Program Description

Taft Summer School

On-Campus Program
Watertown, Connecticut


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For More Information, Contact
Taft Summer School
110 Woodbury Road
Watertown, Connecticut 06795
860-945-7961
Fax: 860-945-7859
http://www.taftschool.org/summer
E-mail: summerschool@taftschool.org

Type of Program: Academic enrichment
Participants: Coeducational, grades 7–12
Enrollment: 150
Program Dates: June 28 to August 1, 2009
Head of Program: Stephen J. McCabe Jr., Director

Location

The Taft School, which was founded in 1890 by Horace Taft, is located in Watertown, Connecticut, a community of 20,000 residents close to the city of Waterbury. Watertown is 45 minutes from Hartford, 1½ hours from New York City, and 2½ hours from Boston.

Background and Philosophy

The Taft Summer School, which was established in 1982, provides an opportunity for motivated students entering grades 7–12 to review course material, prepare for future courses, or enrich their academic experience by taking courses that are not normally available to them. The school offers intensive study in a residential independent school environment—one in which boys and girls can learn how best to realize their potential as students. Teachers from Taft’s faculty join teachers from other fine public and private schools to provide an exciting and varied academic program. While the Summer School’s primary focus is academic, an extensive athletic program and a varied schedule of weekend activities round out the residential experience.

Program Offerings

Young Scholars Program Aimed at younger men and women (those completing the sixth through eighth grades) who intend to take on the challenges of rigorous public and private secondary schools, this program focuses on building essential skills and instilling students with greater confidence as they look ahead to seventh, eighth, and ninth grades and further down the road, to the demands of a college-preparatory program. Applicants must be 12 years of age by June 1, 2009.
Liberal Studies Program This program offers major courses and electives in a variety of disciplines to students entering the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades. Each student is required to take four courses: two 100-level majors and two 200-level electives.
Major course offerings include English, mathematics, biology, physical science, French, Spanish, ESL, history, studio art, ceramics, and photography. Elective course offerings include creative writing, photography, digital video production, acting, ceramics, drawing and painting, art history, testing, reading and study skills, current events, public speaking, psychology, research paper, and SAT/SSAT verbal and math preparation.

Daily Schedule

7:00–7:45
8:00–9:30
9:30–10:00
10:00–11:30
11:30–12:15
12:30–1:10
1:15–1:55
3:15–4:30
5:00–6:00
6:30–7:30
7:30–9:30
10:15
10:30

Breakfast
First period
Break or assembly
Second period
Lunch
Third period
Fourth period
Sports
Dinner
Free time/extracurricular activities
Supervised evening study hall
Students in dormitories
Lights out

Extra Opportunities and Activities

On weekends and Wednesday afternoons, activities and off-campus trips are available to students. In the past, students have visited New York City and Boston, including Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Plimoth Plantation, Quincy Market, and Fenway Park. Broadway shows, dances, movies, shopping, barbecues, and a trip to an amusement park are common outings. Optional trips include museums, beaches, and the ballpark. Sports competitions and a rock concert are two samples of on-campus activities.
Art students’ work is exhibited at the end of the program during the arts festival.

Facilities

Taft’s 220-acre campus includes six separate dormitories; the 53,000-volume Hulbert Taft, Jr. Library; the Ivy Kwok Wu Science and Mathematics Center; a modern infirmary; and the Bingham Auditorium. The Modern Language Learning and Resource Center uses a sophisticated combination of computer hardware and software to facilitate learning a foreign language. The Arts and Humanities Center contains classrooms, faculty offices, the Student Union, spacious art rooms, and a black-box experimental theater. The Cruikshank Athletic Center contains a field house for basketball and volleyball and indoor tennis and squash courts. In addition to Taft’s athletic fields, twelve tennis courts and a running track are available to Summer School students.

Staff

Faculty members at Taft are selected on the basis of their excellence in teaching, their commitment to young people, and their desire to instill enthusiasm for learning. The Summer School faculty is chosen primarily from the regular school-year faculty and from other independent and public schools. In addition, Taft selects several outstanding college seniors and recent graduates who are interested in a career in education to assist faculty members. Interns work in the classroom with a senior teacher, live in the dormitories, assist in the afternoon sports, and serve as advisers to Summer School students.

Medical Care

The Martin Infirmary is a fully equipped facility with a registered nurse on duty at all times. A physician assistant visits the school on a regular schedule, and a physician is on call throughout the day. Emergency medical service is available at St. Mary’s Hospital, which is a 10-minute drive from the campus.

Religious Life

While Taft is a nonsectarian school, students are encouraged to attend the religious institution of their choice. Churches of various denominations are within walking distance of the campus. Students with special needs can be accommodated.

Costs

In 2008, the charge for all boarding students in the on-campus program was $5500. This amount covered tuition, room and board, and all trips and activities. Tuition for a full-time day student living in Watertown or the immediate vicinity was $3400. The tuition for part-time day students was $950 per course. An additional fee to cover books, supplies, incidentals, and spending money is placed in each student’s bank account—$450 for boarding students and $250 for day students. An independent laundry service is available.

Financial Aid

Limited financial aid is available to deserving boarding students. Students should contact the office to obtain an application.

Transportation

Taft provides transportation, free of charge, to and from Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, and JFK Airport in New York. Additional fees are charged to escort unaccompanied minors and to arrange pickup at other locations. Students arriving after June 28 or departing prior to August 1 are asked to make their own transportation arrangements from and to the airport.

Application Timetable

Applications are accepted beginning December 1. As there is a rolling admissions process and applications are reviewed as soon as they are received, it is wise to submit an application early to secure a boarding space and classroom choices before they fill. An application fee of $50 must accompany the application. Upon enrollment, which secures a place, a nonrefundable deposit of $1000 is required. The balance of tuition is due by June 1. The application may be downloaded from the Web site.