The Taft School

Watertown
Connecticut
United States

Overview

Known for academic rigor and close faculty-student relationships, Taft fosters personal responsibility, honor, and an achievement ethic in all areas of school life: intellectual, artistic, athletic, and extracurricular. Our 226-acre campus features: 59,500-volume library; Lady Ivy Kwok Wu Science and Math Center; Pinto Language Learning Lab; Mark W. Potter Art Gallery; 2 theaters; Pailey dance studio; Electronic Music lab; 18-hole golf course; 2 ice hockey arenas; 16 tennis courts (4 indoor); 8 squash courts; six-lane, all-weather track; 11 playing fields; 200-course curriculum. A diverse student body from 31 states and 60 countries is supported with more than $10.5 million in financial aid.

Academics

Summary: At Taft we continually re-examine and broaden the scope of our curriculum to provide students with a strong intellectual foundation. A combination of required classes with challenging electives and independent study provides the important foundation of knowledge and yet allows students to pursue a course of study to fit their needs and interests.

Department Director Jennifer Kennerson

Student/Teacher Ratio: 5:1

Average Class Size: 11

Summer Programs: Not Offered

Full Time Teachers: 131

Number of AP Courses Offered: 0

Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 75.0%

Number of IB Courses Offered: 0

Learning Support

  • Evening Study Assistance
  • Learning Center
  • Peer Tutoring
  • Study Skills Assistance
  • Technology Center
  • Writing Center

English

  • Classics
  • Creative Writing
  • Honors
  • Literature
  • Poetry
  • Public Speaking
  • Journalism

History

  • Asian History
  • Classical History
  • European History
  • Honors
  • United States History
  • World History

Foreign Languages

  • Chinese-Mandarin
  • French
  • Latin
  • Spanish

Religion / Philosophy

  • Ethics
  • Philosophy
  • Religious Studies
  • Social Justice
  • World Religions

Humanities / Social Sciences

  • Economics
  • Psychology
  • Human Geography
  • World Issues

Sciences

  • Anatomy
  • Astronomy
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Environmental Science
  • Marine Biology
  • Oceanography
  • Physics
  • Biochemistry
  • Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Psychology

Math

    Computer Studies

    • Computer Applications
    • Computer Programming
    • Computer Science
    • Web Design

    Music

    • Band
    • Choral Music
    • Electronic Music
    • Individual Instructions
    • Music History
    • Music Theory
    • Orchestra
    • Recording
    • Voice
    • A Cappella

    Performing / Visual Arts

    • Acting
    • Architecture
    • Art History
    • Ceramics
    • Choreography
    • Dance
    • Debate
    • Design
    • Drama
    • Drawing
    • Film and Video
    • Journalism
    • Painting
    • Photography
    • Pottery
    • Printmaking
    • Publications
    • Public Speaking
    • Sculpture
    • Stagecraft
    • Studio Art
    • Theater Arts
    • Theater Design
    • 3-D Art
    • Modern Dance
    • Jazz Band
    • Orchestra

    Special Programs

    • S

    Distinctive or New Programs

    • G

    Campus Life

    Dorm Life

    Number of Dorms: 12

    Average Students Per Dorm:

    Number of Girls Dorms: 0

    Number of Boys Dorms: 0

    Dorm Amenities

    • Laundry Facilities
    • Lounge
    • Vending Machines
    • Wireless Internet
    • Full Kitchen
    • Refrigerator

    Other Dorm Amenities

    Student Life

    Array

    Facilities

    • A

    Other Facilities

      Clubs & Organizations

      • Amnesty International
      • Asian Club
      • Astronomy Club
      • Chess Club
      • Community Service
      • Debate Club
      • Diversity Club
      • Dorm Proctors
      • Environmental Club
      • Foreign Language Clubs
      • Habitat for Humanity
      • Honor Council
      • Horseback Riding
      • International Club
      • Investment Club
      • Jewish Student Organization
      • Literary Magazine
      • Math Club
      • Mock Trial
      • Model UN
      • National Honor Society
      • Newspaper
      • Outing Club
      • Peer Counseling
      • Peer Tutoring
      • Pep Club
      • Photography Club
      • Sailing Club
      • Science Bowl
      • Sexualities Club
      • Student Activities
      • Student Government
      • Student Publications
      • Student Radio Station
      • Weightlifting Club
      • Yearbook
      • Yoga Club
      • Young Democrats
      • Young Republicans
      • Robotics
      • Radio Station
      • Ultimate Frisbee
      • Anime Club
      • Film Club
      • GSA
      • Farming

      Arts & Athletics

      Summary: Our mission has always been to educate the whole student--in class, on the athletic field, on stage, or in the local community. The Arts are an essential part of the school community. Taft graduates develop the skills and the discipline to be intuitive, imaginative creators and observers in all areas.

