'Canterbury School' is a college preparatory, coeducational boarding and day school for students in grades 9-12. It is located in
New Milford, Connecticut,
United States, in the
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford.
History
Canterbury was founded in 1915 on the aspiration of two men: Henry O Havemeyer, the descendant of the sugar refining family, and Nelson Hume, a Catholic schoolmaster. These men desired to establish a school that Roman Catholics could attend, be guided in their religion and prepared to attend universities like Yale, Harvard, and Princeton.
[1].
The school was established in New Milford, CT on the location of the former Ingleside School for Girls. Nelson Hume became the first head master of the school. From its start with 16 enrolled students, Nelson Hume guided the school through two world wars and the great depression until his death in 1948. He was succeeded as headmaster by Walter Sheehan, by John Reydel in 1973, by Rodrick Clark in 1978 and Thomas Sheehy in 1990.
Canterbury became co-education in the fall of 1971. The school now enrolls over 300 boarding and day students on its campus on the hill in New Milford.
Mission & Core Values
Canterbury's mission has not changed since its founding by Nelson Hume in 1915. While Canterbury students come from many faiths, the school is operated by lay Catholics. The school prides itself upon the community it creates, based upon Catholic values. Canterbury's Catholic values can be summed up into five words: Respect, Honesty, Spirituality, Compasion and Self-Reliance
[1]. The school believes these values are critical to helping to prepare its students for college and life beyond.
Academics
Canterbury offers a college preparatory program of more than 115 courses, including 21 AP courses and 13 Honors sections. Courses are offered in Computer Science, English, Fine Arts, History, Language, Math, Music, Science, Theology.
Fine Arts
Canterbury offers a program in the fine arts. The school provides space for music practice, recordings, art exhibits, and performances; during the year student art is displayed throughout the school in various hallways and rooms.
Facilities
Academic
'Old School House' facilitates the language and history departments. The majority of language and history classes will be held in this building. Canterbury offers Spanish, French, and Latin as foreign languages.
'Hume Building' facilitates the theology and mathematic departments on the upper level, and the science department on the lower level. The Hume building also houses Canterbury's McGuire Auditorium on the upper level.
'Steele Hall' facilitates the library on the upper level, and the business office and a lecture room on the lower level. In addition, the school dining hall and cafeteria is located on the lower level of Steele.
'Duffy House' contains art space and studios renovated from the old dinning hall.
'Old Gym' the old gym first floor space has been renovated for music class rooms and rehearsal space.
Residential
'Sheehan House' (nee Middle House) Named for Canterbury’s Second headmaster is located in center of the lower campus, it houses upper form Boys.
'Carter House' (née South House) located on the southern end of the lower campus houses upper form girls.
'Duffy House' (née North House) located on the northern end of the lower campus houses lower form girls.
'Hickory Hearth' provides space for 6 students and 3 faculty member.
'Havemeyer Hall' for middle form boys
'Carmody Hall' for lower form boys.
'South House' a newly constructed building between Hickory Hearth and Carter House will house upper girls.
Religious
'Chapel of Our Lady' Built in 1930s and expanded in 1960, the chapel can seat the student body. The bottom floor of the chapel also contains a classroom. Its impressive stained glass windows have been recently restored.
'Chaplin Residence' is the oldest building on campus and has had various uses including acting as Canterbury’s 1st chapel.
Athletic
'The New Athletic Facility' contains the Draddy Hockey Arena (1975), 5 squash courts, the field house (basketball courts), weight room, and a wrestling room.
Located across the drive from the athletic facility is the 'Pigott Basketball Arena' which also contains additional locker facilities.
'Higgins Aquatic Center' due to open in 2007 will provide a new 8 lane 25yard pool.
Dining Hall
Located in the basement of Steele Hall, Canterbury offers a full service dining hall preparing breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. All meals are prepared under the direction of a Culinary Institute of America chef.
Interscholastic Sports
When founded in 1915, Nelson Hume believed that physical activity was an important compenent in the education of his students. Canterbury carries that tradition on, expecting students to participate in a sport each season at level appropriate with their skills. Canterbury fields teams and competes against other schools at the Varsity, Junior Varsity, 3rd Team and sometime 4th team level.
Fall
Boys & Girls
Cross Country,
Field Hockey,
Football, Boys & Girls
Soccer, Boys
Water Polo
Winter
Boys & Girls
Basketball, Boys & Girls
Ice Hockey, Boys & Girls
Squash, Boys & Girls
Swimming, Girls
Volleyball, and
Wrestling
Spring
Baseball,
Crew,
Golf,
Boys Lacrosse,
Girls Lacrosse,
Softball, Boys & Girls
Tennis,
Outdoor Track
Notable students and alumni
★
Mike Dunham, goaltender in the
NHL
★
John F. Kennedy, President of the United States (Student)
★
Dominick Dunne, writer-producer-TV personality
★
Joseph Campbell, sociologist
★
Gerard C. Smith, Diplomat and Chief negotiator of SALT I
★
Sargent Shriver, Diplomat, PeaceCorp Organizer, Vice-Presidential Candidate
★ James B. Lee, '71, Vice Chairman of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
★
Cofer Black, Vice-Chairman, Blackwater USA
★ Jack Haire, publisher of ''
Time'', 1993-1998
★ Mark C. Pigott, CEO cof PACCAR
★
Paris Hilton, Movie Star,
External links
★
Official site