The Taft School Viewbook

Directions to the school GPS Address

To see a virtual tour of the school, including interviews with students

110 Woodbury Road

and faculty, download the Taft

Watertown, Connecticut

School app from the iTunes Store!

Best Routes to Watertown

By Car Sturbridge, Exit 9; west on Interstate 84 to Exit 20; north on Route 8 (3.9 miles) to Exit 37; turn left at bottom of exit ramp (Route 262 west) for 1.7 miles. At second light, turn right (still on Route 262). After approximately 2 miles, turn left at 2nd light onto Route 6 west. Taft appears after approximately 1 mile on Route 6.

2014 2015

West via Massachusetts Turnpike to

The Taft School

TaftSchool.org

F r o m B o st o n ( 1 20 m iles)

F r o m B r a d l e y I nt ernat iona l A i r p o rt ( 5 5 m i l e s)

South via Interstate 91 to Hartford; west on Interstate 84 to Exit 20; north on Route 8 (3.9 miles) to Exit 37; turn left

By Air, Train, Limo, or Bus

Lodging

at bottom of exit ramp (Route 262 west)

Bradley International Airport, near

Her itage Inn

for 1.7 miles. At second light, turn right

Hartford/Springfield, is 50 miles, an

Heritage Village

(still on Route 262). After approximately 2

hour and five minutes from the school.

Southbury, CT 203-264-8200

miles, turn left at 2nd light onto Route 6

Connecticut Limo 800-472-5466 runs

west. Taft appears after approximately 1

regular service from Bradley, LaGuardia,

Cr owne Plaza Southb ury

mile on Route 6.

and JFK airports.

Southbury, CT 203-598-7600

F r o m N e w Y o r k Cit y (9 0 m iles)

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Amtrak 800-872-7245

Mar r iott Courtyar d

North via Hutchinson River Parkway to

j

Bonanza Bus Lines 203-755-2700

Waterbury, CT 203-596-1000

White Plains; north on Interstate 684

j

Greyhound Bus (Hartford)

Southbury, Exit 15. At bottom of exit

j

Metro North Train 800-638-7646

ramp, turn left onto Route 6 east through

j

Travel Center (Waterbury)

860-522-9267

to Exit 9 east; east on Interstate 84 to

203-756-8941

Woodbury to Watertown (12 miles from

Yellow Cab (Waterbury) 203-754-5151

The Hampton Inn

Waterbury, CT 203-753-1777 Litchfield Inn

Litchfield, CT 860-567-4503

The Taft School

Exit 15).

j

F r o m A l b a n y ( 1 0 5 m iles)

There are daily trains and buses from

Watertown, CT 06795-2100

New York City to nearby Waterbury and

860-945-7700

regular bus service from Hartford and

Admissions@TaftSchool.org

New Haven.

TaftSchool.org

110 Woodbury Road East via NY State Thruway (I-90) which becomes Mass Pike. Exit at Exit 2, Head east on Route 20, then South on Route 8. At Exit 38 (Thomaston), go straight at the bottom of the exit ramp onto Route 6 west. Taft is on the right in approximately

Copy writing: Sarah Albee

Photography: Lesley Alpert, Roberto d’Erizans, Bob Falcetti, Peter Finger,

7 minutes.

Peter Frew ’75, Highpoint Pictures, Rob Madden ’03, Julie Reiff,

Jessica Wynne ’90, Yee-Fun Yin

Design: Good Design, LLC

2014 2015

Tom Kates, Andre Li,

Non ut sibi ministretur sed ut ministret

FACILITIES Academic Facilities

Residential Halls

19 20 21 22

Dining Facilities

3 4 9 9 15 19

40

Woolworth Faculty Room Pinto Family Language Lab Arts and Humanities Center Digital Design Computer Lab Moorhead Academic Center Lady Ivy Kwok Wu Science and Mathematics Center Wu Computer Lab Laube Auditorium Hulbert Taft Jr. Library Nancy and Ben Belcher Learning Center Mortara Family Academic Wing

Arts Facilities

4 5 7 9 9 9 9

9 10 14 >

Choral Room Bingham Auditorium Pailey Dance Studio Electronic Music Studio Photography Dark Rooms Music Practice Rooms Woodward Black Box Theater Gail Wynne Studio Mark W. Potter ’48 Art Gallery Tremaine Art Studio Walker Hall

Athletic Facilities 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38

Table of Contents 2 | WELCOME

3 | H e a d m a st e r’s Welcom e

4 | P o rt r a i t of a Gra duat e

6 | Th e n a n d Now

9 | Academics 1 3 | Th e H o n o r Code 1 4 | Re so u r c e s /Fa cilit ies 1 7 | Fa c u lt y 1 8 | A d v i si n g a nd Pa rent s 2 1 | C o l l e g e C ounseling

23 | NON UT SIBI MINISTRETUR… 2 4 | Community Service

39 | Athletics 45 | Facilities

2 7 | Service Lear ning

47 | Residential Life

2 8 | Global Service

51 | A Day@Taft (foldout)

31 | Arts 3 5 | Per for ming Arts 3 6 | Visual Arts

39 41 42 A GC

53 | The Moor head Win g 54 | Q & A

57 | Spiritual Life

The Taft School actively seeks and admits students of any race to all its rights, privileges, programs and activities and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, or national origin in the administration of its policies and programs.

McCullogh Athletic Facility Mays Rink Logan Field House Paul and Edith Cruikshank Athletic Center Odden Hockey Arena Snyder Field Rockefeller Field William Weaver Track Parents’ Association Field House Geoffrey C. Camp Field Lawrence H. Stone Baseball Pavilion at Rockwell Field Softball Field Donaldson Family Pavilion Katie Jackson Morrison ’92 Soccer Field Athletics Fields Golf Course

2 Horace D. Taft Hall 4 Charles Phelps Taft Hall 6 John L. Vogelstein ’52 Dormitory 13 Cruikshank House 17 Congdon House 24 MacIntosh House 25 Centennial Dormitory 26 Upper School Girls Dormitory

8 Oscarson Jigger Shop 12 Moorhead Wing j East Dining Hall j Laube Dining Hall j Prentice Dining Hall

Spiritual

5 Bingham Auditorium > Walker Hall > Woodward Chapel

Student Union

8 Oscarson Jigger Shop

Other

1 Main Entrance 4 School Store 11 Potter’s Pond 18 Martin Health Center 23 Centennial Quadrangle 27 Wade House P Parking AD Admissions

Off-Campus Facilities

> Alumni Development Office 25 The Green > Business Office 39 The Green > Walker Hall

50 DeForest Street > Woodward Chapel 25 The Green

61 | Environmental Initiatives 65 | What to Expect 69 | Watertown 72 | How to apply ibc | Facilities

WL 2

Taft SPOTLIGHT

motto: N o t to b e se rv e d b ut t o serv e N o n u t s i b i m i n i s t r et ur sed ut min ist r e t

mission: T o ed u c at e t h e wh ole st udent

Welcome

At Taft, students will experience: j

a culture of commitment to service, respect for others, global citizenship and honor in all endeavors.

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a warm, caring, spirited, diverse community.

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a rigorous academic curriculum, including numerous opportunities for independent work in all subject areas. The Advanced Placement program is one of the best in the nation. Students excel in national

Headmaster’s Welcome I welcome you to Taft and hope that this book will give you a sense of our school.

Of course, the best way to acquaint yourself with Taft is to come and visit, and I encourage you to do so as you contemplate such an important decision.

What makes Taft unique? I can offer you some observations about our school based on my own experience as a student (’78) and having taught here since 1983.

Taft is one of the nation’s top preparatory boarding schools. Our students graduate prepared not only for the nation’s leading universities but also for responsible and active global leadership. Taft is demanding, and excellence is expected; yet it is also a school that values community, caring and compassion.

Ever since Taft was founded in 1890 by Horace Taft, our mission has been to educate the whole student. The school’s motto, Non ut sibi ministretur sed ut ministret (Not to be served but to serve) reflects our core belief in serving others.

academic competitions, and classroom opportunities are extraordinary. j

a superb faculty: teachers who are passionate about their academic disciplines, the classroom experience, and committed to a holistic education that takes place everywhere on campus and at all hours of the day.

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a diverse and talented student body, comprised of bright and engaged students from all over the nation and around the globe.

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a beautiful and close-knit campus with first-rate facilities: century-old historic and new state-of-the-art buildings, a centrally located pond, three quadrangles, and numerous connecting pathways.

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a rich array of extracurricular opportunities in service, athletics, arts, theater, dance, film, music, math and science competitions, debate, politics, literature, journalism, environmental affairs, and spiritual life.

Founded: 1890

Day Students: 113

Percentage on Financial Aid: 36%

Grades: 9–12

Students of Color: 30%

School Colors: Red and Blue

Number of Students: 596

Number of Countries Represented: 32

Mascot: Rhinoceros

Boarders: 483

Number of States Represented: 33

Campus: 226 Acres

3

WL 4

Portrait of a Graduate At Taft we have remained true to our founder’s vision. The bedrock tenets stand unaltered because they are simple and universal.

What does it mean to educate the whole student in the 21st century? Some years ago, Taft faculty got together to ponder this question. What is our goal?

What do we want a Taft graduate to know and be able to do? At the end of two years and countless meetings, we generated a document that answers these critical questions: Taft’s Portrait of a Graduate.

This document fundamentally informs our daily behavior and attitudes.

Everything we do at Taft—as teachers, coaches, dorm parents, and advisors— cascades from this set of 13 tenets.

The goals outlined in the Portrait include crucial descriptors that reflect what we value and what we want to be

“ T h e P o rt r ait of a G ra duat e inform s everything we do. It is the a n sw e r t o the quest ion, ‘What does t he education of the whole st u d e n t r e ally m ea n in t he 2 1 st cent ury ?’ It is not enough that o u r g r a d u at es a re sm a rt, inform ed, a naly tic lifelong lear ner s.

We also expect them to be morally centered and service-oriented y o u n g m en a nd wom en. We believe t hat you accomp lish these e d u c at i o n a l obj ect iv es in a n environm ent that is diver se in every way, i n t e l l e c t ua lly rig orous, m a rked by r esp ect for each other , a nd Focused on im prov ing the human condition.”

—Willia m R. MacMullen ’78, H eadmaster

Taft SPOTLIGHT

The Portrait is an extension and amplification of our mission to educate the whole person.

sure all students learn. The Portrait is the best way to define what we as a school endeavor to do, every day. We believe that qualities such as honesty and integrity, an appreciation of community and diversity, and understanding the importance of healthy balance, are as much a part of the academic curriculum as they are of the extracurricular teaching that occurs in dorms, advisor meetings, athletics, arts, activities, and Morning Meetings.

The Portrait guides the design of athletic practices, rehearsals, residential life, and discussions at a sit-down dinner.

We believe that one essential way to create a strong community is to have clearly defined and shared goals.

PORTRAIT of a GRADUATE

A Taft education prepares students in a community devoted to creating lifelong learners, thoughtful citizens and caring people. More particularly, Taft graduates have exhibited that they: j

act with honor and integrity, and value

They are self-reliant, disciplined and courageous about taking risks in

honesty and personal responsibility are

their thinking. j

purposefully and creatively in their

serve others unselfishly, reflecting and

speaking and writing, as well as

acting upon the school’s motto in both

other forms that they find effective and

sibi ministretur sed ut ministret.

rewarding. j

their own capacity for creation in

through exposure to various ethical

all of their endeavors. They apply

perspectives and ways of thinking.

imagination and inventiveness in the

informed choices after considering the

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creative process. j

apply appropriate technologies to the

possible consequences of their actions

process of learning and understand the

and decisions.

possibilities and limitations of various

value each individual and engage diversity as essential to the growth of

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appreciate the arts and have explored

have cultivated a moral thoughtfulness

They have shown that they make

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express themselves clearly,

community.

formal and informal contexts: Non ut j

work and think independently.

school’s fundamental conviction that the cornerstones of character and of j

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both the Taft Honor Code and the

technological innovations. j

reflect regularly upon their learning

all community members.

and themselves as learners, leading

make informed choices in living healthy

to greater awareness of themselves as

and balanced lives.

individuals and of their places in the

apply the knowledge, skills, and habits

world in which they live.

of mind of all disciplines to framing questions and solving problems in the pursuit of understanding. Moreover, they see even the most formidable challenges as opportunities for growth. j

possess intellectual curiosity and resourcefulness, and actively engage in the process of learning.

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work cooperatively and collaboratively, and are willing to subdue their individual needs and desires in order to contribute to the collective efforts of people united in a common purpose.

“Taft taught m e a b out the building block s of a n education and an exp e r ie n ce .

I now have a br ick w ith my name on it on the wa l k way near the pond. At the e n d of the day, I neve r hav e any doubts that I ma de the r ight choice and I w oul dn ’t tr ade my four y ea r s he r e for any thin g .”

—Laur en, grad uate

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WL 6

Then and Now Horace Taft was a six-foot, four-inch Ohio native, brother of U.S. President and Chief Justice William Howard Taft. He founded the Taft School for boys in 1890 and led the school for 40 years. Born during the Civil War, Horace Taft was a 19th-century man with a strikingly modern view of education. He believed in hard work, and inspired students to meet challenge with gumption, whether in the classroom, on stage, writing a paper, or on the athletic fields.

Since his retirement in 1936, there have been just four other headmasters.

That continuity has meant that Mr. Taft’s principles have been faithfully carried through two World Wars, the Great Depression, the social upheavals of the 1960s, the arrival of girls in 1971, and the technological advances of the past 20 years. These principles ensure excellence for all our students.

“Our institutional his tory, mission and cult ur e a r e per fectly suite d to b e r e-imagined in this ce n tury, and seamlessly so. A l l that Taft has been in t he pa s t leads to a p r epa r ation for the futur e. W e a r e at an exciting momen t in the history of the s chool , as Hor ace Taft’s school of a handful of stude n ts is now one with a k ee n s e n s e of globalism, diver s ity, a n d service—we have evolved into a tremendously relevant and forward-leaning school.”

—William R. MacMul l e n ’78, H ead m as ter

Horace D u t t o n Ta f t

Pa ul Cruiksha nk

1890–1936

1 9 3 6 –1 9 6 3

John Est y

Lance odden

1 9 6 3 –1 9 7 2

1972–2001

Horace Taft envisioned his school as a place that would educate the “whole person.”

That vision remains the guiding principle of the school today. It steers everything we do.

Education at Taft is personal, moral and ethical, as well as academic.

The School’s Architecture Physical space shapes our experience. Taft’s architecture is an expression in brick and stone of our mission to educate the whole student.

At Taft, the layout of the school buildings is designed so that students, faculty, and staff inevitably interact with one another multiple times every day.

Anchoring one end of the school is Bingham Auditorium, where the entire school gathers four times a week. It is connected to the main artery of the school, known as the Main Hall, along which are offices, bulletin boards, student and faculty mail boxes, and many faculty and administrators’ offices. Anchoring the other is the dining hall, where we gather for informal buffets and also for more formal, sit-down meals.

Our LEED-certified dining hall preserves the centrality of the dining experience and reinforces our core belief in the importance of sharing a communal meal. The newlyrenovated student union is a space many students cherish as a central part of life at Taft.

“Ther e is no dou b t that some of my most p r of oun d lear ning momen ts ca me outside the classr oom w he n I was a student at Ta f t, a n d clear ly many of t he mos t p ower ful teaching mome n ts for all faculty o ccur in the hallways, the p l ay in g fields, the apartme n ts , the quads, and walk way s . T he

Taft’s culture is fundamentally shaped by this belief in helping young people become good, thoughtful, unselfish world citizens. Our culture is inseparable from our mission.

ar chitectur e of the s chool ensur es this will ha p p e n .

It guar antees r egu l a r a n d infor mal contact b e tw e e n students and fa culty.”

—William R. MacMul l e n ’78, H ead m as ter

“ I r e m e m b e r when I went t o v isit ot her schools, wher e students had 10 minutes between cla s s e s , a n d se e i n g k i d s sprint ing beca use t hey were so wor r ied they wouldn’t get to their classes on tim e ! At Ta f t we h av e FIVE m inut es bet ween cla sses, but y ou never see people r unn ing. On Tuesdays, I have to g e t f r om t he la ng ua g e wing a ll t he way to the thir d floor of Wu Science center , but I’m ne v e r l ate .”

— L ily, S eni or

7

Taft is spirited and enthusiastic. Taft is our family. Taft is unshakable. Taft is a home for anyone who wants j

j

Taft: demanding, inspiring, high school, a place full of promise, full of goals and achievements, a place that changes and molds us, a place that challenges us, a place of extraordinary people. Taft is a challenging school that demands the best academic, athletic

to be himself or herself and commit to helping others.

and artistic performance of each student.

j

Taft is a place where dressing in crazy outfits happens frequently

and the lingo, like “walk backs,” means nothing to the outside world.

j

AC

As a new lower mid, Taft seemed to be

a frightening brick abyss that would just swallow me up whole. Now, as I progress through the semester, I’ve 9 come to realize that Taft is a comforting, yet challenging place that is here to serve us and to teach us how to serve others with our kindness, intelligence and athletic abilities.

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Taft is where wishes become goals.

