Suffield Academy
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| Suffield Academy | |
 |
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| 'Esse Quam Videri'" | |
| Established | 1833 |
| School type | Co-ed Private, Boarding |
| Religious affiliation | None |
| Head of School | Charles Cahn III |
| Location | Suffield, Connecticut, USA |
| Campus | 340 acres |
| Enrollment | 400 students 225 Boys, 175 Girls (9-12, PG) 75% Boarding |
| Faculty | 72 teachers |
| Average class size | 11 students |
| Student:teacher ratio |
6:1 |
| Average SAT scores (2006) |
n/a |
| Athletics | 19 interscholastic sports teams |
| Color(s) | Black and Orange |
| Mascot | Tigers |
Suffield Academy is a coeducational preparatory school located in Suffield, Connecticut, USA. It was founded in 1833 and is currently led by Headmaster Charles Cahn III.
Contents |
[edit] Overview
According to Suffield, in the school year starting in 2006, 400 students attend the academy, with two-thirds matriculating as boarding students and boys slightly outnumbering girls overall. 16 different nationalities are represented among the student population. 785 students applied for 120 spaces. In the summertime, Suffield hosts approximately 130 students from around the world for the Summer Academy.
12 dormitories on campus house the boarding students with 90 faculty members serving as dormitory and student advisors as well as teachers and athletics coaches.
[edit] History
[edit] Connecticut Literary Institute
Suffield Academy was initially known as the Connecticut Literary Institute. The early mission of the school was to educate young men for the ministry. The Connecticut Literary Institute was the only high school in town, and local tax dollars helped pay for each student's tuition. Despite its early links to both the town and the local Baptists, the Literary Institute quickly moved towards a more non-denominational model. From the founding of the school, Suffield has had a commitment to diversity. International students were welcomed in the 1830s, women gained admittance in 1843, and African American men and women joined the community in the late nineteenth century. In 1916, the school was renamed The Suffield School and in 1937 the school was renamed Suffield Academy.
[edit] School Renewal
By 1950, the school was in a period of decline. The town of Suffield had opened its first public high school in 1939, which reduced the number of students enrolled significantly. The physical plant was in need of revitalization. In comparison with similar schools, the Academy's endowment was low.
In 1952, the school hired Appleton H. Seaverns as the new headmaster. Seaverns, a dynamic young educator from West Hartford, Connecticut, led a period of renewal for the school. Under his leadership, the physical plant improved, and the endowment signifcantly grew. Many of the buildings in use today were built during his tenure. Seaverns laid the foundation for the powerful and successful school that exists today.
[edit] The Late Twentieth Century
Since popular headmaster Ap Seaverns' tenure ended, Suffield has had several headmasters of note. Headmasters Paul Sanderson, Ken Lindfors and David Holmes guided the school through key moments that have shaped the school today. In 1974, the school returned to its co-educational roots, from being an all boys school. In fact, in 1918 it was characterized as a "Military School for Boys". David R. Holmes was the first alumnus to be made headmaster. During his tenure, the school began the Laptop Initiative, the Leadership Program and the outdoor leadership program.
[edit] Computer Initiative
In 1992, Suffield Academy was the first high school in the US to require students to own a laptop computer. Suffield Academy runs all Macintosh computers. The school has a computer lab with the latest equipment, a computer repair center, and several computer-oriented classes. Students interested can be trained in basic Macintosh repair in the computer repair center.
Today, Suffield Academy's network is relatively extensive. All academic buildings are equipped with wireless and ethernet computer access. Printers are spread out over campus and can be accessed wirelessly. Each student is granted an account in the server, in which they can backup and transfer their files.
Suffield is unique in that all students are granted unrestricted internet access. Students' activities are not actively monitored, and no content is filtered. Suffield believes that it is a student's responsibility to use the network wisely.
[edit] Academics
Suffield Academy follows a liberal arts academic program. Each student is given an academic advisor, and the students may utilize academic support services if needed, including a student-run and faculty-advised Writing Center. Technology is integrated throughout the curriculum. The school features a Leadership Program. Each student is placed with a College Counselor to aid in the college application process.
