Whether in the classroom, in nature’s classroom, or on the field, these academic centers foster a love of learning with cutting edge technology, personalized education and robust programming. Read on for more information and open house dates.
Fairfield College Preparatory School
1073 North Benson Rd., Fairfield, CT
STUDENTS ENROLLED: 800
TEACHER TO STUDENT RATIO: 1 to 16
PERCENTAGE OF GIRLS AND BOYS: 0/100
YOU SHOULD KNOW: Fairfield College Preparatory School is a Jesuit, Catholic school of excellence forming young men of intellectual competence, who possess the conscience to make wise decisions, a compassion for others and a commitment to justice in our global society. Fairfield Prep offers a rigorous academic program for boys in ninth through 12th grade in the Jesuit educational tradition, with an outstanding record of college acceptances and an emphasis on mission in program as well as a full slate of sports and activities.
JESUIT EDUCATION: The distinctiveness of a Jesuit education stems from its deep-rooted history and a mission grounded in faith and intellectual rigor. Jesuit high schools embody a tradition that has stood the test of time, and have the proven experience of forming ordinary boys into extraordinary “Men for Others.”
ATHLETICS: Fairfield Prep has 35 sports teams, including football, soccer, cross country, crew, basketball, hockey, skiing, wrestling, swimming and diving, indoor track, baseball, lacrosse, sailing, golf, tennis, track and field, and rugby.
CONTACT: VP for Enrollment Management: Kevin Altieri, 203-254-4210 kaltieri@fairfieldprep.org
VISIT THE SCHOOL: Open House will be held Sunday, Oct. 1, and Saturday, Nov. 18. Register online at www.fairfieldprep.org/apply
King School
At King School, we don’t believe the smartest person in the room is the one with all the answers, it’s the one with all the questions. We welcome the curious ones – the ones who aren’t afraid to ask why, to try something new, to get it wrong before they get it right. We look for open minds and courageous thinking.
We believe in the power of wonder. This begins with over 700 students becoming agents in their own learning. When students are exploring, reflecting, questioning, evaluating, making connections — and teachers are creating and guiding these moments of discovery — students are truly learning. This is what we call inquiry-based learning, and it is what we do at King at every grade level and in every discipline.
Our students develop a research mindset and apply that approach to all subject matters. From discovering the world around them in Prekindergarten to crafting complex and multidisciplinary senior projects, King students embrace learning through discovery, exploration, and hands-on experiences.
Every aspect of the King experience prioritizes and optimizes engagement — from the wide variety of active, immersive learning experiences to intentional efforts to reach each and every student. True engagement at King is the entire community’s commitment to excellence in learning.
We believe in the power of community. A community that celebrates multiple backgrounds and perspectives. We learn from one another and become stronger together. Our students come from 40 different towns. We are a global community with more than 70 countries represented. There is no one type of student at King. Our students have multiple interests and our school offers opportunities to explore them.
We know that wondering minds go further. By the time they graduate, our students have more than learned, they learned how to learn. The world is rapidly changing; we might not know what the future will bring, but we know we’ll be ready – ready to succeed and better prepared to better the world!
Visit our website to learn more: kingschoolct.org
VISIT THE SCHOOL: Sunday, October 1, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Putnam Indian Field School
101 Indian Field Rd., Greenwich, CT
TEACHER TO STUDENT RATIO: TODDLERS 1 to 4 GENERAL 1 to 7
PERCENTAGE OF GIRLS AND BOYS: 50/50
STUDENTS ENROLLED: 180
YOU SHOULD KNOW: Putnam Indian Field School’s mission is to inspire confidence, curiosity, creativity and a sense of community in every child we teach. PIFS is an independent, co-educational preschool for toddlers through pre-kindergarten. Putnam Indian Field School has been the premier early childhood program in the Greenwich area for more than 40 years. Rooted in a play-based, Reggio Emilia-inspired approach, it provides children with an outstanding first school experience and a love of learning.
