At The Rectory School, students thrive through individualized attention and instruction.
Our program is a successful combination of traditional academics, athletics, performing and studio arts, presented in innovative ways by a caring faculty.
The signature Individualized Instruction Program (IIP) offers unique one-to-one teaching for a variety of learning styles and aptitudes.
Moreover, our focus on developing individual talents permeates every aspect of life on our picturesque, 138-acre campus.
The Rectory experience encourages the spark in its students that ignites their desire to excel. Our students love it here!
Quick Stats (2023-24)
- Grades: (Boarding) 5-9
- Enrollment: 250 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $67,700
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $33,300
- Average class size: 10 students
- Application Deadline: Dec. 15 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
School News
- Back-To-School Homework - 08/30/2023The beginning of a new school year can be a bit overwhelming whether your child is attending a day school or a boarding school. Doing some homework before school starts ...morewill make the transition from summer vacation much easier for everyone. hide
- 9th-Grade Capstone Project Helped Shape An Intentional History Curriculum - 04/26/2023Curriculum design plays an essential role in enriching students' educational experiences. Middle school students require a unique approach to academic learning because they are going through a critical period of ...moredevelopment where they are transitioning from childhood to adolescence. By developing a well-designed curriculum, middle school educators can ensure that students are exposed to a wide range of topics and ideas and provided with the necessary skills to transition from primary education and succeed at the secondary school level. Participating in and then leading Rectory's ninth-grade Capstone Project gave History Team Leader Jamie Haines insight into what gaps needed to be filled in the middle school history curriculum. The result was a curriculum that allowed students to successfully build the skills they needed to rise to the next grade. hide
- Students Explore Interests and Passions in Middle School Electives - 03/29/2023Electives play an essential role in developing middle school students by allowing them to explore their interests, develop new skills, and broaden their perspectives beyond the core academic curriculum. At ...moreRectory, we encourage our students to explore their interests and passions through our dynamic electives program. This program gives our students an exploratory experience in a variety of disciplines. Middle school students must take either an elective or a performing art each trimester. hide
- The Importance of Community Service in Middle School - 02/24/2023Community service is an excellent way for middle schoolers to develop their characters. It provides them with the opportunity to learn about the needs of others and to develop empathy ...moreand compassion. It can help them build leadership and teamwork skills and give them a sense of responsibility and accountability. It can also help them build their self-esteem because they know their efforts matter. hide
- A Creative Oasis at the Heart of Rectory's Campus - 01/25/2023Art teachers Mrs. Gould and Mrs. Oakes create an environment that promotes discovery and self-expression as they encourage their students to value process over product and practice over perfection.
- Faculty Feature: Kara Burke Savors the Study of Spanish - 01/04/2023Kara Burke, who serves as World Languages team leader, Spanish teacher, learning specialist, JV tennis coach, and dorm affiliate, has been a member of the Rectory faculty for nearly a ...moredecade. Recently, we sat down with Mrs. Burke to discuss her work at the school, her approach to teaching, her background, and her lifelong love of food. hide
- Rectory's Continued Commitment to Gender Equity: A Work in Progress - 12/15/2022With the construction of a new female dormitory and the renovation of the girls` locker room this year, Rectory School continues its ongoing commitment to gender equity, an initiative that ...morewas greatly advanced in 2007 with the inclusion of female boarders. In this series of articles, members of the Rectory community discuss the transition to co-educational boarding, focusing, in this installment, on the first years, the challenges overcome, the changes made, and the work still to do. hide
- Private School Application Process: Community & Culture - 10/26/2022In this second installment of the Private School Application Process Series, we will discuss the importance of community. Community is the foundation of any successful private school, and there is ...moreno right or wrong way to do it. For example, a boys' boarding school will be much different than a co-educational day school. What values and ethos are most prevalent in the community, and how do you identify them? hide
- Rectory's Continued Commitment to Gender Equity - 10/19/2022With the construction of a new female dormitory and the renovation of the girls` locker room this year, Rectory School continues its commitment to gender equity, an initiative that was ...moregreatly advanced in 2007 with the inclusion of female boarders. In this series of articles, members of the Rectory community will discuss the transition to co-educational boarding, reflecting on the factors that inspired it and the impact it has had on our school. Looking toward the future, they will also consider what more can be done to ensure equal footing for our female students. hide
- An Intentional Student Experience - 09/21/2022Rectory School's intentional design to create exceptional experiences for our students goes far beyond what happens in the classrooms. At Rectory, the student experience isn't just pedagogy- it's personal.
- At Rectory, School Counselor Donna Grant's Door Is Always Open - 09/12/2022School Counselor Donna Grant maintains an open-door policy, so that students know she is always available. Joining Rectory midyear in January 2022, Ms. Grant has already formed a strong bond ...morewith students while helping to grow the school's Counseling Department. hide
- ...read more
Top Rankings
Rectory School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 289 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
School Overview
Definition of Terms | 2023 School Data
Rectory School
School Focus
Grades Offered (Boarding)
5-9
Grades Offered (Day)
PK-9
School Type
Co-ed
ADD/ADHD Support
Supports Learning Differences (LD)
Religious Affiliation
Year Founded
1920
Campus Size
138 acres
Student Body
Enrollment
250 students
% Students of Color
