Avon Old Farms School: A Comprehensive Overview

Avon Old Farms School is an all-boys college preparatory school located in Avon, Connecticut, United States. It is a dynamic community of learning which challenges boys to stretch themselves and to explore untapped potential in their journey to manhood. The school cultivates young men of integrity who honor wisdom, justice, service, and the pursuit of truth.

History and Founding

The school's conception dates to a few years before 1918 when Riddle purchased 3,000 acres (1,200 ha) of land on which to build it. Together with the architect Charles A. Platt, she toured several boys' schools in New England, including Andover, Groton School, Hotchkiss School, Middlesex School, Pomfret School, St. Mark's School, and St. John Wallace Riddle set about designing the Avon buildings in a manner resembling the houses and spatial dimensions of an old English village. She had previously designed Westover School for Girls.

A handbook published in 1925 said that Avon, then in planning, sought to cultivate "the sturdiness of character found in the old New England stock of Colonial times." Each student was to work for an hour or two daily for the school community or on the school farm. Carpentry and forestry were other forms of work that Riddle found valuable.

The school's earliest days were marked by vigorous disagreements between Riddle and the school's board and members. She dismissed the board in 1926 when it refused to grant her absolute control and refused her dictum that "there will be no gymnasium and no indoor inter-school athletics." The school was then run directly by the Pope-Brooks foundation. Its first Provost (headmaster), John Mitchell Froelicher, served from 1927 to 1929, when he, too, was dismissed. After several abortive attempts to find a replacement, Percy Gamble Kammerer was named Provost in August 1930. He served until January 1940, when he was forced to resign. That summer, W. Brooke Stabler was named as his replacement. He, again, had disagreements with Riddle, who was unbending in her authority. He resigned in March 1944.

Starting in June 1944, during World War II, the campus was adapted to serve as the Old Farms Convalescent Hospital for blind veterans. Riddle died in 1946, and the hospital wound down in 1947. In 1948, the Avon Old Farms School resumed operation under Provost Donald W. Pierpont.

Read also: Shaping the Future in Avon

Academics

Avon Old Farms School offers a thorough, straightforward, and structured program to students diverse in their academic abilities. The school promotes intellectual, creative, and emotional growth in its students by providing a structured, supportive learning environment that encourages self-discovery and social responsibility. In their efforts to succeed, all students are at once challenged and supported by faculty members who are consistently available to students for extra help outside the classroom. Avon believes that this approach, designed to nurture self-confidence and a healthy sense of self-worth, is excellent preparation for the demands and rigors of college.

The school offers 29 academic courses in visual and performing arts. The curriculum, residential program, and philosophy are all crafted to cater to the distinctive learning styles of boys. The school strives to educate the whole boy, acknowledging the importance of both how and why they educate them. Avon Old Farms School is expert in educating boys by leveraging relational learning in a very structured and well balanced environment, fostering the character traits needed to be successful throughout one's entire life, all within a unique brotherhood community - guided by traditional Avonian values.

R.E.A.L. Learning

Avon's systematic approach, R.E.A.L. Learning (Relational, Experiential, Active, Lifelong), sets the foundation for present and future success. By leveraging relational learning, Avon brings material to life in a student's mind while challenging each individual to persevere in the pursuit of self-discovery.

AP Courses

Avon Old Farms School offers 16 AP courses:

2D Design
African American Studies
Biology
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
Chemistry
Computer Science A
Drawing
English Literature and Composition
Environmantal Science
Macroeconomics
Microeconomics
Painting
Photography
Physics: C Mechanics
Psychology
Spanish Language and Culture
Statistics
US Government
US History
World History

College Counseling

An Avon student begins his college counseling process during sophomore year - setting expectations and goals early. By senior year, he is prepared to take the lead on this leg of his journey to adulthood.

Read also: Carrying on the Legacy

Campus and Facilities

The physical campus is probably the most unique thing about it. There is nowhere that looks or feels like Avon and it instills the community with a sense of togetherness in ways that are often.

