Summer School - The Taft School

Director’s Greeting
In today’s society we are witnessing a change in many
aspects of education. One such change sees parents and
young people viewing summer as more than a school
vacation. Increasingly, students now utilize summer as a
period to foster their academic development and growth
in the wake of increased standards at secondary schools
and universities. Wherever students’ interests may lie, there
are a variety of summer programs from which families can
choose. The Taft Summer School provides an academic
enrichment program, designed to stimulate and encourage
their intellectual curiosity and growth.
The Taft Summer School offers an individualized
academic program, which enables students to further their
academic progress. In either the Young Scholars or the
Liberal Studies program, students tailor their course work
to hone their skills and deepen their understanding. Upon
examination of the choices that Taft has to offer, it becomes
evident that there is a course of study for each student.
Instructors, including some of the finest from the Taft
faculty, share a love of learning with their students. The
strength of the faculty lies in its ability to connect with the
students and help guide them, when necessary pushing
pupils beyond their comfort limits. In addition, students
have the unique opportunity to enjoy time with faculty
outside of the classroom. These interactions, whether in
the residential community, on weekend field trips and
group outings, or on the playing fields, foster a personal
connection that invigorates learning.
Several factors set the tone for our unique summer
program. The residential setting encourages independent
learning and cultivates a sense of personal responsibility.
At the same time, the diverse student body lays the
foundation for the success of the program. Living with and
interacting daily with a wide variety of individuals from very
different backgrounds provides the students with a cultural
education, one which cannot be replicated. The boundaries
of language and culture slowly dissipate within the five-week
period, and students are afforded a richer understanding
of the world and its people. Beyond the classroom walls,
the summer session offers a variety of afternoon athletic
activities. These activities help to foster relationships and
reinforce the idea that an active and healthy body fuels an
energetic mind. Additionally, on weekends the Summer
School leads students to the metropolitan areas of New York
and Boston, where they can soak in the culture and sights of
these cities.
In formulating the student body of summer session,
the Summer School looks for applicants who demonstrate
a strong desire to improve and strengthen their academic
profile. While the summer session provides the structure
and framework for success, it is ultimately up to the students
to take full advantage of the opportunities and cultural
experience that the program provides. Those who do will
find that they are not disappointed. To this end, we look for
applications which show a positive school record and which
include references and recommendations indicating that a
student will optimize the summer school experience.
I invite and encourage you to look through the catalog
and explore our website. Understand, however, that the
words and pictures alone cannot capture the essence of the
Taft Summer School program. We are happy to see that,
each year, our students depart from the summer session
more confident in their school work and achievement, more
connected with people, now their friends, from other parts
of the world, and eager to tackle the upcoming academic
year. We feel lucky to be able to offer our Summer School
students these opportunities and hope that, after perusing
our catalog and learning more about us, you will apply to be
a part of it.
—Thomas W. Antonucci
June 24–July 28, 2012
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