Suffield Academy

Suffield Academy
File:SAWikipediaLogo.jpg
Location
Suffield , Connecticut
Information
Type	Boarding
Motto	Esse Quam Videri
Founded	1833
Head teacher	Charles Cahn III
Faculty	90 teachers
Enrollment	410 students 225 Boys, 185 Girls (9-12, PG) 68% Boarding
Campus	368 acres (1.49 km2)
Color(s)	Black and Orange
Athletics	19 interscholastic sports teams
Mascot	Tiger
Website	[1]

Suffield Academy is a private coeducational preparatory school located in Suffield, Connecticut, USA. It was founded in 1833. The Headmaster is Charles Cahn III.

Overview

Suffield has a 410 students enrollment, with students coming from 15 states and 27 countries. Seventy percent of the students are boarders. There were nearly 1,000 applicants for 110 available spaces during the 2011 academic year. The school has 90 faculty sand staff members, ensuring a small student to teacher ratio and significant attention for each student. Suffield's mission speaks to a diverse, structured, and nurturing community focused on academic excellence, leadership, and responsibility. Specifically, the mission statement says:

"Suffield is a coeducational, independent secondary school serving a diverse community of boarding and day students. Our school has a tradition of academic excellence combined with a strong work ethic, a commitment to scholarship, and a respect for individual differences guide our teaching and curriculum. We engender among our students a sense of responsibility, and they are challenged to grow in a structured and nurturing environment. The entire academic, athletic, and extracurricular expereince prepares our students for a lifetime of learning, leadership, and active citizenship."

History

Connecticut Literary Institute

In the mid-1820s, the Connecticut Baptists had made an announcement that they were looking to charter a private school, and whichever town could raise $10,000 would receive the charter. The residents of Suffield, eager to have a school in their town, were successful in raising enough money to win the charter. The school's initial building, later known as the Old South Building, was erected, and the school was opened under the title of Connecticut Baptist Literary Institute in 1829.

The early mission of the school was to educate young men for the ministry. Despite its founding links to the Baptist Church, the Institute quickly moved towards a non-denominational model, and in 1833 and was renamed Connecticut Literary Institute, locally known as CLI. The Institute was the only high school in town, and local tax dollars helped pay for each student's tuition.

From the founding of the school, Suffield has had a commitment to diversity. International students were welcomed in the 1830s, girls gained admittance in 1843, and African American boys and girls joined the community in the late 19th century. The school was renamed the Suffield School in 1916, and restructured as a "Military School for Boys" two years later, featuring military-style regimentation, field manoeuvers, and riflery.

In 1937 the school was renamed Suffield Academy. It is now considered among the country's premier coeducational independent schools.

Campus history

The first building of the Institute was the Old South Building. It stood on the property which is now the grounds of the S. Kent Legare Library.

The town of Suffield, owing to a long history of libraries, had begun the process in 1894 to erect a new public library. This drew the attention of Sydney A. Kent, a CLI graduate and Chicago businessman. Mr. Kent offered the town $35,000 to build a the new library, under the provision that he could dedicate in the name of his parents. With the assistance of his funds, the town purchased the property from the Institute, and in 1897, began new library's construction with the demolition of Old South. Its architect was Chicago-based Daniel Burnham. On November 1, 1899, it the new building was christened and dedicated as the Kent Memorial Library.

In 1974, the town of Suffield moved the Kent Memorial Library to its present location at 50 Main St., and the Academy purchased the property back. After a sizable addition was made to the back of the library, it was renamed the S. Kent Legare Library in 1976.

The other buildings created during the years of the Institute were Memorial Hall (1854), Fuller Hall (1886), and the North Hall (late 19th century), which sat behind Fuller and Memorial, and was demolished in the 1930s.

During the Headmaster tenure of Appleton H. Seaverns, the Academy saw a visible change in its campus. Brewster Hall, The Infirmary, Holcomb Hall, and Perry Gymnasium were all added all in the 1950s. Also, much-needed renovations and modernizations were made on Fuller and Memorial, the most dramatic being that of Fuller, where details such as its 4th floor, front veranda, dining hall, and ornate Victorian embellishments were replaced with simpler windows, a third floor, Cupola, offices for administration, and other architectural shifts characteristic of post-war modernism.

In addition, a number extra dormitories were added on a plot of land opposite the school, which included the then-dedicated Kulle House, Proctor House, William Fuller House, and Bissell House. These dormitories operated until the advent of the Academy's new dormitory quadrangle, located behind Spencer Hall, in 1999. They currently serve as faculty residence and daycare facilities.

Spencer Hall, a dormitory housing more than fifty students, was opened in 1964.

The Academy has also made a number of residential acquisitions along North Main St., currently using them for both student and faculty. Barnes House, Academy House, Nathena Fuller House, and Montgomery Street House all serve as dormitories.

