Pomfret School


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, a 45-minute 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, 9% are students of color, 17% are international students.
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." The 2008 film Afterschool by Antonio Campos was filmed on Pomfret's campus.
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. 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. Memberships include the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools, the Headmasters' Association, the National Association of Independent Schools, the Secondary School Admission Test Board, the Cum Laude Society, and A Better Chance, The Council for Advancement and Support of Education, The Association of Boarding Schools, the Sphere Consortium, the Folio Collaborative, and The Independent Curriculum Group.

Facilities

A number of Pomfret's buildings and houses are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
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 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 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.
Endowed Chairs, Prizes, and Endowments--
The Ludlow S. Bull 1903 Conference FundThe Fund for Mathematics and Science -
The Thomas C. Eastman 1904 Chair of English LiteratureThe Edward S. Davis, Jr. 1982 Memorial Fund-
The Richard H. Randall, Jr. 1944 AwardThe Carol Ann DeBlois 1982 Memorial Fund-
The Henry F. “Nick” Harris 1947 Endowed Chair In LiteratureThe C. Russell Stringer Memorial Prize -
The William Polk Carey 1948 Chair in MathematicsThe Gilbert Family Fund for Environmental Sciences -
The Benjamin B. Morgan 1953 Endowed Chair in Science FundThe David A. Wilson III 2001 Memorial Prize in Computer Science

Faculty and Program Endowments--
Charles E. Dunlap 1906 Faculty Endowment FundThe Sooho Cho 1974 Faculty AwardE.E. Ford Foundation Faculty Fund
Howard S. Kniffin 1926 Memorial Faculty FundThe Colleen Murray Coggins 1979 Endowed FundClass of 1990 Fund
Edward S. Davis 1949 Faculty FundBernard Lee Schwartz Chair for Dean of Students Terry Murdoch Fund for Faculty Recognition
Class of 1957 Endowed Fund for the FacultyHalleck Lefferts Faculty Fund Per-Jan Ranhoff Teacher Enrichment Fund
Class of 1958 Endowed Fund for FacultyTeaching Development Fund The Prize for Teaching Excellence in Math, Science & Foreign Language
Brad 1968 and Betsy Hastings Fund for Faculty EnrichmentClass of 1989 Faculty Endowment FundThe Melville Fund for Faculty

Athletics

A member of the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council, 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. Boys Varsity Hockey won the 2017 NEPSAC Small School 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 player, Brian Flynn '07. Students compete on Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Third and Fourth Form teams 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 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.

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.
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. 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.”
Arts Endowments and Prizes-
Ludlow S. Bull 1903 Conference FundCameron Duke Stebbins 1995 Memorial Fund
Milton M. Morse, Jr. 1948 Prize FundThe Pomfret School Writer's Studio
The Benjamin B. Morgan 1953 Endowed Fund for the ArtsThe Scripps Chair for Fine Arts Fund
Joseph Mannas 1972 Memorial Drama FundThe WBVC-Hardy Recording Studio Endowment Fund
Carol Ann DeBlois 1982 Memorial FundRobert Pearson Short Fiction Award
Alice W. Dunbar Visiting Artist Fund -

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, 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 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.

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.

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.
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.

Notable faculty

Notable faculty members as recorded in the employee records of the school.
Scholarships are available to all students meeting criteria established by the donors.
Class of 1990 FundWilliam H. Eshbaugh, Jr. 1931 Memorial Scholarship FundKathryn E. Maloney 1981 Memorial Scholarship Fund
Vincent C. Banker 1949 Scholarship FundSeth B. French 1907 Memorial Scholarship FundWendell D. Mansfield Memorial Scholarship Fund
Charles R. Beattie, Jr. 1947 Scholarship FundJohn W. & Jeanette M. Gahan Memorial Scholarship FundThe Mees Family Scholarship
Galen L. Blodgett Memorial Scholarship FundEdward McCrady Gaillard, Jr. 1941 Memorial Scholarship FundThe Melville Scholarship
John Francis Boyer Memorial Scholarship FundGeneral Scholarship FundThe Moffitt Family Scholarship Fund
John Cabot III 1929 Memorial Scholarship FundThe Edith P. Gengras Scholarship FundThomas F. Oakes 1919 Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Malcolm G. Chace Scholarship FundRobert E. Glenn III Scholarship FundGeorge Peabody 1909 Memorial Scholarship Fund
Class of 1940 Memorial Scholarship FundJohnathan DeWitt Grout 1936 Memorial Scholarship FundGeorge T. Purves, Jr. 1944 Memorial Scholarship Fund
Class of 1947 Memorial Scholarship FundLuarence N. & Janet D. Hale Memorial Scholarship FundEnsign Curtis S. Reed 1914 Memorial Scholarship Fund
Class of 1959 Endowed Merit Scholarship FundThe Newell & Betty Hale Scholarship FundReader's Digest Endowed Scholarship Fund
Class of 1988 Scholarship FundThe DeCourcy L. Hand 1907 Memorial Scholarship FundBarcaly Robinson, Jr. 1952 Memorial Scholarship Fund
Class of 1991 Scholarship FundCarl T. Herman 1963 Memorial Scholarship FundHorace Seely-Brown, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund
Class of 1992 Scholarship FundBenjamin B. Hinman 1936 Memorial Scholarship FundDonald W. Smith, Jr. 1956 Memorial Scholarship Fund
Class of 1993 Scholarship FundGeorge H. Hyde 1941 Scholarship FundThe Stapleton Family Scholarship Fund
Class of 1997 Scholarship FundGerrit & Marnie Keator Scholarship FundThe Thorne Family Scholarship Fund
Elliot Cobb, Jr. 1942 Memorial Scholarship FundJohn P. King 1967 Memorial Scholarship FundWilliam H. P. Townsend, Jr. 1942 Memorial Scholarship Fund
Peter T. Cook 1960 Memorial Scholarship FundThe Lasell Family ScholarshipMorgan Wing, Jr. 1929 Memorial Scholarship Fund
Jerome L. DeJur 1948 Scholarship FundP. Blair Lee 1914 Memorial Scholarship FundThe Patrick D. Wood 2001 Memorial Scholarship Fund
Henry B. du Pont 1916 Memorial Scholarship FundGerorge H. Macauley Scholarship FundWorld War II Memorial Scholarship Fund
Donald L. Eccleston Memorial Scholarship FundRobert I. Mcdonald 1945 Scholarship FundWSH Scholarship Fund