      Arts Department Director: Sarah Surber

      Athletics Department Director: Andy Dunn

      Arts

      • Acting
      • Architecture
      • Art History
      • Ceramics
      • Choreography
      • Dance
      • Debate
      • Design
      • Drama
      • Drawing
      • Film and Video
      • Journalism
      • Painting
      • Photography
      • Pottery
      • Printmaking
      • Publications
      • Public Speaking
      • Sculpture
      • Stagecraft
      • Studio Art
      • Theater Arts
      • Theater Design
      • 3-D Art
      • Modern Dance
      • Jazz Band
      • Orchestra

      Interscholastic Sports

      • Alpine Skiing
      • Alpine Ski Racing
      • Baseball
      • Basketball
      • Crew
      • Cross Country Running
      • Field Hockey
      • Football
      • Golf
      • Ice Hockey
      • Lacrosse
      • Soccer
      • Softball
      • Squash
      • Tennis
      • Track and Field
      • Volleyball
      • Wrestling

      Recreational Sports

      • Aerobics
      • Basketball
      • Cross Country Running
      • Dance
      • Equestrian
      • Figure Skating
      • Golf
      • Hiking
      • Horseback Riding
      • Ice Hockey
      • Martial Arts
      • Power Lifting
      • Rock Climbing
      • Sailing
      • Soccer
      • Softball
      • Squash
      • Table Tennis
      • Tennis
      • Ultimate Frisbee
      • Weight Lifting
      • Ice Skating
      • Zumba
      • Yoga
      • Fitness
      • Robotics

      Graduates

      Summary: Four full-time college counselors devote their time to working with students and families throughout the various stages of the college search, application and selection process to find the best match between student and college.

      College Information

      Percentage of graduates who attend college: 100.0%

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

      Notable Alumni

      Trey Anastasio

      Class of '83

      Phish lead guitarist

      Henry Beard

      Class of '63

      Co-founder National Lampoon

      Peter Berg

      Class of '80

      Actor director Friday Night Lights Hancock The Kingdom Patriots Day Deepwater Horizon Collateral

      Mary Chapin Carpenter

      Class of '76

      Five-time Grammy winner

      Alfred Gilman

      Class of '58

      Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine

      Patrick Kerney

      Class of '95

      Defensive End Seattle Seahawks

      Allison Mleczko

      Class of '93

      Two-time Olympic medalist Women's Ice Hockey

      Robert Sweet

      Class of '40

      U.S. Federal judge former deputy mayor NYC

      Robert Taft

      Class of '59

      Former Governor of Ohio

      Quotes From Alumni

      “Taft taught me how to think how to be a student for the rest of my life how to go on learning.”
      -Alfred Gilman, Class of 1958, 1994 Nobel Laureate

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      Vital Information

      Student Body Type: Coed

      Total Boarding: 477

      Total Day: 103

      Total Enrollment: 580

      Boys: 306

      Girls: 274

      Boarding Grades Offered: 9-12

      Day Grades Offered: 9-12

      School Type: High School, Post-grad

      Dress Code: Other

      Applications Accepted: SAO, Gateway to Prep

      Application Deadline: January 15th

      Tuition & Financial Aid

      7-Day Boarding: $72,000

      5-Day Boarding: N/A

      Day Tuition Fee: $53,500

      Need-Based Aid: Offered

      Payment Plans: Offered

      Students Receiving Aid: 35.0%

      Average Awarded: $58,250

      School Finances

      Merit Scholarships: Not Offered

      Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: %

      Average Merit Scholarship: $

      Current Endowment Amount: $295,000,000

      Contact

      110 Woodbury Road

      Watertown, Connecticut United States

      860 945 7700

      Director of Admissions: Peter Frew

      Admissions Phone: 860 945 7700

      Fax: 860 945 7808

      Email: [email protected]

      Website: www.taftschool.org

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