Fay School

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Started in 1866, Fay School in Southborough Massachusetts (www.fayschool.org) is the oldest junior boarding school in the United States. Fay School is a coeducational day (grades 1-5) and boarding school (grades 6-9).

The goal of the School is to prepare students for the success they will find in secondary school and beyond. Supporting this goal is a challenging whole child curriculum, developmentally sensitive and based upon the School's mission statement, defined as an abiding commitment to "educating the whole child to his/her fullest potential in preparation for a productive and fulfilled life." Students and faculty members are guided in this mission by the School's five Core Values of Academic Excellence, Earnest Effort, Honorable Conduct, Dedicated Service, and Wellness of Mind,Body, and Spirit. Faculty members are committed to the pedagogy of teaching for understanding, rather than for mere coverage, and it is this commitment that differentiates Fay School from other programs claiming to meet the needs of middle school aged children. Of the more than 1200 independent schools in the US, Fay School recently received national recognition by the National Association of Independent Schools(www.nais)by being named a Leading Edge School (http://www.nais.org/conferences/index.cfm?itemnumber=145930&sn.ItemNumber=517&tn.ItemNumber=142560).

Fay's International Identity

Fay’s student body is an international community; roughly 15% of students come from countries around the world: Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Columbia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, France, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Viet Nam. For students with limited proficiency in English, the International Student Program (ISP) offers specialized classes, academic support, and assistance with travel arrangements, secondary school placement, and communication with their families. Classes emphasize grammar, composition, reading comprehension, and academic skills; as students become more proficient, they gradually join classes in the larger Fay curriculum. The program also serves as a resource for Fay’s domestic students; the ISP offers field trips, dances, dinners, and other events that celebrate the world’s cultures. Fay is not only an international school, attracting students from abroad, but a global school in its efforts to reach out beyond our campus in Southborough to create partnerships and significant relationships with schools in Asia and Europe, including teacher and student exchanges throughout the year. Ultimately, Fay's students are the beneficiaries of such relationships with the Valammal International Schoolin India; Fuhsing Schoolin Taipei; Saigon South International School in Vietnam;Externat St. Joseph LaCordeille in France; and the Beacon School in the Philippines, a partnership which recently resulted in national recognition in being named a finalst school by the National Association of Independent Schools in its Challenge 20/20 contest (http://www.nais.org/conferences/index.cfm?ItemNumber=147262&sn.ItemNumber=148035).

Fay's History

The story of Fay School is a chronicle of relationships between the faculty, the students, and the parents, who together created a mission of virtue and good faith with to serve young people. A modern school, Fay is reflective about its mission and grounded in a long history and strong sense of tradition.

Historic Timeline of Fay School Growth

Early 1860s - Eliza Burnett Fay and her sister, Harriet Burnett, establish a day school.

1866 - Fay School officially founded. Opens with two boarders and five day students, who attend classes in the Unitarian Parsonage (Todd House, across the street from the present campus). The boarders live in the Greenwood House, which later forms the nucleus of the Old Main Building.

1877 - The School moves to larger quarters above the Center Store/Post Office next to the Greenwood House.

1885 - A wing, comprising a 32-bed dormitory, a study hall, and classrooms is built onto the Greenwood House. Waldo Fay marries Mary Elizabeth Winchester.

1889 - First gymnasium constructed (now called the Upjohn Building, named for Richard V. Upjohn, faculty emeritus, and used as a multi-purpose space).

1893 - School building enlarged to include music room, recitation rooms, and additional dormitory space. First tennis courts constructed.

1896 - Eliza Burnett Fay dies. Waldo B. Fay '71 becomes headmaster.

1897 - Senior Field purchased.

1908 - Dormitories and large Schoolroom added, as well as a library. School comprises 77 students and seven masters.

1910 - Edward W. Fay '98 starts teaching at the school.

1914 - Additional property purchased on Main Street. The School now owns three house lots on Main Street, as well as sizeable land holdings from Route 30 to the reservoir.

1917- Fay House purchased by Waldo Fay as a family residence.