Historical notes

Pomfret's coat of arms
Designed by Harriet Peck Jones, wife of founder and first Headmaster William E. Peck, Pomfret's Coat of Arms is derived from that of the Lords of Pontefract Castle in the town of Pomfret in West Yorkshire, England. In Elizabethan times, the castle and the surrounding medieval market town of Pontefract were referred to as "Pomfret". England's King Richard II died in the castle, by starvation or murder, and the castle has a significant role William Shakespeare's plays The Life and Death of King Richard the Second, V.i, V.iii, and the penultimate scene V.v which is set entirely in Pomfret Castle; and The Tragedy of King Richard the Third, II.iv, III.i, III.ii, III.iii, all set in Pomfret Castle, and V.iii.
Pomfret's 13th century stained glass windows
Pomfret's Clark memorial chapel contains fine stained glass windows known to have been created by American firms Heaton, Butler & Bayne; Connick Associates, and Nicola D’Ascenzo for the chapel, completed in 1908. However, the ten-foot-high rose window above the chapel doorway and two of the arched-top, oblong windows along the walls are apparently from the 13th century cathedral, Saint Julien of Tours, on the Loire river in France. Research indicates these three extraordinary windows were removed from St. Julien during one of its many expansions. The arch tops on the two oblong windows were added at a later date to match the others in the chapel. The ancient windows were donated to Pomfret in 1947 in memory of John Grant Fitch ‘42, an alumnus killed in 1945 in Germany during World War II. They are recorded as having been imported to the U.S. in 1904 and offered to New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, but were declined due to the extensive restoration needed. They were subsequently auctioned by the Parke-Bernet Galleries in New York to an anonymous bidder, restored by Reynolds, Francis & Rohnstock of Boston, and installed in Clark Chapel in 1949.
Ernest Flagg's architecture for Pomfret
In the first decade of the 1900s, Pomfret was transformed from a collection of "vernacular buildings—most were Colonial Revival frame structures adapted to school use—to a planned institution. The building campaign was financed principally by two patrons: Edward Walker Clark, one of three sons of the Singer heir, Alfred Corning Clark, and Frederick G. Bourne," then president of that company. By 1906, Flagg had designed a master plan, using the casual relationship among the original buildings and their New England town green style arrangement as his guide for a formal institutional complex. "Flagg’s master plan reinforced the enduring colonial image of the New England village green." The design set a School Building as anchor for a series of semidetached pavilion style dormitories with a connecting open arcade. The Chapel was appropriately located to be visible from the main road, while the gymnasium and infirmary were arranged along the slope of the hill that led to the playing fields. The pavilion arrangement reflected the influence of Thomas Jefferson's design for the University of Virginia. "The dynamic focus of the scheme was the arcade. It acted as a spine and artery, linking the dormitories together while providing covered access to classrooms in the School Building, a Jeffersonian concept that distinguishes both Monticello and UVA. Regrettably, the architectural virtues of the arcade were abandoned in favor of practicality, and in 1957, it was walled-in during dormitory remodeling."
"The School Building with its belfry and white appliqué ornament, similar to the Colonial Revival structures of the former campus, as well as the dormitories and infirmary, maintained a domestic scale and architectural character." For the Chapel, commissioned by Edward Clark in 1907 as a memorial to his son George Newhall Clark, a Pomfret alumnus who died while attending Harvard University, Flagg chose Norman architecture as an appropriate model and emulated the rich textures of the unpolished stone-work characteristic of that style.
Following a visit to the campus in 1910, when construction was nearing completion, Flagg compared Pomfret to his design of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, remarking, "These buildings are certainly among the best things I have done. The school is better architecturally than Annapolis." While his design for Annapolis had been repeatedly altered by the Navy during construction, the work at Pomfret scrupulously followed his design.
Convinced that American architects should return to eighteenth century forms, both American and French, to revive the lost thread of Renaissance classicism, "Flagg saw Pomfret School as part of the process of evolution that would contribute to the creation of a national style of architecture."