The Williams School

Infobox Private School
background = white
border = #ccd2d9
name = The Williams School
established = 1891
type = Private
head_name = Head of school
headofupperschool_name = Head of Upper School
established = 1891
head = Mark Fader
headofupperschool = Christopher Benbow
city = New London
state = CT
country = USA
enrollment = 330 total
faculty = 40
colors = Blue and White
mascot = Blues
newspaper = "Blueprint"
yearbook = Legenda
literary magazine = "Bending Bridges"

The Williams School is a coeducational independent high school located on the campus of Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut. Founded in 1891 as the Williams Memorial Institute, a high school for girls, the school became co-ed in 1971. It currently enrolls 7-12th graders from all over New London County, as well as much of neighboring Middlesex County, New Haven County, Windham County, Southern Rhode Island and Fisher's Island, New York.

History

The Williams School opened in 1891 as Williams Memorial Institute, which remains the legal name of the school. Privately endowed by a bequest of real estate and personal property from the estate of Harriet Peck Williams as a memorial to her son, Thomas W. Williams, the school served as the high school for girls of New London. Tuition for attending students was paid by the City of New London. With the opening of New London High School in 1951, the school enrollment decreased, and the program became college preparatory rather than comprehensive and, in 1954, the school moved to its present location on the Connecticut College campus. A middle school was added in 1955. In 1971, the school became coeducational.

Facilities

The Williams School is housed in a single building situated on the Connecticut College campus. The side of the school nearest to the parking lot contains the kitchen and cafeteria (which houses around 150 people) and is to be renovated in 2008. There is a library with extensive collections of books and research materials as well as daily newspapers and magazines. There are four computer labs, all of which have either Macs, or PCs; several rooms are equipped with SMART technology. The science labs are state-of-the-art, with lab stations and chemical storage rooms. All rooms have a television with a dual VCR-DVD player as well as an overhead projector and pull-down screen built into the ceiling. In the fall of 2002, a major renovation project was completed, which added over 20 classrooms and offices. There are two gynasiums; the 'practice' or 'new' gym in which most practices take place (added in 2002) and the older, Bulkeley gymnasium, in which basketball games take place. The Bulkeley gym was renovated in the fall of 2007; a new girls' locker room is currently being added. Above the Bulkeley gym is the school fitness center, which houses the Athletic Trainer's office and numerous free-weight systems and weight machines. The Daren Performing Arts Center, renovated in 2002, features a lighting grid and sound system, and usually fits around 200 people for a given production. The Williams School Athletic Complex is located on Bloomingdale Road in Waterford, CT. It has a baseball/softball field, three soccer/lacrosse/field hockey fields, and field house with restrooms and storage. Additionally, trails in the surrounding woods are used by the Williams Cross Country team.

Relationship with Connecticut College

Williams was founded twenty years before Connecticut College, and so none of its earliest graduates attended it. However, many began to study there after the college was founded. Today, Connecticut College may send over students to observe classes or tutor students. The college also has a representative on the Board of Trustees. Williams is allowed to use the college's facilities for events (particularly Evans Hall), use the swimming pool for swim team practice, take out books from Shain Library, and allow seniors to apply to take a class at the college.

Administration

The Williams School is run by a Board of Trustees and managed formally by a Head of School. The Head is aided by an Assistant Head of School who also serves as Head of the Upper School. There is also a Middle School Coordinator and Dean of Students. Each department also has a faculty member who serves as chair. In addition to a janitorial and cafeteria staff, there is a school social worker, nurse, athletic trainer, a school librarian, two full-time computer technicians, and two college counselors. The Department of Admission oversees the annual admission process and the Department of Development and Alumni Relations maintains the school's connections with its alumni.

The Head of School is currently Charlotte Rea, however, starting July 1, 2008, she will be replaced by Mark Fader (the current head of the upper school). Chris Benbow will assume the position of Assistant Head and Head of the Upper School starting July 1, 2008.

Academics

Mission statement

The Mission Statement of the Williams School is as follows:"The Williams School aims to foster the intellectual, moral, aesthetic, and physical development of young women and men in preparation for college, a lifetime of learning, and active participation in a changing society."

