Historic institution heralds new era of innovative learning

By Magaly Olivero
Photographs by ChiChi Ubiña

Choate Rosemary Hall has begun a new chapter in its long tradition as a worldwide leader in education with the arrival of a new headmaster and the development of innovative programs that integrate traditional learning tools with the digital age.

“We are at an extraordinary moment in education. The Digital Revolution is forcing us to change the way we think,” said Alex Curtis, Ph.D., who was invested as Choate’s new president this fall. “Choate will never ignore the fundamental conventions of education. But we also welcome the appropriate and meaningful integration of today’s technology in the classroom and beyond.”

A Swarthmore College graduate with a doctorate degree from Princeton University’s Department of Art and Archeology, Dr. Curtis was headmaster of Morristown-Beard School in New Jersey before coming to Choate. He was attracted to Choate for many of the same reasons students and their families select the school – an academically strong and motivated student body from around the world that thrives in a residential environment; dedicated faculty committed to nurturing students both inside and outside of the classroom as they become global citizens; and a campus with state-of-the-art classrooms, dormitories and facilities. The opening of the Kohler Environmental Center next fall will further enhance Choate’s unique educational setting.

“This is a wonderful time in our school’s history,” he said.

A global learning community comes together

Located in Wallingford, Conn., Choate Rosemary Hall is a coeducation boarding and day school for grades 9 through 12, including a post-graduate year option. The beautiful 458 acres has 121 buildings, including the Andrew Mellon Library, the Paul Mellon Arts Center and the Carl C. Icahn Center for Science. (I.M Pei designed both the arts and science centers.)   

Choate’s reputation for academic excellence and leadership development attracts the finest students from around the world, according to Ray Diffley, director of admissions. The student body consists of 630 boarding and 220 day students. “We are the most geographically diverse boarding school in Connecticut with students from 39 states and 46 countries,” he said. “This multicultural global education is at the forefront of helping students make their way in the modern world. We are trying to inspire young minds to go out into the world and do great things.”

At Choate, students can find inspiration by choosing from 240 courses, including signature programs that include Arabic and Middle Eastern studies, an arts concentration, science research, and math, debate and economic teams. The Capstone Program allows talented students to explore an area of the curriculum (the arts, English, languages, math, computer science, science, history, philosophy, religion and social sciences) in depth. Study abroad includes trimester immersion and summer programs in China, France and Spain, plus a term program in Rome.

“Choate provides opportunities and pathways for students to find and pursue their passions,” said Diffley. “It’s amazing what students can do when you raise the bar.”

The residential setting provides students with many advantages. “Learning extends beyond the classroom,” explained Diffley.  “Students can immerse themselves in an intellectual community where they have easy access to academic resources and the opportunity to develop life-long friendships and connections with their global peers.” Day students are also an integral part of the school community. “We have a strong core of day families who are involved in many ways, from supporting our students at events to hosting international students at their home.”  

To better identify students who are prepared for academic success, Choate has developed its own assessment tool that looks beyond grade point averages and test scores to identify the characteristics that lead to academic success. The method of assessment has gained national attention. “This gives us a more complete picture of each student so we can provide individualized assistance and mentoring and highlight the characteristics that we believe are important to that success,” said Diffley. “Our admission process fits well with our spirit of innovation and focus on preparing students to enter the modern world.”

Leading the way in environmental studies

Among the most exciting initiatives underway at Choate Rosemary Hall is the construction of the Kohler Environmental Center on 266 acres of undeveloped land.  “It truly is a unique program that will lead the way in environmental education for secondary education schools around the country,” said Howard Ernst, director of the Kohler Environmental Center. “It combines areas of academic rigor with a green living experience that allows students to live what they learn.”

The yearlong program will include up to 20 juniors who will live and learn at the center, which includes a greenhouse, laboratory spaces, classrooms, a dormitory and faculty apartments. The 32,000 square-foot facility has many advanced environmental features including geothermal heating and cooling, net zero energy consumption, and a greenhouse heated by waste oil. The interdisciplinary curriculum will include courses in environmental economics, environmental philosophy, environmental literature, environmental statistics and more. “The center blurs the lines of where the classroom starts and stops,” said Ernst.

For Dr. Curtis, initiatives ranging from the Kohler Environmental Center to pilot programs that are putting iPads in the classroom demonstrate Choate’s commitment to finding innovative ways to engage students in settings that combine traditional learning tools and technology. “There’s tremendous energy on our campus,” said the headmaster. “Everything is in place for a promising future. The sky is the limit.”

333 Christian Street
Wallingford, CT 06492-3800
(203) 697-2000

www.choate.edu