Suffield's campus saw another change as it approached the 1990s. The Performing Arts Center saw its opening in 1988. The parking lots behind Memorial Hall, as well as Holcomb Hall, suddenly disappeared. In 1997, the Infirmary, having been behind Brewster Hall since its inception, was moved to a new building near the Performing Arts Center, and the old building became the new home of the school's art department. A landscape design plan created by noted landscape architect Dan Kiley was implemented on the Suffield campus. aThe school also installed a campus-wide fibre optic computer network. By the end of the 20th century, the school had successfully prepared itself for the new millennium.

Since then, a major campus master plan has been executed under the leadership of current Headmaster Charles Cahn III. This construction was fully funded by the school's largest-ever capital campaign. The campaign generated gifts for Tisch Field House, Rockwell Hall (a new dormitory), Guttag Music Center, and a new health center and synthetic turf athletic field. Headmaster Cahn's tenure has also been marked by a significant increase in Suffield's applicant pool and annual giving. Nearly 1,000 students applied for 110 available spaces for the 2011 academic year.

School renewal

Suffield's history is not unlike many schools, with periods of strength and weakness. During the early 1950s, the school was in a period of decline. Specifically, the school's endowment was comparatively lower than similar schools, the physical plant was in need of revitalization, and enrollment was suffering due to the opening of the town's first public high school in 1939.

In 1952, the school hired Appleton H. Seaverns as the new headmaster. A dynamic young educator from West Hartford, Connecticut, Seaverns led a period of renewal for the school. Under his leadership, the physical plant improved, and the endowment significantly grew. Many of the buildings in use today were built during his tenure. Seaverns laid the foundation for the powerful and successful school that exists today.

Late 20th century

Since popular headmaster Ap Seaverns' tenure ended, Suffield has had several headmasters of note. Headmasters Paul Sanderson, Ken Lindfors and David Holmes guided the school through key moments that have shaped the school today. In 1974, the school returned to its co-educational roots, from being an all-boys school.

Dr. David R. Holmes was appointed in 1991 as the first alumnus to be made headmaster. During his tenure, the school began the Laptop Initiative, the Leadership Program, and the outdoor leadership program. Headmaster Charlie Cahn has been a member of Suffield's faculty since 1992. He served as an English teacher and lacrosse coach, then a Director of Admissions, Dean of Faculty, and Associate Headmaster.Hhe was named Headmaster-elect in 2002 and became Suffield's 25th headmaster in 2004. A successful strategic plan has placed Suffield in a very enviable position, with a commitment to an enrollment of 400 students, small classes, a low student-teacher ratio, excellent college placement and college counseling, and a beautiful campus in an historic New England town.

Computer initiative

In 1992, Suffield Academy was the first high school in the United States to require students to own a laptop computer. Suffield Academy runs all Macintosh computers. The school has a computer lab with the latest equipment, a computer repair center, and several computer-oriented classes. Students interested can be trained in basic Macintosh repair in the computer repair center.

Today, Suffield Academy's network is extensive. All academic buildings are equipped with wireless and ethernet computer access. Printers are spread out over campus and can be accessed wirelessly. Each student is granted an account in the server, in which they can back up and transfer their files.

Academics

Suffield Academy follows a liberal arts academic program. Each student is given an academic advisor, and the students may utilize academic support services if needed, including a student-run and faculty-advised Writing Center. Technology is integrated throughout the curriculum. The school features a unique, renowned Leadership Program. Each student is placed with a College Counselor to aid in the college application process.

Curriculum requirements

To earn a Suffield diploma, students must complete 4 credits in English, 3 credits in Mathematics, 2 credits in Foreign Languages (including study through Level II), 3 credits in science, 3 credits in History (including U.S. History), 1/3 credit in the Arts and 1/3 of a credit in Philosophy.

Each student must complete 2 Technology Portfolios (one in grades 9 and 10, if enrolled, and one in grades 11 and 12). Each student must take a minimum of 4 classes per semester, each senior year course must be completed successfully, and each senior must pass each spring term-length course.

Leadership program

Suffield's liberal arts curriculum is highlighted by its unique Leadership Program. Each student is involved, and the courses include a focus on personal mastery skills, public speaking, community service work and practical leadership experiences.

The aim of Suffield Academy's Leadership Program is to develop human beings with skills and habits that lend themselves to making a significant and positive impact on society. The program emphasizes seven core elements (personal mastery, moral foundation, goal setting, communication skills, problem solving, self awareness and inspiring/motivating others), highlights distance traveled for each individual student's growth, and prides itself on experiential learning.

Suffield Outdoor Leadership Opportunities (SOLO) is the outdoor portion of the Leadership Program. SOLO gives students opportunities to practice leadership skills in an outdoor setting. By experiencing activities (rope courses, a climbing wall, camping trips and afternoons canoeing), students are able to use their leadership skills in the real world. SOLO is offered as an alternative to interscholastic athletic competition during all three seasons (fall, winter and spring). The Courtney Robinson Outdoor Leadership Center, a renovated barn situated on 40 acres (160,000 m²) of farmland to the west of campus, serves as home base for SOLO. The barn contains a state-of-the-art climbing wall, storage space for canoes and other equipment, and classroom and office space. In 2007, a high-ropes course was built outside the barn, and has become an integral part of the SOLO program.