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Taft

is defined by all-school gatherings in Bingham, a magnetic pull to the Jig, group study sessions in the Library, and the communal love for the Thursday morning sleep-in. everyone’s cool with it.

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Taft is just a place where I can be myself, and

No matter where you come from or how you dress or what language you speak, Taft

is a home for all of us. Diversity brings us together. We are a mosaic. The unification of different personalities, j

pasts, passions and perspectives forms one picture and message. We vary in shapes, sizes and color, but at the end of the day we fit together to create a larger image. Throughout the picture there are sharp pieces and dull pieces, just as some days that we spend here are harder than others. However, together we strive to bring our best selves into everything we do every day. The glue that binds us is our spirit and our pride for this place we call home. We are a mosaic. We are Taft. A community that is yet to be perfect but is forever improving. Taft j

Academics at Taft

j

is a place where friends are always close. Taft is my favorite place to watch sports games and cheer on my fellow j

Tafties. Taft is tough, but Taft is a community.

Taft is pride, spirit, kindness, good times, hard work, brilliant “Taft taught me how to study, but mor e imp ortantly, Ta f t ta ug ht me j

j

how t o t hink, how to be a student for the r est of my life, how to go on l e a r n in g .

T h e science a nd m at h were ext raor dinary, that Every foundation r ied me oughTaft un til ow.” kids, brilliant teachers, compassion, a second home, a and bubble.

Taftiehas is car a Taftie forthr life. isninviting, j

—Dr . Alfr e d G il ma n ’58 energetic and opportunistic; it pushes people; it’s exciting. Taft is a place to experience the freedom you will 1994 N o bel l aureate i n Physi ol ogy or M ed i ci ne j

receive later in life. The freedom feels extraordinary and amazing. warm, lovely and cheerful.

j

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A place where kids grow up.

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Taft is big,

Taft is being able to explore who you are and try new things. You meet so many

amazing people and discover a lot about yourself as you continuously step outside your comfort zone. Taft is j

more than just a school; it’s an experience. You can’t really define it in words, rather in growth and exploration.

Academics AC 10

At Taft we are continually revising, expanding, re-examining and broadening the scope of our curriculum to provide students with the intellectual foundation they need. The rich and varied curriculum combines required classes with intellectually challenging electives, as well as opportunities for independent study both in and out of the classroom. Our academic approach provides the important general foundation of knowledge and yet allows students to pursue an individual course of study to fit their needs and specific interests.

Many members of our dedicated faculty put special emphasis on cooperative learning to afford students the opportunity to contribute to the collective efforts of a group of people united in a common purpose. We also offer many opportunities for experiential learning outside the classroom.

Taft’s curriculum begins with foundation courses, then broadens into a diverse and challenging number of options, including Honors, Advanced Placement courses in every discipline, and post-AP courses. As students’ passions are kindled, they can pursue a wide selection of electives, as well as independent-study possibilities. Many classes move beyond textbooks and incorporate readings and discussions that simulate college-level discourse.

Global Online Academy

AP Capstone

For the 2014–15 academic year, we’re excited to announce that Taft will be joining the academic initiative called Global Online Academy (GOA).

GOA offers online courses taught by gifted and passionate teachers from independent schools around the world.

Our participating students will share resources and ideas to create a modern, global, online learning experience.

Qualified upper school students may choose from a variety of interdisciplinary courses, generally taught asynchronously, with a combination of individual and group assessments and projects. (You can learn more about GOA by visiting their website: www.globalonlineacademy.org.)

In a second major new academic initiative, Taft will participate in the AP Capstone program, to be launched for the 2014–15 academic year. Designed to complement and enhance the disciplinespecific study provided through our AP courses, AP Capstone emphasizes research, communication, analytic, and inquiry skills, and interdisciplinary learning. Participating mids and upper mids will take an AP seminar the first year, followed by a second year of in-depth research and writing.

Introducing Our New Academic Habits Rubric Taft teachers deserve their reputation for providing in-depth, thoughtful evaluations that accompany traditional grades. Three times a year, students can look forward to receiving a class comment written by each of their teachers, along with personalized letters from the students’ advisors and deans. Taft’s new academic habits scale will evaluate two major areas. The first, planning and persistence (P/P), describes evidence of a student’s organization, class preparation, and response to challenges.

The second, engagement and self-regulation (E/S), describes evidence of a student’s curiosity, collaboration, and focus.

“ T h e r e h av e been num erous t i m e s t h i s sem est er where i d e a s a n d k nowledg e t hat I l e a r n e d f r o m science et hics h av e h e l p e d m e understa nd d i sc u ssi o ns in m y Eng lish c l a ss. M y w rit ing sect ion o f t h e ACT ® Test dea lt wit h a n e t h i c a l issue in science w e h a d sp e n t t hree cla sses g o i n g o v e r . Ha d I not ta ken t h i s c o u r se, I would have h a d n o i d e a h ow t o a pproa ch t hat quest ion.”

—MJ, Se n ior

There are many ways to continue to learn, even beyond the departmental course offerings. Taft offers many options for students to broaden and design their own curriculum: Indepe ndent Studies Pr ogr am:

Meg Page ’74 Fellowship s :

Students can undertake extracurricular

In memory of Meg's commitment

projects in addition to their regular

to compassionate health care, this

classes. Each ISP is overseen by a

fellowship is awarded annually to a

faculty advisor and culminates in a

student who wishes to explore an

significant, original piece of work.

experience or course of study devoted to the provision of better health care in areas

Tut orial Pr ogr am: Students can

such as public health, family planning,

work closely with a faculty member

medical research, mental health, and

to design and execute an intensive

non-Western practices of healing.

academic course outside the regular curriculum.

School Year Abr oad and

Semester Study Pr ogr a ms Away

Sum m er Study Abr oad:

fr om Taft: The School Year Abroad

We offer summer programs, and

program includes travel opportunities

strongly encourage and help our

to China, France, Italy, and Spain. Our

students to participate in summer

students also participate in semester

learning opportunities in countries

programs at the Maine Coast Program of

throughout the world.

the Chewonki Foundation, High Mountain Institute in Colorado, the Mountain

DAVIS SCHOLARS: Two programs

School in Vermont, and at the Island

created by the Shelby Davis family have

School in the Bahamas. Taft is also a

helped to increase and diversify the

member of the English-Speaking Union

student population, both internationally

Fellowship program.

and socioeconomically. These needbased scholarships will provide up to

Kilbour ne Gr ants are summer

$20,000 each for six to ten students

enrichment funds that provide Taft

each year. Students are funded

students with opportunities to participate

throughout both their Taft and their

in summer programs in the arts.

college educations.

MODEL UN: Every year Taft students Poole Fellowship s: This service-

travel to Harvard and Cornell to apply

oriented summer grant program

international policy and law, diplomacy

encourages students to broaden their

and negotiation skills that they learn

perspectives and expose themselves

through our in-class simulations. Students

to new ideas and experiences. Recent

in our Model UN class learn how to write

projects included community service in

position papers and resolutions on key

Costa Rica, Ecuador, Fiji, Iceland, Japan,

issues facing the international community

Kenya, Malaysia, Samoa, and Thailand,

today and walk away from the course

as well as service projects in the U.S.

and competitions having developed an appreciation for diversity by learning to think from, articulate, and synthesize different perspectives. We have had students win top awards at Harvard and are excited about helping to develop the next generation of global leaders through Model UN.

11

AC 12

Morning Meeting Two mornings a week, the entire school assembles in Bingham Auditorium for a school meeting with the headmaster, chaplain, a student, faculty member, or guest speaker. The outside speakers (including authors, artists, scientists, theologians, etc.) illuminate provocative issues in their fields. Many students point to Morning Meeting speakers as among the more memorable aspects of their Taft educational experience.

Senior Projects

Taft SPOTLIGHT A team of five seniors and three upper mids, coached by Jim Mooney and Jim Lehner, was named the Grade 11/12 Level A Best Overall National First Place Team in the Junior Engineering Technical Society’s (JETS) annual TEAMS competition.

The contest featured more than 900 teams and 10,000 students from 42 states. As a result of their victory, the Taft team ear ned $2,500, a trophy and a trip to Walt Disney World to see engineering in action.

Prior to graduation, our Seniors have the opportunity to create their own project to culminate their time at Taft. In a process that begins as early as January of Senior year, students may propose ideas for their projects. After many conversations with peers and faculty, Seniors begin work on their projects in April and work on them throughout their final semester. Projects have included live dramatic and musical performances, interactive exhibits and films, carpentry, electronics, and solar energy installations.

The Senior Project is designed to be an independent experience that prompts Seniors to demonstrate their genuine passions beyond the limits of the curriculum, to reflect on their learning at Taft, and to exhibit publicly the ways in which they embody the Portrait of a Graduate. It requires not only independent work, but also sustained and thorough reflection closely directed by the Portrait. Ultimately, projects demonstrate what Seniors have learned and become.

The Seniors involved in the Senior Project conceive and complete projects that expand their typical Taft experience beyond and across our curricular and extracurricular disciplines. With guidance from the Senior Project Committee, students reconfigure their second-semester schedules to provide them with the appropriate time to complete the project.

“ P e o p l e ta k e t he honor code r e a l ly seriously. I didn’t b e l i e v e i t wa s a s im porta nt a s p e o p l e m a de it out t o b e wh e n I first g ot here, b u t n o w, when I pledg e m y h o n o r , I f e e l proud. This is m y w o r k , my best effort.”

—Ann e, Mid

The Honor Code One of the most respected tenets of the school is every student’s pledge of academic and personal honesty. The Honor System places in each student’s hands the responsibility for honorable conduct as a way of life. A student who comes to Taft accepts this responsibility.

Taft’s Honor Code was developed by students. Students understand that the culture of the school is shaped by the students themselves, and they see it as a duty to uphold the central values. In the Student Handbook, there is a clear articulation of the values we care most about. Every assessment—whether daily homework or final exam—ends with the student’s written pledge: “I have neither given nor received aid on this paper.” The Honor Code anchors students’ behavior. It is continually reinforced and highly valued by both students and faculty. It’s a simple but important lesson: your word is your bond.

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Academic Resources T ec h n o l o g y

AC 14

We continually strive to find new and exciting ways to integrate technology into the classroom. Our student laptop requirement makes every classroom a computer lab.

With these laptops and our ubiquitous wireless access on campus, individual teachers are able to use new and innovative technology resources inside and outside the classroom.

Our Academic Technology Committee is comprised of faculty members across all disciplines, and this group investigates and pilots many new technologies to find best practices for technology use throughout the Taft curriculum. Over the past few years, we have implemented a number of initiatives to improve teaching, learning, and communication. j

j

The Modern Language department’s

j

Many of our teachers have been

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Students in our video courses use

Digital Language Learning Lab (DiLL)

piloting the use of iPads in the

Final Cut Pro in our lab to make a

transforms the traditional learning

classroom. In addition to having a

variety of productions, from short

lab experience. Students are able

lighter textbook, students have used

videos to advertise events in assembly

to use technology to build their

these iPads to create videos, collect

communication skills through video

data, take class notes, write up

conferencing, access to foreign media

homework, annotate handouts, and

programs in Java, PHP, and HTML to

and authentic assessment.

make presentations.

create mobile apps, useful utilities, or

All of our teachers post their

j

to full-feature length movies. j

All history students use Google Docs

In Computer Science, students write

websites for our campus.

assignments on our campus learning

to write and submit their papers.

management system, Haiku.

This platform fosters collaboration in

Arts department include a digital

group projects, as well as being useful

photography class, 3-D animation and

for backup and accountability.

modeling, and music theory, editing,

j

Exciting new technologies in the

and notation software.

Academic Facilities j

The Lady Ivy Kwok Wu Science and

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The Nancy and Ben Belcher Learning

j

The Video Production Lab is a newly

Mathematics Center features over

Center includes the Belcher Reading

renovated facility with 12 Apple

45,000 square feet of state-of-the-

Room and the Hulbert Taft Jr. Library.

computers, each equipped with a

art laboratory and classroom space.

The library's mission is to provide

variety of the latest editing software,

Mobile laptop labs enable teachers

multiple types of spaces where

9 high level HD cameras from a GoPro

and students to collect and analyze

students and teachers can work

to the 3 chip professional cameras,

data, conduct historical research and

individually and in groups, where

various stabilizing equipment including

participate in writing workshops. The

researchers can access ample digital

tripods, glidecams and crane, and an

beautiful facility includes a functioning

resources, where they can browse

assortment of microphones including

robotics project room and an ecology

open shelves of both print and non-

boom, wireless, lavalier and handheld.

project room where we house an

print materials, and where they can

We offer Video Production Program

observable honeybee colony and raise

explore both recreational and academic

courses for beginners to advanced

tilapia (fish) to develop a method to

interests. The library's print and digital

aid farmers in Haiti. Our fluorescence

collections include approximately

microscope is used in microbiology

58,000 volumes in print and numerous

staffed by certified learning specialists,

and genetics. We also have a telescope

e-books, as well as both print and

provides a resource center with

platform on the Wu balcony and an 8"

online periodicals and newspapers. We

networked computers and study space

reflecting telescope. Many classrooms

also offer a substantial number of full-

for research and individual tutoring.

are equipped with AppleTV so that

text databases that provide access to

Services include instruction in strategic

teachers can directly project course

articles in over 15,000 serial titles.

reading techniques, time management

students. j

The Moorhead Academic Center,

materials from their iPads and students

and organizational skills, peer tutoring

can in turn display their work through

programs, collaboration with deans

the classroom projector.

and school counselors, and reference materials on learning issues and the latest research in neuroscience.

15

“I find Taft an exciting place

“The Mid Sonn et Recitation was a fun, memor able night. Every on e ha d

to teach because it’s a

worked har d and put in the time and effort to memor ize a Shake s p e a r e

community in which we are

sonn et, and on the night of the r ecitations, the entir e Mid cl a s s

all learners, a community

g at hered in the faculty r oom to sup p ort and listen to one anoth e r . T he

in which everyone helps

ent husiasm and spir it of the evening was astounding, and it wa s v e ry

teach everyone else. I learn

sp ecial to analy ze poetry wr itten hundr eds of y ear s a g o.”

from my students in English class every day—a new

—Cather in e , M i d

book they’ve enjoyed over vacation, a way to look at a character in a novel, a new rock group whose lyrics

AC 16

echo the poem we’re reading, a more graceful p h r a si n g for a t hesis se n t e n c e . My st udent s l e a r n f r o m e ach ot her in l i v e ly d i sc u ssions a nd in peer writing activities. And of course I know they learn from me, too, not just about what we are studying in English, but about life and how to live in the world. Our energy and enthusiasm for learning of all kinds make us a commmunity with a common and absorbing purpose.”

— L i n d a Sa a rnij oki D e a n of Fa c u lty;

“ W h i l e Ta f t i s v e ry

“On e of my favor ite things a b out

a c a d e m i c a l ly c o m p e t i t i v e ,

teaching her e? The motivate d,

your teachers are just

achievement-or iented student s . H e r e ,

a n e m a i l away a n d a lway s

it’s cool to be smart. Noth in g b ut

willing to help you excel.”

r esp ect is accorde d the highest-achieving stude n ts .

—Na Yeon, M i d

For a teacher , it’s such a g r e at op p ortunity to be able to s e e y our

Wi l l i a m E . S u l l i v a n Ch a ir ; E n glish

students acr oss envir o n me n ts .

Knowing them in differ ent co n te x ts “Mat h Ta ble was r eally the

mak es the classr oom ex p e r ie n ce

only way I got thr ough

that much r icher . Teaching, co a chin g

Honor s Accel Pr ecalc;

and living in the dor ms allo w s y ou

a ll t he t e acher s mak e sur e

to k now who they ar e as p eopl e , n ot

t hat every student ther e

just how they per for m in y our cl a s s .

g et s the help they need

That’s teaching in the br oa de s t

a nd is pr epar ed for class

and tr uest f or m.”

the next day.”

—Jonathan C. Wil l s on ’82 —Car r ie, M i d

Dean o f Academi c Affai r s ; H i s tory

“Proctor ing the New England Math League Competition h a s b e e n especially r ewar ding. Two y ear s ago we scor ed thir d in the n ation a m ong indep endent schools! Last y ear we had thr ee k ids ma k e it to t he Olymp iad level of the Amer ican Mathematics Comp etition s , a n d one of our students had the second-highest scor e in the co un try. I

Taft SPOTLIGHT

proct or ed the nine-hour ex am over the cour se of two day s. T he te s t is faxed two minutes befor e the test time, and the finishe d e x a ms m ust be fax ed within 15 minutes of the end-time of the test. It wa s a n

Student to Faculty Ratio: 5:1 Average Class Size: 11 Male Faculty: 63 Female Faculty: 62 Average Age: 45 Faculty with Advanced Degrees: 92

incredibl e honor , as only five hundr ed students in the whole c oun try were invited to participate. It’s gr atifying to be able to pr ovide the opport unity to compete against the top students in the coun try a n d in t he wor ld. We mak e the tests available and sup p ly them with l ots of old competitions to p r actice on, but it all came fr om the k ids — t hey didn’t have to tak e the test. they did it because they wan te d to.”

