Summer Camps & Programs

Program Description

Rumsey Hall School

Summer Session
Washington Depot, Connecticut

		Program Description Program Overview Visit Web Site Get Free Info See Photos

For More Information, Contact
Matthew S. Hoeniger, Director of Admission
Rumsey Hall School
201 Romford Road
Washington Depot, Connecticut 06794
860-868-0535
Fax: 860-868-7907

Type of Program: Academic enrichment or review
Participants: Coeducational; boarding, grades 5–9; day, grades 3–9
Enrollment: 75 students
Program Dates: Five-week program
Head of Program: Dave Whiting, Director

Location

Situated in the southern foothills of northwestern Connecticut’s Berkshire Mountains, Rumsey Hall is 43 miles from Hartford, Connecticut, and 80 miles northeast of New York City. The 147-acre campus is surrounded by beautiful wooded hills and the scenic Bantam River.

Background and Philosophy

Rumsey Hall School was established in 1900 and is noted for high academic standards and individual attention. Since its inception, the School has retained its original philosophy, “to help each child develop to his or her maximum stature as an individual, as a family member, and as a contributing member of society.” Students are constantly exposed to the idea that success comes through the application of steady effort. The Summer Session is an extension of the Rumsey philosophy. Working with a limited enrollment in a relaxed, sensibly structured, and informal atmosphere, experienced Rumsey faculty members provide intensive academic review or give students a head start for the coming year.

Program Offerings

Normal class size ranges from 8 to 10 students, and individual attention and help are available. Special emphasis is placed on English, mathematics, study skills, and computer skills. Students who need language skills or developmental reading help are given individual attention from trained specialists. English as a second language (ESL) is offered to international students. Rumsey Hall students have access to state-of-the-art personal computers and software. Each classroom is equipped with at least one station, and there are sixteen terminals in the computer lab. All terminals are linked to a schoolwide information system, and students have appropriate access to the Internet. Each student has an e-mail address for easy communication with home and friends.
    The close relationship between teachers and students is a special part of boarding school. Opportunities for support and encouragement are abundant, and renewed self-confidence is often the most outstanding product of a summer at Rumsey. Most students have roommates, and life in a dormitory teaches valuable lessons about getting along with others and being part of a community. All meals are family-style, with faculty members and their families in attendance.
    Report cards are mailed at midterm and at the end of the term. Written reports, which include grades for each subject and teacher comments regarding academic and social progress, are provided at the end of the session. Each student is discussed individually at weekly faculty meetings. Parental input is encouraged.

Enrollment

Students come from a variety of states, countries, and local communities. There are 75 students: 25 boarding boys, 25 boarding girls, and 25 day students.

Daily Schedule

	7:45 8:00–8:30 8:45–10:30 10:30–11:00 11:00–1:10 1:15 2:00–4:30 5:00–6:00 6:00 7:00–8:00 8:00–9:30 9:30–10:00 Wake up Breakfast Classes Recess and snack Classes Lunch Activities/recreation Reading period Dinner Study hall Free time Lights out

Extra Opportunities and Activities

Great emphasis is placed on providing a variety of recreational and enrichment activities to ensure a balanced, happy, and productive Summer Session. Every afternoon, students select from a variety of activities, such as swimming, hiking, tennis, fishing, horseback riding, baseball, soccer, lacrosse, and basketball. Occasional off-campus school trips are planned to museums, concerts, amusement parks, and sporting events. A considerable effort is made to cultivate students’ interests and to expose them to new experiences.
    Weekends begin on Friday after classes. Livery service to and from train stations, bus depots, and airports is easily arranged if enough notice is given to the School office. Students are free to leave with parental permission but must return by 7 p.m. Sunday evening. For students who choose to remain on campus, there is a range of on- and off-campus activities available with close faculty supervision at all times. Students may attend church service in Washington and nearby towns.

Facilities

Buildings include a new art room, music room, and science lab. Traditional-style classrooms, a library, and a study hall encompass the academic setting. Boys’ and girls’ dorms allow for both single and double rooms. Two beautiful on-campus ponds supply fishing and nature activities. There are three newly renovated indoor tennis courts, a large gym for basketball and volleyball, and a spacious dining hall that allows for family-style meals.

Staff

Both full- and part-time staff members make up the Rumsey Hall Summer Session faculty. The faculty members instruct classes, supervise afternoon activities, and are dorm parents for the boarding students. Students live with supportive dorm parents and become a part of their dorm parents’ families.

Costs

Tuition, room, and board totaled $5600 for boarding students, $2000 for day students, and $1300 for half-day students for the 2007 summer session. A deposit of $500 for boarders and $200 for day students is required to secure a space for the summer and is used as a drawing account for student expenses. Any money remaining in the drawing account is returned at the end of the summer session. There is an additional fee of $550 for individual tutoring in language skills, and an additional $850 is required for enrollment in ESL.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available through the School’s financial aid office and is based on need. A copy of the previous year’s tax return is required.

Transportation

Livery service to and from train stations, bus depots, and airports can be easily arranged with advance notice.

Application Timetable

Inquiries are welcome at any time of the year, with most families beginning the admissions process in the winter or early spring in anticipation of summer enrollment. Admissions interviews and tours are scheduled throughout the year. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and decisions are made within two weeks of receiving the completed application package. Families are asked to respond to an offer of acceptance in a similar time frame due to the limited space available.