Canterbury School
a deeper knowledge a world of possibilities
At Canterbury, imagining the possibilities is not an empty exercise; it is a journey we undertake together each day. As individuals, we are defined by how we respond to the opportunities that come our way. Canterbury offers an education rich with such opportunities. As a Canterbury student, you will be stretched by new experiences in academics, athletics, the arts, extracurriculars, and community service. Just as important, you will learn to identify and seize the possibilities that are yours alone, to become what you imagine. A supportive community of teachers and fellow students will guide you on this journey. Through
a deeper knowledge of yourself and others, you will discover what is possible.
This is a place where people greet each other on the walkways, newcomers receive a warm welcome, and your teachers and peers quickly come to feel like family.
It is not just what you learn, but how you learn that makes the difference in preparing for college and the career you will pursue.
Our community life is defined by a common purpose: to know ourselves, to share our gifts, and to lead by example.
The arts, athletics, and student leadership are not extras; they are essential to developing your understanding of yourself, and to learning lessons that will serve you for life.
Most of all, you will remember the people and the lasting friendships you make at Canterbury.
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vincent varta Vincent Vartabedian D
uring his four years at Canterbury, Vincent Vartabedian developed a passion for science and discovered a clear direction for the future. He has taken Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, and Honors Physics. Vincent will attend Emory University next year, where he plans to major in biology and chemistry. “I want to study cancer research,” he explains. “My grandfather and great-uncle died of cancer before I was born. I want to help keep other families from suffering such losses.” Vincent says that Canterbury’s broad and challenging curriculum has allowed him to explore his interest in science and math, but his teachers have made the real difference in influencing his educational journey. “The teachers here place the emphasis on the students. They make sure we know the material and they are always available for help outside class.” His teachers even helped him overcome his initial hesitation about doing dissections in the science lab; this year he looked forward to dissecting a shark. “I think dissections are fun now,” Vincent says. “If it weren’t for the great science teachers I have had, I am not sure I would know what I wanted to study in college. Now I’ll do something that could impact the world in a positive way.” Vincent Vartabedian is a Sixth Form day student from Pawling, New York. Through Canterbury, he began taking guitar lessons in his Third Form year and plays in the School’s rock and blues band, jazz combo, and concert jazz band. He manages the boys’ varsity hockey team; plays JV lacrosse; serves as editor-in-chief of The Tabard, the school newspaper; serves as editor of The Carillon, the literary magazine; and is a Lead Ambassador. He is a member of True Blue, the spirit club on campus, and founder of the Cheese Club, which brings students and faculty together for monthly cheese tastings.
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academics
academics Habits of Mind W
hen a small group of students and a gifted teacher meet
to discuss a great work of literature or solve a challenging math problem, there are moments charged with excitement, with the energy of exchanging ideas and making discoveries. Classes at Canterbury bring students and teachers together for this sort of close and rigorous study. You will be asked to contribute, and you will be challenged to articulate your opinions, beliefs, and passions. A seriousness of purpose guides our work in the classroom—a seriousness that makes learning a joy. Whether the focus of the day is Modern American Drama, an experiment on wave motion in Honors Physics, or a story in Spanish by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, your teachers will help you become confident contributing to the discussion. The curriculum provides an in-depth background in the humanities, sciences, and arts, and allows students to do advanced work in their areas of interest. In classes that typically number just 11 students, teachers provide one-on-one mentoring that helps you discover your strengths and build on them. In Advanced Placement classes and honors sections, you will have the opportunity to do college-level work and to pursue specialized areas of study.
CANTERBURY CURRICULUM | More than 115 courses offered • 15 Advanced Placement courses • 14 Honors sections • Independent study options for Fifth and Sixth Formers • Interdisciplinary capstone seminar for all Sixth Formers • Sixth Form off-campus study project for qualified students • Study abroad with exchange program in Spain
CANTERBURY FACULTY | 54 men and women on teaching faculty • 74 percent hold advanced degrees • 65 percent coach • 70 percent live on campus • 37 percent have 15 years or more of teaching experience
The culminating Capstone course, required of all Sixth Formers, is one of the rich academic experiences you will enjoy at Canterbury. This interdisciplinary course rotates through different academic departments and has focused on such topics as the literature of the last two decades and the 2008 presidential election. Weekly guest speakers for the course have included college professors in history, mathematics, science, and theology, and professionals from a variety of fields.
A Deeper Knowledge The Canterbury faculty is comprised of inspiring individuals who have specialized in specific areas in their fields and love to share their knowledge. They will challenge you to analyze ideas, ask questions, solve problems, and think independently. Outside the classroom they serve as athletic coaches, dorm parents, and advisors. You will get to know your teachers well in all these roles and will find that their guidance in academic and personal matters is an invaluable piece of the Canterbury experience. Every student at Canterbury meets regularly with a faculty advisor, individually and in groups. Your advisor will help you choose courses, manage your schedule of activities, and adjust to boarding school life. During evening study hours in the library or dormitory, peer tutors and teachers are available to answer questions and give assistance if you need it. Teachers are also available during extra-help sessions built into the daily schedule. You will find that this support helps you achieve more than you thought possible.
