The Taft School

110 Woodbury Road, Watertown, CT 06795, USA
Official website

Boarding / Day
Co-ed
Grades 9–12

Summer School

Available

Financial Aid

Need-based

Admissions

Gateway

About the School

Founded in 1890, The Taft School is a co-ed boarding and day school in Watertown, Connecticut. It draws about 600 students from over 50 countries and 34 states, with around 84% living on campus as boarders, and ranks among the top boarding schools in the U.S.

Pride

Founded in 1890, The Taft School is a co-ed boarding and day school situated in Watertown, Connecticut. The school colors are red and blue, and the mascot is the Rhino. The average SAT score is 1380, and the average ACT score is 31, both well above the national averages. There are about 600 students representing over 50 countries and 34 U.S. states, with approximately 84% living on campus as boarders. Founded by Horace Dutton Taft, brother of 27th U.S. President William Howard Taft, the school operates under the motto “Non ut sibi ministretur sed ut ministret” (Not to be served but to serve). The most famous and popular school tradition is Hotchkiss Day, a century-old athletic rivalry against The Hotchkiss School that rallies the entire campus community each fall.

Courses

Two-semester system / 200+ courses across 7 subjects / Honors-focused, avg. 11 students, 5:1 ratio

Taft operates on a two-semester system, offering more than 200 courses across 7 academic disciplines. Students typically take five to six classes per term. Rather than relying solely on standard AP courses, Taft features advanced Honors and Honors Seminar-level courses designed to encourage original inquiry, research, and college-level debate. The average class size is 11 students, with a low student-to-faculty ratio of 5:1, ensuring personalized academic support.

Campus & Facilities

Campus Facilities

Lady Ivy Kwok Wu Science and Math Center

This is a 45,000-square-foot facility dedicated to STEM education. It features advanced science laboratories, specialized robotics rooms, computer labs, and collaborative math spaces, providing an innovative environment for advanced scientific research.

Hulbert Taft Jr. Library

This is the academic hub of the campus, housing over 55,000 print volumes, extensive digital research databases, private study carrels, and collaborative project rooms where students gather to study and conduct research.

Bingham Auditorium & Arts Facilities

This is the creative hub of campus with the Bingham Auditorium, which seats more than 500, secondary performance spaces, music practice rooms, and digital art studios. It also houses the Mark W. Potter Art Gallery, which exhibits works by professional artists and students.

Affiliations

The Taft School is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), the Ten Schools Admissions Organization (TSAO), and Global Online Academy (GOA).

Signature Programs

Independent Study / Global Studies & Service / Off-Campus & Study Abroad

Taft offers unique signature programs for students looking to pursue specialized academic passions beyond the standard curriculum. The most renowned programs are the Independent Study Program, Global Studies and Service Program, and the Off-Campus & Study Abroad Programs. The Independent Study Program was created in 1964 as the nation’s first independent study program for high school students. This program allows students to execute original, self-directed research or creative projects under faculty mentorship. The Global Studies and Service Program integrates coursework on global issues with meaningful community service. Students fulfilling program requirements graduate with a specialized GSS Diploma. Off-Campus & Study Abroad Programs provides opportunities for term or year-long immersion through programs such as Maine Coast Semester, The Mountain School, High Mountain Institute, The Island School, and School Year Abroad (SYA).

The Area

Safety

Taft is located in Watertown, a quiet and safe New England town of about 22,000 residents. Watertown’s crime rate is significantly below both national and state averages, making it a notably secure residential area. The 226-acre campus features 24/7 campus safety personnel, and boarding dorms are supervised by resident faculty members, ensuring a safe and supportive environment.

Weather

Watertown experiences four distinct seasons. Summers (June–August) are warm with highs around 25–32°C (77–90°F). Winters (December–February) are cold and snowy, with daily highs around 0–5°C (32–41°F) and temperatures often dropping below freezing, requiring heavy winter coats, snow boots, and thermal layers. Snow days are occasionally declared during heavy blizzards. Spring and autumn feature mild, pleasant weather, with autumn in particular offering breathtaking fall foliage across campus.

Accessibility

The nearest regional airport is Bradley International Airport (BDL) near Hartford, about a 45–50-minute drive from campus. For international flights from Japan (JAL/ANA), most families use John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in the New York area, both situated roughly 1.5 to 2 hours from campus. During major school breaks, Taft organizes direct shuttle bus transportation to major airports for boarding students.

Food

Within a short walk from campus in downtown Watertown, students can enjoy local bakeries, cafes, pizza parlors, and classic American diners. For a broader range of dining options, including authentic Asian, Italian, and international cuisines, students frequently travel to nearby Waterbury or New Haven.

Culture

Watertown offers a traditional New England environment with a close-knit community feel. Taft’s campus culture emphasizes inclusivity and mutual support over cutthroat competition. With students from over 50 countries and 34 states, the school actively fosters cultural awareness through student-led organizations, multicultural events, and designated spaces for reflection and fellowship.

Tips for Japanese Students

First-hand advice from Japanese students on finding food and everyday essentials.

Grocery

There is a Japanese specialty market in the West Hartford area (about a 35-minute drive), such as Maruichi Japanese Market, which stocks Japanese rice, snacks, condiments, and frozen goods. Additionally, many students rely on online delivery services like Weee! to ship Asian groceries directly to campus.

Getting There

Access from Japan

There are no direct flights from Japan to airports in the immediate vicinity of Watertown. Most students fly nonstop from Tokyo (Haneda or Narita) to New York JFK or Newark Liberty (EWR), which takes about 13-14 hours. From these airports, the campus is approximately a 1.5 to 2-hour drive away. Alternatively, students can take a connecting flight to Bradley International Airport (BDL) near Hartford, which is a shorter 45-minute drive to campus. Taft provides coordinated charter bus shuttles to major airports during official school break periods.

What to bring

Laptop
Passport
Admission letter
Plug adapter

Winter clothing

Connecticut winters are cold and snowy. Essential items include a high-quality down jacket, waterproof snow boots, gloves, scarves, and thermal base layers.
Japanese food & skincare

Japanese seasonings, snacks, and skincare products can be hard to find locally and are often expensive, so it’s a good idea to bring your favorites from home.
Small appliances

An electric kettle or humidifier (check your dorm’s electronics rules in advance) can be handy for quick meals and for getting through the dry winter months comfortably.
Comfortable shoes

Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers are required for daily movement across the 226-acre campus.
Semi-formal outfit

Everyday clothing can be casual, but some school events call for semi-formal attire, so it’s worth packing one or two outfits for those occasions.