsal rooms

◆

2 art gallery spaces

◆

Sculpture Garden

◆

2 art studios

NAVIGATING YOUR EDUCATION At Derryfield, we understand the critical role we play in the development of lifelong skills and habits, the acquisition of knowledge, and the cultivation of new passions. In the middle school program, students develop the eight facets of their unique “Learner’s Portrait.” This includes everything from becoming “an organized, self-directed learner” to “a dynamic and effective performer and presenter.” Building from the powerful skills taught in Middle School, upper school students are introduced to “Pathways,” a program that helps students create a map of their high school experience. Based on students’ strengths and interests, Pathways match talents to opportunities. Opportunities include elective coursework, online classes, clubs and activities, leadership and service programs, and global trips. By the time Derryfield students are applying to college, they know who they are and where they’re going.

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CORE VALUES ◆

A IM HIGH: a culture of high

expectations and unbridled encouragement ◆

BALANCE: dedicated equally

to academic, artistic, and athletic excellence ◆

C HARACTER: respect,

integrity, compassion, and perseverance ◆

C OMMUNITY: sustained by close relationships, social interdependence, openness to diversity, and service

◆

FAMILIES: a day school

celebrating home and school ◆

INDIVIDUALITY: igniting

Student/Athlete

unique passions and a love for learning, self-knowledge, critical inquiry, and reflection

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#1

Derryfield has more athletic offerings than any division IV school in New Hampshire.

CELEBRATING ATHLETICS The wide variety of middle school, junior varsity, and varsity sports at Derryfield allows all students to fulfill our two-season sports requirement in fun and competitive ways.

Athletic Resources ◆

Full-sized gym

◆

Weight-training room

◆

Lighted turf field

◆

6 tennis courts

◆

4 playing fields

◆

X-C running course

◆

High and low ropes course

◆

Indoor climbing wall

JOE COSTA UPPER SCHOOL STUDENT

“ Lacrosse and soccer are my passions. Experienced, talented coaches help me improve my game, and my teammates aim high.

Derryfield offers me the best of both—competitive athletics and challenging academics.”

Competitive athletics

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

A lpine Skiing B aseball B asketball Crew

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

C ross Country E questrian F ield Hockey G olf

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

Ice Hockey Lacrosse

N ordic S occer

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

oftball S Swimming Tennis Track

COUGAR PRIDE DERRYFIELD ATHLETES REGULARLY COMPETE IN STATE TOURNAMENTS AND HAVE WON OVER 100 TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIPS.

TAKE A DIFFERENT TRACK Weight training, yoga, dance, boxing, fencing. There are so many ways to earn an athletic credit. In addition to noncompetitive options, an independent sports credit is earned by students competing outside of the school. As a result, Derryfield is proud of its state and national champions in gymnastics, snowboarding, and equestrian!

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14

“ Come to Derryfield to be transformed.

Your passions will guide the change.”

MARY HALPIN CARTER, PH.D. HEAD OF SCHOOL

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16

“ What you hear a lot at Derryfield is,

I never thought of it that way.”

ISAIAS DE LOS SANTOS MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT

Isaias De Los Santos loves school. “Teachers here make it fun to learn. For example, we’ll be doing a lab, they’ll change it into some wacky example that’ll just blow your mind,” he says. An avid thespian, Isaias recently tackled the title role in the school production of the musical Oliver.

He debuted as Troy in High School Musical. “I’m passionate about singing, dancing, and acting. Here, they really want you to do well in everything.”

Empowered learning 17

Academic challenge, personal growth. That’s the Derryfield promise. It’s realized every day through small, engaged

Collaborative,

classes taught by dynamic, dedicated teachers. In Derryfield

confident, engaged,

classrooms, students feel safe to take intellectual risks. And what

open—increasingly,

happens in the classroom is only the beginning.

such words define key traits of successful leaders. Responsible risk taking is easier in a supportive community, and Derryfield students learn to spread their wings. Global connections and meaningful service work help students

Purposeful Involvement

apply their unique

Founded 25 years ago at The Derryfield School, Breakthrough

gifts in the wider

Manchester is a tuition-free, academic program that prepares

world for greater

academically motivated middle school students with limited

impact. Empowered to engage life, they

opportunities from Manchester public schools to succeed in school and attend college, while inspiring college students to pursue careers in education.

embrace possibilities and the challenges that lie ahead.

