Clubs, Activities, and Student Leadership

In his earliest writings, Horace Dutton Taft talks about the “monitorial system,” noting that only three years into the school’s founding, the system “took shape and acquired strength.” Now, more than 125 years later, monitors, or “mons” still lead the student body.

Two “head mons”—one boy and one girl— and 10 school mons lead Taft’s student government; all are elected by school wide vote, and all are members of the senior class. Mons have demonstrated exceptional leadership ability and impeccable character throughout their Taft careers. The head mons work closely with the head of school and the school mons to implement the Honor System, assist with supervision in the dormitories, and share in the responsibility of day-to-day events on campus.

Twice each year, students in the lower three classes elect members to their own Class Committees, which also assist with school governance; class committee chairs—one boy and one girl—are elected from within each committee. Dormitory monitors are upper mids and seniors selected by the faculty to live among younger students in the dorm in order to help the dorms run smoothly.

Service to the community is a fundamental part of a Taft education. Our motto, not to be served but to serve, is woven into the fabric of everyday life at Taft. All Taft students are considered part of the student-run Community Service Council, whose 12-member board is charged with developing meaningful service opportunities and advocacy projects for the school. Board members are selected through a competitive application process. Everyone is encouraged to bring their service ideas to the Board for guidance and assistance in implementing their plans.

The Global Leadership Institute (GLI) is a competitive and 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.

The two-year GLI program accepts 20 new students each academic year—10 students from Taft, 10 students from public schools in the city of Waterbury.“GLI Scholars” apply for the program in October of their sophomore year, begin orientation in January, and complete the course of study at the end of their junior year. Learn more.

Students work with the admissions office in these high-visibility, leadership positions. Council members do a variety of jobs, including the full administration of the tour guide program.

Students apply to co-teach with a faculty member to facilitate discussions with new lower school students on topics ranging from healthy relationships and consent, to community, leadership, and cultural competency, race and identity.

The Peer Mentor program is a student-led group that offers confidential peer support and information regarding mental health and wellness. Peer mentors are selected through an application and interview process; they are then trained in conjunction with the Counseling Office in skills like deep listening and stress management techniques. The mentors are available for one-on-one meetings with peers, which can be arranged by emailing peermentor@taftschool.org . In addition, the mentors also act as wellness advocates by organizing and running events and hosting discussions on subjects relating to mental health.

Each year, day students elect a group of 12-15 peers from the mid, upper mid, and senior classes to represent them. Members of the Day Student Council organize day student events and feeds, address the needs of day students within the school community, and are called upon to serve the school throughout the year.