Graduation requirements

The Williams School requires a miniumum of twenty credits for graduation. All of the credits are to be awarded in the Upper School, except for Latin, which may be awarded in 8th grade. The twenty credits are divided up as a follows: Four credits of English; Four credits of Mathematics; Two credits of Sciences (one physical and one biological); Two credits of History (including United States History or AP United States History and Modern World History); One credit of Art; Three credits of a Classical or Modern Language in addition to a year of Latin; Three elective credits; and seven Physical Education "Units" (seasons of a sport or Independent Study).

Academic departments

The Williams School contains eight academic departments: English, History, Sciences, Mathematics, Classical Languages, Modern Languages, Arts, and Computer Sciences. It is important to note that all of the classes mentioned as 'offered' are not all offered every year (distribution is based on expressed interest); obviously, the required courses are.

English

The English Department is made up of seven teachers and offers nine different classes. In grades seven through eleven every student takes the same English course, designated as English 7 and English 8 in the Middle School and English I, English II, English III and English IV in the Upper School. In the Senior year, there are four courses from which to choose, each of which counts towards the final required credit. The current head of the English Department is Tom Kelly.

History

The History Department is made up of seven teachers and offers twelve different classes. The department requires that 7th and 8th graders take courses in American History and Geography, respectively. In 9th grade, there is an option to take Ancient World History; in 10th grade, every student is required to take Modern World History. Juniors are required to take either United States History or AP United States History. Seniors often take one or more history electives, which include, but are not limited to, courses in Music History, Government, Economics, Modern German History, African American History, and History of the 1960s. The current head of the History Department is Ben Ladd.

cience

The Science Department is made up of five teachers and offers ten different classes. The department requires that 7th and 8th graders take courses in Life Sciences and Physical Sciences, respectively. In the Upper School, courses in Biology, Environmental Science, Chemistry/Honors Chemistry, Physics/Honors Physics, and AP courses in Biology, Chemistry and Physics are offered. The current head of the Science Department is Nancy Spillane.

Mathematics

The Mathematics Department is made up of six teachers and offers thirteen classes. Students usually offers courses which are usually based on a particular student's ability. Most 7th and 8th graders take Prealgebra and Algebra I/Accelerated Algebra I, respectively, but some are placed into higher level classes. In the Upper School, there are courses in Algebra II/Honors Algebra II, Geometry/Honors Geometry, Precalculus/Honors Precalculus, Differential Calculus, AP Calculus, BC Calculus, and Statistics. The current head of the Math Department is Scott Hockford.

Classical languages

The Classical Language Department is made up of three teachers and offers five different classes. The department offers first year and second year courses in Latin (Latin I and Latin II). In the third and fourth year Greek is introduced (Classical Languages III and Classical Languages IV). The common fifth-year course is AP Virgil.

Modern languages

The Modern Language Department is made up of five teachers and offers sixteen different classes, although only a handful are offered annually. The department offers courses in French and Spanish. 7th and 8th graders take courses in either French or Spanish, usually for both years. In the Upper School, French and Spanish are offered at five levels: French I/Spanish I, French II/Spanish II, French III/Spanish III and Honors French III/Spanish III, French IV/Spanish IV and Honors French IV/Spanish IV, Spanish V/French V, and AP Spanish V/AP French V. The current head of Modern Languages is Louis Cohen.

Arts

The Arts Department is made up of seven teachers and offers eighteen classes, although only a handful per year. The department's courses can be divided into Dance, Acting, Music, and Visual Art. 7th and 8th graders are exposed to each of these during both their years in Enrichment. In the upper school, the Dance Department offers courses in Beginning Dance, Intermediate Dance, Advanced Dance, and Advanced II Dance. The Theatre Department offers courses in Beginning Acting, Technique, Intermediate Acting, Advanced Acting, Musical Theater, and Technical Theater. The Music Department offers courses in Music Theory, AP Music Theory, and Music Composition. The Visual Arts Department offers courses in Art I, Art II, Advanced Art, Portfolio Development, and Film and Digital Imaging.

