The Taft School Photo #2 - At Taft we continually examine and revise our offerings to provide students with the chance to build a strong intellectual and academic foundation. The curriculum combines required courses with intriguing electives, as well as opportunities for independent study. We seek to provide students with a strong content understanding and skills foundation while allowing them to pursue their evolving interests.

The Taft School

110 Woodbury Road
Watertown, CT 06795
Taft is one of the most rigorous and well-respected educational communities in the world.
It is also a school that lives its motto each day: NON UT SIBI MINISTRETUR SED UT MINISTRET. The school's motto, which translates to "Not to be served but to serve," permeates every aspect of the Taft community.
Taft's 609 students, who hail from 34 states and 51 countries, love their experience not simply because they are challenged by the academic rigor they experience daily, but because they develop life-long friendships with faculty members and students alike.
No matter how hard they are working, Taft students celebrate their responsibility as human beings to serve rather than be served.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Grades: 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 609 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $69,600
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $51,700
  • Acceptance rate: 19%
  • Average class size: 11 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

The Taft School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 280 schools) for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

Definition of Terms | 2024 School Data
The Taft School
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12, PG
9-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1890
1907
Campus Size
226 acres
125 acres

Student Body

Enrollment
609 students
314 students
% Students of Color
41%
27%
% International Students
22%
20%
% Students Boarding
83%
70%
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No

Academics and Faculty

Saturday Classes
Yes
No
Frequency of Saturday Classes
Weekly
Less than once a month
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
no blue jeans or T-shirts
Casual
Average Class Size
11 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student : Teacher Ratio
5:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
75%
71%
Summer Program Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details

Tuition Cost

Endowment Size
$282.9 million
$28 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$69,600
$66,200
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$51,700
$35,600
Summer Program Cost
$8,700
(Day student tuition for the summer program is $4,600. Two-week residential programs available at $4,200.)
% Students on Financial Aid
34%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$56,500
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
No
No

Acceptance Rate

Application Deadline
Jan. 15
Jan. 15
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Acceptance Rate
19%
60%
Director of Admissions
Peter Frew
Associate Director of Admissions
Suzanne Campbell

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
26
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Art and Literature Magazine, Cultural Coffeehouse, FOCUS- Fellowship of Christians in Universities and Schools, Math Club (competitions & tutoring), Red Inc. (Literary Magazine), Red Rhino Foundation, Republican Club, S.H.O.U.T., School Monitors, Service Work, Step Team, Student Ambassadors, Student Tutoring at Taft, The Annual (Yearbook), The Papyrus (School Newspaper), Tour Guides, United Cultures at Taft, Volunteer Council, Winter Hiking, Writing Tutors

Arts and Music Programs:
All-School Play, Individual Music Lessons, Individual Vocal Lessons, Instrumental Lessons

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Wall and Rock Climbing, Yoga

College Matriculation

Year: 2018 - 2022
10 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)
Georgetown University
29
University of Pennsylvania
23
New York University
20
Brown University
19
Bucknell University
19
University of Richmond
18
Colgate University, Cornell University, Southern Methodist University, Wake Forest University
17
Northeastern University, Tufts University, Yale University
16
Middlebury College, Tulane University
15
University of Miami, University of St. Andrews, University of Virginia
12

School Notes

  • Taft is one of the most rigorous and well-respected educational communities in the world. It is also a school that lives its motto each day. Our motto, NON UT SIBI MINISTRETUR SED UT MINISTRET, which translates to "Not to be served but to serve," permeates every aspect of the Taft community. Taft's 609 students, who hail from 34 states and 51 countries, love their experience not simply because they are challenged by the academic rigor they experience daily, but because they develop life-long friendships with faculty members and students alike. No matter how hard they are working, Taft students celebrate their responsibility as human beings to serve rather than be served.
  • The Taft School accreditations: NEASC, TABS, SSATB, CAIS
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does The Taft School cost?
The Taft School's tuition is approximately $69,600 for boarding students and $51,700 for day students.
What schools are The Taft School often compared to?
The Taft Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Choate Rosemary Hall, Deerfield Academy, Loomis Chaffee by visitors of our site.
What is the acceptance rate of The Taft School?
The acceptance rate of The Taft School is 19%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 60%. The Taft School's acceptance rate is ranked as one of the top boarding schools with low acceptance rates.
What sports does The Taft School offer?
The Taft School offers 19 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Baseball, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Volleyball and Wrestling.
Does The Taft School offer a summer program?
Yes, The Taft School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is The Taft School's ranking?
The Taft School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Large financial endowment, Highest endowment/student and Low acceptance rates.
When is the application deadline for The Taft School?
The application deadline for The Taft School is Jan. 15.

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review
Description

Class of 2022
5.00
n/a
There is an Independent Study Program, through which you can do whatever you want - academic research, community project, arts, or sports. It helps you to make your independent work more systematic.. . .

Class of 2016
5.00
Carnegie Mellon University
Taft really emphasizes supporting your community and . Taft has an incredible campus, with beautiful brick architecture and landscaping. In contrast to most boarding schools, the heart of Taft's campus consists of larger dorms and. . .

Class of 2016
5.00
St. Olaf College
We had the Jigg shop which was a central hang out spot for ALL of the students on campus. If you wanted to find someone, they were most likely in the Jigg.At Taft we had. . .
Submit Review for The Taft School
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Featured Schools

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Grades: 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 609 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $69,600
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $51,700
  • Acceptance rate: 19%
  • Average class size: 11 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15
  • Source: Verified school update

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