The campus size is 860 acres, conveniently located between Boston & New York City. In October 2006, a new $30 Million Student Center Athletic Complex And Field House Opened.

Student Life

Avon Old Farms is a Community Where Traditions Live, Where Scholarship Flourishes, Where Boys Become Men. The all-boys atmosphere provides a working atmosphere similar to a giant team of students banding together to tackle their education. It establishes trust amongst the student body and allows the same kind of trust to.

Morning meeting every morning at 7:45 am really brought the community together and started each day off right. Also mandatory lunches, they gave you assigned seating which give you the opportunity to meet new people.

Brotherhood

The Brotherhood at Avon Old Farms School is an enduring bond among all Avonians. It's a sense of camaraderie, mutual support, and belonging that extends far beyond the classroom. Through shared experiences, challenges, and achievements, students forge deep connections with one another, creating a network of support that lasts a lifetime. This Brotherhood fosters a culture of respect, integrity, and unity, where individuals are encouraged to grow, learn, and succeed together. “Brotherhood has a powerful impact on one's specific growth and development.

Read also: Learn about Iowa Learning Farms

Compass Program

Embark on a journey of character and wellness with Compass, where every boy at Avon Old Farms engages in weekly classes and workshops. These sessions cover Character, Masculinity, Brotherhood, Health, Wellness, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and College Preparedness. A Good Man at Avon Old Farms is defined by his integrity, loyalty, responsibility, humility, resilience, adaptability, and commitment to Brotherhood. The Health and Wellness component covers a range of topics, including the college process, sexual health, relationships, nutrition, mental health, substance use and abuse, personal care, sleep, and mindfulness.

Spiritual Life

The Chapel, Compass, and Vespers services align with the school's mission statement, offering spiritual direction and exposing boys to diverse perspectives within the community.

Athletics

In the sports arena, Winged Beavers compete at the highest level. The school is a member of the Founders League. Its ice hockey teams have won nine Division I New England Championships (five between 2004 and 2010). Our teams have won more than 30 league and New England championships combined over the last 15 years, and many of our athletes move on to compete for some of the nation’s foremost collegiate programs. At the same time, the school ensures that an athletic experience is accessible to and enjoyed by all students by offering more than 24 sub-varsity teams and intramural activities.

The path to victory, or defeat, is riddled with trials and tribulations. The way in which one responds to these hurdles defines the character of a man.

Admission

The application deadline for Avon Old Farms School is Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. The acceptance rate of Avon Old Farms School is 45%, which is lower than the boarding school average.

Key Admission Information:

Grades: 9-12, PG
Enrollment: 405 students
Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $72,300
Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $54,900
Acceptance rate: 45%
Average class size: 12 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling

Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers: 61 teachers. Avon teachers are completely immersed in the community as dorm parents, coaches, and mentors. As a result, they really know their students. As experts in their fields, teachers at Avon bring lessons to life and create compelling context for engaging class discussion.

Average Class Size: 12 students with a 6:1 Student to Teacher Ratio

Notable Alumni

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:

Pete Seeger '36 - Award-winning musician/songwriter, environmentalist
David Bigelow '44 - Co-Chairman and Co-CEO R.C.

Other notable alumni include:

Colonel James "Jamie" E.
John Gillespie Magee Jr. Anglo-American poet.
Michael Nouri, actor who played Dr. George Springer, outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Financial Information

Endowment Size: $53 million
% Students on Financial Aid: Avg. Financial Aid Grant: $28,000

Core Values

Men of Avon exemplify a deep sense of morality. Society needs honest men with a strong moral compass. Our students learn to question. The key to living a life of value and meaning is rooted in curiosity. Our Brotherhood is real. At Avon Old Farms, boys are challenged to aspire and persevere in the pursuit of knowledge and self-improvement.

Avon Old Farms School is expert in educating boys by leveraging relational learning in a very structured and well balanced environment, fostering the character traits needed to be successful throughout one's entire life, all within a unique brotherhood community - guided by traditional Avonian values.

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