Number of AP Courses Offered: 29 Number of Courses Offered: 200

—Ted R. Heavenr ich, M ary & Ro bert Sto tt C hai r; M athem ati cs

Faculty Every member of the Taft faculty is passionate about his or her field of study and committed to excellence in the classroom.

Most hold advanced degrees.

Of course, our teachers do far more than teach. No rigid division exists between faculty and administration; many teachers have administrative responsibilities, and that is by design. Outside the classroom, teachers also coach, direct, conduct, counsel and advise. Nearly every member of the faculty lives in the dorms or in Taft housing close to the campus. Thanks to the carefully planned architectural layout of the school, informal interactions occur between faculty and students many times over the course of a day.

The result? Our faculty really knows our students.

The school strongly supports faculty who wish to pursue advanced degrees, curriculum development, and summer travel opportunities.

Taft Educational Center Our summer teacher-training program (TEC) has been providing stimulating workshops for teachers and administrators since 1976. Our exceptional facilities and outstanding teaching staff have produced highly successful programs in an educationally exciting environment.

17

AC 18

“I r emember when my s on wa s accepted at Taft, I as k e d the head of admissions, ‘S o how does this wor k ? We dr op him off, and then what hap p e n s ?’

He r esp onded, ‘What h a p p e n s

Advising and Parents Each new Taft student is assigned a temporary advisor for the first few weeks of school, after which he or she chooses one for the rest of the year. Some students keep their advisors for the remainder of their Taft careers. Others change each year. Advisoradvisee relationships are usually very close, and the advisor is often the first adult a student turns to for counsel.

In addition to his or her teachers and faculty advisor, each student has a class dean who oversees the progress of students in that particular grade. The class deans meet regularly with dormitory faculty and with the Director of Counseling and Community Health. The Dean of Academic Affairs advises students on course selections and academic aspirations, and meets with every student in the school personally each semester.

We monitor the progress of our students closely. Every three to four weeks, teachers submit academic reports. Exams are held at the end of each semester, and grades are sent home four times per year. Seven times a year, the entire faculty gets together for several consecutive evening meetings to discuss the progress of each and every student in the school. As a result, no one falls through the cracks. If a student is struggling, whether it be an academic, social, or time-management issue, we know about it early on and step in to help.

is, we want to he a r f r om you, see y ou cheer in g f r om the sidelines at game s a n d at per for mances. we se n d y ou compr ehensive r ep orts on your child. We want y ou to k now our per s p e ctiv e .

We also want y our s .’

That made me feel r e a l ly good about Ta f t.”

—Jim, parent o f a current s tud ent

“I r emember r eceivi n g that fir st pack et contain in g the r ep ort car d, comme n ts , and letter s and I was b l ow n away; I thought, ‘OK, the y k now my k id.’ Sinc e the n , so many par ents hav e tol d me, ‘I’m so nervous, s e n din g my child away to s chool .’

And I just smile a n d s ay, “I have an amazing r elationship with my advisor . She is alway s ther e for me whether it’s for a tea party at her house

‘Wait until y ou get th at f ir s t pack et fr om Ta f t.’”

— A l ice parent o f a current b oard er

(she’s fr om the UK) or an intense conver sation about the meaning of life.”

—Ally, U pper M i d

“I talk with my parents probably every night, and we talk about everything that goes on. I’m really close with my mom so it’s really important for me to have her opinion and advice on things going on in my life. In the beginning of the year, I

Paragraph-long comments from each teacher and letters from advisors and class deans provide parents with detailed insight into their children’s progress, both academic and personal, during the year. All parents are encouraged to contact or meet personally with faculty members, coaches, advisors and administrators at any time to discuss their children’s intellectual, athletic, artistic, or social development.

Parents stay in close touch with their children through email and via telephone.

They are also welcome to visit any time, any day, and to attend athletic events and arts performances. In addition, there are Parents’ Weekends in the fall and in the winter, and Grandparents’ Day in the fall, during which family members may attend classes.

was really homesick. But by experiencing what Taft has to offer and meeting new people I’ve grown and come to love Taft. I still miss home sometimes, because my family is very important to me, but the independence has helped me grow as a person.”

—Saman tha , M i d

19

AC 20

Taft SPOTLIGHT “The tr adition started y ear s ago. In ‘exchan g e ’ f or

Class of 2014 (152 tested) Mean SAT 1 Critical Reading: 633 (middle 50%: 580–690) Mean SAT 1 Math: 653 (middle 50%: 590–720) Mean SAT 1 Writing: 652 (middle 50%: 590–710) Mean Total: 1938 (middle 50%: 1800–2120)

Advanced Placement Subjects: 29 306 students took a total of 726 AP Exams Percent of Seniors writing AP Exams: 90

my college r ecommendation letter , students p l a ce a college decal of the institution they decide to atte n d.

By the time we left the old science building, much of the window space was cover ed. When the sun angle wa s r ig ht, it look ed lik e a cathedr al. Now in the Wu Science C e n te r , we ar e mostly finished with my classr oom windo w s a n d r eady to move on to the chemistry pr ep r oom. I enjoy s e e in g the decals every day and r emember ing which st ude n ts ar e r epr esented by each decal. It is common on Alu mn i D ay to have alums come back to look for their de ca l s .

I Love stay ing in touch with my gr aduates, some of w hom ar e now old enough to send their own k ids t o Ta f t!”

Median Score (4) —David W. Hostage, Chemistry

In the past five YEARS

College Counseling Applying to colleges is an exciting and self-reflective time. Taft is committed to doing everything possible to help our students to successfully navigate the college search, application and selection processes and to assure that each of them finds the best match.

To that end, the College Counseling Office is staffed with four full-time professionals who have over 80 years of combined experience on both the secondary and collegiate levels. Our college counselors also coach, live in the dorms, attend sit-down dinners, and interact continually with students, their peers, teammates and teachers. Getting to know their students so well in virtually every facet of their lives at school becomes all the more valuable as they guide them through the college process. This unique immersion in the community allows for a nuanced appreciation of the personality of each individual student.

The formal process begins in the fall of the Upper Mid year. College counselors meet individually with each of their students as often as needed to help them clarify goals and interests and to identify a range of schools to consider. That self-assessment, combined with the excellence of our academic program, leads to outstanding options for students’ post-secondary education. Additionally, our college counselors advise students on course selection, standardized testing requirements, essay writing, and how to best present themselves on their college applications.

In the fall of the student’s Senior year, Taft’s college counselors help the student to finalize the list of schools to which he or she will apply and consult closely with teachers, coaches, deans, dorm faculty and advisors prior to crafting a detailed letter of recommendation. This letter covers much more than just academics; it highlights every facet of a student’s moral, ethical, and social development.

Throughout the process parents are encouraged to act in partnership with their child and his or her assigned college counselor. From large group meetings to individual conferences, and through formal questionnaires, email exchanges, and telephone calls, each college counselor welcomes ongoing parental input.

To help them to further research their potential colleges and universities, Upper school students are given a few days off to visit schools of interest, and well over one hundred college admissions representatives visit Taft each year to meet with students.

Our ultimate goal is to guide students toward making their own independent, informed decisions, based on thorough research, careful reflection, and self-awareness, so that they can maximize their potential to be admitted to colleges or universities that are best for them.

(2010–14) FIVE or mor e Ta f t students have enr o l l e d at the following co l l e g e s and univer sities: Amherst College 13 Bates College 10 Boston College 18 Boston University 5 Bowdoin College 10 Brown University 5 Bryant University 6 Bucknell University 14 Colby College 10 Colgate University 14 Colorado College 7 Columbia University 11 Connecticut College 10 Cornell University 16 Dartmouth College 8 Denison University 7 Duke University 5 Elon University 5 Emory University 6 Franklin and Marshall College 5 Georgetown University 34 George Washington University 24 Gettysburg College 15 Hamilton College 11 Harvard University 5 Hobart and William Smith Colleges 7 Johns Hopkins University 7 Lafayette College 5 Lehigh University 9 McGill University 5 Middlebury College 28 New York University 17 Northeastern University 8 Princeton University 9 Southern Methodist University 10 St. Lawrence University 9 Stanford University 7 Trinity College 32 Tufts University 19 Union College 6 University of Colorado at Boulder 7 University of Michigan 9 University of N.C. at Chapel Hill 7 University of Notre Dame 5 University of Pennsylvania 6 University of Richmond 7 University of Southern California 12 University of St Andrews 7 University of Vermont 7 University of Virginia 18 Vanderbilt University 7 Villanova University 7 Wake Forest University 8 Wesleyan University 16 Williams College 9 Yale University 10

21

As a new lower mid, Taft seemed to be a frightening brick abyss that would just swallow me up whole. Now, as I progress through the semester, I’ve come to realize that Taft is a comforting, yet challenging

place that is here to serve us and to teach us how to serve others with our kindness, intelligence, and hard work. Taft is where wishes become goals. Taft is defined by all-school gatherings in Bingham, a magnetic pull to the Jig, group study sessions in j

the Library, and the communal love for the Thursday morning sleep-in.

j

Taft is just a place where I can be

NU

myself, and everyone’s cool with it. No matter where you come from or how you dress or what language you j

speak, Taft is a home for all of us. Diversity brings us together.

We are a mosaic. The unification of different 23

j

personalities, pasts, passions and perspectives forms one picture and message. We vary in shapes, sizes and color, but at the end of the day we fit together to create a larger image. Throughout the picture there are sharp

NON UT SIBI MINISTRETUR strive to bring our best selves into everything we do every day. The glue that binds us is our spirit and our SED UT MINISTRET —not to be served but to serve

pieces and dull pieces, just as some days that we spend here are harder than others. However, together we

pride for this place we call home. We are a mosaic. We are Taft.

A community that is yet to be perfect but is

j

At Ta f t we st rive t o rea lize our m otto by incor p or ating service into every asp ect of liv in g , l e a r n in g

forever improving.

j

Taft is a place where friends are always close. Taft is my favorite place to watch sports a nd pa rt icipation within our community and with the wor ld bey ond our ca mp us . j

games and cheer on my fellow Tafties.

j

Taft is tough, but Taft is a community. Taft is pride, spirit, kindness, j

good times, hard work, brilliant kids, brilliant teachers, compassion, a second home, a bubble. Every Taftie is a Taftie for life.

j

Taft is inviting, energetic and opportunistic; it pushes people; it’s exciting.

j

Taft is a place to

experience the freedom you will receive later in life. The freedom feels extraordinary and amazing. where kids grow up.

j

Taft is big, warm, lovely and cheerful.

j

A place

Taft is being able to explore who you are and

j

try new things. You meet so many amazing people and discover a lot about yourself as you continuously step outside your comfort zone.

j

Taft is more than just a school; it’s an experience. You can’t really define it in

words, rather in growth and exploration. It’s about independently seeking a definition of self. It’s about living in and feeling like a part of a community comprised of people from all over the world. But mostly it’s about seeking to try things you never thought you would try before.

j

Taft has always been a place where I have

been free to express myself with no fear of judgment. I can be myself and make friends who like me for who I truly am. I hope Taft continues on in this fashion because that is what makes the difference between being just a school and creating pride in being a close community.

j

Taft is a community of love and friendship.

NON UT SIBI MINISTRETUR SED UT MINISTRET Community Service

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Whether it’s serving those in need at a soup kitchen, tutoring at nearby elementary schools, or traveling to foreign countries to help in disadvantaged communities, our students live the school motto. Service to others becomes deeply ingrained in the course of most students’ lives at Taft.

The Volunteer Council is an extremely active, vibrant organization. Led by a board of 14 students, comprised of 50 or more members, and overseen by a faculty advisor, the members of the Volunteer Council participate in many events in surrounding communities. Because so many students participate, the volunteering schedule is purposefully flexible, in order to allow athletes, actors, artists and musicians to participate while also pursuing their extracurricular passions. Students may choose times when they can be available, whether in the afternoons, the evenings, or even on Sundays.

Projects sponsored by the Volunteer Council include on campus play days and workshops with our longtime partners in the greater Waterbury area, organizing breast cancer awareness events, staffing the CT Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry, running three Red Cross blood drives a year, serving weekly meals at the St. Vincent de Paul Homeless Shelter, volunteering for after-school programs and nursing homes, and arranging clothing and food drives.

Spring break trips have included Habitat for Humanity® builds in South Carolina and Mexico, and work with the God's Child Project in Antigua, Guatemala, teaching English at Outreach 360 in the Dominican Republic, and visits to townships in South Africa. There are also fellowships available to pursue more extensive service opportunities during summer vacations.

Community Service is part of the very fabric of Taft; volunteering allows for true experiential education and many opportunities for reflection. More and more, students are assuming leadership roles in planning and coordinating service projects.

“The students on the Volunteer C oun cil do not view commun ity service as an obl ig ation , but r ather a pr iv il e g e .”

—Julie, U p p er M i d

Living the Motto: a small sampling of Taft alums making a difference around the globe:

Bob Albert ’66

Born and raised in Caracas until the age of 11, Bob returned to his beloved Venezuela after attending Harvard College and now manages rural projects for a nonprofit organization that supports human service, environmental and animal welfare projects in the Turimiquire mountains. Says Albert, “A formative influence for caring about the natural world happened for me at Taft in biology classes with Al Reiff.”

Taft SPOTLIGHT Two senior girls began a new tradition last year—a way to select a dress for the Winter Formal that is cost-effective, eco-friendly and raises money for a good cause. Instead of purchasing expensive new dresses, girls donated or loaned a total of 219 dresses they already owned for the event. On “shopping day,” students paid a small fee to select a dress.

Proceeds, after the cost of dry cleaning, were donated to Girls, Inc., of Waterbury, a charity that empowers disadvantaged girls in the Waterbury area.

Klár a Sk r ivánk ová ’ 96

A native of the Czech Republic, Klára first got involved in the fight against human trafficking while working for a group in Prague called La Strada.

In 2005, she moved to London to continue her efforts with Anti-Slavery International, the oldest human rights organization in the world.

25

“ W i t h a l l i t s d i v e r s i t y, Ta f t represents the potential f o r g r e at n e s s i n t h e w o r l d .

Our students are an example of the power of young people to change the world not just in t h e f u t u r e , b u t t o d ay.

As our students develop as leaders, it is our job as e d u c at o r s t o s u p p o rt t h e m , not manage them. With this u n d e r s ta n d i n g , w e c a n h e l p

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t h e m p r e pa r e t o a s s u m e responsibility as global l e a d e r s i n t h e 2 1 s t c e n t u ry. ”

26

—Jamella Lee, Dean of G l ob al and Di versi ty E d ucati on; Gl o bal Studi es and S erv i ce

“Service Learning has been an

“Over the past three months I can honestly say that Service

amazing, intriguing and life-

Learning has developed into my favorite class. Each day I look

changing experience—one that

forward to the riveting discussions as well as the hilarity that

reinforced service in this

is so present in class. Not only has Service Learning taught me

community, heightened my view of

about the industry and business of community service, But it also

existing global and local issues

taught me that individuals can significantly impact community.”

and created a deeper passion for community service.”

—Ba rry, Se n ior

—Ollie , S eni or

“Taft allowed me to cr eate a Scientific Ethics cla s s that combines the study of the science behind many contr ov e r s ia l t opics with a set of ethical theor ies that allows the st ude n ts to mak e educated ar guments about wher e science is mov in g .

I think all students should have ex p osur e to this ty p e of lear ning as we p r epar e them to become global leade r s . On e cann ot under stand the full capacity of science un til the im plications of those advancements have also been cons ide r e d, thr ough an ethical l e n s .”

—Shann on Guidotti, Sci ence, U pper-mi d Cl as s D ean

“At Taft, we start with an ethical imper ative: in or der to c r e ate a challenging and r elevant educational envir onment, w e a r e mor ally obligated to br ing together faculty and st ude n ts with dispar ate p er spectives and back gr ounds. We the n mov e to a pr agmatic ar gument: if y ou ar e intent on deve l op in g l eader s who ar e going to be successful in an inter conn e cte d wor ld wher e only those who can wor k acr oss social, e thn ic, r eligious and national boundar ies will succeed, they n e e d to

Taft SPOTLIGHT

have had some pr actice. Taft p r ovides that p r actice. Our mis s ion is the education of the whole student, our motto is Not to Be Serve d But to Se rve , the cur r iculum is demanding a n d the

E v e r y y e a r, Ta f t s t u d e n t s a n d f a c u l t y travel to Guatemala for a service trip.

P a s t p ro j e c t s h a v e i n c l u d e d b u i l d i n g houses, distributing food and clothing, and volunteering at Casa Jackson, a malnutrition center in Antigua.

student body is smart and diver se. What distinguishes Ta f t is that our students gr aduate having had both cur r icu l a r a n d extr acur r icular exp er ience; they leave equip p ed to de a l w ith tomor r ow’s p r ob l e ms .”

—William R. MacMullen ’78, H e ad m as ter

Service Learning J o h n G w y nne ’6 7

John Gwynne is vice president and chief creative officer for the Wildlife Conservation Society, which operates the Bronx Zoo. He is currently at work on a project to make Gabon the ecotourism gateway to the African Rainforest, in order to raise conservation awareness while preserving the natural setting and indigenous cultures.