10%
% International Students
33%
% Students Boarding
65%
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
Classroom Dress Code
Average Class Size
10 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
4:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
3
ESL Courses Offered
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
60%
Summer Program Offered
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$20 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$67,700
(www.rectoryschool.org)
(www.rectoryschool.org)
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$33,300
(www.rectoryschool.org)
(www.rectoryschool.org)
Tuition international students
$73,700
Yearly Tuition
(5 Day Boarding)
(5 Day Boarding)
$59,800
% Students on Financial Aid
36%
Merit Scholarships Offered
Acceptance Rate
Application Deadline
Dec. 15 / rolling
Accepts Standardized Application
Director of Admissions
Lesley Gibbs
AP / Advanced Courses
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
3
Courses
Calculus, Honors English, Honors Physics
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
19
Sports
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
24
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Bookworms, Chess Club, Debate Club, Jewelry Making, Newspaper, REC Story (Poems, Short Stories, Art Work, etc.), Robotics, Student Ambassadors, Student Council, Young Investors Club
Arts and Music Programs:
9th Grade Ensemble, A Capella, Armed Drill Team, Camera Club, Chorus, Development of Instrumental Music Techniques, Fine Arts Club, Flag Corps, General Music: A History of Jazz Music in America, General Music: A History of Rock Music in America, Jazz Club, Orchestra, Photography, Spring Musical
Bookworms, Chess Club, Debate Club, Jewelry Making, Newspaper, REC Story (Poems, Short Stories, Art Work, etc.), Robotics, Student Ambassadors, Student Council, Young Investors Club
Arts and Music Programs:
9th Grade Ensemble, A Capella, Armed Drill Team, Camera Club, Chorus, Development of Instrumental Music Techniques, Fine Arts Club, Flag Corps, General Music: A History of Jazz Music in America, General Music: A History of Rock Music in America, Jazz Club, Orchestra, Photography, Spring Musical
College Matriculation
Year:
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
School Notes
- Students enjoy increasing their skills and revealing new talents in state-of-the-art facilities. The Tang Center for Performing Arts is an exceptional venue for concerts, assemblies, lessons, and special programs. The Collins Art Barn allows students to create in bright studios and develop photography in the darkroom.
- Every Rectory student is involved in sports and participates on a team. The program emphasizes healthy competition on levels that provide a challenge for the skilled athlete and encouragement for the beginner.
- The Rectory School community lives its creed: Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, and Compassion.
- The Rectory School`s four-week summer session, Summer@Rectory, is an innovative, individually designed program that balances academics, sports, art, music, drama, and recreation. Offering a variety of options for enrichment or remediation, Summer@Rectory has enrollment for coeducational day and boarding students who are entering grades five through nine.
- The morning academic program provides choices for students to explore an interest, challenge their skills, refresh academic knowledge, improve study skills, and increase English language proficiency. Students enroll in four courses for the four-week session. One of these courses may be the one-to-one Individualized Instruction Program (IIP).
- The afternoon sessions include FOCUS where the students learn beyond the classroom environment. Music camps promote the performing arts with instrumental ensembles, jazz, stringed instruments, and private lessons. Drama workshops allow students to explore theatrical skills, while recreational activities such as tennis, fishing, canoeing, softball, and soccer create personal enjoyment and team play. Students may elect a different option for each week.
- The weekend schedule of field trips and off-campus activities gives Summer@Rectory students more experiences to remember. Area beaches, an overnight trip to Boston, New England excursions, Six Flags, and a professional baseball game all add to the excitement. Summer@Rectory is held for four weeks during the month of July. Call The Rectory School for more information.
- Rectory School accreditations: Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), Junior Boarding School Association (JBSA) Small Boarding School Association (SBSA)
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Rectory School cost?
Rectory School's tuition is approximately $67,700 for boarding students and $33,300 for day students.
What sports does Rectory School offer?
Rectory School offers 19 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Dance, Equestrian, Fencing, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Volleyball and Wrestling.
What is Rectory School's ranking?
Rectory School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Low student:teacher ratio.
When is the application deadline for Rectory School?
The application deadline for Rectory School is Dec. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Dec. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
Rectory has far more resources than a typical middle school and has a very significant international student population that allows you to meet students from all over the world.. . .
The Rectory School is focused on building a child's character, confidence, scholarship, and social/emotional development.. . .
Recent Articles

Navigating the Modern Maze: Emerging Challenges for Boarding Schools
Explore the pressing challenges facing boarding schools, from marketing difficulties and rising insurance costs to facility maintenance and recruitment of competent trustees and teachers. This article delves into these complex issues and proposes innovative strategies to overcome them.

What To Wear at Your Job Interview
Navigating job interviews can be stressful, but knowing what to wear shouldn't be. Our comprehensive guide covers the essential dress code tips for men and women interviewing at boarding schools. Make your first impression count with style and professionalism.

July 23, 2023
Boarding School Pros and Cons: History and Common MisconceptionsWe address common misconceptions about boarding schools, shedding light on the actual experiences versus perceived notions. Ideal for parents contemplating this educational choice for their children, the essay provides a balanced perspective on the topic.