MASSACHUSETTSDEERFIELD,ACADEMYDEERFIELDEST.1797DAYSOFGLORYGOBIGGREEN
in a community of respect and care for one another.
AT flourishthrivestudentsDeerfield,and
Friendships ARE
forged
in our dorms, on our fields and performance stages,
IN CLASSROOMS,OUR
and outside of
It’s about the quality of our advising, mentoring, coaching, and teaching—the quality of the relationships we create with students in all interactions.
our classrooms.
Citizenship in a spirit of humility, empathy, and responsibility; face-to-face interactions characterized by joy and generosity of spirit; connectedness to our unique setting and the contemporary world; reflection and balance, promoting intellectual vitality and self-understanding; pursuit of mastery built on a foundation of breadth and versatility; shared experiences, large and small, as sources of relationships, identity, and community.
We live our core values:
And experience joy in learning...
together.
DR. JOHN P.N. AUSTIN HEAD OF SCHOOL
“ What we call inclusion— the art of creating a powerful sense of community that recognizes and honors each student’s individuality and imparts to them a full and equal sense of belonging— is the foundation of Deerfield’s work as a school. Building relationships of trust, support, and challenge with young people is the essence of what we do as teachers, coaches, and advisors, and it’s reflected in our core values.”
What does it mean to “Be Worthy of Your Heritage?”
OUR MOTTO CARRIES EXTRAORDINARY SIGNIFICANCE FOR STUDENTS AND ALUMNI ALIKE: “BE WORTHY OF YOUR HERITAGE.” It demonstrates that we honor our past, even as it commands us to carry our core values into the future. When you take your place at Deerfield, you have the opportunity to shape your own legacy and to establish what an education means to you. Whether it’s your pursuit of deeper intellectual understanding, your service to the community, or your commitment to addressing the world’s most pressing problems, your actions define your character and your heritage—and in the process, you define Deerfield as well.
ELEMENTSCAMPUS FIND YOUR WAY Albany Road takes you to class, to the Lower Level, to the Dining Hall, and to your dorm. You’ll traverse this thoroughfare a thousand times, crossing paths with friends and faculty. Our community is “device-free” when walking campus, so you’re sure to encounter friendly faces. With more than 90 acres of athletics fields, the Lower Level is where athletes turn it up on game day. Students, family, friends, and faculty gather to cheer on their favorite teams —“bleeding green” with Deerfield pride.
intersectionsdestinations+ = LL THE LOWER LEVEL AR ALBANY ROAD
Where else can you meet up with friends to grab a fro-yo and fries? The Greer Store is where students regularly hang out and relax during free periods, after classes, and on weekends. GR THE GREER Home to Admission, history classes, class deans, and traditions such as “Friday Cookies and Cocoa,” the Main School Building is where most students start their Deerfield journey. MSB MAIN SCHOOL BUILDING
KOCH KOCH CENTER FOR ANDMATHEMATICSSCIENCE,TECHNOLOGY SL THE SMALL LOOP HE SS THE HESS CENTER FOR THE ARTS
The Koch Center is the nexus of science, math, and technology at Deerfield. Designed to promote favoriteandworkshops,housescollaboration,interdisciplinaryitextensivelabs,classrooms—theCommunityTimeLouisCafe.
Ideal for quiet contemplation or some fresh air with friends, the Small Loop is a two-mile, unpaved farm road that leads you past fields, barns, and the Deerfield River before connecting back to campus. Even if you set out alone, chances are you’ll bump into someone you know. From the start of classes until curfew, the Hess Center’s art studios, photo labs, practice rooms, and performance spaces are alive with activity. Visiting artists connect with students and faculty—sharing their mastery of the arts and their passion for the work.
This research hub offers spaces for independent and group study. The Boyden Library is home to Academic Affairs, an innovation space, the Center for Service and Global Citizenship, and College Advising. (And yes, you’ll still find more than 50,000 books, too!) BL THE BOYDEN LIBRARY
Daily life intersects in dormitory common rooms. Enjoy an evening snack, play ping-pong, make weekend plans, or just hang out. Day students are also assigned to dorms, and often join in the fun! You’ll form tight bonds with students from different backgrounds and cultures—and you’ll get to know the faculty members who live with you, too. CR COMMON ROOM
RCK
Finding your way to the top of the Rock is a Deerfield rite of passage. On a clear day, the view extends to New York and Vermont. And part of the experience is how you get there: walking with friends, biking, or going for an early morning run. THE ROCK DH THE DINING HALL
It’s a Deerfield tradition: Students and faculty gather in the Dining Hall for family-style “sit-down” meals at lunchtime and some evenings. On the menu: good food and good conversation that continues long after the table has been cleared.
IN
QUESTIONSGREATASK In Deerfield classrooms, we’ve got you covered: from English 200: Voices and Visions of Justice to Math 705: Linear Algebra, the depth and breadth of course offerings gives you the opportunity to enroll in classes that are appropriate to your abilities and interests. Throughout the school year, sharing your work—in class, at School Meeting, in literary journals, and through artistic performances and exhibitions—is one of those Deerfield traditions that takes learning to the next level.
