Programs and Initiatives

Taft facilitates a number of student groups that both support and celebrate our remarkably diverse student body. Our affinity groups offer spaces for students of particular identifiers to gather and converse about their shared experience both at Taft and beyond. Some of our clubs offer students opportunities to share their unique cultures and experiences with our broader community.

• Morning Meeting Speakers: Twice each week, Tafties gather in Bingham Auditorium for Morning Meeting, where speakers from across the aisle and across the globe grant exposure to new or unique perspectives, and offer deeper, broader insights into the world. 
• The Global Studies and Service Curriculum, established in 2008, reflects Taft's commitment to preparing students to become global citizens. Through course work, co-curricular programs, and service to communities both local and global, GSS students develop self-awareness, fluency in a plurality of perspectives, act as stewards of the environment, and effect change as active citizens in order to advance causes of equity and justice.
• Global Leadership Institute (GLI) is a rigorous co-curricular program that brings students from Taft and Waterbury public schools together both in and out of the classroom for shared learning and leadership experiences. The program's mission is to develop a generation of global leaders with a genuine concern for world problems, multiple perspectives on global issues, and the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to worldwide change.
• Each year on MLK Day, Taft students and faculty members engage in a day of programming to reflect on the work and passion of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The day starts with a Unity Breakfast with guests from service and program partners from the greater Waterbury community. Other highlights of the day include a keynote address or performance, film screenings and academic workshops, and a Multicultural Arts Celebration, which features song, dance, and spoken word performances by students and faculty.
• WorldFest is an opportunity for members of the Taft community—who hail from more than 40 countries worldwide—to share the customs, culture, food, and traditions of their homeland. Students don native dress, prepare regional foods, and celebrate their heritage in song and dance during the festival.
• Taft's Summer Reading Program selections are chosen carefully, and often reflect current social issues, common campus themes, and matters of historical significance. Many of the books—and many of the authors—are award-winning and widely renowned. Several of the recent selections have included themes about race, including: Born a Crime by Trevor Noah; All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brandon Kiely; and Mudbound by Hillary Jordan. Students and faculty engage in a series of summer reading forums in the fall. This may include dedicated academic blocks and conversations at sit-down dinner. Whenever possible, the authors of our summer reading selections will visit campus for Morning Meeting programs and classroom visits.
• Supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Taft: You may show your support by directing your Annual Fund gift to DEI allowing Taft to maintain and evolve diversity, equity, and inclusion programming and services for the school community. Or you may choose to support the DEI Endowment Fund which provides permanent support and lends to the fiscal stability and enables Taft to make dependable, long-term investments in diversity, equity, and inclusion programming and services of the school.