Whether you are a new or returning Rhino, we are excited to see you back on campus soon.

Arrival and orientation schedules are included below. Information about everything from summer reading to laundry sign up to student debit cards is posted on family portals. And, of course, the packing list is one of the most asked for resources of new students.

Arrival Dates:
August 30: Preseason varsity athletes arrive after 2 pm. Please do not arrive before 2 pm. Please note that preseason is for varsity athletes and is by invitation only from the coach. If you have questions, please contact the Athletics and Afternoon Program office at 860-945-7706.
September 2: Residential Monitors & Student Mentors for international students arrive for training by 12 pm 
September 3: International students arrive; new Seniors/PGs not participating in preseason arrive; remaining student mentors arrive.
September 4: Arrival day for new U.S. students (including day students) and any remaining returning students who are not participating in varsity preseason, monitor training, or student mentorship.

Please refer to the schedule below for arrival day for U.S. new and returning students and orientation for all students on September 4:

8am - 11am: New Lower Mid boarding students arrive and move in
11am - 1pm: New Mid boarding students and New Upper Mid boarding students arrive and move in
11am - 3pm: All remaining returning boarding students are welcome to move in
12 pm - New and returning Day students arrive
11 am - 1 pm: Lunch (Laube and Prentice available for new Mids and Upper Mids and their families; East Dining Hall reserved for new Lower Mids and their families)
12:30 pm: Reception for all new & returning BIPOC students and families in the Faculty Room
1:30 pm: Welcome Remarks from the Head of School for all new students and their parents and guardians in Bingham Auditorium
3pm: All remaining parents, guardians, and other family members depart campus
3pm - 5pm: New Student Orientation
5pm: Welcome dinner for all students and faculty
6 pm: Day student meeting in the Faculty Room
7 pm: Dorm meetings (including day students)

As the morning hours are spent moving into dorm rooms, we recommend that new day students, parents and guardians arrive in time for lunch and welcome remarks.  Day students should plan to stay on campus for the afternoon orientation activities, day student meeting, and evening dorm meetings, if possible. Pick-up for day students will be at 8 pm in Main Circle.

Ready, Set, Rhino: Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers!) for New Students and Families

What is the new student mentor relationship?

Each new student is assigned a student mentor (a returning student) who can help act as a resource as you get to know Taft.

How does Taft assign roommates? When will I learn who my roommate is?

Taft’s Residential Life and Admissions teams work together to assign roommates to new students. We will send you your housing assignment (dorm and roommates/s) in late August.

What is the dress code?

Taft’s dress code is available in the Student Handbook. 

What should boarding students pack? What size sheets should I bring?

Each student will be assigned a bed (twin XL mattress), dresser, desk, and chair. Students are not allowed to have microwaves or fridges in their rooms (even the tiny ones!). Common rooms have full kitchens and are available for student use. It’s a good idea to bring a fan and surge protector. The suggested packing list, updated each year by our Office of Student Life, is available here.

When and where can I ship items before arriving on campus?

With close to 500 boarding students from around the world shipping items to Taft, our package room gets busy! Please help our wonderful package room staff by making sure your packages are clearly labeled with the student’s first and last name. Packages and mail should be addressed to:  STUDENT NAME, 110 Woodbury Rd., Watertown, CT 06795. 

Does Taft provide transportation to and from the airport, bus station, or train station for breaks?

Mr. Michael Blomberg assists students with arranging transportation to/from airports and train stations for Long Weekends (Fall, Winter, and Spring) and school breaks (Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring). In the lead-up to long weekends and breaks, your child will receive an email from Mr. Blomberg letting them know that it is time to sign up for transportation from/to Taft. Your child will put in a request through Taft's website (Taft Travel Planner) and Mr. Blomberg will then coordinate trips using Taft vehicles driven by Taft Faculty and Staff. 

Taft approved Limo Services or a chartered bus are also used if needed. 

Transportation is available to Hartford (BDL), White Plains/Westchester (HPN), Laguardia (LGA), and John F. Kennedy (JFK) airports. Transportation is NOT available to Newark airport (EWR). Transportation is also available to local train stations including Waterbury, Hartford (Union Station), and Bridgeport. 

Do day students have lockers?

Yes, day students will be assigned a locker on orientation day.

When will I find out who my teachers are?

Class programs (the courses you will be taking) were sent to all students and parents/guardians in July. Specific teacher and block assignments will be available at the end of August.

When and how do I buy books?

When you receive your course program you should order text books for your courses. Instructions for how to order books are available here. It’s important that you order your books in advance of coming to campus so that you have all of the materials you need on the first day of classes.

Where can I do laundry?

Many students use E&R laundry service. We also have washing machines and dryers available in the basement of each dorm for students to use for a small fee.

How can I access cash on campus?

There is an ATM in the basement of our main building, near the vending machines. Students may also make cash withdrawals from their student account through the bookstore. Families can also establish MyKidsSpending accounts to give students access to money. 

Who will my dean be?

Two class deans are responsible for each grade and overseeing their deanees’ academic progress. Your class dean will make an effort to get to know you well and will be one of the many faculty members who will serve as a resource for you throughout the academic year.

Who will my advisor be?

New students will be assigned a temporary advisor at the beginning of the school year. Your advisor will be another faculty member who can act as a mentor and guide throughout your time at Taft. In October, after you’ve had a chance to settle in and meet other faculty members, you will have a chance to select a permanent advisor.

What if I want to go home for the weekend?

Except for closed weekends, which are noted on the bottom of our PDF calendar, students may leave for the weekend (Saturday night and Sunday) as long as they are granted permission. Full information about leaves and permission is available in the Student Handbook.

Can my family members visit campus?

Yes! Parents and other family members often come to campus for games and performances. We also host specific weekends (Fall Family Weekend, Winter Family Weekend, and Grands Day) when family members are invited to campus.

What is Family Weekend?

Fall Family Weekend and Winter Family Weekend are designed as times for parents and guardians to visit campus. Family members will meet with their child and their child’s advisor, see the fall play, watch athletic competitions, listen to one of our fabulous singing groups, and check out the exhibit in our art gallery. Please note that we do not hold "parent-teacher conferences."  Students are required to spend the night in the dorms on Friday night of Family Weekend, but parents may take them out to dinner. For Fall Family Weekend/Long Weekend, many students sign out to leave campus after their last commitment on Saturday. The dorms will be open and students may sign out from Saturday until Tuesday evening, when Fall Long Weekend ends. Students have obligations on Saturday but will not have classes on Monday or Tuesday. That being said, the dorms don't close, so students are welcome to stay on campus for the whole weekend.

Can I stay on campus during school vacations?

Our dorms and dining services close for our longer breaks (Thanksgiving, Winter, Spring)  and students must leave campus until they reopen. Dorms and dining remain open for long weekends and students are welcome to remain on campus for the long weekends.

What is the smartphone policy?

Students should leave their phones in their room or locker during the class day. Students also should not have earphones/headphones in/on when walking around campus. The goal of this policy is to help students focus their attention during the class day and to engage with peers and teachers as they make their way around campus.

More questions? 

You can reach Ms. Shanley in the Office of Student Life at: welcome@taftschool.org or 860-945-7717.