Your generation faces incredible challenges: climate change, food and water security, social inequality, and more. As insurmountable as these problems may seem, you have the power to impact the future. This responsibility shouldn’t be taken lightly—and it begins with asking great questions.THE CLASSROOM / ACADEMICS AT DEERFIELD
of DEERFIELD.EDUatcurrentlycoursesofferedDeerfield,goto:/COURSES
FOR THE ANSWERS
Whether
For a
SEARCH Deerfield’s capstone courses and upper-level seminars provide the opportunity for students to examine questions of local or global significance. A capstone often involves a multipronged approach to interdisciplinary study, connecting subjects across the entire academic foundation. No matter the query or project, the goal is the same: to help you reach a higher level of critical thinking, analysis, and synthesis. analyzing literature and history or learning a foreign language, it’s important for students to strive for a deeper understanding and appreciation of the human condition. complete list
IN
Thrive flourish&
BETTER THAN THE COMFORT ZONE Caitlin Sugita admits that she is just about the last person you’d expect to eat a bug, but when she had to choose a topic she was passionate about for her Research in Sustainability seminar, Caitlin chose entomophagy: the eating of insects. Much like a master’s thesis, this seminar encourages independent research and interdisciplinary acuity. Floating power plants. Teleportation. Entomophagy. It sounds like the stuff of science fiction, yet these are actual topics students have explored through coursework or independent study. Deerfield encourages you to experiment and pursue your passions, and starts you off with a great foundation. THE CLASSROOM / ACADEMICS AT DEERFIELD For a complete list of courses currently offered at Deerfield, go to: DEERFIELD.EDU /COURSES
TAKE UNEXPECTEDTHE COURSE Go beyond the core curriculum and explore a subject that’s off the beaten path. Deerfield offers extraordinary courses in STEM, humanities, and the arts—all designed to open your mind and help you dig deeper into a topic. For instance, try your hand at an examination of Political Philosophy, Data Structures and Algorithms, or Intro to Urban Design.
SCHOOL
STRATEGY AND PLANNING AND DEAN OF FACULTY “We
IVORY ASSISTANTHILLSHEAD OF FOR strive to help students develop the skills and attributes of true practitioners.”
Students take part in Miles for Meals, an event to raise money for local food banks.
ACADEMICS
In an effort to understand how the pursuit of the distinctive “American dream” helped to shape the culture and literature of the United States, Gerry Alexandre says that the piece of literature that spoke most to him was Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense.” And when it came time for Gerry to write and memorize his junior-year declamation, he focused on his own family’s distinctive American dream. / AT DEERFIELD
IN THE CLASSROOM
“My mom and dad both speak English, Haitian Creole, and French. I may not speak Creole, but I do follow Haitian traditions . . . this is all part of our American dream. One of the most rewarding aspects of taking American Dreams and U.S. History at the same time was the ability to bring knowledge from one class to another.” GERRY ALEXANDRE PAST STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT For a complete list of DEERFIELD.EDUatcurrentlycoursesofferedDeerfield,goto:/COURSES
FIND YOUR INSPIRATION / PERFORMING ARTS AT DEERFIELD
For a complete list of courses currently offered at Deerfield, go to: DEERFIELD.EDU /COURSES
PASSIONWITHPERFORM
Do you play an instrument or enjoy performing? Go en pointe? Long for the bright lights of the stage? Whether you’re a seasoned performer or your artistic endeavors are just beginning, Deerfield has a spot for you. With over 50 different classes in the performing and visual arts, you’re sure to nurture or find your artistic side. The arts contribute greatly to campus life, and whether it’s the Student Choreography Showcase or a solo in the Wachsman, friends and classmates will be there to appreciate your talents.
EPIC ACOUSTICS IN THE WACHSMAN CONCERT HALL
ORCHESTRATING A TEAM A chamber group has no conductor, so teamwork is essential: “The teachers get us started, and then we go off on our own. For an Elgar piece, for instance, we discussed how to translate the feeling of ‘sinister trees’ into the way we play the music, such as how the bow contacts the strings. We try things and work them up until they’re conveying what we want to express. There’s a big social aspect to this. Nobody’s the leader, everybody’s a co-leader, and that’s essential to our success.”
FIND YOUR INSPIRATION / VISUAL ARTS AT DEERFIELD THE VISUAL ARTS Our visual arts curriculum is designed for both novice and advanced artists. Deerfield offers a wide range of media and forms, including drawing, painting, photography, graphics, design, architecture, and videography. Step inside the Hess Center for the Arts to explore new opportunities and express yourself. The beauty and functionality of its visual spaces will inspire you to create. DEERFIELD.EDU /ARTS FORM+FUNCTION coursesoflistcompleteaForto:goDeerfield,atofferedcurrently/COURSESDEERFIELD.EDU
WHAT MOVES YOU? From the most basic painting and drawing classes to advanced tutorials in acting and dancing, you’re invited to express yourself at Deerfield. Every student takes at least two terms of visual and performing arts. Opportunities to hone your skills— or try something new—extend far beyond the classroom.