The world beyond our campus, where you will have opportunities for other kinds of learning, is an extension of the classroom. Environmental Science students participate in ongoing research on the East Aspetuck River and send their water samples and data to the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. Students studying Spanish may participate in the Canterbury/San Cayetano Exchange Program, which includes hosting a student for six weeks in the fall and taking classes in Mallorca for six weeks in February-March. Through field trips and our on-campus speaker series, which brings prominent individuals to speak on everything from foreign relations to community service, you will gain an understanding of the global connections that define today’s world.
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graham hend Graham Henderson S
tudent body president Graham Henderson regularly meets with the Headmaster to discuss issues of importance to students. He and the student government have focused on organizing weekend activities that include dances, talent shows, open mic nights, skating at the ice rink and swimming at the pool, and bus trips to the mall. Graham has also taken a leadership role as captain of the varsity hockey and soccer teams and as a dorm proctor. In his role as a sacristan, an important leadership position on campus, he assists the chaplain at Mass and helps lead the Form retreats. He sees Canterbury’s five values—honesty, respect, compassion, spirituality, and self-reliance—as essential to the spirit of the School. “Everyone tries to live by the five values each day, as best we can,” he says. Students learn important lessons through all of Canterbury’s programs—from academics to spending time with friends in the dorm—but Graham mentions sports and his involvement with the chapel program as especially significant for him. His work as a sacristan has helped him form a stronger relationship with God, and has made him more aware of being a role model. “I try to be a leader by example,” he says. But this, he adds, is something everyone strives for at Canterbury. Graham Henderson is a Sixth Form boarding student from Troy, New York. He is a member of True Blue and a Lead Ambassador for the Office of Admission. In addition to serving as captain of the varsity soccer and hockey teams, he plays varsity lacrosse. He will attend the University of Scranton as a pre-med major focusing on medical technology.
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leadership Become a Leader A
t Canterbury, we are proud of our commitment to a rigorous
college preparatory program. We are equally proud of the emphasis we place on ethics and morality. The five values that shape school life—honesty, respect, compassion, spirituality, and self-reliance— are touchstones. We put them into daily action in our treatment of each other on campus and in the work we do out in the world. Students care about each other at Canterbury. Teachers care about students. Together they care about this community and the common hopes and goals we share. We believe that a culture of placing the needs of others first is essential to instilling leadership. In a school community that takes such values seriously, students learn by practice and example what it means to assume leadership roles. Canterbury students exercise leadership by serving as sacristans, dorm proctors, peer counselors, day student leaders, captains for athletic teams, Lead Ambassadors in the Office of Admission, and members of student government. Whether you are rallying your teammates in a tough athletic competition, raising funds for the victims of a natural disaster, or performing in one of the school bands, you will find that leadership is closely linked to collaboration, and that everyone takes a turn.
LEADERSHIP PROGRAM | Canterbury students travel to Montana for a summer leadership program that combines service and outdoor education. Students assist with trail maintenance and landscaping in Glacier Park, dig trenches to prevent forest fires, and learn skills that include compass reading. This is just one of many experiences in service and leadership that Canterbury offers.
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ellie haines Ellie Haines E
llie Haines felt comfortable immediately when she visited the Canterbury campus. The friendliness of the people and the intimacy of small classes attracted her, but the athletic program played a major role in her decision to enroll. “I started playing with a lacrosse stick when I was two,” Ellie says. “By first grade, I played in a travel lacrosse league and on a club soccer team.” In fourth grade, she took up ice hockey. The program at Canterbury has exceeded her expectations. As a Fourth Former, she played varsity soccer, ice hockey, and lacrosse. Her hockey team was undefeated on home ice for the season and earned a spot in the semi-finals in the New England Tournament. “The teams at Canterbury are really close,” Ellie says. “We all work very hard to be the best, and our fans give us plenty of support at our games. My coaches have helped me to improve, and I have gotten a lot better in each of my sports.” Ellie’s dorm regularly gets together with a boys’ dorm for informal games of kickball or volleyball, too. Ellie says she would not trade the experiences she has had at Canterbury for anything. Ellie Haines is a Fourth Form boarding student from Cold Spring Harbor, New York. In addition to playing three varsity sports, she is a member of the Cheese Club. She hopes to compete in ice hockey in college and would like to become a trainer or physical therapist with a focus on sports injuries.
athletics Play for the Team I
n the final minutes of a close match in soccer or hockey, you have
the chance to discover what you, and your teammates, can achieve. The hard work and hours of practice pay off in the determination you muster while cheers from students and teachers urge you on. Whether you win or lose is not what matters most. The excitement of knowing you have done your best, and the camaraderie of pulling together as a team, come first. Participation in athletics at Canterbury is integral to school life and an important part of your education. Through sports, you learn invaluable lessons about teamwork, sportsmanship, and persistence. We offer a competitive program with a wide range of teams and sports to choose from. Canterbury has a strong tradition of excellence in athletics, and each student carries on that tradition by participating in sports three seasons a year at his or her level.