Athletics

Suffield has a strong tradition of athletics and primarily competes against other preparatory schools in New England. Suffield's teams are among the finest in New England prep school competition. Rivals include Berkshire School, Westminster School, Williston Northampton School, and Loomis Chaffee. During each season (fall, winter, and spring), each student is required to choose a sport, or an approved alternative activity.

Teams

In the fall, Suffield students compete in Cross Country, Field Hockey, American football, Soccer, Volleyball, Water Polo and Suffield Leadership Outdoor Opportunities (SOLO, kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, wilderness survival skills, high and low ropes work). During the winter season Suffield has teams competing in Basketball, Alpine Skiing, Riflery, Snowboarding, Squash, Swimming, Diving, Wrestling, and SOLO. The spring athletic options include Lacrosse, Baseball, Golf, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field, Water Polo and SOLO.

Facilities

Perry Gymnasium contains a basketball court, rifle range, wrestling room, six-lane championship swimming pool, Nautilus center with free weights, and locker rooms. The Squash Center features four international squash courts, while the Hirschmann Tennis Courts (10 courts) provide for seasonal play. Surrounding the campus are a new turf field, six soccer fields, a football field and all-weather track, baseball and softball diamonds, a field hockey field, three lacrosse fields, and cross-country trails. Facilities for skiing (Nordic and alpine), snowboarding and golf are available nearby. The Courtney Robinson Outdoor Leadership Center includes a 35-foot (11 m) indoor rock climbing facility, complete with a crack, cave, overhanging structures, aretes, and a ceiling with 15 quick-draws. The Outdoor Leadership Center also houses canoes, kayaks, snowshoes, cross country skis, stoves, tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, rock shoes and harnesses. During the 2007-2008 academic year, the school added both high- and low-ropes courses to the center. Tisch Field House, completed in January 2009, is connected to Perry Gymnasium. It houses an additional four international squash courts and two basketball courts with an all-purpose surface to allow for indoor practices for various sports throughout the year. The field house also contains brand new, state-of-the-art athletic training facilities. Also added in 2008-2009 is a state of the art recording studio (The Academy | Recording Studio ) ( now defunct) and performance space that is used for live musical performances and dance ensembles.

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  The school's library
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  Brewster Hall—Home of the Dining Hall and Student Union
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  A look at the bell and Centurion Hall, the school's newest academic building
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  Construction on the school's new turf field finished in August 2007
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  The school's newest dorm accommodates 30 female students

Notable students

Alumni	Description
Willis Seaver Adams 1862	Painter, attended Connecticut Literary Institute sporadically between 1857 and 1862
Dr. John R. Adler 1972	Professor of neurosurgery at Stanford University Medical Center and inventor of the CyberKnife
H. Meade Alcorn 1926	Former Hartford State’s Attorney and majority leader and House speaker in Connecticut’s House of Representatives. Former Republican Party Chairman.
Ted Bundy 1964	American serial killer, rapist, kidnapper, and necrophile who assaulted and murdered at least 30 young women, and possibly many more, in the states of Washington, Oregon, California, Utah, Idaho, Colorado, and Florida between 1974 and 1978
Pia Bungarten 1975	Public servant and Division Chief for International Dialogue at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation
Joseph P. Campanelli 1975	CEO of Sovereign Bank New England
Gustavo Cisneros 1963	CEO of Cisneros Group Venezuela and one of the richest people if South and Middle America
The Hon. George B. Daniels 1971	United States federal judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
Vinny Del Negro 1984	Former NBA player for the San Antonio Spurs, the head coach of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers.
Roger C. Faxon 1967	CEO of EMI Music Publishing
Harold Geneen 1926	Business management pioneer and former president and CEO of International Telephone and Telegraph
Mark J. Hosenball 1969	Award-Winning Investigative Correspondent for Newsweek
Archer H. Mayor 1969	Vermont-based author of a critically acclaimed series of mystery novels featuring policeman Joe Gunther
James C. Morin 1971	Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist for the Miami Herald
Gerald L. Parsky 1960	Chairman of Aurora Capital Partners L.P., a Los Angeles–based investment firm, and of the Board of Regents at the University of California
Leigh H. (Perk) Perkins, Jr. 1971	President and CEO of The Orvis Company
Leopoldo Fernández Pujals 1964	Entrepreneur, founder of Telepizza, and president of Jazztel
Charles S. Prouty 1963	Executive assistant director of Law Enforcement Services for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and former special agent in charge of the Boston Division of the FBI
James S. Tisch 1971	President and chief executive officer of Loews Corporation and CEO and chairman of the board of directors of Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.

External links

• Suffield Academy Homepage
• Apple Education Profiles: Suffield Academy