Established 1894 Head of School J. Timothy Richards Mascot Griffin Founder William E. Peck | Chairman Justin P. Klein Grades 9–12, PG Phone +1 860-963-6100 Founded 1894 | |
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Type Private, Coeducational, Secondary, Boarding Motto Certa Viriliter
(Strive Valiantly) Address 398 Pomfret St, Pomfret Center, CT 06259, USA Profiles |
Pomfret school 7 3 16
Pomfret School is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory boarding and day school in Pomfret, Connecticut, United States, serving 360 students in grades 9 through 12 and post-graduates. Located in the Pomfret Street Historic District, an hour's drive west from Boston, the average class size is 11 students with a student-teacher ratio of 6:1. Over 80% of faculty hold master's or doctorate degrees. Typically, 40% of students receive financial aid or support from over 60 endowed scholarship funds (see Endowed scholarships), 14% are students of color, 17% are international students.
Contents
- Pomfret school 7 3 16
- About pomfret school
- Facilities
- The Grauer Family Institute for Excellence and Innovation in Education
- Academics
- Athletics
- Arts
- Student organizations and clubs
- Alumni Association
- Notable alumni
- Prominent guests Fellows
- Headmasters
- Former faculty
- Endowed scholarships
- References
Pomfret is ranked in the top 20 of similarly sized U.S. boarding schools, in the top 50 of all U.S. boarding schools, and has been recognized as one of the "Most Beautiful Boarding Schools Around the World."
Opened October 3, 1894 by Founder William E. Peck and his wife Harriet Jones Peck, who designed the school's coat of arms, Pomfret's graduates have distinguished themselves in sports, government, the arts, sciences, business, and public service as philanthropists and activists (see Notable alumni). In 2014, Pomfret established The Grauer Family Institute for Excellence and Innovation in Education. Pomfret is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASAC). Memberships include the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), the Headmasters' Association, the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the Secondary School Admission Test Board, the Cum Laude Society, and A Better Chance (ABC), The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), the Sphere Consortium, the Folio Collaborative, and The Independent Curriculum Group.
About pomfret school
Facilities
A number of Pomfret's buildings and houses are listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
The Grauer Family Institute for Excellence and Innovation in Education
Founded in 2014 by Laurie and Peter Grauer, parents of two Pomfret graduates, the Grauer Institute at Pomfret School researches and develops innovations in secondary education. Peter Grauer is the former CEO and current Chairman of Bloomberg LP. The institute is also supported by the Class of 1965 Endowment Fund.
Named as the institute's first Director in July 2014, Jamie Feild Baker was previously Executive Director of the Martin Institute for Teaching Excellence and is "a nationally recognized and sought-after expert in innovation and school transformation." The Institute's Advisory Board includes Peter Grauer; Tony Wagner, author of The Global Achievement Gap and Creating Innovators; John Hunter, educator, one of 50 TED2014 All-Stars, creator of the World Peace Game Foundation, Fellow at the Martin Institute for Teaching Excellence; and Stephanie Rogen, principal and founder of Greenwich Leadership Partners.
Among the Institute's innovations:
Academics
Curriculum includes a broad range of college preparatory courses in the sciences and liberals arts, including advanced and honors level courses, and foreign language study in Mandarin Chinese, French, Spanish, and Latin. Computer sciences include courses in Web Design, Digital Cinema, Flash, Audio Art, and Gaming Animation. A three-week interdisciplinary project-based learning period known as Project:Pomfret takes place each December, during which faculty and students focus on concentrated thematic projects outside the classroom.
Pomfret's Experiential & Global Learning program offers students the opportunity to study abroad or within the United States in off-campus adventure-based programs, community service, or internships. Students may apply to Pomfret's Global Learning Coordinator at any point during their career at Pomfret for summer, one term, or yearlong programs.
Pomfret academic teams have won numerous awards and championships, including the 2015 Connecticut State Association of Math League (CSAML) Class S State Championship. Recent notable Math Team victories include: 1999 Harvard MIT Math Tournament First Place, 1999 CSAML 1st Place, 2000 Greater New London Competition (GNLC) 1st Place, 2001 CSAML 2nd Place and GNLC 1st Place, 2002 New England Tournament 3rd Place, 2003 CSAML 3rd Place, 2004–2009 GNLC 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Places, 2009 Connecticut State Math Meet 2nd Place, 2010 GNLC 1st Place and Connecticut State Math Meet 3rd Place, 2011 - 2014 GNLC 3rd Place, 2014 CSAML 2nd Place, 2015 Eastern Connecticut Math League 3rd Place and CSAML 1st place. (see respective league results)
Athletics
A member of the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC), Pomfret fields 42 teams in 15 different sports and has won numerous championships during its history in both men's and women's sports. Recently, Girls Varsity Volleyball won the 2015 NESPAC Class B Championship.