AFTER CLASS / COCURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
COCURRICS
Each term, students are required to participate in a COCURRICULAR ACTIVITY
What is a cocurricular, you ask? They are organized programs that take place outside of the classroom. Cocurriculars support the pursuit of excellence in athletics, the arts, and the local community; they are often collaborative and inclusive experiences. Your “cocurric” might be varsity soccer in the fall, afternoon studio time in the winter, and community service at a local elementary school in the spring. No matter what, cocurriculars are an important part of everybody’s day; they foster teamwork, fun, growth, leadership, and an understanding of your role within a larger group with a common goal.
AFTER CLASS / COCURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
EMBRACE THE OPPORTUNITY
“There is a ton of opportunity to get involved in the performing arts,” says veteran thespian Wilona Waife. “One moment I will cherish forever from my time at Deerfield is being a part of my first theater production, You Can’t Take It With You, as a ninth grader.” From that first performance through her senior year, skills Wilona honed on the stage were also put to use as an Admission Tour Guide, playing in the Ukulele and Bongo Orchestra, and rallying classmates and friends as a Deerfield DEERFIELD.EDUcheerleader./ARTS
“The community shows up to support one another—from games to performances to robotics competitions—Go Big Green!”
Outdoors, you’ll find 90 acres of multipurpose fields, including two turf fields, 21 tennis courts (six covered), an eight-lane track, a Major League-quality baseball field, and an ice rink that compliments our indoor arena! COUNTRYCROSSHOCKEYFIELDSOCCERVOLLEYBALLFOOTBALLPOLOWATERSKIINGALPINEBASKETBALLHOCKEYSQUASHSWIMMINGWRESTLINGBASEBALLROWINGCYCLINGDIVINGTENNISGOLFLACROSSESOFTBALLYOGADISCULTIMATEFIELD&TRACKELEMENTS GO BIG GREEN THE HAMMERSCHLAG FAMILY BOATHOUSE IS LOCATED ON THE CONNECTICUT RIVER. DEERFIELD.EDU /ATHLETICS BRING IT / DEERFIELD ATHLETICS
Deerfield is home to 59 teams involved in interscholastic competition across 31 sports. We also offer a variety of non-competitive health and wellness activities, such as yoga, spinning, and individualized fitness programs.
BRING IT / ATHLETICS AT DEERFIELD A 20,800 SQ FT SYNTHETIC TURF FIELD TWO-LANE ELEVATED INDOOR TRACK 466-SEAT HOCKEY RINK WITH STANDING AREA PUCK SHOOTING ROOM WITH SYNTHETIC ICE ROWING TANKS BATTING CAGES YOGA / GROUP EXERCISE ROOM NEW LOCKER ROOMS GOLF SIMULATOR AC THE ATHLETICS COMPLEX
Deerfield boasts one of the finest swimming and diving facilities of any New England independent school. ADDITIONAL INDOOR FACILITIES: 10 SQUASH COURTS THREE BASKETBALL COURTS WRESTLING ROOM STRANDBERG FITNESS CENTER FULLY STAFFED TRAINING ROOM VOLLEYBALL COURTS
STRONGER THROUGH SERVICE Deerfield’s Center for Service and Global Citizenship (CSGC) celebrates student and faculty work, engages in conversations about local and global issues, and hosts visiting speakers, scholars, and educators for workshops and conferences. It serves as a resource for students seeking grants, global opportunities, service projects, and mentoring. On and off campus, Deerfield students and employees come together to serve the community—whether it’s to curb hunger, alleviate inequality, or encourage the next generation to learn. You’ll find students volunteering at Second Helpings or at a local elementary school. Every term, each of our athletics teams performs a service project. And then there are times when the whole school moves to action—for a blood drive, the Relay For Life, Move for Love, or an impromptu fundraiser. The CSGC will provide you with a means to realize the school’s motto, “Be Worthy of Your Heritage,” by serving others and forming meaningful relationships with people outside of the Academy.
C S G C / CENTER FOR SERVICE AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP csgc
That’s the question Deerfield students pondered when they established Think 80/20, the environmental campaign that encourages everyone on campus to reuse, recycle, and compost. From the hydration stations around campus to our annual competition for greater energy efficiency, campus happenssustainabilitylocally—butit’s a model with global ambition.
Partnerships between the Academy and local agencies address critical needs in Franklin County and beyond. They also provide unique educational opportunities for students, faculty, and staff. You’ll learn new skills, gain knowledge, and develop a connection to and sense of responsibility toward our community.