CANTERBURY TEAMS | Canterbury fields 53 teams in 19 sports to accommodate every level of athletic ability and give every student the chance to compete. In many sports, we offer three teams: varsity, junior varsity, and thirds. GIRLS’ TEAMS – basketball, crew, cross-country, field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, squash, swimming, tennis, track, volleyball • Non-competitive: horseback riding BOYS’ TEAMS – baseball, basketball, crew, cross-country, football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, squash, swimming, tennis, track, water polo, wrestling • Non-competitive: horseback riding
athletics
Accept the Challenge Because we field so many teams at Canterbury, all students, even accomplished athletes aiming to play at the collegiate level, have the opportunity to try a new sport. Many students cite learning a new sport as one of the most valuable experiences of their time at the School. The depth of the program develops well-rounded athletes and offers maximum playing time and participation. The majority of our coaches are members of the faculty who are experienced athletes eager to build team spirit. Your coaches will provide the individual and team instruction that makes a difference in giving you confidence. Players benefit from the expertise of two certified trainers. The relationships students make with teammates and coaches are among the enduring memories they take with them when they graduate. Canterbury has sent teams to tournament and championship competitions throughout the School’s history. The success of recent championship teams reflects the dedication of athletes and coaches. These teams include girls’ field hockey, track and field, softball, and ice hockey, and boys’ squash, wrestling, lacrosse, and ice hockey. Canterbury teams compete in the Western New England Athletic Association and the New England Prep School Athletic Conference. Many of our athletes go on to compete in collegiate sports.
ATHLETIC FACILITIES | Indoor hockey rink • Field house • Pigott Basketball Arena • Saxe and Castellini Family Squash Pavilion • Wrestling room • Ade Family Weight Room and Fitness Center, a 2,700-square foot facility featuring free weights, weight machines, and cardiovascular equipment • Trainers’ room, staffed by two full-time certified athletic trainers • The William W. Higgins ’53 Aquatic Center • Two baseball diamonds and two softball fields • Eight new tennis courts • Nine playing fields, including the Fay Vincent Sr. Football Field • Track
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feng (blake) Feng (Blake) Ye F
eng (Blake) Ye says, “At Canterbury, you can do things you have never done before. You can play varsity sports or try out for the school play.” In her Third Form year, Blake took a class in architectural drawing, which she describes as “very difficult and challenging,” but one of the best experiences she has had at Canterbury. She has taken an art class every year since. Blake enjoys the exhibits of student work and the visiting artists. “We have a chance to talk with the artists who exhibit in the gallery, see their work, and ask them questions. It provides another great perspective on the artistic process.” Blake serves as a proctor in the art studio, assisting students with such tasks as mixing paints and giving them guidance with their artwork. She is as enthusiastic about her friends at Canterbury as she is about the strong arts program. “The faculty and students make this school unique. The teachers are amazing. They are passionate about what they do. I am surrounded by so many adults who care about my success.” As an international student, Blake is far from her home in China, but she has found that the international students bond with each other and with their new American friends. “It’s a very loving community. We help each other a lot.” Blake Ye is a Fifth Form boarding student from Shanghai. She is a proctor, a Lead Ambassador for the Office of Admission, and a member of Women of Canterbury and the International Club. She has been captain of the JV field hockey team in her Fifth Form year and has played JV squash and varsity tennis.
the arts Think Creatively D
iscovering your unique talents and gifts happens in many
different ways at Canterbury. Pick up a brush and paint a portrait. Bring music to life by singing in the Canterbury Chorale or playing in the jazz combo or orchestra. Become part of the cast in a play production. We offer more than 25 courses in the fine arts, giving you the chance to explore a wide range of artistic experiences. Encouraging creative expression and celebrating the arts are central to who we are at Canterbury. Our students’ artistic accomplishments are a source of pride and speak to the richness of the arts program. You will work with teachers who are highly experienced visual artists, musicians, and directors. These inspiring artists bring their knowledge of the art world and their considerable achievements to their teaching. Three times a year, visiting artists from around the region exhibit their work in the Edward J. Duffy Family Gallery. At show openings, they are available to answer your questions, and in workshops for art students, they share their creative process. Through events such as the Fine Arts Field Day, you will visit the studios of local artists and museums in New York and other New England cities, and experience the power of art firsthand.
ARTS FACILITIES | Stephen N. ’43 and Lacey Hume Music Center, with choral and instrumental performance spaces; a composition room with computers, synthesizers, and Musical Instrument Digital (MIDI) converters; and a recording studio • L. Michael Sheehy ’56 Choral Classroom • Edward J. Duffy Family Art Center, with studios, pottery room, and gallery • Maguire Auditorium, a 400-seat theater
the arts
Express a Vision In the visual arts, Canterbury offers experience in a wide variety of media and advanced courses to broaden your talents. You may choose from courses that include Ceramics, Printmaking, Sculpture, Architectural Drawing, and Digital Photography. Advanced Placement courses in drawing and two- and threedimensional design allow students to develop a portfolio and prepare for AP exams. The AP Studio Art program immerses advanced students in a year-long portfolio project and has been successful in placing graduates in leading art schools, including Rhode Island School of Design, Parsons School of Design, Maryland Institute College of Art, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and Cornell. The music program offers many different performance groups and courses that include Introduction to Music Theory, History of Rock and Roll, AP Music Theory, and Jazz Improvisation. In the popular computer music courses you will compose and record your original music using synthesizers and sequencing musical software. You may even arrange private instrument or voice lessons. The drama program presents a Shakespeare play in the fall and a musical in the spring, and enlists students as stage managers, lighting technicians, and costume assistants. Every English class reads the Shakespeare play presented in the fall, a unique experience that unites the school and gives students a thorough understanding of the playwright.