J o y c e P o o l e ’ 74

For over 30 years Joyce Poole has been studying elephants in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park, at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro, as part of the Amboseli Elephant Research Project, the longest study of elephants in the world.

Our Service Learning program is designed to complement and contextualize our community service projects. Studying issues experientially—like discrimination, immigration, climate change, and public health—introduces our students to those affected and those trying to find solutions.

How do we define Service Learning at Taft? Service Learning is a combination of a rigorous academic program with regular service in the local community. It’s an experiential form of learning that fosters independence, critical thinking, impact analysis and—not least—compassion. Service Learning fits perfectly with the mission of our school, with our Portrait of a Graduate, and with our school’s motto.

Traditional models of service learning tend to focus on service and reflection rather than academic content; our model is built around a rigorous and substantial academic core. Our program targets issues ranging from basic introductory questions, such as “How do we define poverty?” to the most intellectually challenging ones, such as “How do we end poverty?” Our goal is to integrate service learning into every discipline, so that very soon, every department will offer courses in global issues as well as opportunities to link those courses to actual service.

At Taft, Service Learning takes place across the curriculum, linking curricular and noncurricular strands—such as Senior Projects, electives, clubs, trips, visiting speakers, the school newspaper and summer reading—in order to reinforce, enrich, and extend knowledge and understanding of key issues and skills. We do this not just within the classroom, but also in partnership with alumni, parents, and our friends and colleagues around the globe.

The experiential aspect of our program requires students to leave campus to work in their local community. Doing so helps students begin to understand the complexity of the issues they have been discussing in the classroom. We are constantly striving to provide opportunities for community building within and outside Taft.

A l f r e d G i l m a n ’5 8

Dr. Gilman, a pharmacologist and biochemist, shared the 1994 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (with Martin Rodbell) for his work in the field of cellular research.

Gilman and Rodbell discovered and isolated molecules called G proteins. Gilman’s findings have led to important strides in fighting diseases such as cholera, cancer and diabetes.

27

Global service J u st i n e L a n d e gg er ’0 0

While a student at Taft, Justine volunteered with Camp AmeriKids, a summer camp for children

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affected by HIV/AIDS. At Georgetown, she designed her own major, focused on global health and development, and then earned a master’s certificate in Refugee Studies and Humanitarian Affairs.

Justine now works for the

International Rescue Committee, a nongovernmental organization that provides food, education, water and sanitation, health care, job training, and other services to parts of the world ravaged by conflict. She has traveled to Nicaragua, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Bulgaria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Darfur, among other places.

G e o r g e G a r d i p e Jr ’9 4

Since 2004, George has been the Director of REACH 2010 (Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health) for the Pawnee Nation in Pawnee, Oklahoma. It’s a program that works with The Oklahoma State Department of Health and other tribes to combat diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Service at a global level is not new to our school. Taft has a rich history of graduating young men and women who dedicate their lives to service and intellectual engagement.

We are endeavoring to build on Taft’s traditions of combining academic excellence and service by extending, affirming and reinterpreting the school motto for the 21st century.

Our new membership in the Global Online Academy reinforces this goal (see page 10).

How else can we accomplish this challenging goal? How do we nurture and develop responsible leaders with the necessary skills to engage meaningfully with others in the international arena?

We begin by assembling an extraordinary student body, one comprised of students from many different countries, cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, and experiences—in short, we endeavor to create a microcosm of the world beyond our school’s walls. We then provide an academic platform from which our students can acquire knowledge of the world, through an ever-evolving curriculum and by continually expanding the scope of our commitment to the study of global issues. We put a great deal of care into crafting an environment that will encourage learning to continue not just inside the classroom walls, but around the clock.

Our students come to Taft for a first-rate education, yet in so doing, they also educate one another about how to live in a vibrant, diverse, accepting, culturally enriching environment. By presenting our students with the issues, helping them learn from the people they meet, and integrating their learning from trips and service into their studies, we hope ultimately to turn what they have learned into active participation.

It’s arguably an experience that would be difficult to replicate anywhere else—and is what makes Taft unique. Our graduates leave with a commitment to becoming leaders ready to effect change.

“ In o u r service lea rning c l a ss we lea rned t hat we sh o u l d a pply our book k n o w l e d ge t o solve rea l w o r l d p r oblem s a nd ta ke t h e r e a l skills we lea rn f r o m o u r se rv ice t o enha nce ou r st u d y i n the cla ssroom .”

—Xinhe, Mid

29

Taft: demanding, inspiring, high school, a place full of promise, full of goals and achievements, a place that changes and molds us, a place that challenges us, a place of extraordinary people. Taft is a challenging school that j

demands the best academic, athletic and artistic performance of each student. Taft is a place where dressing in j

crazy outfits happens frequently and the lingo, like “walk backs,” means nothing to the outside world. As a new j

lower mid, Taft seemed to be a frightening brick abyss that would just swallow me up whole. Now, as I progress through the semester, I’ve come to realize that Taft is a comforting, yet challenging place that is here to serve us

Ar

and to teach us how to serve others with our kindness, intelligence and athletic abilities. Taft is where wishes j

become goals. Taft is defined by all-school gatherings in Bingham, a magnetic pull to the Jig, group study sessions 31 j

in the Library, and the communal love for the Thursday morning sleep-in.

j

Taft is just a place where I can be

myself, and everyone’s cool with it. No matter where you come from or how you dress or what language you j

speak, Taft is a home for all of us. Diversity brings us together. We are a mosaic. The unification

of different personalities, pasts, passions and perspectives forms one picture and message. We vary in shapes, sizes and color, but at the end of the day we fit together to create a larger image. Throughout the picture there are sharp pieces and dull pieces, just as some days that we spend here are harder than others. However, together we strive to bring our best selves into everything we do every day. The glue that binds us is our spirit and our pride for this place we call home. We are a mosaic. We are Taft. A community that is yet to be perfect but is forever improving. Taft is a j

place where friends are always close.

Arts at Taft

j

Taft is my favorite place to watch sports games and cheer on my fellow

Tafties. Taft is tough, but Taft is a community. Taft is pride, spirit, kindness, good times, hard work, brilliant j

j

kids, brilliant “teachers, compassion, a second home, a bubble. Every Taftie is a Taftie for life. Taft is inviting, A s a musicia n, I a m consta nt ly look ing for way s to ex pand my k nowledge and exp osur e to dif f e r e n t j

types of music. Whether I am singing Vivaldi in Collegium four days a week, spending three months rehearsing

r R a opportunistic; g t i m e t he Musicait l, pushes or sim ply wa lk ing Walk er Hall on a noon to watch p r of e s s ion a l will Taft isFra iday placeafter to experience theafreedom you energeticf oand people; it’stoexciting. j

v i o l i n q u a rt e t, I find t hat Ta ft ’s opport unities open a portal to a wor ld of music that I never kn e w b e f or e .”

receive later in life. The freedom feels extraordinary and amazing. warm, lovely and cheerful.

j

j

A place where kids grow—Andr up. e w,Taft is big, s eni or j

Taft is being able to explore who you are and try new things. You meet so many

amazing people and discover a lot about yourself as you continuously step outside your comfort zone. Taft is j

more than just a school; it’s an experience. You can’t really define it in words, rather in growth and exploration.

ARTS Ar 32

Whether you have greasepaint or brush strokes in your blood, Taft can offer you a vast array of artistic outlets to pursue your passion.

Every student is required to take a variety of introductory art courses, but many of our students go beyond the basics. We offer Advanced Placement courses in Art History, Music Theory, and Studio Art. Our Independent Study Program allows Upper Middle and Senior students to pursue an artistic endeavor in greater depth. The Kilbourne Summer Enrichment Program in the Arts assists Middle and Upper Middle students with opportunities to participate in summer enrichment programs in the arts. Students report back to the Taft community about their experience the following school year in the form of a talk, concert, exhibit, or other appropriate presentation.

From theater to dance to photography, instrumental and vocal music, pottery, painting and video, there is something for all interests.

Concerts, plays, recitals, exhibits and popular “open-mike” coffeehouse evenings fill the school calendar. Taft’s size and wealth of opportunities mean many students are involved in multiple artistic activities throughout the school year. Others choose to specialize in one facet of the arts program. There is room for all levels of talent, interest and involvement.

Arts facilities j

The Pailey Dance Studio

j

Mark W. Potter ’48 Art Gallery

j

Pottery Studio

j

Gail Wynne Art Studio

j

Woodward Black Box Theater

j

Bingham “main stage” Theater

j

Choral Room

j

Photography darkrooms

j

Digital photography lab

j

Multiple practice rooms

j

Electronic music studio

j

Art rooms designed for printmaking, ceramics and fabric design

j

Walker Hall

j

Woodward Chapel

j

Band Room

j

Multimedia Computer Lab

33

“I felt accepted f or w ho I was. I didn’t k no w I ha d Talent. But I was insp ir e d to play and wr ite music at Ta f t.

Ar 34

Cr eativity was encour a g e d.”

—Mary Chapin Car pe n te r ’76 Grammy award-wi nni ng m us i ci an

Performing Arts Acting, directing, modern dance, classical ballet, step, hip-hop, film-making, classical, jazz and contemporary music, composition, choreography, improvisation, public speaking, music theory… the sky is the limit for self-expression and creativity. Taft students are guided and encouraged to perform no matter what their level of talent.

From full-scale musicals to student-directed, one-act plays, the school presents at least a dozen theatrical productions a year. Students also perform in numerous dance productions, various vocal and instrumental music groups, and a film program that has garnered several Emmy nominations.

In recent years, Taft’s highly respected Collegium Musicum, a group of 50 singers, has toured Australia, Canada, China, United Kingdom, Italy, France, and Spain. A cappella groups and student-led bands also perform regularly. Our Chamber Ensemble and the Jazz Band rehearse every day and perform at a variety of functions and events.

We also boast some famous alumni performing artists—Jeff “Skunk” Baxter of the Doobie Brothers, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Adam Duritz of Counting Crows, film director Peter Berg, Grant Goodeve, Trey Anastasio of Phish, and Atlanta Ballet Company dancer Tara Lee. Each year, professional performers come to Taft to entertain students and teach classes.

Our Arts Department faculty are more than teachers. They are also practicing artists, photographers, actors, singers, and dancers.

The Rockwell Visiting Artist Fund brings professional artists of international stature to Taft for multiday visits, presentations, and workshops.

“I’ve been studying p i a no since I was five, and b e g a n tak ing or gan lessons w he n I enter ed my fr eshm a n y e a r at Taft. It’s gr eat hav i ng access to a p ip e or g a n whenever you wa nt to p r actice, and an o r g a n a s incr edible as Wo odwa r d Chapel’s is A r e a l g i f t.”

Sam, s eni or

35

Visual Arts Taft offers hands-on courses, workshops, and independent study opportunities in the visual arts, as well as higher-level electives and AP Studio Art and Art History.

Taft videographers film with professional-quality, three-chip cameras and edit on high-end Macintosh computers with Final Cut Pro editing software. Additional graphic software enables students to produce 3-D modeling, atmospheric and landscape graphics, and other special effects.

The Mark W. Potter ’48 Art Gallery provides us with the opportunity to exhibit student, faculty, and alumni artwork. This beautiful space reinforces Taft’s long tradition of celebrating artistic endeavors.

Ar 36

”Taft is a place where art is versatile and sincerely creative; we work from all areas of interest and focus, using anything from classical oil painting techniques to printing and collage works. Ms. Chic is always available with refreshing advice on how to improve a painting and, thanks to the space and atmosphere of our eccentric art room, inspiration is always at hand.”

— Alex, Se n ior

“Most schoolchild r e n hav e alr eady associated the a rts with p lay, with esca p e F r om the r outine of cl a s s w or k .

Yes! But in my clas s e s , the y lear n that art i s n’t ma de fr om play and ins p i r ati on alone, but fr om di s ci p l i ne d and infor med thoug ht.”

—Loueta K. Chic k a da unce van Beuren F ami l y C hai r; A rts

Visual Art courses offered in: j

Painting

j

Ceramics

j

Photography

j

Drawing

j

Design

j

Sculpture

j

Printmaking

j

Videography

37

Taft is a challenging school that demands the best academic, athletic and artistic performance of each student. j

Taft is a place where dressing in crazy outfits happens frequently and the lingo, like “walk backs,” means

nothing to the outside world. As a new lower mid, Taft seemed to be a frightening brick abyss that would just j

swallow me up whole. Now, as I progress through the semester, I’ve come to realize that Taft is a comforting, yet challenging place that is here to serve us and to teach us how to serve others with our kindness, intelligence and athletic abilities.

j

Taft is where wishes become goals.

Taft is defined by all-school gatherings in Bingham, a

j

AT

magnetic pull to the Jig, group study sessions in the Library, and the communal love for the Thursday morning sleep-in. Taft is just a place where I can be myself, and everyone’s cool with it. j

ATHLETICS at Taft

j

No matter where you come 39

from or how you dress or what language you speak, Taft is a home for all of us. Diversity brings us together.

j

We are a mosaic. The unification of different personalities, pasts, passions and perspectives forms one picture

BIGRED

and message. We vary in shapes, sizes and color, but at the end of the day we fit together to create a larger image.

Throughout the picture there are sharp pieces and dull pieces, just as some days that we spend here are harder than others. However, together we strive to bring our best selves into everything we do every day. The glue that binds us is our spirit and our pride for this place we call home. We are a mosaic. We are Taft. that is yet to be perfect but is forever improving.

j

j

A community

Taft is a place where friends are always close.

favorite place to watch sports games and cheer on my fellow Tafties.

j

j

Taft is my

Taft is tough, but Taft is a community.

Taft is pride, spirit, kindness, good times, hard work, brilliant kids, brilliant teachers, compassion, a second home, a bubble. Every Taftie is a Taftie for life. Taft is inviting, energetic and opportunistic; it pushes people; it’s exciting. Taft j

is a place to experience the freedom you will receive later in life. The freedom feels extraordinary and amazing. j

A place where kids grow up.

j

Taft is big, warm, lovely and cheerful.

j

Taft is being able to explore who you

are and try new things. You meet so many amazing people and discover a lot about yourself as you continuously step outside your comfort zone. Taft is more than just a school; it’s an experience. You can’t really define it in j

words, rather in growth and exploration. It’s about independently seeking a definition of self. It’s about living in and feeling like a part of a community comprised of people from all over the world. But mostly it’s about seeking to try things you never thought you would try before.

j

Taft has always been a place where I have been free

to express myself with no fear of judgment. I can be myself and make friends who like me for who I truly am.

Athletics AT 40

If you take a walk across campus in the afternoon, you’ll be struck by Taft’s emphasis on physical fitness, echoed in the whistles of coaches and the shouts of enthusiastic teammates. Whether shooting on goal or climbing a sheer rock face, Taft’s athletes experience the rewards of teamwork, develop new sources of strength, and benefit from the regular physical exercise vital to a healthy body.

Being a member of a team provides a universal forum for interaction, sportsmanship and cooperation. But the uniqueness of the Taft student body allows this team play to take place among students from diverse backgrounds, which is an experience difficult to replicate elsewhere. It’s hard to overestimate the powerful influence upon a person’s life of belonging to a team where such a diverse group is united in a common purpose.

Wednesday and Saturday afternoons are game days, and Taft’s numerous athletic teams consistently place highly in competitive leagues, including the Founders League and New England Independent School competitions.

Taft is conveniently situated in western Connecticut and is within an hour’s drive of most of our opponents. Regular season and tournament rivals include Andover, Choate, Deerfield, Exeter, Hotchkiss, Lawrenceville, Loomis, and St. Pauls. Boys’ and girls’ ice hockey and basketball teams host or compete in Christmas vacation tournaments, and the lacrosse, crew, and baseball teams take preseason training trips each spring to Georgia and Florida.

Most sports are also offered at the JV and Thirds levels, and several noncompetitive athletic activities are available as well—step aerobics, Ultimate Frisbee, and yoga are especially popular. Whether a student competes at the top level of New England interscholastics or is on a sub-varsity or recreational team, we emphasize sportsmanship, cooperation, self-discipline and enjoyment. We also encourage our students to try new activities.

41

Athletic Training Room

AT 42

Our highly qualified, licensed sports medicine staff is devoted to the care, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries.

Our athletic trainers’ primary objective is the safety and welfare of all students. They endeavor to prevent athletic injuries, to recognize, evaluate and immediately care for injuries that do occur, to rehabilitate and recondition athletes who have sustained injuries and, when necessary, to refer them to qualified health care professionals, in close consultation with the health center and the students’ parents.

Preseason Screening All students, regardless of their level or ability, are screened by the athletic trainers prior to sports participation.

The screening consists of a flexibility assessment, and charting their height and weight, which is so important when dealing with growth spurts. A computer generated baseline concussion test (ImPact™) is given to all new students.

“ I h a d a l ot of a ches a nd pa i n s a s I went t hroug h a r a p i d g rowt h spurt.

T h e t r ainers hav e been awesom e.”