GROWING GREEN
RESPECTING DEERFIELD, RESPECTING EARTH
When Deerfield’s original greenhouse was bursting at the seams, an adjoining “hoop house” was added to support cocurricular and academic work among students interested in growing plants for food and study. Under the guidance of a horticulturist, students help to grow a wide variety of fresh herbs and veggies, such as arugula, kale, spinach, peppers, carrots, and even the occasional eggplant. Bounty from the greenhouses makes its way to the Dining Hall to supplement what’s purchased from outside vendors. It’s a nutritious and delicious experience for everyone!
When you throw something away, where does it go?
THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: BUILDING HOUSES WITH CAMBIANDO VIDAS
There’s a great big world out there, and Deerfield’s travel and study abroad programs offer opportunities for you to develop the skills and attitudes essential to global citizenship. You’ll be challenged to consider new perspectives and different cultures as you integrate your Deerfield education with the shifting realities of the wider world. Led by experienced Deerfield faculty and organized by the Academy’s Center for Service and Global Citizenship, these programs also allow you to deepen your relationships with the faculty leaders and your fellow travelers. You’ll return to campus with new perspectives and a broadened world view that helps to prepare you for college and beyond.
TERM / YEARLONG PROGRAMS SCHOOL YEAR ABROAD (VARIOUS LOCATIONS) / KING’S ACADEMY, JORDAN / SCHOOL FOR ETHICS AND GLOBAL LEADERSHIP, WASHINGTON, DC / THE MOUNTAIN SCHOOL, VERMONT / MAINE COAST SEMESTER AT CHEWONKI / HIGH MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE, COLORADO JORDAN: THROUGH THE LENS OF STORIES TRIPS CSGC / CENTER FOR SERVICE AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP
ITALY AND SICILY: EXPERIENCING ETRUSCAN, GREEK, AND ROMAN LEGACIES IN MODERN ITALY TANZANIA: UNDERSTANDING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PANAMA: RESEARCH, COMMUNITIES, AND CONSERVATION SOUTH KOREA: CSGC LEADERSHIP IN A KOREAN CONTEXT COLOMBIA: GLOBAL ANDENVIRONMENTALUNDERSTANDING,STEWARDSHIP,ADEDICATIONTOSERVICE SPAIN: LANGUAGE AND CULTURE THE BAHAMAS: RESEARCHING MARINE ECOSYSTEMS AND HABITATS
JOIN UP / CLUBS + ALLIANCES JOINUP Beyond cocurriculars, there are more than 40 special-interest groups that invite students to come together, explore ideas, and learn from each other. Don’t see a student group or club that sparks your imagination? CreateUKULELEone!AND BONGO ORCHESTRA YOUNGCHEERLEADERSDEMOCRATS / YOUNG REPUBLICANS ROBOTICS DEERFIELDCLUBBLACK STUDENT ALLIANCE ALBANYFOODDIVERSITYMELLOW-D’SALLIANCECOMMITTEEROADLITERARY MAGAZINE
UNITING IN OUR DIFFERENCES Being one of a kind is a good thing—especially at Deerfield! We’re home to alliances that celebrate students of different races, backgrounds, religions, gender identities, and sexual orientations. These groups aren’t just for support and fellowship; they drive major events and ideas on campus, ensuring that our community is inclusive, enlightened, and informed. ARABIC INTERNATIONALCLUB STUDENT ALLIANCE IMPROV STUDENTCLUBROCK BAND NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENT ALLIANCE DEERFIELD RADIO DEERFIELD WOMEN OF COLOR DRONE MOUNTAINCLUBBIKING CLUB MATH INVESTMENTCLUB CLUB STUDENT ACTIVITIES ASIAN STUDENT ALLIANCE FRENCH GENDER-SEXUALITYFLYRHAPSO-D’SARCHERYCLUBCLUBFISHINGCLUB ALLIANCE CLASSICS DEERFIELDCLUBMIXED STUDENT ALLIANCE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP STUDENT LATINTHEJEWISHFIREDEERFIELDCOUNCILSCROLLDEPARTMENTVOLUNTEERSSTUDENTALLIANCEPOCUMTUCK(YEARBOOK)AMERICANSTUDENTALLIANCE
VOICESSTUDENT
JOIN UP / STUDENT LITERATURE
STUDENT PUBLICATIONS
If you enjoy expressing yourself through the written word, the lens of your camera, or by drawing, painting or sculpting, there are several ways to share your work in print and online. Albany Road, Deerfield’s premier literary and arts magazine, is a student-run publication that is printed three times a year; The Deerfield Scroll, established in 1925, is the official student newspaper of the Academy. With a mission to encourage informed discussion of pertinent issues that concern the Academy and the world, each edition is lively and thought-provoking.
Deerfield’s yearbook, The Pocumtuck, was first produced in 1928, and is a yearly testament to student life as well as honoring each year’s Senior Class. And the Little Brown House Review, named after an actual “Little Brown House” on Albany Road, highlights the best of student writing produced in Deerfield’s English classes. So let your creativity and talent flow, and then share it with the community!