MUSIC GROUPS | Canterbury Chorale • Octet • Blues Band • Concert Jazz Band • Chamber Group • Orchestra • Jazz Combo
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chidimma on Chidimma Onwuegbule C
hidimma Onwuegbule says that one of the aspects she values most about her years at Canterbury is the focus on individual growth. “This is a school really geared toward shaping better individuals,” she says. “There are many opportunities to mature and grow.” Between her Fifth and Sixth Form years, Chidimma attended a summer institute at Carnegie Mellon, where she took courses in calculus and nanotechnology. She fell in love with Carnegie Mellon, but she knew it was a very competitive college in terms of admissions. “The college counselors at Canterbury start the college application process early,” she says. “They taught us how to present ourselves and were always available to answer questions.” Chidimma was excited to see her hopes realized when she was accepted to Carnegie Mellon, where she plans to major in electrical and computer engineering. She credits the strong curriculum and great teachers at Canterbury with giving her the academic skills she will need to continue her academic journey. “It is easy to want to stay in a safe zone and do what you already know you can do, but the curriculum at Canterbury has pushed me, so I have discovered more and more what I am able to do.” Chidimma Onwuegbule is a Sixth Form boarding student from Odenton, Maryland. She is a sacristan, a member of Women of Canterbury, and the secretary for the Cheese Club. She works on the tech crew for the Canterbury play productions and served as co-stage manager for The Tempest and stage manager for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. She plays on the thirds soccer team and JV softball and JV volleyball teams.
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college counseling
counseling Look to the Future C
hoosing a college and defining your goals for the future is a
significant component of the educational process. At Canterbury, we guide you through this process each step of the way. Starting in Fifth Form, or junior year, you will meet with your college counselor one-on-one to begin narrowing your choices. Weekly meetings with your counselor and a small group of students will keep you on track. When you are a Sixth Former, our experienced college advisors will help you make your final choices, meet application deadlines, and complete your application essays. Because your college counselor and teachers at Canterbury know you well, they are your advocates in the admission process. They work together to provide the resources and support to identify the colleges that fit your aspirations. They will reach out to your parents, too, with sessions on the college search process at Parents’ Weekends. The fall and spring college fairs bring representatives from colleges across the country to meet with students and parents. We are proud of our record of placing graduates in many of the best colleges and universities across the country. We also take great pride in the amazing professional achievements our graduates accomplish in many different fields and as members of their communities.
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kyle winters Kyle Winters K
yle Winters was drawn to Canterbury in part because it offers more community service options than other schools he considered, and, like many Canterbury students, this is important to him. Kyle volunteers as a mentor for a third grade boy at a local public elementary school. They have worked together for an entire year. “I like spending time with Nick because it gives me a chance to give back,” Kyle says. “When I was little, role models were important to me. I’m trying to give back that experience to him.” Kyle also visits with the residents of a local nursing home and volunteers with Special Olympics, working one-on-one with a Special Olympics skiing partner once a week during the winter term. “We help them on and off the lift, and ski down the course with them,” Kyle explains. “It is a lot of fun, and my skiing partner has improved tremendously.” Community service is encouraged at Canterbury, Kyle says, and the School provides a wide range of opportunities. “It’s more than simply giving a couple of hours and filling out a sheet.” Kyle Winters is a Fourth Form day student from Sherman, Connecticut. He writes for The Tabard, the school newspaper, and competes in varsity water polo, swimming, and track and field. He is interested in a political science and possibly a pre-law concentration in college.
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community service
community Practice Empathy C
ommunity service is an important part of the culture at
Canterbury. Students routinely make time in their schedules to volunteer for a wide range of organizations and causes. They help stock the shelves at a local food bank, mentor children at a local elementary school, visit with residents in an area nursing home, and ski with their Special Olympics partners at Mohawk Mountain. Our students see serving others as simply part of the Canterbury way. In addition to volunteering on an individual basis, students and teachers join together for special projects. These projects have included the Oxfam Fast, Pennies for Patients for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Red Cross blood drives, raking leaves on the Village Green, and volunteering at the annual tag sale, which raises money for local and international causes. Canterbury recently hosted the Special Olympics Northwest Regional Swimming Games for the state, an exciting day-long event that enlisted the help of many students. Over the course of the year, most students participate in a community service project.
SERVICE TRIPS | Each summer since 1993, a group of Canterbury students and faculty have traveled to France, where they assist pilgrims at the Shrine of Lourdes. Spring break trips have taken students to Nicaragua to work with the Fabretto Children’s Foundation, through which Canterbury supports the education of two children each year. In Haiti, Canterbury students have worked with street children and orphans, and at a nutrition center. In addition, students travel to Appalachia during the summer to repair homes for low-income families.