1918 - Edward W. Fay '98 succeeds his father as Headmaster.

1920 - Fifth form (grade 7) added. Ice skating rink/swimming pool constructed.

1922 - Fay School is incorporated and first Board of Trustees appointed. Waldo Fay transfers ownership of the School to the Board. Adjacent properties of Winchester Tavern, Center Store, and Goodnow House purchased.

1926 - Dining Room Building constructed on site of Winchester Tavern. Dining Room given by mothers of boys who attended the School between 1896 and 1918, and named for Mrs. Waldo Fay.

1927 - School comprises 93 boarders and three day students.

1938 - First issue of Alumni Bulletin published.

1940 - Waldo Fay dies. By forgiving the mortgages and loans owed by Fay School, he effectively gives his family's entire interest in the School to the Board of Trustees.

1942 - Harrison L. Reinke becomes Fay's fourth headmaster. School newspaper, The Pioneer, founded.

1945 - Brackett House given to the School by Henry U. Harris '13.

1956 - Dedication of Henry U. Harris Building, which provided classrooms for the Lower School and an additional gymnasium. Webster House purchased.

1958 - Observatory and telescope donated.

1959 - First science program implemented.

1962 - Waters House purchased.

1963 - Edward W. Fay dies. Gives Fay House to the School. East House purchased.

1966 - Fay community contributes over $1 million to the School's Centennial Fund. Henry U. Harris retires as Chairman of the Board. School purchases South House, North House, and three acres adjacent to reservoir.

1969 - A. Brooks Harlow, Jr. '49 succeeds Harrison L. Reinke as Headmaster. Ninth grade added.

1970 - Dedication of Harrison L. Reinke Building, which provided classrooms for science and mathematics and an additional multi-purpose space.

1972 - Fay admits 12 girl day students.

1974 - Trap House, donated in memory of Philip D. Holden, '23, dedicated.

1976 - Old Gym moved to the site behind Fay House.

1977 - Fay School becomes fully coeducational. Groundbreaking for the Steward Dormitory.

1978 - American Language Academy opens branch at Fay School for the tutoring of foreign students. Campbell Steward Dormitory dedicated. Enrollment stands at 278.

1979 - Parkerville Field purchased.

1984 - One and a quarter million dollars raised by Fay community for new main building. Root Academic Center dedicated.

1986 - Old Main Building razed. Values course implemented.

1987 - Dedication of Picardi Art Center and Boylan Stair Tower.

1988 - Fay's in-house International Student Program (ISP) replaces the American Language Academy for the purpose of ESL instruction. Stephen V. A. Samborski succeeds A. Brooks Harlow, Jr. '49 as Headmaster.

1990 - Stephen C. White becomes Fay's seventh Headmaster. First issue of Fay Magazine published.

1991/92 - Fay School receives Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education.

1993 - The new Harlow Gymnasium dedicated.

1994 - MacAusland family names playing field in memory of Donald MacAusland, '31.

1995 - Dedication of the Harris Events Center and Mars Room. New music center opens.

1997 - Fay's first gymnasium (1889) is dedicated to Richard V. Upjohn, faculty emeritus, and called the Upjohn Building. The kitchen is dedicated to Louis Maida, the school's chef from 1957 - 1997.

1998 - The house at 10 Middle Road is purchased.

1999 - John and Adrienne Mars challenge the Fay community with a $5,000,000 gift to endowment.

2001 - The new Learning Center, science, and mathematics wing of the Root Academic Center open.

2003 - Dedication of the Adrienne B. and John F. Mars '49 Wing of the Root Academic Center. Fay purchases the house at 6 Middle Road. Enrollment stands at 382.

2006 - Fay purchases the Ceramicole estate including the Kidder Mansion, now known as West Campus.

Fay's Academic Program

Fay's curriculum takes as its starting point the motto of the School: Poteris Modo Velis (You can if you will). The School asks students to extend themselves; to set meaningful goals and work steadily toward them; to reach one horizon, then set out for another.