“Albany Road is a cherished medium for artistic voices, an intimate channel for unique experiences, and a loving community for the creative and the brave.” JOHNNY XU FORMER ALBANY ROAD MANAGING EDITOR ALBANY ROAD: LITERARY AND ARTS MAGAZINE THE DEERFIELD SCROLL THE LITTLEPOCUMTUCKBROWNHOUSE REVIEW
Have a seat! Seven times a week, students and faculty gather for family-style sit-down meals. Your table assignment changes every few weeks, so you get to meet a wide variety of students and teachers. Students take turns waiting on tables, and if it’s your birthday, prepare to be serenaded! On Wednesdays (game days!) and some special occasions, a “walk-through” lunch or dinner is served buffet-style.
YOUR CLASS DAY Monday through Friday classes begin at 8:30 am with six periods running to 2:50 pm. Daily “Community Time” is from 10:05 to 10:50 am, and daily afternoon “Flex Time” provides an opportunity for meetings or study or an early start to cocurricular activities. With an average class size of 12, you’ll have opportunities to actively participate in your classes, and your teachers will know you well. You’ll also have a faculty advisor who will help guide your academic experience.
LIFEDAILY
DINING HALL SeniorDORM proctors bond with ninth- and tenth-grade students in the halls where they live— helping them adjust to dorm life and serving as role models and sounding boards. More than mentors, proctors set a positive tone for their halls and form meaningful connections with their proctees. Halls also often have “feeds” that can feature everything from ice cream treats to tacos.
Every Wednesday, the community gathers together for announcements and performances. School Meetings are a chance to open your mind, be heard, and contribute—but they are also an opportunity to hear guest speakers, watch performances, and address topics of local and global significance.Youwillexperience moments of togetherness every day at Deerfield —whether it’s cheering in the stands on the Lower Level, hanging out in the Greer, or greeting friends and faculty on Albany Road. Our spirit is fueled by shared experiences, curiosity, hard work, and—most of all—fun! SCHOOL MEETING EVENINGS
YEAR HIKE TO THE ROCK FOR PANORAMIC VIEWS OF THE PIONEER VALLEY DIP YOUR TOES INTO A NEW SPORT HOP ON A “GREEN MACHINE” AND HEAD TO CAMP GREYLOCK FOR SOME BONDING WITH YOUR NEW CLASSMATES1
MOVE INTO THE NINTH-GRADE VILLAGE: IT’S SPECIFICALLY GEARED TOWARD YOU AND YOUR CLASSMATES CREATE A CLASS CHEER AND GET READY TO SHOUT IT OUT AT SCHOOL MEETING WADE IN THE RIVER: AN ICONIC DEERFIELD LANDMARK
From the moment you hang up the first poster in your dorm room to the day you walk down Albany Road with diploma in hand, your Deerfield Experience is yours to navigate. You’ll discover your strengths, help to build the community, and broaden your worldview. Your first year at Deerfield Academy is about finding out who you are and what sparks your interest. It’s a time to explore, experiment, and open your mind to new cultures, ideas, and ways of thinking.
WRITE A RESEARCH PAPER TAKE AN AFTER-CLASS WALK AND TALK WITH YOUR ENGLISH TEACHER —ALL THE WAY FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE DINING HALL YEAR Year two finds you making connections outside of your class and your dorm. Hone your talents in clubs that hold special interest for you. Broaden your circle by exploring the larger idea of community, and examine your personal responsibility to give back. Opportunities for global travel help expand your horizons. 2
CHOOSE YOUR ADVISOR PAUSE, REFLECT, AND SET GOALS TAKE A SWING AT AN INTRAMURAL TEAM WELCOME SPRING WITH A HUGE BBQ BASH
SPEAK UP WHEN YOU DELIVER YOUR JUNIOR DECLAMATION GO BEHIND THE SCENES FOR THEATER OR DANCE GET GREAT ADVICE FROM COLLEGE ADVISING GET PSYCHED FOR JUNIOR PROM
In your third year, a combination of higher level courses, capstones, and standardized tests will set the academic pace—but it’s also a time to make your voice heard. Whether it’s acing a huge lab or research project, making a varsity team, or running for Student Council, this is the year you emerge as a critical thinker—and a campusYEARleader. FIND NEW, LITTLE-KNOWN PLACES TO STUDY ON CAMPUS CONNECT IDEAS ACROSS YOUR ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE IN A CAPSTONE BLEED GREEN STEP UP AND BECOME A PEER COUNSELOR 3
EXERCISE YOUR LEADERSHIP SKILLS AS A PROCTOR CELEBRATE A BIG WIN ON A GREEN MACHINE ENJOY EXTENDED CURFEW AND SPECIAL SENIOR PRIVILEGES GET YOUR GROOVE ON AT THE D E NUNZIO DISCO
YEAR CLAIM THE FRONT ROW CHOOSE A SPRING ELECTIVE WITH THAT TEACHER YOU NEVER HAD BEFORE 4 FOLLOW THE BAGPIPER DOWN ALBANY ROAD AT COMMENCEMENT ENJOY YOUR FINAL WINTER TERM
Put your classroom lessons and leadership skills to the test in your final year. Independently explore topics that tackle real-life challenges—projects with the potential of making the world a better place. Reflect on your experiences at Deerfield, as well as the values and relationships you’ve formed, and ensure that you leave a legacy worthy of Deerfield’s heritage—and your own.