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sean sullivan Sean Sullivan S
ean Sullivan traveled to Costa Rica the summer after his Fifth Form year with a group of Canterbury students to volunteer with environmental projects that included beach clean-up and a turtle rescue program. He remembers the sound of the rain on the tin roof of the house where he stayed with a host family. “It sounded like someone was pounding on the roof with a hammer,” he says. “The people we lived with had no indoor plumbing. It made me realize that we do not need everything we have in the United States, like 60-inch televisions.” The focus on spiritual life at Canterbury prompted Sean to sign up for the trip and then to serve as a sacristan in his Sixth Form year. His duties as sacristan have deepened his understanding of his faith. Helping to lead the Emmaus retreats has been one of the most meaningful things he has done at Canterbury. Sean describes the retreats, held for each Form and open to all interested students, as “a time for yourself, a time to reflect on who you are and to make plans for the future.” Sean feels confident about his own future. He has learned to rely on himself more at Canterbury, managing a full daily schedule while making time for the spiritual, too. Sean Sullivan is a Sixth Form boarding student from Albany, New York. He is a proctor, sacristan, and peer counselor, and a member of True Blue. In his Sixth Form year, he has played varsity soccer, JV basketball, and varsity lacrosse. He will attend Georgetown University.
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spirituality Seek the Truth C
anterbury was founded in 1915 by a group of Catholic laymen
who wanted to provide an outstanding education in a religious setting. The School was established independently of the diocese and remains so today while continuing to practice its Catholic values. We welcome students of all backgrounds and faiths. Although many of our 355 students are Catholics, students and teachers of all traditions are united in valuing spiritual knowledge and spiritual growth. The Chapel of Our Lady, with its beautiful stained glass windows, symbolizes our Catholic identity. Mass is celebrated daily in the chapel; boarders are required to attend Sunday Mass or a service of their choice off campus. Each Form participates in an annual retreat, sponsored by Canterbury’s Campus Ministry Program, that focuses on spiritual awareness and growth. Canterbury students expand their understanding of their own faith and other religions in theology courses that are part of the curriculum at each grade level. Fifth and Sixth Formers may choose from electives that include World Religions, Morality and Conscience, New Testament, Religion and Science, and Saints and Mystics.
CAMPUS MINISTRY | Canterbury’s Campus Ministry Program provides opportunities for students to explore and deepen their faith, to participate in personal reflection, and to engage in service to others. Steeped in the Catholic tradition, the Program invites students of all faiths to partake in its activities, which include Form and Emmaus retreats, Pizza and Prayer, Christian Life Communities, and mission trips.
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maggie wiatr Maggie Wiatr M
aggie Wiatr started at Canterbury as a day student with her twin brother, Chris, in her Third Form year. She found that she was on campus until late in the evening and back on campus every weekend for all the events offered. “We decided that being boarding students would be better for both of us,” Maggie says. “It’s great to be living on campus now. I live in a beautiful Sixth Form girls’ dorm, and I love it.” The dorm parents are key to making students feel comfortable and at home, Maggie says. She does her part as a dorm proctor, assisting the dorm parents with evening check-in and serving as a resource for the girls in her dorm. As vice-president of the student body, Maggie works with the student committee that plans weekend activities as well. One of her favorites is the street dance held at the start of the year. “The relationships you make with your teachers and peers at Canterbury are very special,” Maggie says. “The teachers really know who you are. Teaching is not just a job to them, it is their life.” Maggie Wiatr is a Sixth Form boarding student from Woodbury, Connecticut. She is vice-president of the student body, a sacristan, a proctor, and a Lead Ambassador for the Office of Admission. In her Sixth Form year, she has been captain of the varsity squash and lacrosse teams and has played varsity field hockey. She will attend Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.
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school life
school life Forge Lasting Bonds T
he energy and friendliness of the Canterbury community
make a lasting impression on visitors to campus. This is a school where people are embraced as individuals. We enroll students from a wide range of backgrounds who enrich school life with their varied interests and talents. The home-like atmosphere, beautiful surroundings, and warmth of students and faculty help new students feel welcome here. When students are asked what they like most about Canterbury, they invariably mention the close relationships they have made with both students and faculty. It is easy to get to know people in your classes, on athletic teams, and in the dorms. Extracurricular activities are another meaningful way to make friends, learn new skills, and explore new interests. Other options, such as becoming an Admission Ambassador, give you important ways to serve the school community. Initiative is valued here. If you want to make something happen on campus, start your own club!
CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES | Admission Ambassadors • Cantuarian (yearbook) • Carillon (literary magazine) • Drama – Canterbury Theater • Peer Counseling Group • Student Activities Committee • Student Government • The Tabard (school newspaper) • True Blue • Women of Canterbury
Belong to a Community Our 150-acre campus above the town of New Milford, with views of the Litchfield Hills, is an inspiring setting. Walking to class each morning on the path to the Old Schoolhouse, you will be tempted to stop and take in the beauty. Our outstanding facilities for academics, athletics, and the arts, as well as our location, define the campus. But boarding school life offers something even more special. Living and learning with your peers and teachers in a community is an education in itself. In the dormitories, on the playing fields, and in the dining hall, you will meet people from all over the United States and countries around the world. Days at Canterbury are full, but there is time for a game of pickup lacrosse or a pizza party back at the dorm. On the weekends, you can join friends at a dance on campus, attend movies, shop at the mall, or head off to Boston or New York on school-sponsored trips to museums or the theater. We encourage day students to spend as much time on campus as they wish, and as a result, they find it easy to participate in all aspects of school life. Day students may eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the school, and may spend an occasional night in the dorm. On the weekends, day students are a strong presence, coming to campus for the array of activities offered. Boarding and day students form friendships that last beyond their years at Canterbury.
WEEKEND EVENTS | Movies • Trips to the Danbury Fair Mall and local shopping centers • Broadway shows • Six Flags Amusement Park • Professional sports events • Dances on and off campus • Concerts
thomas shee from the headmaster
Thomas J. Sheehy III
In the pages of this book, I trust that you have acquired a strong sense of our School’s unique mission. Our purpose is grounded in our Catholic identity and in our commitment to a rigorous academic program that challenges students to attain the highest levels of achievement. A friendly, welcoming campus and outstanding facilities make Canterbury a place where students and teachers learn with and from each other. In athletics, the arts, and co-curricular and extracurricular activities, we offer many opportunities for leadership and the exploration of new talents and interests. A strong sense of community, where we value every individual, defines Canterbury and shapes school life. I encourage you to take the next step by visiting our campus to experience firsthand a vibrant learning environment that fosters the building of character through a clear set of values. We strive to challenge, support, and inspire the diverse students from around the country and the globe who come to Canterbury seeking to know themselves and others better. Thank you for your interest in Canterbury. I look forward to meeting you when you visit us!
Thomas J. Sheehy III Headmaster Tom Sheehy attended Loyola School in Manhattan and Bowdoin College, and received his Master’s Degree from Pennsylvania State University. He was appointed Canterbury’s fifth Headmaster in 1990. In addition to his duties as Headmaster, he teaches Latin and Irish History. He and his wife, Betsy, have four children, three of whom are graduates of Canterbury.
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Canterbury In-Depth
OUR MISSION Founded in 1915 and still guided by lay Roman Catholics, Canterbury is a college preparatory, coeducational boarding and day school for students in grades 9-12. The School prides itself on creating a community based on its five values—honesty, respect, compassion, spirituality, self-reliance—where students and faculty forge lasting bonds and every student experiences a broad and challenging program in a small school setting. The School’s educational environment fosters academic rigor, athletic development, artistic enrichment, and spiritual growth and strives to ensure a superior experience that prepares students for leading colleges and universities and for life. With its rigorous and humane approach to students, both in and out of the classroom, Canterbury’s program inculcates vital intellectual and ethical habits of mind. The School sees all students as individuals, encourages them as necessary, challenges them as appropriate, and inspires them to become moral leaders in a complex, secular world.
COURSE OF STUDY
Canterbury’s academic year consists of two semesters, the first ending in December and the second concluding in May. Each semester, students take five major core courses and one or more minor courses. Although courses for Third and Fourth Formers are mostly prescribed, they may, in some cases, choose from electives. Fifth and Sixth Formers have more flexibility in course selections. Most major courses require five hours of class work and five hours of homework per week. Honors sections and Advanced Placement courses require more. Minor courses involve two or three meetings and two hours of homework per week. Most courses, including Fine Arts courses, are major courses. Minor courses consist primarily of theology courses. All students are expected to take a minimum of 5½ credits each year. ENGLISH
In English classes, students study a wide range of classic and contemporary world literature, from Sophocles’ Antigone and Homer’s The Odyssey to Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter and Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God. Canterbury’s Writing Program involves students in Forms III through V in learning to master a variety of forms, beginning with narrative and moving on to different approaches to argument and analytical essays. All Fifth Formers take a full year of American Literature. Qualified Sixth Formers take AP Literature; others choose from such electives as Shakespeare, Modern Drama, and Vietnam Literature.
HISTORY
A multi-disciplinary approach brings history to life in classes that engage students in reading primary source materials and conducting in-depth research. Writing a research paper, the culmination of each history course, requires independent work and gives students an understanding of the economic, political, and social development of the modern world. The school librarian works closely with history classes and teaches students how to use specialized databases to conduct research. Through special programs, such as the annual showing of a film on the Holocaust by a local organization, students gain a fuller appreciation for the legacy of historical events. Students undertake close study of complex issues in such advanced courses as AP European History and elective offerings that include Irish History, The Holocaust, AP World History, and Economics.