—Sa m , L owe r Mid

Athletic Offerings Taft offers the following sports at the Varsity, Junior Varsity, and often Thirds, levels. Those marked with an asterisk compete in New England Championships. fall sp orts

Cross Country* (b/g) Field Hockey* Football* Horseback Riding Soccer* (b/g) Volleyball* winter sports

Basketball* (b/g) Ice Hockey* (b/g) Skiing* (b/g) Squash* (b/g) Wrestling* spr ing sp orts

Baseball Crew* (b/g) Golf* (b/g) Horseback Riding Lacrosse* (b/g) Softball Tennis* (b/g) Track* (b/g) intr amur al sp orts

Step aerobics, basketball, modern dance, hockey, ice skating, outdoor program, soccer, squash, tennis, Ultimate Frisbee, wall and rock climbing, weight training, yoga

43

AT 44

Indoor Athletic Facilities j

Eight squash courts

j

McCullough Athletic facility, a field house with four indoor tennis and basketball courts and an indoor track

j

Mays Hockey Rink

j

Odden Hockey Arena

j

Paul and Edith Cruikshank Center, with two hardwood courts for basketball and volleyball, along with an indoor rock climbing wall and locker rooms for boys and girls

j

Logan Field House, which contains the John Wynne wrestling room, free-weight training rooms, and a fully equipped athletic training and rehabilitation room

j

Aerobics/yoga studio

j

Rowing ergometer room

j

Fully equipped cardio and weight-training rooms

Outdoor Athletic Facilities j

18-hole championship golf course

j

William Weaver 400-meter, all-weather track

j

12 all-weather tennis courts and Donaldson Family Pavillion

j

Snyder soccer field

j

Rockefeller football field

j

Geoffrey C. Camp field, an artificial turf field that is home to field hockey and boys’ and girls’ lacrosse

j

Rockwell baseball diamond and Lawrence H. Stone Baseball Pavillion

j

Multiple playing fields, including: baseball diamonds, softball field, lacrosse fields, soccer fields, and field hockey fields

j

Off-campus horseback riding, crew, and Alpine ski racing

45

Taft is just a place where I can be myself, and everyone’s cool with it. No matter where you come from or how j

you dress or what language you speak, Taft is a home for all of us. Diversity brings us together. We are a mosaic. j

The unification of different personalities, pasts, passions and perspectives forms one picture and message. We vary in shapes, sizes and color, but at the end of the day we fit together to create a larger image. Throughout the picture there are sharp pieces and dull pieces, just as some days that we spend here are harder than others.

However, together we strive to bring our best selves into everything we do every day. The glue that binds us is

Rl

our spirit and our pride for this place we call home. We are a mosaic. We are Taft. A community that is yet to j

be perfect but is forever improving.

j

Taft is a place where friends are always close.

to watch sports games and cheer on my fellow Tafties.

j

j

Taft is my favorite place 47

Taft is tough, but Taft is a community.

j

Taft is pride,

spirit, kindness, good times, hard work, brilliant kids, brilliant teachers, compassion, a second home, a bubble.

Every Taftie is a Taftie for life. Taft is inviting, energetic and opportunistic; it pushes people; it’s exciting. Taft j

j

is a place to experience the freedom you will receive later in life. The freedom feels extraordinary and amazing. j

A place where kids grow up.

j

Taft is big, warm, lovely and cheerful.

j

Taft is being able to explore who you

are and try new things. You meet so many amazing people and discover a lot about yourself as you continuously step outside your comfort zone. Taft

is more than just a school; it’s an experience.

You can’t really define it in words, rather in growth and exploration.

It’s about independently seeking a definition of self. It’s about living in and feeling like a part of a community comprised of people from all over the world. But mostly it’s about seeking to try things you never thought you would try before. Taft has always been a place where I have been free to express myself with no fear of judgment. I can be myself and make friends who like me for who I truly am. I hope Taft

Residential LifE

at Taft

continues on in this fashion because that is what makes the difference between being just a school and creating “I t hink Taft t he best thing about Taft is the sense of community. s tude nts pride in being a close community. is a community of love and friendship.

TaftThe is afact river.t hat There are rocks j

j

t rust ea ch ot her enoug h t o leave their back pack s unbother ed or leave their door s unl ock e d,

shows how m uch pride, responsibility and tr ust comes along with being part of the Ta f t home .” and sticks, it is sometimes shallow, sometimes deep, there are narrow and wide sections, and all the while it is fast —K ate , Lower M i d

with rapids that we are borne thrillingly along. Yet, here and there are calm eddies where we can sit for a while and catch our breath before plunging into the turbulent river once more. However tired we may become, the eddies and calm sections revive us, and we continue down the river, moved along by the constant flow of the water.

REsidential Life RL 48

Because Taft’s buildings are all situated close together, students really do live where they learn.

About 480 of Taft’s 596 students live on campus. Teachers live throughout the dorms and dorm faculty quickly become more than just your teachers or your coaches; they become friends, mentors, and role models, offering advice, a family-style meal, or simply popcorn and a movie. But whether you’re a boarder or a day student, we make every effort to ensure that you’ll come to see Taft as your “home away from home.”

Four mornings a week, the whole school gathers for Assembly or Morning Meeting, to hear students, teachers, or visiting speakers address the whole school. Lower Middlers (freshmen) have a highly structured day, including study hall six nights a week and lights out at 10:30. Older students gain greater responsibility as they become more capable of structuring their own lives.

RL 50

Clubs, Committees, and Publications Another facet of campus life at Taft is the myriad of clubs, committees, publications, and other activities students undertake.

Currently they include such groups as: Admissions Council

j

Debate Club

and Tour Guides

j

French Club

j

Amnesty International

j

International Club

j

Volunteer Council

j

Math Club

j

Honor Court

j

Poetry Club

j

Diversity Committee

j

Taft Environmental

j

The Annual (yearbook)

j

The Papyrus (school

j

SHOUT

newspaper since 1894)

j

FOCUS

j

Red Inc. (literary magazine)

j

United Cultures at Taft

j

Hydrox (girls’ a cappella)

j

Spanish Club

j

Oriocos (boys’ a cappella)

j

Model U.N.

j

Improv

j

WRED Radio

j

Chess Club

j

Press Club

j

Asian Club

j

Awareness Movement

49

RL 50

Clubs, Committees, and Publications Another facet of campus life at Taft is the myriad of clubs, committees, publications, and other activities students undertake.

Currently they include such groups as: Admissions Council

j

Debate Club

and Tour Guides

j

French Club

j

Amnesty International

j

International Club

j

Volunteer Council

j

Math Club

j

Honor Court

j

Poetry Club

j

Diversity Committee

j

Taft Environmental

j

The Annual (yearbook)

j

The Papyrus (school

j

SHOUT

newspaper since 1894)

j

FOCUS

j

Red Inc. (literary magazine)

j

United Cultures at Taft

j

Hydrox (girls’ a cappella)

j

Spanish Club

j

Oriocos (boys’ a cappella)

j

Model U.N.

j

Improv

j

WRED Radio

j

Chess Club

j

Press Club

j

Asian Club

j

Awareness Movement

49

RL 52

51

Linh

7 :0 0 AM I get out of bed, and

wave down the system. This is the

1 0 :0 0 At assembly today

1 0 :50 Normally this would be my

remember to wake my roommate

coolest lab I’ve ever done; who knew

Mr. Carlson entertains (and

History class, but we are having a

up with the sleepiest voice. Having

science could be so yummy!?

surprises) the whole school by

debate on candy and soda in schools

singing Tik Tok as the result of

today. Everyone is really dressed up.

the senior prank. Now I am pretty

I whisper to Sam, my teammate and

put on my favorite outfit, I gather my books for the first two periods and

9 :0 0 I will be throwing a bowl on

get ready to rock the day.

the pottery wheel today in Ceramics.

convinced that at Taft anyone can

my friend, whether I should button

Mrs. Schiefflin told me yesterday that

sing with style. His Kesha-like

my jacket. The answer is yes, and

I am ready to throw on my own, but

voice totally makes my day.

the purpose is to “impress” the other

7 :3 5 Breakfast time! While my friends and I discuss the upcoming

I’m still both nervous and excited.

history debate, I enjoy my blueberry

Let’s see how my bowl turns out

1 0 :2 5 Check my PO box and

muffin with a little soy milk.

the first time I throw without Mrs.

get package! My parents in Vietnam

Schiefflin’s guidance.

have sent me some candy and my

Lindsay

Andrew

8 :1 5 We do a lab on waves in

team.

1 1 :45

We win the debate!

favorite Vietnamese snacks made

1 2 PM So happy with the

with seaweed.

victory, I go to the dining hall for

Physics class today, with gummy

9 :3 5 Though I finish my bowl, it

bears! We put gummy bears on the

is not perfect; I will certainly ask my

lunch. Having grabbed a tuna

two ends of each stick and send a

teacher for help.

melt on English muffin, I sit at the

7 : 0 0 A m My cell phone alarm

7:30

8 :1 5 We do a few warm-up

9 :4 5 The bell goes off and

9 :5 5 The bell goes off and I make

1 0 :40 I get to Spanish right

vibrates wildly under my pillow. I

pack the books I need for my first

exercises in Chorus, and then we

my teacher decides to use part of

my way to Bingham for Assembly.

before the bell and avoid getting

search for the phone under my pillow

two classes, which just happen to

continue to rehearse the song we’re

the H block to hand back some

Today a faculty member is giving a

some grades. Today’s a super

while still half asleep. It takes me

be English and Chorus. After my

performing for Grandparents’ Day.

graded papers from the day before.

speech, and hoping to get across

block, so it feels as though we’re

about three minutes to actually find

bags are all packed, I make my

some sort of message.

there forever, but eventually the

it and get it to stop vibrating. I slowly

way down to breakfast. Tuesday

9 :0 0 The second bell rings

I get back my paper and look over it

get up, grab my shower carrier, and

morning breakfast is normally pretty

and I walk upstairs to English

I pack up my English stuff and head

1 0 :2 5 I leave Bingham and go

make my way to the bathroom.

good, so I make sure to waste no

class. Today we’re having a class

for the Jig.

check my PO box, only to find out

time getting downstairs.

discussion on last night’s reading

7 : 1 5 It’s game day today, so after

I look at my schedule and

quickly. Better than I expected! Then

bell rings and I make my way to Wu for Geometry.

that there’s nothing in there. I stand

1 1 :45 Today in Geometry we’re

around in main hallway and talk with

planning to prank Mr. Clifford by

minutes. Then I order a bacon, egg,

a bunch of my friends for about ten

having someone hide in the cabinet

of Old School. The classroom

9 :5 0 I wait in the line for a few

quickly fills with chatter and we

I get back from the bathroom, I take

7 : 4 5 I get in line for the omelet

my time picking out a button-down

station, which is my favorite

end up talking a lot longer than

and cheese with home fries. I sit

minutes. Then I run up to my room

under his desk. This plan works out

shirt, a pair of khakis, and a jacket. I

breakfast option at Taft. After I

my teacher had planned.

down on one of the couches and eat

and change my books for my next

smoothly, and Mr. Clifford is shocked

always get stuck picking which tie to

get my omelet and the rest of my

my sandwich while watching the top

two classes.

to see someone crawl out of his desk

wear, so I grab my top two picks for

breakfast, I walk into Prentice dining

ten plays on ESPN.

today and make my way across the

hall and sit down with a bunch of my

flies by and I finally get to go to

hall to my friend’s room to ask for his

friends. I sit around at breakfast until

lunch.

opinion. Today he’s feeling the pink

I hear the first bell, and then I make

one, so pink it is.

my way to Chorus.

7 : 0 0 A M Wake up after pressing

The Great Gatsby, I’m sure everyone

9 :4 5 I walk to the College

and students from within the

on the board, while others we just

for next class and make a note in my

“snooze” on my alarm clock a couple

will bring something interesting to

Counseling Office for my meeting

community; many very interesting

take notes based on our discussion.

planner to study. Biology requires

of times. Go through my morning

the discussion. Mr. Magee and his

with my counselor, Mr. Giffen. We are

and inspiring speakers and

routine of brushing my teeth,

profound ideas, along with our lively

discussing my SAT scores and how

performers come as well.

washing my face, and getting my

class discussion, finally wake me up.

my classes are going. We also look

books together. I see snow on the

ahead to my college visits planned

1 0 :2 5 A group of friends

ten minutes into class. Geometry

1 1 :4 5 I zip up my jacket to brace for the cold as I walk to the Wu building. I stop by the Math Office

memorization of a lot of material, but Ms. Lenz always makes sure we understand it.

ground so put on a thick sweater,

9 : 0 0 The second bell rings

for Spring Break. I often send Mr.

congregates in the Jig for a mid-

to ask my Precalculus teacher,

1 2 :50 PM With a grumbling

cords, a scarf, a jacket and my Bean

and I hurry to the Spanish Wing

Giffen an email or drop by whenever

morning snack. My friend Katie

Mr. Chung, when we can meet for

stomach, I make my way to the

Boots.

for my next class. I have a ton of

I have questions, big or small, about

gets a bacon, egg & cheese, while I

extra help before my next test. I often

Dining Hall. I grab a chicken Caesar

questions about our homework

the college process. While I often

choose a blueberry muffin. We look

make the trip up to his apartment on

wrap and some Greek salad and

on the subjunctive verb form for

enter his office stressed, I leave

over our AP U.S. History reading

HDT 2 with other students at night to

join my friends at a table. I snag a

Hall to grab a bagel and fill up my

Ms. Santos. My Spanish 3 Honors

feeling much more confident and

from last night to make sure we are

ask questions and raid his pantry for

chocolate chip cookie before I leave,

Camelback water bottle before my

class consists of only 6 people, so

prepared.

prepared for our class discussion.

some snacks.

fully satisfied with my delicious meal

first class.

we all have the opportunity to ask questions and really understand what

1 0 :0 0 I walk with some friends

1 0 :4 0 We walk up to the History

1 1 :5 0 I get out my computer to

we are learning. Ms. Santos pushes

to Morning Meeting. Today

Wing for AP U.S. History. Today is

take notes from a PowerPoint on

walk outside again since I have AP

us hard for 45 minutes, then we

Ms. Borken is speaking about

our last class before our test on

evolution my teacher, Ms. Lenz, is

1 :3 5 Luckily I get to finish the

English first block. After last night’s

rehearse for our upcoming debate

environmental justice, but speakers

Roosevelt and World War II. Some

presenting on the SMART tBoard. I

day with rehearsal for Collegium,

reading of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s

during H block.

do not just include faculty members

days Mr. Antonucci writes an outline

groan when she announces a quiz

Taft’s choir. We perform at events

7 : 4 5 Go over to the Dining

8 : 1 5 Thankfully I don’t have to

that will keep me energized for the rest of the afternoon.

REsidential Life table outside the dining hall for

1:15 Oral presentation in

3 : 3 0 I’ve already changed into

8 : 0 0 Having returned on campus

room, and that my Grandma cannot

I’m responsible for a table on lung

English class on any passage that

my aerobics clothing, and I’m ready

just in time for study hall, I sign out

wait to see me for the summer. We

cancer today. It’s one of the many

resonates with me in a personal way.

to sweat with Mrs. Mac with the

to the Math table, where students

end the call with a big laugh before I

activities during Cancer Awareness

Just before I’m about to go up,

weights and resistance bands.

can come every night for help from

have to go get ready for bed.

Week. It’s nice to see people reading

Mr. Campbell cracks another one of

what I typed out last night!

his English-teacher jokes, making

5 : 0 0 Done with aerobics, I take a

back to my room and focus on my

1 0 :3 0 The monitor on duty just

everything all right.

quick shower and go to dinner.

homework for the other subjects.

called “Lights out!” and I’m ready

I get the books for the last two

1:45 Chinese class; is it just me

6 : 0 0 Two other students and I

1 0 : 0 0 After having signed in

periods and check my email. The

or are Chinese characters getting

meet Ms. Chandler at the loading

for the night, I video chat with my

International Club needs help with

harder to remember? I’d better stay

dock to bring food to the homeless

parents on Skype. I tell them all

the burger sale next week to raise

for the extended block for extra help.

shelter. The Volunteer Council has

about my bowl in Ceramics, how we

4 people do this every Friday, and

won the history debate, the package

today I’m lucky enough to get a slot.

and the little things my friends and

12:45 Going back to my room,

funds for the Six Flags trip during Long Weekend; sure, why not?

2:20 Free time!

Math teachers. Afterwards, I come

to fall sound asleep after another busy day!

I did today. They tell me they just bought a new painting to hang in my

1 2 : 5 5 PM I walk over to the

my teammates are already here

4 :3 0 The match is finally over and

6 :4 5 After getting back from the

1 0:00 Study hall is over, and I

dining hall and immediately get in

warming up for the match. We

Taft has won 7-0. My teammates and

shower, I get dressed and pack my

get to walk around HDT for half an

line for nachos. I grab a burger and

go through our regular warm-up

I sit around the courts while

bags with all of the books I’ll need

hour and socialize with my friends.

a drink as well, and sit down with my

routine and stretch. The team that

Mr. Miller talks to us about the match

for the night. I usually go to the

This normally consists of listening to

friends in Prentice dining hall. After

we’re playing today is Choate.

and the things we should be looking

Academic Center for study hall, so

music or just talking.

to improve. This only lasts for a few

I drop my bag off by the stairs and

minutes. Then we get to eat a bunch

sign out of my dorm.