SCHOOLBOARDING
The majority of Deerfield faculty live on campus. Seventy-two percent of Deerfield faculty members hold advanced degrees and have expertise in more than one discipline. They are teachers, coaches, and foronayourOutsideindirectors — onprogramthefield,thepool,oronthestage.oftheclassroom,teacherswillextendhelpinghand,cheeryoutovictory,andcallanencore!
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At boarding school, students gain access to an abundance of opportunities, people, and facilities. They embrace a wide range of challenges and experiences, including rigorous coursework, independence, influential role models, lifelong friendships, extraordinary resources, and exposure to peers from vastly different backgrounds. Boarding school offers an education that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
At boarding school, teachers don’t head home when the school day is done: They are there to guide you every step of the way. Faculty members live on campus, share meals with students, and often lead sports or activities. Students and teachers come to know each other as whole people—which means greater opportunity for learning, mentoring, and growth.
TEACHERS, MENTORS, COACHES
BOARDING = ACCESS
When you live where you learn, your intellectual growth is both deliberate and organic, and learning extends well beyond the classroom. Students and faculty share, explore, and discuss ideas inside the classroom, and then continue the conversation throughout the day: on the playing field, in the dining hall, in the dorm, and in casual interactions.
Part of what makes boarding school so rewarding is the experience of learning alongside students from different cultures and backgrounds. Sharing time with those who speak a different language or hold a unique worldview helps to shape your own perspective. The diversity you encounter at boarding school comes in many forms, including gender, race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomics, age, geography, sexual orientation, and family structure. When you learn to appreciate what makes people different from one another, and when you acquire the skills and competencies that lead to understanding, you become more empathetic and respectful. Living and learning in diverse communities, such as Deerfield Academy, will help you to see beyond yourself, and ultimately to develop better decision-making and leadership skills.
STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES
Students at boarding schools are able to access what they need, when they need it. Boarding schools offer a wide range of activities all in one place, including academics, sports, the performing arts, and student organizations. You are able to explore interests and expand skill sets with the best tools and resources—all without having to leave campus.
AT DEERFIELD
BOARDING = COMMUNITY + CHARACTER
In addition to receiving an extraordinary education, boarding school students also learn what it means to be respectful, caring, and engaged citizens in a rapidly changing world. You will grow to understand the value of resilience, grit, and compassion through daily tribulations and triumphs. Residential communities made up of diverse student bodies provide opportunities for you to develop curiosity about and empathy for other members of the community. “I will act with respect, honesty, and concern for others and will seek to inspire the same values in our community and beyond.”
At boarding school, you will form connections with teachers and classmates that go far beyond the classroom. As a result, faculty and peers gain a full sense of your strengths, weaknesses, personality, and potential. Advisors will guide you with academic course selection and will often be found supporting you in the stands, in the auditorium, and in the concert hall, too!
BOARDING = KNOWING YOU
BECOMING A SELF-ADVOCATEGOOD
GOOD HABITS THAT LAST A LIFETIME Boarding school empowers students to grow into independent individuals. Busy schedules and supportive teachers reinforce organizational skills, self-sufficiency, and accountability. You will learn to manage your time, care for your things, and honor your obligations. With guidance and support, you will learn to trust your decisions.
BOARDING = INDEPENDENCE
DEERFIELD VALUES STATEMENT
The road to maturity and independence often requires asking for help. Whether it’s requesting directions to the registrar’s office or inquiring how to do laundry, you’ll undoubtedly enlist the help of others during your very first day at boarding school. Seeking and identifying support systems — friends, teachers, coaches, and parents— is a valuable skill. Learning how to advocate for yourself now will inform how you do so later in life.
AT DEERFIELD
Students enjoy greater independence in their schedules and academic opportunities as their Deerfield journey progresses. Ninth- and tenth-graders gain valuable study habits through supervised study hall, while eleventh- and twelfth-graders have the flexibility to select their place of study between 7:45 pm and 9:45 pm.
WEEKENDS How you’ll spend your weekends may not be your top concern when you begin researching schools, but it’s an important part of student life. There are several questions you should ask about free time on weekends, such as: Do most students stay on campus or go home on the weekend? Are Saturday classes offered? What weekend activities are offered?
AT DEERFIELD Deerfield students spend the vast majority of their free time on campus, in large part because there always seems to be something happening! Classes run Monday through Friday, and the Academy hosts dances, poetry slams, dodgeball competitions, ping-pong tournaments, concerts, and many, many other weekend events.