BREAKING THROUGH Each year, approximately 20 Derryfield students and alumni serve as teachers and tutors for Breakthrough Manchester.

Teaching at Breakthrough is consistently recognized as a “Top 10 Internship in America” by the Princeton Review.

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Middle School Make it fun, make it real, make it active—that’s the way we do things in the Derryfield Middle School.

Students who come to Derryfield TRACY BLAISDELL MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH TEACHER

“ Students here learn to embrace mistakes—and come to realize that this process can be the key

love to learn, and the middle school years are crucial to the maintenance and strengthening of those curiosities and interests. At Derryfield, doors keep opening. Ride a unicycle,

to learning and making new

play lacrosse, yo-yo at a talent

discoveries.”

show, create an amazing Greek God costume out of duct tape!

Motivated classmates become friends who raise your game and

Sustainable commitment

meet your motivation. Teachers are given considerable

PARTICIPATION IN THE NATIONAL GREEN CUP CHALLENGE REDUCES

autonomy. They create learning

DERRYFIELD’S ECO-FOOTPRINT AND CHALLENGES STUDENTS TO

environments which are safe and

CONSIDER RESOURCES. MONEY SAVED IN THIS ANNUAL COMPETITION

fun, and they also act as coaches and advisors, allowing them to

FUNDS STUDENT-GENERATED SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES , INCLUD-

understand and guide students

ING THE PURCHASE OF WATER-FILLING STATIONS, THE CREATION OF

in all kinds of arenas.

AN AQUAPONICS SYSTEM, AND THE ADDITION OF SOLAR PANELS.

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CHRISTINA WILLIAMS UPPER SCHOOL STUDENT

“ I am passionate about global travel and service, and Derryfield has given me numerous opportunities to do both.”

“ I’ve met amazing people on my journeys,” Christina says. She’s worked with children in India and the Dominican Republic. She’s participated in Semester at Sea, an ocean voyage of discovery “down the Caribbean, into Brazil, and up the Amazon River,” she says.

Her passion for service took her to Winston-Salem, North Carolina with Habitat for Humanity. “I never thought I could shingle a roof!” she exclaims. “I’m lucky. Derryfield makes global travel and service so easy for so many students.”

GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS ◆

8,000 miles: the distance from South Africa to New Hampshire ◆

◆

4,400 miles: the distance from Romania to New Hampshire

Infinite: the student experiences via Derryfield’s partnerships

with Durban Girls’ College and Wynberg Boys’ School in South Africa, as well as the Casa Josef orphanage in Romania.

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ACTIVE LEARNING Derryfield is a haven for active learners, with middle schoolers cooking solar oven s’mores in

Middle School In all disciplines, the middle

the fall, snowshoeing during

school courses focus on

winter ecology, and collecting

skill acquisition. Coursework

new signs of life from wetlands

progresses from the concrete to

in the spring.

the abstract as a student moves from sixth through eighth grade.

Dedicated Derryfield teachers

International students MORE THAN A DOZEN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENRICH THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY AND THE LIVES OF HOST FAMILIES. RECENT GRADUATES HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE, AND VASSAR COLLEGE.

make themselves fully present in

HIGH TECH HIGH TOUCH lives to challenge, nurture, and

their students’ classes and their support them as they navigate Beginning in sixth grade, all the social, students emotional, physical, Derryfield begin and intellectual challenges using an iPad as an integral of early adolescence. learning and communication tool school-wide.

Middle School Clubs a sampling

World wise

◆

Art Club

◆

Chess Club

◆

Community Service Club

◆

Creative Competition

◆

Everyday Engineering

Fulfilling their passion for

◆

First LEGO League

service, science, and cultural

◆

Literary Magazine

awareness, students recently

◆

Model United Nations

traveled to China; Nepal;

◆

Movie Makers

◆

Magic and Performance

◆

Rain or Shine

◆

Yo-Yo Club

Ecuador; New York City; Washington, DC; Romania; and Europe. Financial aid is available for these trips.