MATHEMATICS
A dynamic mathematics program makes use of the SMART Board and software from Texas Instruments, called TI-Smartview, to create an interactive graphing calculator. The use of such tools allows students to focus on problem solving and the exploration of mathematical principles at the highest levels. By projecting an interactive representation of the calculator’s display, teachers engage students in discussion of multiple approaches LANGUAGES
Learning to speak and read a second language is a fundamental skill in today’s global world. Canterbury language classes involve students in a full exploration of both language and culture. Through innovative use of group work and conversation exercises, students are immersed in learning to speak and read effectively. French and Spanish classes employ the TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling) method of instruction, which focuses on enabling students to acquire vocabulary quickly and to master communication through storytelling. Students must complete three years of a language and may elect to take three years of one language and at least two years of a second language. Classes are offered in French, Spanish, Latin, and Mandarin. Advanced Placement classes in French, Spanish, and Latin offer intensive study and preparation for the AP exam.
to math problems and provide instant feedback. Math becomes more than an exercise in finding the right answer as students learn the value of mathematical concepts and how they can be used. Eligible Fifth and Sixth Formers may continue with advanced studies in courses that include AP Statistics, AP Calculus (AB or BC), Linear Algebra, and Multivariable Calculus.
SCIENCE
THEOLOGY
The Science Department focuses on the
The Theology Department educates young
excitement of learning about the natural
men and women in the Catholic sacramental
world. Introductory courses provide a
worldview and tradition in an inclusive
solid foundation in analytical thinking and
environment. Students will discern a vision of
experimentation. Laboratory work and
the world and its people, in Gerard Manley
inquiry-based experiments engage the
Hopkins’ words, “charged with the grandeur
students as they learn modern scientific
of God” and consider the moral rights and
methodology. The department incorporates
responsibilities that come with this vision.
recent technological innovations in the
The academic program articulates this vision
classroom and laboratory to accommodate
through a study of the self and the other as
diverse learning styles and increase student
well as Scripture, social ethics, morality, and
involvement. Teachers address current
other world faiths. It also informs our school
events in science on a regular basis to
through active participation in the common
connect the material to problem solving in
good in service to others and the liturgical life
the real world. Traditional courses in biology,
of the campus community.
chemistry, and physics prepare students for advanced courses in a comprehensive
MUSIC, THEATER, AND VISUAL ART
range of modern disciplines, including
Canterbury offers an exceptionally strong
Environmental Science, Biology of the
program in the fine arts. Our students’ talents
Brain, Oceanography, and Geology.
enliven school life. Courses emphasize aesthetic literacy and an appreciation of the
TECHNOLOGY
arts. A full range of course offerings gives
At Canterbury, we view technology as an
students many different opportunities to
integral part of student life, in and out
create art through music, theater, and the
of the classroom. We want our students
visual arts. Fine arts courses have work
to become independent computer users
load expectations similar to other academic
who understand the appropriate uses of
areas. For the serious fine arts student, the
technology and are comfortable employing
department offers portfolio direction and
technology to communicate and collaborate
preparation in each area, a varied curriculum,
safely and effectively. Computer classes
exposure to many media, and independent
cover such topics as imaging, animation, and
study opportunities. Teachers have guided
digital video. As part of the goal to integrate
students in AP Studio through the art courses
technology throughout the School, the
so that the students are well prepared to
department is implementing short, flexible
succeed in the AP art curriculum.
technology-based curriculum modules designed to support the curriculum of
For more information about the academic
individual classroom teachers and to
program and school life, visit our website
expose students to 21st century skills.
at www.cbury.org.
THE ADVISOR SYSTEM
Each student has a faculty advisor who is the key link between the School and the family. The boarding student’s advisor often lives in his or her dormitory; the day student’s advisor often teaches or coaches the student. In addition to providing guidance on academic matters, advisors offer personal support and encouragement. The faculty advisor receives correspondence about a student’s performance from teachers, coaches, activities advisors, and dorm parents. The Director of Studies and academic counselors also track the academic progress of students.
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS
Canterbury’s English as a Second Language courses are designed for those international
SUPERVISED STUDY AND EXTRA HELP
students who study at the School, but who
All boarding students observe a quiet time for
need to improve their English skills. The
studying in the dormitories Sunday through
goal of the ESL program is to mainstream the
Friday evenings. Dormitory faculty and
student into the School’s regular curriculum
student proctors monitor the evening study
and prepare the student to qualify for a
period; many teachers are available for extra
Canterbury diploma. International students
help during this time. An additional time
must be enrolled in and pass mainstream
for extra help is during the 30-40 minutes
English courses throughout their Sixth
following the school meeting four mornings
Form year.
a week. Of course, students may arrange
Canterbury also offers services and resources
for extra help with teachers at times that
for students with learning differences.
are mutually convenient.
Students work with a learning specialist with extensive training and experience in learning styles and educational psychology. The specialist helps these students make the most of their abilities and communicates with faculty and administrators regarding assessment and educational strategies. An additional fee is charged for individual work with the learning specialist.
COLLEGE COUNSELING
We are proud of our strong record of placing Canterbury graduates in outstanding colleges and universities. Here is a sampling of schools our students have recently attended. Babson College Berklee College of Music Boston College Boston University Bowdoin College Bucknell University Carnegie Mellon University Colby College Colgate University College of the Holy Cross College of William and Mary Cornell University Dartmouth College Duke University Emory University Fairfield University Fordham University Franklin and Marshall College
Georgetown University Hamilton College Haverford College Hobart and William Smith Colleges Loyola University – Maryland McGill University New York University Northwestern University Providence College Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rhode Island School of Design Rice University Rochester Institute of Technology School of the Art Institute of Chicago Skidmore College
Smith College Syracuse University The College of Wooster Trinity College Union College United States Military Academy University of California, Berkeley University of California, Los Angeles University of Michigan University of Notre Dame University of Southern California University of Vermont University of Virginia Villanova University Wellesley College Williams College
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
FINANCIAL AID
English: 4 credits
Paying for an independent education is a
Mathematics: 3 credits
concern of many of our prospective families.