RESIDENTIAL LIFE Every boarding school has its own rhythm of residential life. How schools structure dorm life, and the expectations schools have of their students, can vary. Where you live and how you live are important considerations when exploring your boarding school options.
Pull on those knee-high socks and break out the wristbands! Deerfield takes its dodgeball silliness seriously; the annual dodgeball tournament is always one of the most popular events on campus. Gather some friends and bring your A-game!
DODGEBALLDEERFIELD
All incoming ninth-graders at Deerfield are housed together in the Ninth Grade Village. The Village features structured study experiences as well as extracurricular opportunities to help new students get off to a strong start.
THE BASICS(EXCEPTIONAL)OFBOARDING
Deerfield students live in single-sex dorms by grade; ninth graders typically live in double rooms, and most older students live in single rooms. Faculty resident homes adjoin each corridor, and each dorm offers comfortable common rooms. Outdoor areas are scattered with Adirondack chairs, volleyball courts, fire pits, and other amenities to encourage you to enjoy your downtime.
NINTHTHEGRADEVILLAGE
AT DEERFIELD
FOOD Good health and proper nutrition are important ingredients of effective learning. Every boarding school has one or more dining halls that offer a range of food choices to satisfy a variety of tastes and special dietary requirements.
The Deerfield community gathers for family-style meals seven times a week. This tradition helps students get to know one another—in fact, lively discussions over meals often spark lifelong friendships. But the Dining Hall isn’t the only place to eat; snacks and drinks are also available in “the Greer” and at the Louis Café.
EXTRACURRICULARS
AT DEERFIELD
Deerfield attracts numerous performers and artists to campus each year. Recent visitors include filmmaker Ken Burns and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
AT DEERFIELD
While boarding schools offer many similar experiences and amenities— such as living in dorms, eating together in dining halls, and socializing in common rooms—no two schools are exactly alike. Here are some of the “exceptional basics” that you will find at most boarding schools.
Extracurricular (aka “cocurricular”) activities at Deerfield inspire teamwork and collaboration. There are many different activities from which to choose. For example, Deerfield students have the opportu nity to compete on 59 different teams across 31 sports. You’ll also find opportunities to immerse yourself in dance, theater, vocal groups, community service, and other special interests.
Extracurricular offerings vary widely from school to school. Some boarding schools may require students to participate in extracurricular activities, while others may not. Some offer a seemingly endless list of activities from which to choose, while others may offer a narrower focus. Whatever the case may be, finding a school that offers activities that interest you should be an important part of your search.
OUTSIDE TALENT
FARM TO TABLE
Deerfield’s kitchen, a “scratch” kitchen, sources locally grown foods from nearby farms. For example, our apples come from Clarkdale Fruit Farms, located just minutes from campus.
FACULTYSTUDENTSMEMBERS FACULTYFACULTY123MEMBERSLIVEONCAMPUS137MEMBERS DTHE-TAILS BRIGHT MINDS Over 137 faculty members include Rhodes Scholars, Klingenstein Fellows, and Fulbright Fellowship holders. More than 72% of our faculty hold advanced degrees. GLOBAL NETWORK We’re all over the world. The Deerfield alumni body is well over 12,000 members strong and stretches across 84 countries. COUNTRIES4736STATES 655STUDENTS50% GIRLS50% BOYS 15% FOREIGN NATIONALS 44% STUDENTS OF COLOR (SELF REPORTED) AVERAGE CLASS SIZE: 12 PLUS THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ADVANCED72%FACULTYWITHDEGREES57%COACHATLEASTONESPORT
COLLEGESMATRICULATIONAMHERSTCOLLEGEBOSTONCOLLEGEBOWDOINCOLLEGEBROWNUNIVERSITYCOLBYCOLLEGECOLGATEUNIVERSITYCOLLEGEOFTHEHOLYCROSSMOSTFREQUENTLY ATTENDED / 2018–2022 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY CORNELL HARVARDHAMILTONGEORGETOWNDUKEDARTMOUTHUNIVERSITYCOLLEGEUNIVERSITYUNIVERSITYCOLLEGEUNIVERSITY MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE NEW YORK TUFTSTRINITYSOUTHERNPRINCETONNORTHEASTERNUNIVERSITYUNIVERSITYUNIVERSITYMETHODISTUNIVERSITYCOLLEGEUNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY OF SO CAL UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY YALE UNIVERSITY 58174DAYBOARDING * Statistics as of summer 2022 2,463APPLICANTS NEW214STUDENTS 1797FOUNDINGYEAR $13.5 M IN FINANCIALAID 330 + CAMPUSACRE 40%RECEIVEDAID SATURDAY0CLASSES
PHONES Mobile phones are an essential tool for encouragedfromespeciallycommunication,whenyou’reawayhome.Studentsaretostayintouch, but we also teach them to use their phones appropriately: We strive for students to be engaged in their classes, in their activities, and with the friend sitting next to them. At Deerfield, our practice is to put phones away while learning in class or walking around campus.