[edit] Curriculum Requirements
To earn a Suffield diploma, students must complete 4 credits in English, 3 credits in Mathematics, 2 credits in Foreign Languages (including study through Level II), 3 credits in science, 2 credits in History (including U.S. History), 1 credit in the Arts and 1credit in Philosophy.
Each student must complete 2 Technology Portfolios (one in grades 9 and 10, if enrolled, and one in grades 11 and 12). Each student must take a minimum of 4 classes per semester, each senior year course must be completed successfully, and each senior must pass each spring term-length course.
[edit] Writing Center
The Writing Center operates under three basic principles. First, that all students can benefit from one-on-one attention to their writing, in any class. Second, that peer tutorials help students become better, more confident and eventually more independent writers. And lastly, that a non-judgemental and non-evaluative atmosphere can build a writers' skills and create a more positive experience.
The center is run by peer tutors, appointed by their English teachers as having exceptional writing and interpersonal skills.
[edit] Leadership Program
Suffield's liberal arts curriculum is highlighted by a Leadership Program. Each student is involved, and the courses include a focus on personal mastery skills, public speaking, community service work and practical leadership experiences.
The aim of Suffield Academy's Leadership Program is to develop human beings with skills and habits that lend themselves to making a significant and positive impact on society. The program emphasizes seven core elements (personal mastery, moral foundation, goal setting, communication skills, problem solving, self awareness and inspiring/motivating others), highlights distance traveled for each individual student's growth, and prides itself on experiential learning.
SOLO, Suffield Outdoor Leadership Opportunities, is the outdoor portion of the Leadership Program. SOLO gives students opportunities to practice leadership skills in an outdoor setting. By experiencing activities (rope courses, a climbing wall, camping trips and afternoons canoeing), students are able to use their leadership skills in the real world. SOLO is offered as an alternative to interscholastic athletic competition during all three seasons (fall, winter and spring). The Courtney Robinson Outdoor Leadership Center, a renovated barn situated on 40 acres of farmland to the west of campus, serves as home base for SOLO. The barn contains a state-of-the-art climbing wall, storage space for canoes and other equipment, and classroom and office space.
[edit] College Counseling
Each student is placed with a college counselor. There are three goals for the college counseling office. First, to help students understand the college admissions process. Second, to represent each student fairly and responsibly, with his or her uniqueness and potential appropriately identified. And third, to enable each student to find a match-the fit of his or her ambitions and talents with a college's resources and style.
[edit] Athletics
Suffield has a strong traditon of athletics and primarily competes against other prep schools in New England. Rivals include Berkshire School, Williston Northampton School and Loomis Chaffee. During each season (fall, winter, and spring), each student is required to choose a sport, or an approved alternative activity.
[edit] Teams
In the fall, Suffield students compete in Cross-Country, Field Hockey, Football, Soccer, Volleyball and Water Polo. During the winter season Suffield has teams competing in Alpine Skiing, Riflery, Snowboarding, Squash, Swimming and Diving and Wrestling. The spring athletic options include Baseball, Golf, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field and Water Polo.
[edit] Facilities
Perry Gymnasium contains a basketball court, rifle range, wrestling room, six-lane championship swimming pool, Nautilus center with free weights, and locker rooms. The Squash Center features four international squash courts, while the Hirschmann Tennis Courts (10 courts) provide for seasonal play. Surrounding the campus are six soccer fields, a football field and all-weather track, baseball and softball diamonds, a field hockey field, three lacrosse fields, and cross-country trails. Facilities for skiing (Nordic and alpine), snowboarding and golf are available nearby. The Courtney Robinson Outdoor Leadership Center includes a 35-foot indoor rock climbing facility, complete with a crack, cave, overhanging structures, aretes, and a ceiling with 15 quick-draws. The Outdoor Leadership Center also houses canoes, kayaks, snowshoes, cross country skis, stoves, tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, rock shoes and harnesses.
[edit] External links
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