Fay's rigorous curriculum features more than 200 courses. The School offers classes in traditional disciplines - English, history, mathematics, science, and foreign languages (including Mandarin, French, Latin, and Spanish) - at multiple levels, plus a full slate of courses in art and music, a Student Leadership Department, and honors-level classes in the upper grades. The flexible, rotating academic schedule includes longer, “doubleblock” class periods designed to encourage sustained exploration and innovative instruction. Small classes allow teachers to work closely with students, adapting to their strengths and weaknesses, their goals and ambitions. Throughout the curriculum, the School's curruculum emphasizes specific skills and broad habits of mind: critical thinking and creative problem-solving, effective communication and independent inquiry, moral and aesthetic awareness, technological fluency, and - crucially - a joyful, spirited approach to learning.

Every student participates in either the physical education program or the afternoon athletic program every day. The P.E. program is for students in grades 1-4, and takes place during the school day. Each of these grades has their own separate P.E. class, and all of the children in each grade meet together every day. Grades 3 and 4 meet every morning, and grades 1 and 2 meet daily after lunch. There are two teachers for 30 children in grades 3 and 4, and one teacher for 18 children in grades 1 and 2.

The afternoon athletic program is for students in grades 5-9. Every child chooses from a wide array of choices, both interscholastic and intramural. Students may try out for competitive teams; choose other teams without tryouts; choose intramural sports; choose independent, off-campus sports; or even choose some non-sport activities we have included in the program.

Fay’s effort system is unique among independent schools. Every two weeks, students in grades 3-9 receive a grade in each of their classes that assesses the effort they’ve put forward in the class - the risks they’ve taken, the questions they’ve asked, the level of intensity they’ve brought to their work. Effort grades supplement the standard letter grades that measure academic performance. For parents, they’re a vital source of information about the student’s motivation. For teachers, they’re an invaluable developmental tool. For students, they’re an incentive to work hard, an acknowledgement of their intellectual courage, and a source of pride.

Fay's Faculty and Parent Community

Sixty-five full-time faculty members serve as mentors and advisors, counselors and dorm parents - and dedicated, deeply experienced instructors. Many have made their career at Fay, a sign of their commitment to the School and their seasoned understanding of young students. Many are experts in their field who serve as resources for educators at peer institutions.

Every Fay teacher works with parents, students, and administrators to help students reach their potential. The School asks faculty to know the current best practice educational theory, and is amply budgeted to ensure that training and study towards advanced degrees is highly encouraged.

The parents of students are an essential part of the academic program. School leaders see education as a collaborative effort, the result of an open exchange between parents, students, and members of the School’s staff - teachers and advisors, coaches and administrators. The School urges parents to join the School community - to attend recitals and athletic matches, to volunteer for School organizations and committees, to take an active interest in the shape and scope of their child’s education. Fay also offers a rich array of parent education programs dedicated to the work we do together: raising thoughtful, responsible children and young adults.

The School uses technology as an educational tool. Every classroom allows for the use of the most current technology; and students have access to more than 90 computers across campus, including stations in four multimedia rooms and three computer labs. Students can also use wireless internet service in the Root Academic Center and video conferencing technology that allows boarding families to stay in close touch with their children. Our comprehensive technology program grounds students in essential skills, including programming, graphics, and information literacy.

Notable Graduates Tony Abbott, Author; James Acheson,Philanthropist; Matthew Anderson, Television Producer; Kathryn Badger, Vice-President, Merrill Lynch; Andre Bishop, Artistic Director, Lincoln Center Theater; Herbert Camp, Partner, Cravath, Swaine, and Moore; Charles Choate, Former Attorney, Choate, Hall, and Stewart; Peter Fonda, Actor; Topher Grace, Actor; C. Boyden Gray, Former White House Counsel; Jane Gray, Filmmaker; Forrest Mars, Former CEO, Mars Inc.; John Mars, Former CEO, Mars Inc.; Jee Hun Nam, Attorney, General Electric; Nicholas Negroponte, Founder, Media Lab, MIT; Joe Pyne, Businessman; Damian Woetzel, Principal Dancer, NYC Ballet; and Efrem Zimbalist, Actor