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“ I’m amazed at how well Derryfield helped me develop

my personal artistic passion along with my academic passions.”

DANIEL SCHWARTZBERG UPPER SCHOOL STUDENT

Daniel came to Derryfield to explore his love of the performing arts. Along the way, he discovered himself.

“The self-confidence that Derryfield has given me and that it gives every single student is truly amazing,” he says.

It’s a sense of self that sets Derryfield graduates apart.

“The way in which you can discover yourself here helps enormously when you’re writing your college essay,” he explains. “It makes writing about yourself and conveying who you are as a person so much easier.”

Promise and potential 23

BRENT POWELL, HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL

There’s a real

“ One of the special things about Derryfield is that we’ve built a tradition and an ethic around serving all of the

difference in a

students here. The system flexes with them instead of

Derryfield graduate.

the other way around.”

Academically excellent, they are also energetic, empowered individuals. They’ve learned how to learn and how to make more of their college experiences and their lives. Derryfield graduates meet the world prepared and confident,

WISE CO UN S E L Director of College Counseling Brennan Barnard is a regular

comfortable in who

contributor to The Washington Post’s Answer Sheet blog, as well

they are and ready

as serving as Sunday Monitor’s College Guy. In addition, he serves

to contribute.

as Regional Council Member-At-Large for the New England Regional Assembly of the College Board.

93% OF RECENT DERRYFIELD GRADUATES WERE ACCEPTED INTO ONE OF THEIR TOP THREE COLLEGES. WE BELIEVE IN A STRATEGIC AND PERSONALIZED APPROACH TO FINDING THE RIGHT COLLEGE FIT. 24

102 NUMBER OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES V I S I T I N G C A M P U S TO MEET STUDENTS

Upper School The Upper School offers a dynamic, collaborative environment for teachers and students.

Opportunities in academics, athletics, and the arts expand dramatically. In small classes, teachers and students get to

Starting early. Starting smart.

GUIDED BY COLLEGE COUNSELORS AND ADVISORS, STUDENTS GAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR PERSONAL PATHWAY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH LEADS THEM TO THEIR PASSIONS AND MAKES FINDING THE COLLEGE OF THEIR DREAMS POSSIBLE. THERE ARE THREE COLLEGE COUNSELORS FOR 65 SENIORS. THE PROCESS IS HIGHLY PERSONALIZED. THE OUTCOMES ARE UNPARALLELED.

know one another well. Numer-

HIGH TECH HIGH TOUCH interdisciplinary courses, indeous advanced placement and

pendent projects, and individualBeginning in sixth grade, all ized collegestudents planningbegin combine Derryfield to make the experience highly using an iPad as an integral personal and exciting. learning and communication tool school-wide.

Together with their enthusiastic teachers, students learn to search for understanding, rather than just the right answer.

They travel to distant countries, design original research, and rise to new challenges. In this stimulating setting, students are free to pursue their passions as far as their interests can carry them—all the way to the finest colleges and universities in the nation.

IND E PEN D EN T S E N I O R P R OJ E CT S ,

A SAMPLING

◆ Internship

at TFM Structural Engineers

◆ Internship

as a biology lab assistant at Saint Anselm’s College

◆ Working

in a large animal veterinarian clinic

◆ Teaching

a drama class at Mill Falls Charter School

◆ Internship

at Nanocomp

◆ Reorganizing ◆ Marketing

music library and teaching at Concord Music School

internship with New Hampshire Fisher Cats

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Recent college acceptances

PRESTON HUNTER ’98 DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, ECKMAN CONSTRUCTION

a sampling ◆

Bates College

◆

Berklee College of Music

◆

Brown University

◆

Dartmouth College

to be resourceful, how to

◆

Georgetown University Hamilton College

work with people.”

◆ ◆

Harvard University

◆

Johns Hopkins University

◆

Middlebury College

◆

Northeastern University

◆

Princeton University

◆

Cornell University

◆

Rensselear Polytechnic Institute

◆

Tufts University

in college, he explains. “The well roundedness put me in a position

◆

University of New Hampshire

where I could excel in many aspects of my career and life in general.”

◆

University of Southern California

Like many alumni, Preston is passionate about the school. “I want

◆

University of Vermont

students to have the same great experiences that I had here for

◆

Wesleyan University Yale University

years to come,” he says.

