Student Handbook - The Taft School

THE TAFT SCHOOL
Established at Pelham Manor, New York, in 1890, the Taft School is the realization of the late Horace
Dutton Taft’s life purpose: to found a school in which students would receive the physical, mental,
moral and spiritual background necessary to be responsible leaders and disciplined, constructive
citizens. Mr. Taft, the school’s first headmaster and the brother of President William Howard Taft,
believed that spiritual growth and development of character were equal in importance to the scholarship
that he valued highly.
The school’s 8,000 living alumni are engaged in virtually every phase of the world’s work—business,
industry, the professions and public service. Taft has always taken its school motto—Non ut sibi
ministretur sed ut ministret, or, Not to be served but to serve—very much to heart, and students and
alumni alike devote themselves to their communities and to causes around the globe.
The school moved to its present location in Watertown, Connecticut, in 1893, and the campus
today encompasses more than 220 acres with top-notch facilities for intellectual, artistic and athletic
pursuits. In 1936 Mr. Taft was succeeded as headmaster by Mr. Paul Cruikshank, who led the school
for the next 27 years. Mr. John C. Esty served as headmaster from 1963 to 1972, as the school
welcomed its first coeducational class. A young history teacher named Lance R. Odden arrived
from Princeton in 1961 and quickly climbed the ranks, serving as headmaster for 29 years, until his
retirement in 2001.
William R. MacMullen ’78 became the first alumnus to head the school, the fifth headmaster in
111 years—a record of leadership unparalleled among peer schools. Prior to this appointment, Mr.
MacMullen was an English teacher (appointed in 1983), dean of faculty, dean of academic affairs
and Upper Middle Class dean.
The most significant change to the campus in recent years is the current renovation of Horace
Dutton Taft Hall [1914] that includes an expansion of the dining halls and restoration of the founder’s
residence. Designed by the Gund Partnership of Cambridge, Massachusetts, the dining hall was
completed in the spring of 2010.
TO THOSE ENTERING TAFT
We extend our best wishes for your success here. It is likely that you will encounter much that seems
strange or different at first. You will probably find the first few days particularly confusing, and this
is a typical reaction. Taft is a welcoming community, and many people will do their best to help you
feel at home. Before long, you will find yourself part of the school.
All new students are assigned student sponsors, often referred to as “old boys” and “old girls,”
whose job it is to answer questions, explain our customs, and help you feel at home here. Do not
hesitate to go to your sponsor for advice and information. Furthermore, as a new student you will
participate in activities that will help you understand more about the school.
During the first semester you will choose a faculty member to be your advisor. New students
will be assigned a temporary advisor for the first three weeks of school. This temporary advisor
can become your permanent advisor if you so choose. Your advisor will be intimately concerned
with all phases of your career at Taft. As your relationship with your advisor is a confidential one,
we hope you will feel free to discuss any important issues in your life at Taft. Early in the year we
2 The Taft School