Foreign Language: 3 credits (in one foreign language)
Canterbury is committed to enrolling qualified
History: 3 credits (including American History)
backgrounds and offers a strong financial aid
candidates from all social and economic
Science: 2 credits (in laboratory science)
program based on the family’s demonstrated
Fine Arts: 1 credit
need. Each year 42-48 percent of the student
Additional courses: 4 credits
body receives financial aid to defray the cost
Total credits required for graduation: 20
of a Canterbury education.
Canterbury students enroll in a half-credit theology course each year.
Canterbury School
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Campus Map 1. Robert M. Steele ’72 Hall Lauren J. and Robert H. ’71 Steers Admission Center David C. Copley ’70 Library Dining Hall Administrative Offices 2. Nelson Hume Hall (Classrooms) Maguire Auditorium 3. Chapel of Our Lady 4. Old Schoolhouse (Classrooms) 5. Ingleside House (Dorm) 6. Health Center 7. Tennis Courts 8. Duffy House (Dorm) Edward J. Duffy Family Art Center and Gallery 9. Chaplain’s Residence 10. Sheehan House (Dorm) 11. Carter House (Dorm) 12. South House (Dorm) 13. Hickory Hearth (Dorm) 14. Carmody House (Dorm) 15. Havemeyer House (Dorm) 16. Headmaster’s House 17. Brodie Room 18. L. Michael Sheehy ’56 Choral Classroom Stephen N. ’43 and Lacey Hume Music Center
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26 19. William W. Higgins ’53 Aquatic Center 20. Pigott Arena 21. Athletic Center Saxe and Castellini Squash Pavilion Ade Family Weight Room Wrestling Room School Store 22. Ice rink 23. Field house 24. Proposed Track and Field 25. Faculty Houses 26. Athletic Fields 27. Fay Vincent Sr. Football Field 28. Maintenance Facilities 29. Development Office
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Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students: Canterbury School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, financial aid programs, or athletic and other School-administrated programs. C To minimize the impact on the environment, this piece was printed on paper made with 100% post-consumer waste fiber processed chlorine free, manufactured with non-polluting, renewable, wind-generated electricity. The inks contain a high proportion of renewable vegetable-based ingredients.
Principal Photography: John McKeith, Marc Vanasse ’73 Text: Katherine Towler
To arrange a visit, please contact Canterbury’s Office of Admission: 860-210-3832 Fax: 860-350-1120 Email: admissions@cbury.org For a preview of the opportunities awaiting you at Canterbury, visit our website at: www.cbury.org facebook.com/canterbury.admission
Design: CEH Design, Inc.
The best way to experience our vibrant community is in person. We encourage you to schedule a campus tour and personal interview or a day of classes, where one of our Admission Ambassadors will give you a tour, show you some classes in action, and make sure you meet other students and teachers. You will see a dorm room, eat a meal in Steele Dining Hall, and experience firsthand the excitement of living and learning at Canterbury. Either way, we are ready to welcome you and introduce you to our beautiful hilltop campus.
Additional Photography: Wendy Carlson, Amy Omaña ’86
Visit Our Campus
Directions to Campus From the South
Follow the Garden State Parkway North to I-87 and the Tappan Zee Bridge. After the bridge go one mile to I-287 East and follow to I-684. Take I-684 North to Exit 9E, I-84 East. Follow I-84 East to Exit 7 (left exit) to Route 7 North to New Milford. Proceed approximately 4 miles. At traffic light turn right onto Route 7 North and proceed for approximately 8 miles to Route 67 South. Bear right at the intersection, cross the bridge and turn left on Main St. after the third light. Proceed to the end of the Village Green. Turn left at the stop sign and then immediately right onto Aspetuck Avenue. Proceed to the crest of the hill. Follow the signs to the Office of Admission located in Steele Hall. From New York City and Long Island
Take the Hutchinson River Parkway North to I-684 then follow the balance of the directions “From the South.”
From the North
Follow I-84 West to Exit 15. Turn right at the end of the exit ramp. Proceed for approximately 1 ½ miles and turn left onto Route 67 North and continue for about 17 miles into New Milford. At the intersection of Routes 67 and 202, bear left for approximately 2/10 of a mile to the Village Green. At the Green, turn right onto Main St. and proceed north to the end. Turn left at the stop sign and then immediately right onto Aspetuck Avenue. Proceed to the crest of the hill. Follow the signs to the Office of Admission located in Steele Hall.
Canterbury School 101 Aspetuck Avenue New Milford, Connecticut 06776-2825 860-210-3832 | fax: 860-350-1120 Email: admissions@cbury.org www.cbury.org