◆

26

“ By the time I graduated, I knew how to learn, how

s

When Preston Hunter went to college after graduating in 1998,

it didn’t take long for him to recognize the Derryfield difference.

“The value of this education was immediately apparent” his first year

A LU M N I A strong alumni network ensures that graduates have access to internships and job opportunities long after they’ve earned a Derryfield diploma. Active alumni use social media and the Alumni

Upper School

Council to stay connected and to prepare for well-attended reunion

100% of Derryfield graduates

gatherings. Relationships between students, parents, and teachers

attend four-year colleges and

stay strong long after graduation.

universities, and approximately 93% of students are admitted to one of their top three choices.

And the academic program qualifies them for admission to the most competitive colleges.

HIGH TECH In forU a wider Hpreparation IGH TO C H world, Derryfield seniors may choose to Beginning in sixth grade, all participate in an Independent Derryfield students begin Senior Project during the final using an iPad as an integral six weeks of spring term. They learning and communication work with doctors, in veterinary tool school-wide. clinics, on organic farms, and with political campaigns. They learn to produce music, teach, and run a small business. Our

A R E T U R N ON I N V E S T M E N T

broad-based education assumes

DERRYFIELD STUDENTS GARNER GENEROUS NON-NEED BASED

but never as an end in itself.

college as its logical outcome,

MERIT AWARDS DURING THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS, AVERAGING OUT TO $28,500 PER STUDENT PER YEAR. WHEN OUR

Upper School Clubs a sampling

ALUMNI RETURN TO CAMPUS, THEY FREQUENTLY REMARK ON ◆

A cappella

◆

Amnesty International

◆

Green Team Ecology Club

◆

GLOW

◆

Investors Club

◆

Key Club (service)

◆

Math Team

◆

Mock Trial

of the most engaging applicants

◆

Model United Nations

I work with, and in many cases,

◆

Mindfulness Club

act more like young adults than

◆

HOW WELL THEY WERE PREPARED FOR COLLEGE.

A Lasting Impression “Derryfield students are some

any of the other students I spend time with.”

–College Admission Officer

Publications: Lamplighter,

Initium, Excerpt, Pinnacle ◆

One Love

◆

Robotics Team

◆

School Council 27

We can’t wait to meet you!

Register for an information session or complete our online inquiry form at www.derryfield.org and we will invite you to upcoming events.

Contact the Admission Office We are here to help you and your child get to know The Derryfield School, and we would be delighted to talk with you one-on-one about your school search.

For specific information about standardized testing, the application process, or financial aid, visit www.derryfield.org.

Transfer students Interested in transferring to Derryfield? Call the Admission Office to speak with an admission counselor today or complete an online inquiry form at www.derryfield.org.

Affordability A third of Derryfield students receive need-based financial aid or non-need based merit scholarships. Derryfield is an investment in your long-term future, so don’t let tuition hold you back from pursuing the school of your dreams. Just give us a call anytime to discuss the options. We’re happy to talk you through the possibilities!

Bus Transportation Derryfield’s buses provide one-way or round-trip service to students in several local communities. Many routes also offer a late afternoon departure to accommodate students in our upper school athletic program.

Admission Information phone: 603.669.4524 email: admission@derryfield.org website: www.derryfield.org

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Fast facts ◆

Founded: 1964

◆ Type:

Independent, co-educational,

college preparatory day school ◆

Grades: 6-12

◆

Area Served: 50 towns within N.H. and MA.

◆

Location: Manchester, New Hampshire

◆

Campus size: 84 wooded acres

◆

Student Body: 395

◆ Faculty:

A passion for excellence

A school built around you

52 faculty members,

50% hold advanced degrees ◆

Student/Faculty Ratio: 8/1

◆

Average Class Size: 15 students

◆ P ercent

of students who are accepted to

four-year colleges: 100% ◆ F inancial

Aid: Awarded on a need basis to

about 25% of students

Promise and potential Empowered learning

2108 River Road Manchester, NH 03104-1302 Phone: 603.669.4524 Fax: 603.641.9521 Website: www.derryfield.org

Passion and Purpose