Summary: The aim of the academic program at Pomfret School is to teach students to use their minds well and to develop in them a spirit of optimism, resilience, and empathy. At Pomfret, learning is not just the retention of facts, information, and foundational tenets of a given subject area, but it is the act of students solving problems and persistently asking questions of the world around them. Learning, which is designed and led by Pomfret’s dedicated, experienced, and innovative teachers, is the result of thinking and grappling with content, which is what our curricular program reflects. John Dewey, American educator and philosopher, wrote in the early twentieth century that students “can only think when confronted with a problem.” Pomfret students have a myriad of opportunities to delve into problems that do not have simple right / wrong answers but instead require deep, skillful thinking and application of knowledge.

Department Director Doug MacLeod

Student/Teacher Ratio: 6:1

Average Class Size: 12

Summer Programs: Not Offered

Full Time Teachers: 57

Number of AP Courses Offered: 0

Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 85%

Number of IB Courses Offered: 0

Learning Support

• Learning Center

English

• Classics
• Creative Writing
• Honors
• Literature
• Playwriting
• Poetry
• Composition

History

• European History
• Honors
• United States History
• World History
• African History

Foreign Languages

Religion / Philosophy

• Ethics
• Faith
• Religious Studies
• Social Justice
• Theology
• World Religions

Humanities / Social Sciences

• Anthropology
• Economics
• Psychology

Sciences

• Anatomy
• Astronomy
• Astrophysics
• Biology
• Biotechnology
• Botany
• Chemistry
• Earth Science
• Ecology
• Electronics
• Environmental Science
• Health
• Marine Biology
• Meteorology
• Microbiology
• Paleontology
• Physical Science
• Physics
• Sports Medicine
• Forensics

Math

Computer Studies

• Computer Programming
• Web Design

Music

• Band
• Choral Music
• Music Theory
• Recording
• Voice
• A Cappella

Performing / Visual Arts

Special Programs

• Study Abroad
• Community Service
• Independent Study
• Leadership
• Student Council
• Maker Space

Dorm Life

Number of Dorms: 12

Average Students Per Dorm: 12

Number of Girls Dorms: 4

Number of Boys Dorms: 8

Dorm Amenities

• Laundry Facilities
• Lounge
• Wireless Internet

Other Dorm Amenities

Student Life

The student life experience at Pomfret is designed to complement the academic journey by offering enriching programs with an emphasis on building character, developing cultural competency, making good decisions, and cultivating socio-emotional fluency. With opportunities for clubs, social activities, co-curriculum programs, and health and wellness programs, students build a personal portfolio centered on responsibility and well-being at Pomfret and develop skills that will equip them for college and life. The Olmsted Student Union (OSU), which was renovated in 2021, is the hub of activity on the Pomfret School campus. The OSU houses The Tuck Shop, which is a student and faculty cafe offering a variety of food, beverages, and snacks in a relaxed atmosphere, the school store, and student activities office. On weekends, there are a variety of options for the students on campus including dances, trivia events, dodgeball tournaments, and traditions such as our AirBands competition, Halloween Parade, and Form Olympics. In addition to on-campus events, Pomfret provides opportunities for students to get off campus. Trips to Boston, NYC and Providence are provided throughout the year, as well as mall trips, movie trips, local restaurants, and shuttles to local shopping areas.

Facilities

• Baseball Field
• Basketball Court
• Fitness Center
• Football Field
• Squash Court
• Soccer Field
• Hockey Rink
• Dance Studio
• Athletic Fields
• Turf Fields
• Cross Country Trails
• Rowing Facility
• Ice Rink
• Lacrosse Field

Other Facilities

• Ropes Course

Clubs & Organizations

• Amnesty International
• Asian Club
• Astronomy Club
• Chess Club
• Community Service
• Debate Club
• Diversity Club
• Dorm Proctors
• Drama Club
• Environmental Club
• Gardening Club
• International Club
• Investment Club
• Jewish Student Organization
• Literary Magazine
• Math Club
• Newspaper
• Peer Tutoring
• Photography Club
• Sexualities Club
• Student Activities
• Student Government
• Student Publications
• Student Radio Station
• Theater Club
• Weightlifting Club
• Yearbook
• Yoga Club
• Young Democrats
• Young Republicans
• Radio Station
• GSA
• Outdoor Activities

Summary: Since the founding of the School, athletics has played a key role in each student’s Pomfret experience. Many life lessons are taught through the athletic program. Character building, fair play, and appreciation for being a part of a team are goals that we expect every student to experience. The Pomfret athletic program helps students develop self-esteem, promotes their health and wellness, and allows students to develop meaningful relationships through team experiences. Pomfret provides the opportunity to compete on varsity and sub-varsity teams against the best competition in New England. Our 42 athletic teams compete in 15 different sports. Our teams are comprised of college-bound athletes as well as novices picking up a sport for the first time. Our experienced coaches are faculty members who promote sportsmanship, fair play, and team work in every practice and game. They are passionate coaches who value the experience of being on a team as much as the competition. They foster leadership and teach accountability in every activity.

Arts Department Director: Chip Lamb

Athletics Department Director: Jon Sheehan

Notable Achievements: NEPSAC Small School Boys Hockey Champions '17 Class B NEPSAC Girls Basketball Champions '18 Class B NEPSAC Girls Ice Soccer Finalist '17

Arts

Interscholastic Sports

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Crew
• Cross Country Running
• Field Hockey
• Football
• Golf
• Ice Hockey
• Lacrosse
• Soccer
• Squash
• Track and Field
• Volleyball
• Wrestling

Recreational Sports

• Basketball
• Dance
• Freestyle Skiing
• Hiking
• Kayaking
• Mountain Biking
• Outdoor Education
• Rock Climbing
• Squash
• Table Tennis
• Tennis
• Ultimate Frisbee
• Weight Lifting

Summary: College counseling at Pomfret is a highly individualized process with the goal of producing the best possible match between each uniquely talented student and the college or university which best fits that student. Like much of everyday life on campus, the creation of that ideal match is a very personal, labor intensive, learning experience. Each student works closely with his or her counselor to explore the many talents and interests he or she has developed, to set goals based on those experiences, and to research and find the colleges that will help him or her achieve those goals. Personal attention is the hallmark of the college search process at Pomfret. Three experienced college counselors, aided by the registrar/testing coordinator and by a full-time administrative assistant, serve a typical class of approximately one hundred students. While each counselor has multiple opportunities to get to know students in the classroom, on the playing fields, etc., guiding them through their college search is our primary responsibility. By visiting college campuses, attending regional and national conferences, and hosting college fairs and individual college representatives at our school, Pomfret’s college counselors constantly update and expand their knowledge about programs available at colleges.

College Information

Percentage of graduates who attend college: 100%

Middle Percentile of SAT Scores	Reading	Math	Writing
25th percentile
75th percentile

College attended in the past 5 years by our graduates:

Merit Scholarships: Offered

Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 4%

Average Merit Scholarship: 5,400

Current Endowment Amount: $73,400,000