The Taft School
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; Digital Language Learning (DiLL) 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 33 states and 44 countries is supported with more than $9 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: Offered
Full Time Teachers: 129
Number of AP Courses Offered: 30
Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 74%
Number of IB Courses Offered: 0
Learning Support
- Learning Center
- Peer Tutoring
- Study Skills Assistance
- Writing Center
English
- Classics
- Creative Writing
- Honors
- Literature
- Poetry
- Journalism
History
- Asian History
- Classical History
- European History
- Honors
- United States History
- World History
Foreign Languages
- Chinese-Mandarin
- French
- Latin
- Spanish
Religion / Philosophy
- Ethics
- Religious Studies
- Social Justice
- World Religions
Humanities / Social Sciences
- Economics
- Psychology
- Human Geography
Sciences
- Anatomy
- Astronomy
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Marine Biology
- Oceanography
- Physics
Math
- Algebra
- Calculus
- Functions
- Geometry
- Honors Math
- Probability
- Statistics
- Trigonometry
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
Performing / Visual Arts
- Acting
- Architecture
- Art History
- Ceramics
- Choreography
- Dance
- Debate
- Design
- Drama
- Drawing
- Journalism
- Painting
- Photography
- Pottery
- Printmaking
- Publications
- Public Speaking
- Sculpture
- Stagecraft
- Studio Art
- Theater Arts
- Theater Design
- 3-D Art
- Modern Dance
Special Programs
- Study Abroad
- Community Service
- Exchange Programs
- Independent Study
- Leadership
Campus Life
Dorm Life
Number of Dorms: 12
Average Students Per Dorm: 0
Number of Girls Dorms: 5
Number of Boys Dorms: 7
Dorm Amenities
- Laundry Facilities
- Lounge
- Vending Machines
- Wireless Internet
Other Dorm Amenities
Student Life
Each day brings new excitement and to energy to Taft. Morning Meeting speakers come from across the globe to share fascinating ideas and different points of view. There are clubs and activities to enjoy, new friends to meet, and new ways to serve the community. No two classes are ever completely alike, and no two menus in the dining hall are every quite the same. Still, daily life at Taft falls into familiar patterns and rhythms. It is easy to feel comfortable here; it is easy to feel at home.
Facilities
- All-Weather Track
- Baseball Field
- Basketball Court
- Fitness Center
- Football Field
- Indoor Basketball Court
- Indoor Climbing Wall
- Volleyball Court
Other Facilities
16 Tennis Courts (4 indoor); 8 Squash Courts
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
- Newspaper
- Outing Club
- Peer Counseling
- Peer Tutoring
- Photography Club
- Science Bowl
- Sexualities Club
- Student Activities
- Student Government
- Student Publications
- Weightlifting Club
- Yearbook
- Yoga Club
- Young Democrats
- Young Republicans
- Radio Station
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: Bruce Fifer
Athletics Department Director: Robert Madden
Notable Achievements: Co-Director of Athletics: Rachael Ryan
Arts
- Acting
- Architecture
- Art History
- Ceramics
- Choreography
- Dance
- Debate
- Design
- Drama
- Drawing
- Journalism
- Painting
- Photography
- Pottery
- Printmaking
- Publications
- Public Speaking
- Sculpture
- Stagecraft
- Studio Art
- Theater Arts
- Theater Design
- 3-D Art
- Modern Dance
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
- Ultimate Frisbee
- 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
- Soccer
- Softball
- Squash
- Table Tennis
- Tennis
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Weight Lifting
- Ice Skating
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
Precentage of graduates who attend college: 100%
Middle Percentile of SAT Scores | Reading | Math | Writing |
---|---|---|---|
25th percentile | 630 | 640 | 630 |
75th percentile | 720 | 750 | 720 |
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
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
Vital Information
Student Body Type: Coed
Total Boarding: 497
Total Day: 97
Total Enrollment: 594
Boys: 311
Girls: 283
Boarding Grades Offered: 9-12
Day Grades Offered: 9-12
School Type: High School, Post-grad
Dress Code: Other
Applications Accepted: SAO
Application Deadline: January 15th
Tuition & Financial Aid
7-Day Boarding: $62,500
5-Day Boarding: N/A
Day Tuition Fee: $46,500
Need-Based Aid: Offered
Payment Plans: Offered
Students Receiving Aid: 35%
Average Awarded: $44,014
School Finances
Merit Scholarships: Not Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: %
Average Merit Scholarship: $
Current Endowment Amount: $261,072,441
Contact
Director of Admissions: Peter Frew
Admissions Phone: 860 945 7700
Fax: 860 945 7808
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.taftschool.org
Nearby Schools
- Westover School - 5mi / 9 km
- The Frederick Gunn School - 10mi / 16 km
- Rumsey Hall School - 10mi / 16 km
- The Forman School - 11mi / 18 km
- Cheshire Academy - 14mi / 22 km