I eat, I make a sandwich and grab a banana to eat after my match.

2 :1 5 We go through introductions

of cookies and brownies provided

on the team, I play first on court

by parents and our managers, Sasha

7 :0 0 Before study hall, I head to

and blast some pump-up tones

number 2. Fans start pouring in to

and Sierra.

the Jig to relax and socialize with a

1 1:00 I finally fall asleep after

as I pack my squash bag with

watch the match and it makes me

texting some of my friends.

everything I’ll need for my match.

a little nervous. After I get on court

5 :0 0 I head down to dinner with

bunch of my fellow classmates.

Then I walk up to the field house

and start playing, this feeling soon

the squash team. Tonight’s dinner is

8 :0 0 I go to the Academic

in the cold and snowy weather,

disappears and I become totally

chicken parmesan, which is always

Center and start my homework for

which makes the walk seem a lot

focused on the match.

great after an athletic competition.

Wednesday. Tuesday nights aren’t

1 : 3 0 I go up to my room

longer than it actually is. I walk into the locker room, put on my

6 :3 0 I get up to my room and take

squash uniform and sweats, and

a long, hot shower.

on and off campus, as well as go on

practice we’re watching film from

the English Conference room for a

since I am a dorm monitor, I am

1 0 :0 0 FEED! Every Friday night

friend Story and I study for a Biology

tour to various locations around the

last year’s game to look at returning

meeting for the school newspaper,

on duty in my dorm, Congdon and

in Congdon we have a feed; a dorm

quiz together, and she helps me

world. We’re practicing some difficult

players and what we can improve on

the Papyrus. We are planning our

have to go back. As a monitor in an

faculty member purchases a ton of

clean up my disorganized room. She

pieces for our upcoming concert in

in this year’s game.

next issue, and need to discuss and

underclassman dorm, once a week I

food for girls in the dorm to snack

borrows a sweater she started folding

assign articles. All of the time and

am on “duty” on one floor, meaning

on as a special treat. It varies from

for me, to wear for tomorrow, before

effort we put in every issue is worth

I go into everyone’s room and check

week to week; tonight we are having

returning to her room.

6:00 Tired and in need of energy

2:15 No more classes! I walk back

after practice, I have dinner with the

it when the issue is finished and

them in, then sit in the hallway,

a cereal feed, so I pour myself a bowl

to my dorm in a good mood from

rest of the basketball team. We all

everyone can be seen reading one

making sure everyone remains quiet

of Cinnamon Toast Crunch and laugh

1 2 :0 0 AM I decide to call

Collegium and decide to relax a little.

gobble up London broil, pasta, and

throughout the halls.

and working efficiently during study

with girls about the most recent

it a night and put my flashcards

I change out of my class dress into

broccoli and down some chocolate

episode of Modern Family. A dance

down. I check to make sure I have

milk to refuel from our practice. We

7 : 1 5 I go to the library to meet

hall. I love getting to know girls who

my athletic gear, curl up, and take a

are younger than me and being

party begins in someone’s room, the

everything I need in my basketball

20-minute power nap.

discuss what we think we have to

with some of my peers in AP

able to help them out in any way

sugary cereal giving us the energy

bag for my game tomorrow. I

work hard on tomorrow, but also

U.S. History to go over our study

possible—giving them advice about

to belt out the lyrics to a Katy Perry

brush my teeth and wash my face.

laugh a lot and talk about other

guides and quiz each other for our

things I already went through. My

song.

I turn up the heater and get under

things unrelated to basketball.

upcoming test.

monitor group consists of 13 girls,

3:00 I make my way up to the gym for basketball practice. Mr. Willson, my coach and Academic Dean, will definitely work us hard today to

6:45 I shower and throw on my

8 : 0 0 As an upperclassman, I am

make sure we’re ready for our game

typical comfy study attire: a fleece,

allowed to stay in the library during

tomorrow against Berkshire. After

leggings, and Ugg boots. I go to

study hall from 8-10. But tonight,

too bad because I only have three classes the next day. If I finish my homework early, I’ll try and get ahead for Thursday.

then go up to the courts. A few of

Woodward Chapel.

1 0:25 I brush my teeth and get

and, because I’m number four

and we meet once a week with our

1 0 :3 0 After checking my floor in,

dorm faculty to discuss issues and

making sure they are all in their rooms

life in Congdon.

either asleep or using Late Lights to study, I go back to my room. My

my covers to stay warm. I easily fall asleep, exhausted from a busy day at Taft.

ready for bed.

RL 52

51

The Moorhead Wing The Moorhead Wing encompasses not only two new dining halls, but also a renovated east dining hall, a new academic wing reaching out toward the pond, and an extension of Main Hall to the west.

Taft’s food service has become the stuff of legend. Headed by our award-winning Executive Chef and prepared in our new, state-of-the-art kitchen, the varied, healthy, nutritious offerings appeal to all tastes, and accommodate all dietary preferences. At Taft, we appreciate that a well-fed community is a happy community.

“How does my dini ng ha l l staff manage to cr eate s uch consistently wonde r f ul food? We listen. W e l i s te n to what k ids, faculty a nd staff have to say, a nd w e try to accommodate the i r wishes. For instanc e , ma ny k ids r equested r ice at e v e ry meal. So now we hav e r i ce at every meal. Ki ds w ho come her e fr om fa r away p laces want a ta s te of home. We’ve added a l ot of “ S u n d ay b r u nch is one of m y

inter national offeri ng s to

fav o r i t e t i mes of t he week;

our menu. I’m tr eate d l i k e a

t h e r e i s a hug e va riet y of

r ock star her e; it’s t he b e s t

d e l i c i ous, fresh food,

job I’ve ever had, a nd my

a n d e v eryone com es

k itchen is the envy o f othe r

t o g e t h e r i n t he dining ha ll

p r ofessional che f s w ho

a f t e r a g o o d nig ht ’s sleep.”

come to v i s i t.”

—Ca ssie, Mid

—Jer ry Rever on, Ex ecu ti v e C hef

“ T his wa s a n opport unit y t o cr eate something p r ofound:

“When I go home f or the

a spa c e that would a ffirm t he school’s histor ic mission and its

holidays my mom a s k s me

m o s t sa cred va lues—t he education of the whole student;

if ther e’s anythi ng I’v e

a c o m m it m ent t o serv ice, honor, har d wor k and scholar ship;

been cr aving, bu t the r e

a n d t h e b elief in t he power of unexpected moments of lear ning.

never is because T he f ood

We needed a building Horace Taft would r ecognize.”

is amazing at Ta f t!”

—Willia m R. MacMullen ’78, H eadmaster

—Car ol i ne , M i d

53

Q: What if I get homesick?

Q: What t im e do I have

Q: How do I get back and

Q: What if ther e’ s a

You can stay in touch as often

t o g o t o bed? We have a

forth fr om the air p ort?

sp ecial occasion , l i k e

as you want with parents and

schoolwide room check at

At the start and end of school

my gr andmother ’s

friends back home.

10:30. For Lower Mids, lights

vacations, the school runs

birthday? Can I go home

out on school nights are at

chartered buses directly from

for the week end? Sure.

homesick, mostly during finals,

10:30. Others may study

Taft to the major airports, as

Provided she does not live in

so I just drop by my advisor’s

quietly in their room after

well as to New York’s Penn

the Outback and you don’t

house. It is amazing what a pint

10:30.

and Grand Central stations. At

have to miss a week to make

other times, buses, cabs and

the trek to visit her. Within

trains can always be arranged.

reason we try to accommodate

[Hayley] Sometimes I feel

of Ben & Jerry’s will do to lift your spirits.

RL 54

Q: A r e t h e d o r m s coed ? C a n I g e t a si n gle if I want o n e ? The dorms are

not co-ed. Some singles are available for younger students,

Q: What if I’m a v eg eta ria n? What if I get

Q: Does Taft have a

dining hall provides vegetarian

dr ess code? Yes. Class

and gluten-free options at all

dress is worn during the class

meals. Plenty of local food

day. For girls, that means

establishments deliver to Taft,

dresses, slacks, or skirts with

but there are also frequent

blouses. For boys, collared

“feeds” held by coaches,

shirts and trousers. After Long

advisors and dorm faculty.

Weekend in the spring, boys

Q: Can I play vars i ty

and girls may wear Bermuda

even as a fr eshma n? Yes.

coming back to your dorm and

shorts. For sit-down dinners,

Earning a spot on a team is

hearing tons of kids yell, “FEED!”

more formal dress is worn.

based on talent and physical

For girls that means dressier

ability, not age.

[Ryan] It is always great

Q: Ca n we use cell phones? You’re allowed a

cell phone, subject to the same rules and regulations governing land-line phones, but you’re

skirts or dresses and shoes.

For boys, that means a sport coat, collared shirt, tie, dress trousers, and dress shoes.

not allowed to use them in

Q: I never eat br eak fast.

assigned a roommate.

public places like classrooms,

Do I have to show up

Q: I ’ m a d ay st u d e nt. Will

hallways, and outdoor areas

every mor ning? You do

around campus. We just think

have to sign in for breakfast, if

it’s nicer not to be surrounded

you are a Lower Mid or a Mid,

by people constantly yakking

except Thursdays, which are

on their cell phones or texting

sleep-in days.

but most new students are

th at h u rt m y so c i al life?

Day students are an essential part of life at Taft.

They participate in student government, all evening activities and extracurricular clubs. They’re encouraged to eat all their meals on campus, and are permitted, with advance permission, to spend the night in order to participate in a special activity during the evening hours. Often they invite boarding student friends home for long weekends.

students who wish to leave for

sta rved at 1 0 p.m .? Our

family events.

[Alex] On Mother’s Day,

my dorm parent drove me to the Waterbury mall to get a last-minute gift for my mom!

Q: Who chooses my r oommate? The Admissions

officers make a point of getting to know incoming students, and they work closely with the Directors of Residential Life to match students into compatible rooming pairs.

Older students, of course, choose their own roommates.

at mealtimes.

Q: What if I get a fever in the middle of the night?

Contact your corridor monitor or a faculty member and they will escort you to the Health Center, which is staffed 24 hours a day.

[Devon] The Health Center

is a great place; the nurses are so sweet and the Health Center has the best bagels with butter on campus!

Q&A

REsidential Life

Q: H o w c a n I c ont inue

Q: Do I have t o go to

to ta k e m u si c l essons?

school on Sat ur days?

We have excellent piano,

Yes, most weeks. You’ll

voice, violin, cello and guitar

have a half day of classes

instructors on our staff, and

on Wednesdays and

lessons with local musicians

Saturdays, which allows

for other instruments can be

for interscholastic athletic

arranged through the music

competitions to take place

department.

those afternoons. But five-day weeks occur a few times

Q: Do I have to participate in a sport?

What if I’d rather act or dance or paint?

We feel strongly that each student should develop physically as well as intellectually and spiritually.

Co-curricular activity of some sort is required four times a week. You’ll find something fun and exciting to do no matter what your level of expertise. Many students feel some of their most memorable moments have been participating in our afternoon programs, including sports, arts, academic competition teams, or community service.

Q: D o I h av e t o m a ke my bed?

Yes. Rooms are inspected every day. Students must make their beds, empty their wastebaskets and tidy up their rooms.

Q: W h at i f I d o n’t finish

each semester, frequently accompanied by special performances or speakers on Friday night.

Q: Ca n I wa lk into town whenev er I want? Can I ta ke t he bus to the m a ll a ft er m y classes a re finished? You can

walk downtown during the day. If you take the bus to the mall you must sign out in the dean’s office.

Q: Are there set times I have to do my homework?

On week nights, all boarders must be in their dorms for study hall between 8 and 10.

You can sign out to certain places—like the library, language lab, computer lab, or math lab—but you must be back on the corridor by 10:15. (Upper Middlers and Seniors have somewhat more flexibility.) During study hall, you can’t use your computer for emails, or non-academic internet surfing.

m y h o m e wo r k before

[Iris] You technically

lights out?

don’t have study hall in our

Lower Mids can request late

Senior year, but once the clock

lights a certain number of

strikes eight, your brain will tell

days per week, but must be in

you that it’s time to do work,

bed by 11:30. All others may

and a lot of graduates said

continue to work as needed.

that this habit will continue in college as well.

Q: What about my

Q: How many k i ds l i v e i n

laundry? Each dorm has

each dor m? There are, on

washing machines and dryers

average, about 45 students

available for students. There is

in each dorm, supervised

a laundry service with weekly

by three faculty members.

pick-up and delivery available

Corridor Monitors, who

at additional cost.

are Upper-School students

Q: Can I watch TV if I finish my homewor k ?

There is very little time for watching TV at Taft. There are TVs in dorm common rooms as well as in the student union, but they cannot be watched when classes are in session or during study hall.

Q: Can I call my par ents every night? Yes of course!

[Rex] I talk on the phone with my parents every day. It’s hard to see them often because I am from Chicago. They love to hear about my classes, activities that take place at school, and my sports.

selected by the faculty to assist with the running of dorms, live in all lower-school dormitories. They are there to help you with any personal, social, or academic issues you may have.

[Samantha] My monitor

[Monisha] is hilarious. My roommate and I always go to her room and ask for advice, because she is probably the most down-to-earth person I’ve ever met. Most of the mons are people one can just have a good time with and they know the stresses of school and how to make everything that much better.

55

No matter where you come from or how you dress or what language you speak, Taft is a home for all of us.

Diversity brings us together.

j

We are a mosaic. The unification of different personalities, pasts, passions and

perspectives forms one picture and message. We vary in shapes, sizes and color, but at the end of the day we fit together to create a larger image. Throughout the picture there are sharp pieces and dull pieces, just as some days that we spend here are harder than others. However, together we strive to bring our best selves into everything we do every day. The glue that binds us is our spirit and our pride for this place we call home. We are a mosaic.

We are Taft.

j

A community that is yet to be perfect but is forever improving.

are always close.

j

SL

Taft is a place where friends

j

Taft is my favorite place to watch sports games and cheer on my fellow Tafties.

tough, but Taft is a community.

j

j

Taft 57is

Taft is pride, spirit, kindness, good times, hard work, brilliant kids, brilliant

spiritual Life at Taft

teachers, compassion, a second home, a bubble. Every Taftie is a Taftie for life. Taft is inviting, energetic and j

W epushes b e lievepeople; t hat a sound, broa d- based artsto education has the at its cor e the quest or me a nilater ng Taftliber is a al place experience freedom you willf receive in opportunistic;“it it’s exciting. j

a nd purpose. Our under standing is that no one sp ir itual gr oup or r eligious tr a di ti on i s i n

s ole possession of t he Truth. Wi th this in mind, we covenant with one another to p ur s ue T r uth

life. The freedom feels extraordinary and amazing. A place where kids grow up. Taft is big, warm, lovely and t hroug h relig ion, science, art, music, athletics, and in every other hu ma n i nqui ry.” j

j

so many amazing cheerful. Taft is being able to explore who you are and try new things. You meet —Robert Ganung, S chool people C hap l ai n and j

discover a lot about yourself as you continuously step outside your comfort zone. Taft is more than just a school; j

it’s an experience. You can’t really define it in words, rather in growth and exploration. It’s about independently seeking a definition of self. It’s about living in and feeling like a part of a community comprised of people from all over the world. But mostly it’s about seeking to try things you never thought you would try before. Taft has j

always been a place where I have been free to express myself with no fear of judgment. I can be myself and make friends who like me for who I truly am. I hope Taft continues on in this fashion because that is what makes the difference between being just a school and creating pride in being a close community. Taft is a community of j

love and friendship. Taft

is a river. There are rocks and sticks, it is sometimes shallow, sometimes deep, there are narrow and wide sections, and all the while it is fast with rapids that we are borne thrillingly along. Yet, here and there are calm eddies where we can sit for a while and catch our breath before plunging into the turbulent river once more. However tired we may become, the eddies and calm sections revive us, and we continue down the river, moved along by the constant flow of the water.

“My vision is of a sc hool i n which students and fa culty ar e all able to unde rta k e their idiosyncr atic jour ne y s of faith, in a r espect f ul a nd accepting cultur e, i n or de r that they ar e b e tte r

sL

equipp ed for citizens hi p a nd leader ship in this w or l d.”

58

—Wi lliam R. MacMul l e n ’78, H ead m as ter

Walker Hall serves as a communal space for reflection, worship, concerts, memorials and intellectual discourse.

Taft SPOTLIGHT Taft offers courses in philosophy, religion and ethics.

The Paduano Lecture series funds distinguished speakers in philosophy and ethics.

Spiritual Life Taft is a nondenominational school with no single religious affiliation. Yet we believe educating the whole student includes the mind, body and spirit. We acknowledge and celebrate the diverse religious traditions within the school, while respecting the differences and integrity of each.

