TAFT Uniquely

What sets Taft apart? So many things, including innovative learning opportunities that extend, deepen, and strengthen our rigorous academic curriculum, and take discovery and wonder well beyond the classroom walls.

GLOBAL STUDIES AND SERVICE (GSS) DIPLOMA

It’s part of our commitment to a global, multicultural education. The program is all about active citizenship—appreciating the global ripples of everyday, local life and sparking social change. What are the requirements for this diploma? Demonstrated proficiency in a second language; three semesters of GSS coursework; cross-cultural experiences at Taft, in the local community, and abroad, and a portfolio of written work about them; and a final public project.

Morning Meeting

Twice each week, Tafties gather in Bingham Auditorium for Morning Meeting, where fascinating speakers from all over the world offer deep and personal insights into a broad range of issues. Taft students have come to understand the impact of genocide in Rwanda through the words and work of a new generation of survivors. They have traveled to the International Space Station with NASA astronauts, probed the democratic process with senators and congressmen, seen the world through the lens of a National Geographic photographer, and gone inside a range of racial and social justice initiatives. They have engaged with authors, scholars, activists, and artists, and learned from their peers, teachers, friends, and mentors. Morning Meetings are a Taft tradition, and an important part of school life.

Global Leadership And Service Collaborative

We love this exciting partnership between Taft and the City of Waterbury, offering students meaningful opportunities to deepen their understanding of global issues and their local impact. The Collaborative is built on a wide range of service opportunities and mentoring programs, with the Global Leadership Institute (GLI)—a highly selective, 18-month co-curricular program of leadership workshops, internships, research, and collaborative projects—at its core. Recent GLI Scholars have tackled problems as diverse as after-school programs, LGBTQ+ awareness, social justice, renewable energy, food insecurity, and clean water access.

Shakespearean Spirit

There is no discontent in our winter, when all the school becomes a stage (apologies to The Bard), and Tafties take a monthlong dive into the world of Shakespeare. Lower mids and mids bring the sound and the fury to our annual recitation contests. Upper school students take it to another level in their English classes, forming acting companies that cut scripts, block choreography, and stage “pop-up Shakespeare” performances around the school. All of this allows students to experience the joy of discovery and energy that drives revelation.

INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAM (ISP)

ISP lets Taft students pursue their passions through highlevel, self-directed courses of study. Established more than 50 years ago, our program was the first of its kind in the nation, challenging students to think about learning in innovative ways that extend beyond the traditional classroom and curriculum. Upper mids and seniors may apply; no course credit or grades are offered, it’s just learning in its purest form. Since its inception, more than 1,000 Taft students have completed independent study projects, from producing plays and designing a photovoltaic cell to delving into British history and exploring biofuel technology. Learn

Renowned Academic Partnerships

A special partnership between Taft and The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) not only brings world-renowned scientists to our campus each year, it allows Taft students to spend time in the legendary NYBG gardens, classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and research space. And it gets better: Every summer, Taft students join college and graduate school interns in working sideby-side with NYBG scientists on advanced research projects, including the development of a rapid DNA extractor for use by botanists in the field. Taft students have also worked in collaboration with the Sustainable Aquaculture Initiative out of Woods Hole, MA, to develop a small-scale tilapia aquaculture model; the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute; US Geological Survey (USGS); and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).