Miss Porter’s School
Overview

Founded in 1843, Porter’s excels at preparing young women for college, for leadership and for life. A boarding and day school for students in grades nine through 12, Porter’s offers a challenging academic curriculum and a diverse residential community of scholars, athletes, artists and friends. With over 300 students hailing from 27 states and representing 31 countries, Porter’s dynamic approach to education inspires young women to become informed, bold, resourceful and ethical global citizens. Porter’s mission statement sets high expectations: “We expect our graduates to shape a changing world.” Students enthusiastically accept this challenge with the assistance of faculty members who serve as educators, advisers, coaches and mentors. At Porter's, young women develop high levels of achievement in mathematics, foreign languages, science, history, English, and the arts by being challenged to think independently, ask questions, debate theories and share ideas. Porter’s rigorous academic program, collaborative environment and supportive community prepares students for college and beyond. Porter’s believes in maintaining a healthy balance between intellectual activity and physical exercise; each student participates daily on a team, in the dance program, or in a sports class. At the varsity level, athletes experience a professional environment, where they have access to top-notch facilities, coaches, and equipment. At Porter's, our girls are the players, not the audience.
Academics
Department Director Tim Quinn
Student/Teacher Ratio: 7:1
Average Class Size: 12
Summer Programs: Not Offered
Full Time Teachers: 48
Number of AP Courses Offered: 21
Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 71%
Number of IB Courses Offered: 0
Learning Support
- Peer Tutoring
- Study Skills Assistance
- Writing Center
English
- Classics
- Creative Writing
- Literature
- Poetry
History
- Asian History
- European History
- United States History
- World History
Foreign Languages
Humanities / Social Sciences
- Economics
- Psychology
Sciences
- Anatomy
- Astronomy
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Genetics
- Marine Biology
- Physics
- Forensics
Math
Computer Studies
- Computer Applications
- Computer Programming
- Computer Science
- Web Design
Music
- Choral Music
- Individual Instructions
- Music History
- Music Theory
- Orchestra
- Voice
Performing / Visual Arts
Special Programs
- Study Abroad
- Community Service
- Exchange Programs
- Personal Finance
- Independent Study
- Leadership
Campus Life
Dorm Life
Number of Dorms: 10
Average Students Per Dorm: 0
Number of Girls Dorms: 10
Number of Boys Dorms: 0
Dorm Amenities
Other Dorm Amenities
Student Life
When the class day ends and the sports teams put away their equipment, the co-curricular opportunities at Miss Porter’s School come alive. With 45 clubs, several performing groups, countless community service opportunities, weekend activities, and revered traditions, there is something for everyone.
Facilities
- All-Weather Track
- Baseball Field
- Basketball Court
- Fitness Center
- Indoor Basketball Court
- Indoor Climbing Wall
- Indoor Pool
- Volleyball Court
- Turf Fields
Other Facilities
Clubs & Organizations
- Amnesty International
- Animal Rights Club
- Asian Club
- Community Service
- Computer Club
- Debate Club
- Diversity Club
- Dorm Proctors
- Environmental Club
- Food Council
- Foreign Language Clubs
- Gardening Club
- Habitat for Humanity
- Honor Council
- Horseback Riding
- International Club
- Investment Club
- Jewish Student Organization
- Literary Magazine
- Math Club
- Mock Trial
- Model UN
- Newspaper
- Outing Club
- Peer Counseling
- Peer Tutoring
- Science Bowl
- Sexualities Club
- Student Activities
- Student Government
- Student Publications
- Theater Club
- Yearbook
- Yoga Club
- Young Democrats
- Young Republicans
Arts & Athletics
Arts Department Director: Grier Torrence
Athletics Department Director: Avi Dubnov
Arts
Interscholastic Sports
- Alpine Skiing
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Crew
- Cross Country Running
- Diving
- Equestrian
- Field Hockey
- Golf
- Horseback Riding
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Softball
- Squash
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Volleyball
Recreational Sports
- Rock Climbing
- Yoga
Graduates
Summary: The College Office strives to expand students’ knowledge and horizons in the context of a highly individualized counseling process. The ultimate goal of the office is to foster students’ academic, intellectual and personal growth while empowering them to take ownership of the college process and their futures. The college search and selection process is an integral part of the student experience at Porter's, and college advisors at Porter’s serve multiple roles. First, they are a resource for the information and advice students and their families need to understand and navigate the increasingly complex college admission process. Second, they serve as a link to the college community, working closely with college admission officers to help them interpret our students’ experiences and accomplishments in the context of Porter's rigorous academic program and rich extracurricular life. Finally, and most importantly, they are enthusiastic advocates for students and Porter’s, and aim to provide a constant source of encouragement and support as students prepare for the next exciting phase in their academic career.
College Information
Percentage of graduates who attend college: 100%
Middle Percentile of SAT Scores | Reading | Math | Writing |
---|---|---|---|
25th percentile | 560 | 560 | 580 |
75th percentile | 680 | 680 | 680 |
Notable Alumni
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis
Class of 1947
First Lady of the United States
Lilly Pulitzer
Class of 1947
Lilly Pulitzer Inc.
Laura Rockefeller Chasin
Class of 1954
Founded Public Conservations Project
Agnes Gund
Class of 1956
President emerita of Museum of Modern Art
Liz Blake
Class of 1969
Senior vice president and general counsel Habitat for Humanity
Sarah Blake
Class of 1978
NY Times best selling author The Postmistress
Suzannah Grant Henrickson
Class of 1980
Director and screenwriter Erin Brockovich
Annie Selke
Class of 1981
Annie Selke Companies (Dash and Albert Pine Cone Hill Annie Selke Home)
Erin Tubridy Gates
Class of 1997
Founder of Erin Gates Design Elements of Style
Merit
Merit Scholarships: Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 21%
Average Merit Scholarship: 5,555
Current Endowment Amount: $113,000,000
Vital Information
Student Body Type: All Girls
Total Boarding: 203
Total Day: 111
Total Enrollment: 314
Boys: 0
Girls: 314
Boarding Grades Offered: 9-12
Day Grades Offered: 9-12
School Type: High School
Dress Code: Other
Applications Accepted: SAO
Application Deadline: January 15th
Tuition & Financial Aid
7-Day Boarding: $58,970
5-Day Boarding: N/A
Day Tuition Fee: $47,485
Need-Based Aid: Offered
Payment Plans: Offered
Students Receiving Aid: 37%
Average Awarded: $31,000
School Finances
Merit Scholarships: Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 21%
Average Merit Scholarship: $5,555
Current Endowment Amount: $113,000,000
Contact
Director of Admissions: Elizabeth Schmitt
Admissions Phone: 860 409 3530
Fax: 860 409 3531
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.porters.org/admission
Nearby Schools
- The Ethel Walker School - 9mi / 14 km
- Westminster School - 12mi / 19 km
- The Loomis Chaffee School - 13mi / 20 km
- The Taft School - 17mi / 28 km
- Choate Rosemary Hall - 18mi / 29 km
- Forman School - 19mi / 30 km