Taft provides many opportunities on campus, both formal and informal, to nurture spiritual life. The chaplain’s office helps students and faculty celebrate specific holidays, including the Jewish High Holy days, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, and Good Friday services, and a service of Lessons and Carols during the Christmas season. We also support Muslim students who wish to fast during Ramadan. j

j

Biweekly the chaplain takes Muslim

j

In the past decade Taft has acquired

students to the United Muslim Mosque

a 150-year-old Torah scroll from

in Waterbury. During exam weeks

Tashkent, a 1616 King James Bible,

in December and May meditation is

a 19th-century Qur’an from Saudi

offered every night to help students

Arabia, and a Tibetan Thangka from

reduce stress and remain focused.

the Gomang monastery in southern

Studies show that meditation increases

India. All of these acquisitions were

cognition and concentration. The

made possible by the generous gifts

chaplain also leads meditation classes

of benefactors. We look forward to

throughout the school year.

continuing to add to our religious

An important component of spiritual

archive in the future from other religious and spiritual traditions.

life at Taft is the Religion and Spiritual Life Council. The council is made up

j

Given today’s interconnected, global

of students from several religious

sociopolitical climate, we consider it an

traditions as well as representative

important part of a student’s education

members from other school groups

to offer many and varied opportunities

including SHOUT, UCT, JSO, FOCUS,

for interfaith dialogue, debate, and

and FONTS. The RSLC seeks to

understanding.

promote pluralism by facilitating a healthy dialogue between the many religious and spiritual traditions represented on campus.

Woodward Chapel Taft’s Woodward Chapel is located on the Green in the heart of Watertown’s historic district, and a short walk from the campus. The magnificent property includes not only the church, but also the Green across the street as well as the Rectory next door and the historic Academy building. The Chapel serves as a performance and gathering space for the Taft community, and the annex and Academy buildings house administrative offices.

59

Taft has always been a place where I have been free to express myself with no fear of judgment. I can be myself and make friends who like me for who I truly am. I hope Taft continues on in this fashion because that is what makes the difference between being just a school and creating pride in being a close community. is a community of love and friendship.

j

j

Taft

Taft is a river. There are rocks and sticks, it is sometimes shallow,

sometimes deep, there are narrow and wide sections, and all the while it is fast with rapids that we are borne

EN

thrillingly along. Yet, here and there are calm eddies where we can sit for a while and catch our breath before

61

plunging into the turbulent river once more. However tired we may become, the eddies and calm sections revive us, and we continue down the river, moved along by the constant flow of the water. Where it all begins j

and where it all ends. Taft is a treadmill. You have to keep running or else you fall off. At times you can jog, but j

you never walk. As students we run, and run, and run. We go to class, hang out with friends, go to practices, and do our homework, but we always move. We work hard and run fast, and we never stop. We won’t stop until it’s all over. Patagonias, flannels, Hunter boots, Barbours, So Lows, and mid-calves. A place that is shared by the j

j

community surrounding us and where people from all over the world are welcomed. reality. It

j

Taft is my escape from

is a place where I am able to focus on bettering myself through

its vast resources. A place of development and formation of one’s being.

j

Taft’s incredible facilities

as well as vested faculty provide a place where one can grow while preparing for the next step. Taft is a convivial j

Environmental initiatives at Taft Taft is a school that encourages students to grow

community where people can share thoughts and ideas.

j

THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, TAFT HAS BEEN AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE GREEN SCHOOLS ALL IANCE , physically and socially FOR through academics, community service, sports, and awkward moments. Taft is a place AND HAS PART ICIPATED IN GREEN CUP ENERGY REDUCTION AND RECYCLING COMPETIT IONS . j

where learning is encouraged, excellence is demanded, and going beyond what is required is the norm.

j

Taft

is honestly whatever you make of it. It is as good or as bad as you are willing to make it. It’s a million shades of gray and it’s up to you to pick a shade. Taft is a place where students from all over the world gather to discover j

their full capacity and build their future.

j

Taft is a rainbow of knowledge.

j

Taft is a place where minds grow.

EN 62

At Taft we are constantly striving to find ways to protect the environment. At the forefront of our green initiative is our Gold-level LEED-certified dining hall facility (a USGBC certification program for buildings that exhibit Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

What are some of the other environmental initiatives we have implemented? j

j

Our Director of

j

More than 90% of the wood

j

We teach classes

j

In fall and spring we

Environmental Stewardship

used in recent construction

that involve ecology,

offer farming as an

works with the entire

projects was sourced

science and ethics, and

extracurricular activity.

community to ensure

from sustainably managed

environmental awareness.

Kids learn about the

responsible resource use

forestry operations and

Environmental themes are

hard work and planning

and environmental impact.

is certified by the Forest

integrated across almost

of organic farming, and

In the dining hall, we’ve

Stewardship Council.

every discipline, including

sourcing local food.

We purchase 100% green

summer reading themes.

The Farming Ex is part

In AP Environmental

of the volunteer program.

reduced wastewater

j

by 93% through low-

power and are a top 20

flow fixtures and use of

K–12 School in the

Science class, students

Participating kids spend

captured rainwater.

Green Power Partnership,

study the functioning of the

two days a week at a local

currently ranked 4th for

planet, and ways we can

organic farm, and the other

the quantity of green power

modify current methods

four days taking care of the

we purchase.

of energy, food and fuel

on-campus Taft chickens

consumption in order to

and garden.

Taft SPOTLIGHT

j

reduce our carbon footprint.

The Taft Bulletin, our quarterly alumni magazine, is now published on FSC certified paper.

Environmental initiatives j

Last spring the Taft Science

j

In April, we run No

j

Solar Initiatives—

Department installed an

Impact Week, where

The school’s first solar

observation beehive in

various activities and

project is installed on the

the second floor of the

pledges are designed for

roof of the Athletic Center.

Wu building. The project

students and faculty to

We’re also building a LEED

serves the dual purpose

challenge their lifestyle

of allowing Taft students

choices and impact.

to directly observe and

j

implementation in the ventilation system. j

Computer-controlled

Replacement of 2,700 windows with new,

home for faculty housing. j

Heat recovery

energy efficient windows. j

Collecting rainwater

In the dining hall, we have

heating and cooling

for flushing toilets;

understand the nature of

eliminated the use of

systems govern the

have installed some

communal insects that fill

trays, in order to lower the

functioning of the school.

the vital pollinator niche

amount of water used by

We have also replaced

in our environment and

the dishwashers and the

the steam line, which

also to aid the survival of

amount of food wasted.

has saved thousands of

the imperiled European

j

j

honeybee.

We compost 100% of all food waste on campus,

j

waterless urinals. j

vehicles with new hybrids. j

gallons of fuel oil. j

Boiler conversion—

Replacing older school Changing to compact fluorescent light bulbs.

j

Our single-stream recycling

which amounts to about

We have converted one

program has dramatically

six tons per month.

of our three oil boilers to

increased the amount of

We integrate local fruits

enable us to burn natural

recycling campus-wide.

and milk regularly into the

gas, with the attendant

dining hall meal plan.

benefit of using a cleaner alternative to oil.

63

Taft is a community of love and friendship.

j

Taft is a river. There are rocks and sticks, it is sometimes shallow,

sometimes deep, there are narrow and wide sections, and all the while it is fast with rapids that we are borne thrillingly along. Yet, here and there are calm eddies where we can sit for a while and catch our breath before plunging into the turbulent river once more. However tired we may become, the eddies and calm sections revive us, and we continue down the river, moved along by the constant flow of the water. begins and where it all ends.

j

j

Where it all

WH

Taft is a treadmill. You have to keep running or else you fall off. At times you

can jog, but you never walk. As students we run, and run, and run. We go to class, hang out with friends,65 go to practices, and do our homework, but we always move. We work hard and run fast, and we never stop. We won’t stop until it’s all over.

j

Patagonias, flannels, Hunter boots, Barbours, So Lows, and mid-calves.

j

A

place that is shared by the community surrounding us and where people from all over the world are welcomed. j

What to Expect When You’re Accepted

Taft is my escape from reality. It is a place where I am able to focus on bettering myself through its vast What mak es Taft unique? What sets us apart fr om ot he r s chool s ?

one’s being.

Taft’s incredible facilities vested resources. A place of development and formation Whetherof y ou’r e enter ing the school as a Lower Mi d o ras a swell a S eas ni or , j

j

you ca n expect t o become a member of a community that adher es to its cor e va l ue s .

faculty provide a place where one can grow while preparing for the next step. where people can share thoughts and ideas.

j

j

Taft is a convivial community

Taft is a school that encourages students to grow physically

and socially through academics, community service, sports, and awkward moments. Taft

is a place

where learning is encouraged, excellence is demanded, and going beyond what is required is the norm. Taft is honestly whatever you make of it. It is as good or as bad as you are willing to make it. It’s a million shades of gray and it’s up to you to pick a shade. j

Taft is a place where students from all over the world gather to discover their full capacity and build their

future.

j

Taft is a rainbow of knowledge.

j

Taft is a place where minds grow.

j

Taft: a place which is large

enough to provide the opportunities and challenges of a big school but small enough to create the intimacy and warmth of a small school; a school where students learn to push themselves and respond to setbacks; a school which develops character and leadership in its students, based on respect, honor and service.

great advisors

Respect for being smart

great food,

Meaningful homework,

[Hannah] It was the night before

[Daniela] At Taft, it’s cool to be

great conversation

not busywork

the history exam and I went to

smart. It’s fun to be in a class

Our Student Union is equipped

[Rex] Not until I came to Taft did

my advisor’s dorm apartment

filled with smart people, which

with email kiosks, a digital

I actually learn how to form a

worried about how hard the

really keeps me on my toes.

video jukebox with touch-

clear thesis and how to actually

screen music selection, a

edit my own papers. Taft forces

multizone sound system, and

you to write, write, and write

a flat panel television with a

until you have it down to an art.

exam would be. He and his wife calmed me down and quizzed me and I ended up acing it.

Team bonding

[Jake] Thirds soccer feeds are THE best. Probably because Thirds soccer was such a diverse group that we had a hilarious time no matter what,

WH

and also because we had such great coaches.

66

a smooth transition into the Taft community

All new students are assigned student sponsors (called “old boys” and “old girls”) fun weekend activities

[Bob] There are so many things to do! We hang with our friends, go to the movies, ride bikes, go skiing, skate on the pond, hike, go to the dance, throw discs, or toss the football.

[Cameron] One of the best

things in Watertown is Susan’s Country Kitchen (a local eatery). It’s great to get up on a Sunday morning and walk to town for a great breakfast.

[Anant] My favorite thing

to do on a free day is to go to Dimitris with my friends. The waitresses are friendly and my friends and I always find some ways to make ourselves laugh.

[Tanya] For fun, I play golf.

Taft has an 18-hole golf course, which many schools don’t have. I like to take advantage of our club and play a game I love to play.

[Hayley] I hang out in

friends’ rooms, go into town, and go to dances! I spend a lot of my free time rollerblading around campus with my friends.

whose job it is to greet you the moment you arrive on campus on your first day, to answer your questions, explain our customs, and help you feel at home. You will also be assigned a temporary faculty advisor for the first three weeks of school. This person may become your permanent advisor if you so choose. the chance to stretch your wings, to try things you never thought you’d try

[Will] I never thought of myself as a singer. I thought of myself as an athlete. But I had heard

surround sound theater.

[Claire] I have met so many

new people at sit-down, and it brings a sense of community to Taft. It adds a family-like feeling to the school. You feel as if your real family has grown to include 595 brothers and sisters and the entire Taft faculty.

[Ally] Being a hockey

player who had never owned a dress before coming here, it was quite an experience having to dress up every Tuesday and Thursday for sit-down. After the second dinner, however, I began to secretly look forward to them.

[John] After four years of

sit-down dinners, I am forced to admit: I look pretty darn good in a coat and tie.

[Devon] Sit-down is great.

At the beginning of the year, as a Freshman, it was a really good way to make new friends, especially in older grades.

[Sarah] My dorm had a

chocolate fountain feed one night! It was amazing. I loved it!

all over the world. Then Mr. Fifer encouraged me to try out.

I auditioned and I made it. Now I think of myself as a singer who also play sports.

[Keith] I took a dance

class and now I love to dance.

[Zander] I did ceramics

and now I’m interested in

knowledgeable teachers

[Coco] I love my math teacher.

I love when he has a problem on the board and then he’ll trade places with someone in class and sit at the student’s desk while the student teaches.

He’s great at getting everyone involved and excited.

[Oat] Being from Thailand,

I wasn’t used to the freedom of speech we had in class. Taft teachers call on us all of the time. I soon overcame my shy personality and became more comfortable talking in class.

[Amanda] I’ve never been

pushed so hard and achieved so much in a single semester.

This place is intense, but I definitely feel like I’m ready for college. beautiful campus, stunning facilities

[Max] Miles of fields, an 18hole golf course, and awesome academic, arts and athletic facilities—I feel like we can do

Collegium sing and I thought it was cool that they get to travel

passionate,

anything here.

WRED

[Holly] I’m a DJ and while I tend to play my favorites, I also take requests as I’m walking across campus on the way to the studio. I’m not sure I will ever be a professional DJ but it’s pretty cool having the chance now.

making sculptures

What to Expect When You’re accepted

The Jig is where you can hang

School Colors: Technically,

out with your friends and get

blue and red, but red has

delicious food when the dining

become the dominant color.

hall is closed.

History tells us that, of the first

graduating class of 10 students

[Brooke] Sandy and

Marty in the Jig are part of

back in 1896, nine were going

the community. I just tell them

to Yale and one to Harvard. So

“the usual” and they always

blue was chosen as one school

know what I want.

color, and out of deference to the Harvard student, red was

The Scene: the time after

dinner and before study hall, when you can hang out with your friends.

In-depth report cards

unique Taft lingo

[Henry] My parents couldn’t

Freshmen are called Lower Mids.

believe the quality and depth

Sophomores are called Mids.

of the comments written on my

Juniors are called Upper Mids.

report card. It showed them

Seniors are called Seniors!

that Taft was not just a school, but a place where the teachers really care about you as a student and a person.

pride that our school holds

body. They have demon-

the chance to travel and

strated special qualities of

be of service to others

leadership and character.

[Helena] It was an awesome

tation of the Honor System,

kids less fortunate. You learn

in the dormitories, and in

a lot about their culture and it’s a huge shock to see how

day-to-day school events. j

they live. I left the Dominican

and one girl) are chosen by

Republic with a whole new appreciation for what I have.

the entire student body. j

[Kerry] I traveled to the

three classes, elected by

spring break, and it was an

the members of their class.

unforgettable and life-changing

They assist with governing

experience. We taught English

the school. j

[Ben] Building a home

Corridor Monitors are Upper Mids and Seniors selected

in Guatemala was incredibly

by the faculty to live among

meaningful. Working alongside

younger students in the

a family from the Third World

dorm in order to help the

taught me to appreciate how lucky I am.

Class Committee members are students in the lower

Dominican Republic this

to elementary school kids.

The Head Monitors (one boy

dorms run smoothly. j

The Day Student Council members are elected by the day students.

as “Big Red.”

in honesty, integrity and individual work. “I pledge my honor that I have neither given nor received aid on this evaluation.”

They assist in the implemen-

experience getting to help

teams began to be referred to

volunteering.

The Pledge: A symbol of the

elected by the whole student

no mascot at the time, school

Ex-: Afternoon activities that

Student Government

Monitors are 12 Seniors

the 1970s, because we had

range from sports to theater to

members of the Taft

j

chosen for the other. But by

Taft Rhino: The school

mascot. But interestingly, we Sit-Down: A twice-a-week

dinner involving assigned tables and semi-formal dress.

PSBL: The hugely popular

informal softball league, in which coed teams comprised of students and faculty compete for the championship and bragging rights. PSBL stands for “pre-study-hallbaseball league.”

Feed: Advisors, coaches, dorm

parents, clubs all prepare food for you, whether it’s ice cream, pizza, dinner, dessert, or a backyard picnic.

had no mascot until the late 1980s. Back then, students took a poll and elected “Big Red Rhinos,” somewhat as a joke. Nothing was ever official about the choice of rhino, nor was it formally announced.

But gradually rhinos began appearing on T-shirts and logos and the rhino became part of the cultural fabric of the school. The rhino choice actually spoke of strength, power and humor, although it’s likely none of that was factored in when the students adopted it. Nowadays the rhino is everywhere—on hats, T-shirts, books, stationery, yearbooks and suited up at sports events.

Looks like it’s here to stay.

67

However tired we may become, the eddies and calm sections revive us, and we continue down the river, moved along by the constant flow of the water. Where it all begins and where it all ends. Taft is a treadmill. You have to j

j

keep running or else you fall off. At times you can jog, but you never walk. As students we run, and run, and run.

We go to class, hang out with friends, go to practices, and do our homework, but we always move. We work hard and run fast, and we never stop. We won’t stop until it’s all over. Patagonias, flannels, Hunter boots, Barbours,

WT

j

So Lows, and mid-calves. A place that is shared by the community surrounding us and where people from all

69

j

over the world are welcomed. Taft is my escape from reality. It is a place where I am able to focus on bettering j

myself through its vast resources.

j

A place of development and formation of one’s being.

j

Taft’s incredible

welcome to WATERTOWN!

facilities as well as vested faculty provide a place where one can grow while preparing for the next step. Taft is j

a convivial community where people can share thoughts and ideas. Taft is a school that encourages students to Exactly where in Connecticut is Watertown? j

grow physically and socially through academics, community service, sports, and awkward moments. Taft is a j

place where learning is encouraged, excellence is demanded, and going beyond what is required is the norm.

j

Taft is honestly whatever you make of it. It is as good or as bad as you are willing to make it. It’s a million shades of gray and it’s up to you to pick a shade. Taft is a place where students from all over the world gather to discover j

their full capacity and build their future.

j

Taft is a rainbow of knowledge.

j

Taft is a place where minds grow.