Built exclusively for young children, the facilities and campus set PIFS apart from all other early childhood programs. The “little red school house” has evolved over the years to include eight light-filled classrooms, a science room, gymnasium, an art studio, a lunchroom and kitchen. In addition, there are five outdoor play areas designed to challenge the various ages and abilities of preschool children, including a natural playscape with a ropes course, zipline, climbing nets, forts and basket swings. Extensive organic vegetable gardens provide learning experiences for the children and healthy food for lunches and snacks.
The educated and experienced faculty is committed to providing the best learning environment for children. For PIFS educators, teaching at the school is more than a job, it is their calling, and many of the teachers have been with the school for decades. They are dedicated to understanding each child’s needs, interests, and abilities, and to creating plans for continual growth and development. The teachers are happy to spend their days learning and playing with young children.
Parents are an integral part of the school. Meaningful communication between families and teachers ensures happy and productive experiences for PIFS students. Parent volunteers run the school events and provide input through their involvement on the Board of Trustees and the various committees of the Parents Association.
For the children of PIFS, life at school is play-based, hands-on and full of interesting and exciting learning experiences.
CONTACT: Director of Enrollment & Programs Marie Cosgrove, 203-661-4629, marie.cosgrove@pifs.net.
VISIT THE SCHOOL: Thursday, October 5, 5:30-7:30 pm by appointment
Waterside School
MISSION: Waterside School is a co-educational PK-5th Grade independent school serving children and families regardless of limitations in income or circumstance. The School attracts and inspires students of academic promise and families deeply invested in their children’s success. The School works to instill in its students a belief in their own worth, to cultivate in each a commitment to academic excellence, and to ensure the fullest development of every child’s character. Through a rigorous program of study and experience, the School empowers its students with the knowledge, skills, and virtues required to enable them to excel as students, to gain access to superior academic opportunities, and to go forward to become the leaders of tomorrow.
KEY PROGRAMS: The School’s structure allows for intense focus on the building blocks of education. There are two teachers in every classroom, multiple reading and math specialists, and a full-time guidance counselor. The school day runs from 8 am to 4:30 pm and care is provided from 7:30 am until 6 pm. In addition, there is a mandatory summer program in July. Waterside has a Director of Placement, who works with our graduating fifth graders to ensure that each one gains admittance to local independent schools – for the past 10 years, 100% of our graduating classes have been admitted and gained the necessary financial aid to continue their education. Beyond that, Waterside has robust alumni programming for our 326 graduates. There is social-emotional support through regular meetings with Waterside staff on-site at secondary schools; college boot camp including financial aid workshops, essay review and editing, and SAT/ACT tutoring; the College Success Fund, which provides scholarships for our college-aged alumni; and the Alumni Careers Initiative which aims to ensure that all our alumni embark on fulfilling careers, by offering resume writing help, mentoring, paid internship placement, and full-time employment coaching.
STUDENT ENROLLMENT: 145 students
TEACHER TO STUDENT RATIO: 1 to 6
CONTACT: For more information, please contact Director of Enrollment Tiffany Hodge at thodge@watersideschool.org or (203) 975-8910 x208.
VISIT THE SCHOOL: TBD
Wilbraham & Monson Academy
Wilbraham & Monson Academy is for students who are looking for a transformational education. WMA is a global experience featuring 23 Advanced Placement courses and various honors tracks and offers a curriculum that integrates the mastery of traditional core disciplines while also incorporating courses specific to our Center for Entrepreneurship, Economics & Finance and our Financial Trading Center. Our 4,800-square-foot state-of-the-art iLab, $6.2 million Library and athletic facilities complement our 400-acre campus, allowing students to engage in more than 30 competitive, recreational or civic activities. We aim to create future leaders, who investigate opportunities for intellectual growth, seek intercultural connections and innovate by practicing critical reasoning and entrepreneurial thinking.
ENROLLMENT: 410
TEACHER TO STUDENT RATIO: 1:6
Contact the Admission Office at admission@wma.us or 413.596.9107, or visit www.wma.us to learn more.
VISIT THE SCHOOL: Sunday, October 1
IN PARTNERSHIP
