Rectory School is a close-knit day and boarding community serving students in grades K–9 on a 138-acre campus in Connecticut’s Last Green Valley. At Rectory, each student is known, supported, and challenged to grow with confidence, curiosity, and integrity. The school’s intentionally personal approach combines a 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio with strong relationships and individualized learning pathways, allowing teachers to understand how each child learns best and guide them toward meaningful growth.
Rooted in research on how children learn and thrive, Rectory’s classrooms are active, engaging, and designed to inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and a lasting love of discovery. Students are encouraged to ask questions, take intellectual risks, and develop the skills needed to become independent, capable learners. Learning extends beyond the classroom through athletics, the arts, outdoor exploration, leadership opportunities, service, and residential life.
Rectory’s community is grounded in the core values of Responsibility, Respect, Honesty, and Compassion. These values shape daily life and help students learn to care for one another, contribute thoughtfully, and take pride in their school community. With a thoughtful balance of high expectations and genuine support, Rectory gives students the space and encouragement to grow academically, socially, emotionally, and personally.
Whether students attend as day or boarding students, they become part of a connected and welcoming community. At Rectory, students do more than attend school—they build relationships, discover their strengths, and develop the confidence and character to navigate their world and shape their future with purpose, resilience, empathy, and an enduring sense of future possibility.
What Makes Us Unique
Rectory School’s greatest strength is the deeply personal experience it creates for every student. With a 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio, teachers, advisors, coaches, and staff work together to know each child well—their interests, strengths, challenges, and aspirations. This shared understanding allows Rectory to create individualized pathways that meet students where they are while encouraging them to stretch beyond what they thought possible.
The K–9 structure is distinctive. Younger students benefit from a nurturing elementary experience, while middle school students gain independence, leadership opportunities, and a vibrant boarding community. Ninth grade serves as a purposeful culminating year, giving students time to mature, lead, and prepare for the transition to secondary school with confidence and self-awareness.
Rectory’s culture is equally defining. The core values of Responsibility, Respect, Honesty, and Compassion are woven into academics, athletics, the arts, residential life, and everyday relationships. Students are expected to contribute, care for their surroundings, support one another, and lead with empathy. Because the community is small, every student has opportunities to participate, try something new, and be recognized for who they are.
Learning is active and expansive. Students develop through classroom inquiry, outdoor exploration, team experiences, creative expression, service, and community life. Day and boarding students share one connected school experience, creating a dynamic community enriched by diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
At Rectory, being part of the Pack means having people who notice, encourage, and believe in you. That combination of challenge, belonging, and care helps students become confident learners, thoughtful leaders, and compassionate community members.