Taft: a place which is large enough to provide the opportunities and challenges of a big school but small enough to create the intimacy and warmth of a small school; a school where students learn to push themselves and respond to setbacks; a school which develops character and leadership in its students, based on respect, honor and service.

welcome to WATERTOWN! Population: about 22,000

County:

Interesting Facts: j

American political satirist and poet,

Litchfield

WT 70

Restaurants:

was born in Watertown. j

spooled silk thread (1847), the

end eateries, a few chains, including

Watertown Manufacturing Company’s

Starbucks. There are exceptional

plastic shatterproof “Lifetime”

restaurants within a 15–20 minute driving

melamine dinnerware (1940s), the first

distance from Taft. (See our website—

high-nap fabric used as imitation fur

TaftSchool.org—for details.)

(Princeton Knitting Mills), the Oakville Pin Shop’s pins, Seymour Smith &

Getting Around:

Sons’ cutting tools, garden shears and

Bus service leaves from the Taft campus

pruning equipment.

and goes directly to the Waterbury mall.

Boston and other major cities departs from Waterbury, which is about a 15-minute drive. You can easily walk into town from Taft’s campus.

Products that were first manufactured here include Merritt Heminway’s

Family-owned diners, some higher-

Train and bus service to New York,

John Trumbull (1750–1831), an

Area Fun: Great hiking in Litchfield County’s famous White Memorial Woods, biking, running routes, kayaking, skiing and snowboarding, movie theaters,

History:

amusement parks.

In 1684, Thomas Judd and 35 others

Distance from:

bought the land from the Paugasuck Indian tribe.

j

New York City: about 1 hour, 45 minutes by car

j

Boston: about 2.5 hours by car

j

Hartford: about 50 minutes by car

Latitude: +41.602985º Longitude: -73.123719º Elevation: 520 feet above sea level

71

How to AppLy We are eager to hear from you and happy to help guide you through the admissions process. Spend some time browsing our website. Feel free to call or email any of the members in our office with questions. Most importantly, come visit us.

AC Ho

Taft uses the SAO (Standard Application Online).

Steps to follow:

72

1. Create your Taft Admission Portal by filling out the inquiry form on our website (www.taftschool.org/admissions/apply.aspx).

Detailed instructions on how to apply can be found there.

2. Create your SAO Portal (www.ssat.org/admission/the-sao).

3. Register to take the SSAT (www.SSAT.org). You should plan on taking the SSAT in October, November, December, or January.

Taft’s SSAT code is 7600. If you’re applying as a Post Graduate candidate, you must take the PSAT or SAT. If your first language is not English, we strongly encourage you take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). Taft’s TOEFL code is 3834.

4. Schedule a visit. We require that every applicant has a personal interview. The best time to visit is during the months of “I loved how m y t our guide went out of her way to a nswer m y quest ions and m a ke m e feel welcom e when I a pplied t o Ta ft. Now, I enjoy t ouring new a pplica nt s and showing t hem m y school.”

—Coco, Upper M i d

September through January. Your visit will take about two hours, as it includes an interview and a tour of the campus for you and your parents. If finances or distance make such a visit impossible, let us know, and we will try to arrange an interview with an Alumni Representative in your area, or set up a Skype interview.

5. If you would like to be considered for financial aid, you can apply online by following the link on our website to the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS). Your parents must fill out the Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) online by February 1, which will include a copy of your family’s most recent income tax return.

6. Check your Taft Admission Portal to ensure that your application

The Taft School 110 Woodbury Road

Watertown, CT 06795-2100 860-945-7700

is complete, including recommendations from your English and Math teachers, as well as your Principal/School Head or Guidance Counselor, by January 15.

See page 111 for more information.

Admissions@TaftSchool.org www.TaftSchool.org

Important Dates Application deadline: January 15 Financial Aid deadline: February 1 Notification of decisions: Letters will be mailed on March 10 Parents’ reply date: Admitted students must notify Taft of intention to matriculate by April 10

Directions to the school GPS Address

To see a virtual tour of the school, including interviews with students

110 Woodbury Road

and faculty, download the Taft

Watertown, Connecticut

School app from the iTunes Store!

Best Routes to Watertown

By Car Sturbridge, Exit 9; west on Interstate 84 to Exit 20; north on Route 8 (3.9 miles) to Exit 37; turn left at bottom of exit ramp (Route 262 west) for 1.7 miles. At second light, turn right (still on Route 262). After approximately 2 miles, turn left at 2nd light onto Route 6 west. Taft appears after approximately 1 mile on Route 6.

2014 2015

West via Massachusetts Turnpike to

The Taft School

TaftSchool.org

F r o m B o st o n ( 1 20 m iles)

F r o m B r a d l e y I nt ernat iona l A i r p o rt ( 5 5 m i l e s)

South via Interstate 91 to Hartford; west on Interstate 84 to Exit 20; north on Route 8 (3.9 miles) to Exit 37; turn left

By Air, Train, Limo, or Bus

Lodging

at bottom of exit ramp (Route 262 west)

Bradley International Airport, near

Her itage Inn

for 1.7 miles. At second light, turn right

Hartford/Springfield, is 50 miles, an

Heritage Village

(still on Route 262). After approximately 2

hour and five minutes from the school.

Southbury, CT 203-264-8200

miles, turn left at 2nd light onto Route 6

Connecticut Limo 800-472-5466 runs

west. Taft appears after approximately 1

regular service from Bradley, LaGuardia,

Cr owne Plaza Southb ury

mile on Route 6.

and JFK airports.

Southbury, CT 203-598-7600

F r o m N e w Y o r k Cit y (9 0 m iles)

j

Amtrak 800-872-7245

Mar r iott Courtyar d

North via Hutchinson River Parkway to

j

Bonanza Bus Lines 203-755-2700

Waterbury, CT 203-596-1000

White Plains; north on Interstate 684

j

Greyhound Bus (Hartford)

Southbury, Exit 15. At bottom of exit

j

Metro North Train 800-638-7646

ramp, turn left onto Route 6 east through

j

Travel Center (Waterbury)

860-522-9267

to Exit 9 east; east on Interstate 84 to

203-756-8941

Woodbury to Watertown (12 miles from

Yellow Cab (Waterbury) 203-754-5151

The Hampton Inn

Waterbury, CT 203-753-1777 Litchfield Inn

Litchfield, CT 860-567-4503

The Taft School

Exit 15).

j

F r o m A l b a n y ( 1 0 5 m iles)

There are daily trains and buses from

Watertown, CT 06795-2100

New York City to nearby Waterbury and

860-945-7700

regular bus service from Hartford and

Admissions@TaftSchool.org

New Haven.

TaftSchool.org

110 Woodbury Road East via NY State Thruway (I-90) which becomes Mass Pike. Exit at Exit 2, Head east on Route 20, then South on Route 8. At Exit 38 (Thomaston), go straight at the bottom of the exit ramp onto Route 6 west. Taft is on the right in approximately

Copy writing: Sarah Albee

Photography: Lesley Alpert, Roberto d’Erizans, Bob Falcetti, Peter Finger,

7 minutes.

Peter Frew ’75, Highpoint Pictures, Rob Madden ’03, Julie Reiff,

Jessica Wynne ’90, Yee-Fun Yin

Design: Good Design, LLC

2014 2015

Tom Kates, Andre Li,

Non ut sibi ministretur sed ut ministret

FACILITIES Academic Facilities

Residential Halls

19 20 21 22

Dining Facilities

3 4 9 9 15 19

40

Woolworth Faculty Room Pinto Family Language Lab Arts and Humanities Center Digital Design Computer Lab Moorhead Academic Center Lady Ivy Kwok Wu Science and Mathematics Center Wu Computer Lab Laube Auditorium Hulbert Taft Jr. Library Nancy and Ben Belcher Learning Center Mortara Family Academic Wing

Arts Facilities

4 5 7 9 9 9 9

9 10 14 >

Choral Room Bingham Auditorium Pailey Dance Studio Electronic Music Studio Photography Dark Rooms Music Practice Rooms Woodward Black Box Theater Gail Wynne Studio Mark W. Potter ’48 Art Gallery Tremaine Art Studio Walker Hall

Athletic Facilities 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38

Table of Contents 2 | WELCOME

3 | H e a d m a st e r’s Welcom e

4 | P o rt r a i t of a Gra duat e

6 | Th e n a n d Now

9 | Academics 1 3 | Th e H o n o r Code 1 4 | Re so u r c e s /Fa cilit ies 1 7 | Fa c u lt y 1 8 | A d v i si n g a nd Pa rent s 2 1 | C o l l e g e C ounseling

23 | NON UT SIBI MINISTRETUR… 2 4 | Community Service

39 | Athletics 45 | Facilities

2 7 | Service Lear ning

47 | Residential Life

2 8 | Global Service

51 | A Day@Taft (foldout)

31 | Arts 3 5 | Per for ming Arts 3 6 | Visual Arts

39 41 42 A GC

53 | The Moor head Win g 54 | Q & A

57 | Spiritual Life

The Taft School actively seeks and admits students of any race to all its rights, privileges, programs and activities and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, or national origin in the administration of its policies and programs.

McCullogh Athletic Facility Mays Rink Logan Field House Paul and Edith Cruikshank Athletic Center Odden Hockey Arena Snyder Field Rockefeller Field William Weaver Track Parents’ Association Field House Geoffrey C. Camp Field Lawrence H. Stone Baseball Pavilion at Rockwell Field Softball Field Donaldson Family Pavilion Katie Jackson Morrison ’92 Soccer Field Athletics Fields Golf Course

2 Horace D. Taft Hall 4 Charles Phelps Taft Hall 6 John L. Vogelstein ’52 Dormitory 13 Cruikshank House 17 Congdon House 24 MacIntosh House 25 Centennial Dormitory 26 Upper School Girls Dormitory

8 Oscarson Jigger Shop 12 Moorhead Wing j East Dining Hall j Laube Dining Hall j Prentice Dining Hall

Spiritual

5 Bingham Auditorium > Walker Hall > Woodward Chapel

Student Union

8 Oscarson Jigger Shop

Other

1 Main Entrance 4 School Store 11 Potter’s Pond 18 Martin Health Center 23 Centennial Quadrangle 27 Wade House P Parking AD Admissions

Off-Campus Facilities

> Alumni Development Office 25 The Green > Business Office 39 The Green > Walker Hall

50 DeForest Street > Woodward Chapel 25 The Green

FACILITIES Academic Facilities

Residential Halls

19 20 21 22

Dining Facilities

3 4 9 9 15 19

40

Woolworth Faculty Room Pinto Family Language Lab Arts and Humanities Center Digital Design Computer Lab Moorhead Academic Center Lady Ivy Kwok Wu Science and Mathematics Center Wu Computer Lab Laube Auditorium Hulbert Taft Jr. Library Nancy and Ben Belcher Learning Center Mortara Family Academic Wing

Arts Facilities

4 5 7 9 9 9 9

9 10 14 >

Choral Room Bingham Auditorium Pailey Dance Studio Electronic Music Studio Photography Dark Rooms Music Practice Rooms Woodward Black Box Theater Gail Wynne Studio Mark W. Potter ’48 Art Gallery Tremaine Art Studio Walker Hall

Athletic Facilities 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38

Table of Contents 2 | WELCOME

3 | H e a d m a st e r’s Welcom e

4 | P o rt r a i t of a Gra duat e

6 | Th e n a n d Now

9 | Academics 1 3 | Th e H o n o r Code 1 4 | Re so u r c e s /Fa cilit ies 1 7 | Fa c u lt y 1 8 | A d v i si n g a nd Pa rent s 2 1 | C o l l e g e C ounseling

23 | NON UT SIBI MINISTRETUR… 2 4 | Community Service

39 | Athletics 45 | Facilities

2 7 | Service Lear ning

47 | Residential Life

2 8 | Global Service

51 | A Day@Taft (foldout)

31 | Arts 3 5 | Per for ming Arts 3 6 | Visual Arts

39 41 42 A GC

53 | The Moor head Win g 54 | Q & A

57 | Spiritual Life

The Taft School actively seeks and admits students of any race to all its rights, privileges, programs and activities and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, or national origin in the administration of its policies and programs.

McCullogh Athletic Facility Mays Rink Logan Field House Paul and Edith Cruikshank Athletic Center Odden Hockey Arena Snyder Field Rockefeller Field William Weaver Track Parents’ Association Field House Geoffrey C. Camp Field Lawrence H. Stone Baseball Pavilion at Rockwell Field Softball Field Donaldson Family Pavilion Katie Jackson Morrison ’92 Soccer Field Athletics Fields Golf Course

2 Horace D. Taft Hall 4 Charles Phelps Taft Hall 6 John L. Vogelstein ’52 Dormitory 13 Cruikshank House 17 Congdon House 24 MacIntosh House 25 Centennial Dormitory 26 Upper School Girls Dormitory

8 Oscarson Jigger Shop 12 Moorhead Wing j East Dining Hall j Laube Dining Hall j Prentice Dining Hall

Spiritual

5 Bingham Auditorium > Walker Hall > Woodward Chapel

Student Union

8 Oscarson Jigger Shop

Other

1 Main Entrance 4 School Store 11 Potter’s Pond 18 Martin Health Center 23 Centennial Quadrangle 27 Wade House P Parking AD Admissions

Off-Campus Facilities

> Alumni Development Office 25 The Green > Business Office 39 The Green > Walker Hall

50 DeForest Street > Woodward Chapel 25 The Green

Directions to the school GPS Address

To see a virtual tour of the school, including interviews with students

110 Woodbury Road

and faculty, download the Taft

Watertown, Connecticut

School app from the iTunes Store!

Best Routes to Watertown

By Car Sturbridge, Exit 9; west on Interstate 84 to Exit 20; north on Route 8 (3.9 miles) to Exit 37; turn left at bottom of exit ramp (Route 262 west) for 1.7 miles. At second light, turn right (still on Route 262). After approximately 2 miles, turn left at 2nd light onto Route 6 west. Taft appears after approximately 1 mile on Route 6.

2014 2015

West via Massachusetts Turnpike to

The Taft School

TaftSchool.org

F r o m B o st o n ( 1 20 m iles)

F r o m B r a d l e y I nt ernat iona l A i r p o rt ( 5 5 m i l e s)

South via Interstate 91 to Hartford; west on Interstate 84 to Exit 20; north on Route 8 (3.9 miles) to Exit 37; turn left

By Air, Train, Limo, or Bus

Lodging

at bottom of exit ramp (Route 262 west)

Bradley International Airport, near

Her itage Inn

for 1.7 miles. At second light, turn right

Hartford/Springfield, is 50 miles, an

Heritage Village

(still on Route 262). After approximately 2

hour and five minutes from the school.

Southbury, CT 203-264-8200

miles, turn left at 2nd light onto Route 6

Connecticut Limo 800-472-5466 runs

west. Taft appears after approximately 1

regular service from Bradley, LaGuardia,

Cr owne Plaza Southb ury

mile on Route 6.

and JFK airports.

Southbury, CT 203-598-7600

F r o m N e w Y o r k Cit y (9 0 m iles)

j

Amtrak 800-872-7245

Mar r iott Courtyar d

North via Hutchinson River Parkway to

j

Bonanza Bus Lines 203-755-2700

Waterbury, CT 203-596-1000

White Plains; north on Interstate 684

j

Greyhound Bus (Hartford)

Southbury, Exit 15. At bottom of exit

j

Metro North Train 800-638-7646

ramp, turn left onto Route 6 east through

j

Travel Center (Waterbury)

860-522-9267

to Exit 9 east; east on Interstate 84 to

203-756-8941

Woodbury to Watertown (12 miles from

Yellow Cab (Waterbury) 203-754-5151

The Hampton Inn

Waterbury, CT 203-753-1777 Litchfield Inn

Litchfield, CT 860-567-4503

The Taft School

Exit 15).

j

F r o m A l b a n y ( 1 0 5 m iles)

There are daily trains and buses from

Watertown, CT 06795-2100

New York City to nearby Waterbury and

860-945-7700

regular bus service from Hartford and

Admissions@TaftSchool.org

New Haven.

TaftSchool.org

110 Woodbury Road East via NY State Thruway (I-90) which becomes Mass Pike. Exit at Exit 2, Head east on Route 20, then South on Route 8. At Exit 38 (Thomaston), go straight at the bottom of the exit ramp onto Route 6 west. Taft is on the right in approximately

Copy writing: Sarah Albee

Photography: Lesley Alpert, Roberto d’Erizans, Bob Falcetti, Peter Finger,

7 minutes.

Peter Frew ’75, Highpoint Pictures, Rob Madden ’03, Julie Reiff,

Jessica Wynne ’90, Yee-Fun Yin

Design: Good Design, LLC

2014 2015

Tom Kates, Andre Li,

Non ut sibi ministretur sed ut ministret