IT’S NICE TO KNOW...
NEARBY DESTINATIONS
HEALTH
Deerfield offers a number of transportation options to help take the stress out of traveling to and from campus for vacations. We provide charter bus service to two airports: nearby Bradley International Airport (Hartford, CT) and Logan International Airport (Boston, MA). If you’re traveling by train, Amtrak stops are located in Greenfield, MA, and Springfield, MA. We also provide charter bus service to Boston, New York City, and Fairfield, CT, during vacations.
SECURITY
Our health center is staffed around the clock by our own full-time physician, nurse practitioner, and a team of nurses who specialize in adolescent care. Our athletics facility also features a sports medicine clinic with two full-time athletic trainers. Regardless of the illness or injury, Deerfield’s health staff is resourceful and knowledgeable. If a student should need ongoing or specialized treatment, our staff can recommend and facilitate visits to the best specialists in New England. The D.S. Chen Health and Wellness Center, which also features classroom and meeting spaces, opened in the fall of 2019.
The health and safety of students and staff is our primary concern. Deerfield is a close-knit, rural community where everyone knows one another by name. To ensure the safety of our community members, we have several security measures in our buildings and dorms. Campus safety officers are on duty and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The surrounding communities of Greenfield, Amherst, and Northampton offer great cafés, bookshops, movie theaters, performance halls, and restaurants for students— and their families—to enjoy during weekends.
COMPUTERS We provide every student with a MacBook Air; some also receive an iPad, depending on their class needs. Computers and other devices connect automatically to campus printers and the Internet. Deerfield uses firewalls and automated shutdowns to encourage responsible and ethical use of the Internet.
VACATIONS
Deerfield students are never away from their families for more than six weeks at a time. We host four extended vacations per year: Thanksgiving, Winter Vacation, Long Winter Weekend, and Spring Break. We also host Family Weekends in the fall and spring, and Deerfield families are always welcome on campus—to cheer at the big game, catch a performance, or simply spend time with their children. See deerfield.edu/calendar for more details.
TRANSPORTATION
When reviewing applications, we consider your academic standing, school and teacher recommendations, and standardized test scores—along with your essays and interview. All these pieces offer us a well-rounded and balanced perspective of your achievements, goals, and potential.
Submitting your application can sometimes be the most stressful part of applying. To make it simple, we provide you with access to your own personal Deerfield application checklist, so you can confirm our receipt of your application pieces.
1 SCHEDULE A TOUR AND INTERVIEW
FIND EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO START THE PROCESS AT DEERFIELD.EDU/APPLY
HAVE QUESTIONS?
APPLY
Your application, including your essays and teacher recommendations, helps the Admission Committee to get to know you and to understand how you might contribute to Deerfield. Just be yourself and start writing!
4 NOW IT’S OUR TURN
2 TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
Please feel free to contact us by email at admission@deerfield.edu or by phone at 413–774–1400 YOURSELF..
Your interview, whether on campus or remote, provides us with an opportunity to get to know you better. During your visit, you’ll have the chance to see our facilities, meet students and faculty, and experience the Deerfield community for yourself.
3 SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
FIND YOUR WAY Deerfield Academy is located on 330 acres in the heart of historic New England. Our campus is a tightly knit community of modern classrooms, labs, a library, athletics facilities, and dorms —the perfect physical space for sharing ideas and cultivating friendships. DORMS WELLNESSANDHEALTHFORCENTERCHEN THE LOWER LEVEL MAIN STREET ALBANY ROAD HALLDINING ROUTES5/10
NEARBY AIRPORTS Bradley International Airport (BDL) Windsor Locks, CT 55 miles (1 hour) Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) Boston, MA 100 miles (2 hours) John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) NYC, NY 175 miles (3.5 hours) DRIVING TIMES Greenfield, MA 5 miles (5 175NYC,100Boston,65Hartford,16Northampton,mins)MAmiles(25mins)CTmiles(1hour)MAmiles(2hours)NYmiles(3.5hours) DEERFIELD IS LOCATED IN THE PIONEER VALLEY IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS ME NH VT NY CT RI PA MD NJ DEERFIELD, MA DE COMPLEXATHLETICS DOORDEERFIELD ARTSTHEFORCENTERHESS MATHEMATICSANDSCIENCEFORCENTERKOCH KENDALLBUILDINGSCHOOLMAIN LIBRARYBOYDEN ARMES TRACK AND TURF FIELDS MANSETHE
FOLLOW US ON ONHOPE#DEERFIELDACADEMY@DEERFIELDACADEMY,INSTAGRAMTOSEEYOUCAMPUSSOON!
VISIT DEERFIELD.EDU TO WATCH VIDEOS, BROWSE STUDENT WORK, START YOUR APPLICATION, OR TO SCHEDULE A CAMPUS TOUR. DEERFIELD.EDU/APPLY
THE DOOR The door of John Williams House is an iconic symbol of the Academy.