Among its alumni are notable collegiate and professional athletes, including two-time, women's hockey Olympic gold medalist, Sarah Vaillancourt '04 and National Hockey League (NHL) player, Brian Flynn '07. Students compete on Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Third and Fourth Form teams (freshmen and sophomores) throughout the year in cross country, field hockey, football, soccer, and volleyball in the fall; basketball, ice hockey, squash, and wrestling in the winter; and baseball, crew, golf, lacrosse, softball, and tennis in spring. Third and Fourth Form students are required to participate on a team in each of the three seasons each year. Fifth and Sixth Form students (juniors and seniors) are required to participate on at least two teams each year. Endowments include The Barton L. Mallory, Jr. 1924 Memorial Fund for Athletics and The Griswold Family Fund (1989).
Arts
Pomfret's arts programs are guided by practicing artists and offer formal classes and other opportunities for training and participation in drawing, painting, digital arts, film and video, sculpture and ceramics, photography, music, theatre, and dance. Performance opportunities are available to all students in theater, dance, and music throughout the year. Facilities include sculpture, ceramics, painting, and drawing studios; rehearsal and practice rooms for dance and music; the Schoppe Dance Studio; Hard Auditorium stage; and a photography laboratory.
The Pomfret Grifftones and Chorus tour within the United States and overseas for concerts, most recently to Italy where they performed in Florence, Lucca, and St. Stephen's School in Rome, and in the United States at the University of Connecticut (all March 2015).
Among a variety of musical instruments maintained by the school is a fine pipe organ housed in Clark Memorial Chapel. “The Pomfret School Chapel Organ was originally built by George S. Hutchings Organ Company of Boston in 1908 (opus 1640). Extensive modifications were made in 1962 by the Portsmouth, Rhode Island firm of Welte-Whalon. Further improvements in 1987 included a new three-manual draw-knob console designed and built by the Austin Organ Company of Hartford, Connecticut and extensions of two reed ranks. Messrs. Czelusniak et Dugal, Inc. did additional tonal work and maintains the instrument. Two electronic 32-foot stops were added by the Walker Technical Company of Zionsville, Pennsylvania. In honor of Pomfret School’s Centennial Year, a Festival Trumpet was added in 1993. This stop, modeled after the Harrison festival trumpet at All Saints' Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, was built by David Broome at The Austin Organ Company.”
Student organizations and clubs
Cum Laude Society, National Honor Society, A Capella, Chorus, Diplomacy, Gay-Straight Alliance, International Club, Key Society, Math Club, Student Council, Pontefract newspaper (founded 1896), Subterraneans, Voice, Women's Action Coalition, Ambassadors Club, Chick Flick Film Club, Chinese Club, Christian Fellowship, Classic Film Club, Debate Club, Discussion Group, Hillel, International Club, Investment Club, Maple Syrup Club, Meditation Club, Model United Nations, Relay for Life, Ski Club, Student Activities, The Olmsted Observer, The Page Turners, Pomfret Radio Station WBVC (FM) 91.1 FM, Young Republicans.
Student life is additionally supported by The Paul M. Rosenfield 1967 Award, The Johnathan A. Williams 1969 Memorial Fund, and The Lasell Visiting Alumni Fund (2001).
Alumni Association
Founded June 20, 1899, The Pomfret Alumni Association actively participates in the development of the school, hosts career networking events throughout the U.S. for alumni, and provides career mentoring for alumni in college and beginning their professional career. Each February, alumni speak to students about their careers and career development during the school's Career Fair, and each spring, in conjunction with the school, hosts Alumni Weekend festivities and the Alumni Awards Dinner. Graduating students become members of the Association at the end of their senior year at a formal dinner in their honor.
Alumni Association Presidents
Notable alumni
Alumni listed below are recorded in the school's official records as having received their diploma from Pomfret.
Prominent guests & Fellows
Through Pomfret's Schwartz Visiting Fellow Program, the school hosts a prominent figure from the world of art, literature, science, or politics invited to the campus for three days each year to share their unique experiences, ideas, and insights. Additionally, the school invites other speakers through its Lasell Visiting Alumni/ae Program and the W.P. Carey '48 College Admission Lecture Series. All Fellows and guests are recorded in the official records of Pomfret School.
Headmasters
The title of Headmaster has been changed to Head of School. Pomfret's Head of School is responsible for all administration and reports to the school's Board of Trustees.
Former faculty
Former faculty members are recorded in the employee records of the school.
Endowed scholarships
Scholarships are available to all students meeting criteria established by the donors.