Computer sciences

Courses in Computer Sciences include Computer Science I, Computer Science II, and Computer Science III.

chedule

The morning bell to give a warning that classes start in five minutes rings daily at 7:55 AM. A second bell indicates the start of classes at 8:00 AM. Each period then goes for forty-eight minutes including the two lunch periods, except for the "double block" which runs for seventy-five minutes. Classes officially end at 2:48 PM, but there is a period called "9th period" which is used for extra-help. This goes until 3:30 PM, at which time buses depart. There is a special schedule for Wednesdays which shortens all classes and ends school at 2:16 PM. This allows for more extra-help or for extra sports or rehearsal time.

Athletics

ports

Sports teams at Williams are numerous. Teams practice on Connecticut College fields, the Williams Sports Complex, or the Connecticut College Pool (Swim Team). During the fall, sports offered include the following at the Middle School, Junior Varsity and Varsity levels: Field Hockey, Soccer, Cross Country (one co-ed team), Golf, and Recreational Sailing (one co-ed team). In the winter, sports offered include Swimming (one co-ed team) and Basketball (Middle School, Junior Varsity and Varsity). In the spring, sports offered include Competitive Sailing (co-ed), Baseball (Middle School, Junior Varsity and Varsity), Softball (Middle School, Junior Varsity and Varsity), Lacrosse (Middle School, Junior Varsity and Varsity), Golf (co-ed), and Tennis (co-ed).

Physical education

Physical Education classes are offered to Middle Schoolers only. All middle schoolers must take gym. Life Sports is offered in the Fall and the Spring to Upper Schoolers as a way to earn their credits. Dance classes and musicals are also a way to earn gym credits.

Arts

The Williams School Arts Department sponsors numerous events each year, in addition to teaching the regular arts classes. The Williams School Theater Department produces two big productions each year- a play, in the fall, and a musical in the spring. Certain acting classes perform in public for their projects, and the Thespians, the theater club, performs as well. The Dance Department's classes perform also, as do the Music Department's Music Composition classes. The Arts Department sponsors the Film Festival each year. All four departments collaborate on Winterfest, a performance of music, theater, and dance, each year. The departments also collaborate on Compchorea, a performance of student-composed music and student-choreographed dance. In addition to these productions, there are groups such as the Band and Jazz Band, Acafellas (A male acapella group), Select Chorus, and the Dance Team.

chool traditions

The Senior Lounge - The Senior class has its own room in the school. It can be decorated to the class' liking. There are cubbies instead of lockers. Trespassing of underclassmen is not permitted.

Halloween Assembly - During the week of Halloween each year, there is an assembly in which everyone in the Senior class dresses up in a costume and throws candy at the underclassmen.

The Holiday Assembly - On the last day of classes in the first semester, the school gathers for a Holiday Assembly which features a school singing of "The Dreidel Song" and "The Twelve Days of Christmas." The senior class also puts on a brief story, which usually makes jokes about the awkward, politically correct atmosphere that we live in during that time of year.

Spirit Week - Sponsored by the Student Council, this annual week in the fall is designed to encourage school pride and class pride. Each day is designated with a specific type of clothing ('wacky/tacky day,' 'twin day,' 'superhero day,' 'pajama day,' 'Williams day,' etc). The number of students in each grade who dress up are tallied during attendance. In addition, every day except for Wednesday features a unique game-show style assembly. Members of each grade are pitted against each other, culminating in a lipsynch assembly on Friday. At the end of the week, total points from the assemblies and the number of students dressing up are tallied and one grade wins.

Senior Day - The Senior Class "surprises" the entire school with a day off from classes and takes them to an undisclosed location for a day of gallivanting. Sadly, as of 2007, the Seniors are no longer officially permitted to soak the underclassmen with water ballons, super soakers, and other water-related items. Despite the restriction, the practice of soaking underclassmen continues, usually followed with punishment from the administration.

Seniors' Last Day Assembly - On the last day of school for seniors (before they leave for senior projects) the school gathers in the Performing Arts Center. The Head of School and Assistant Head of School dress up as their "future selves" so that they can discuss what will happen to each senior in the future. The school then sings a song about each grade's next year, with the line "where, oh where are the dear old [insert grade's number here] ."

Yearbook - Every year a group of students publish the school yearbook, titled "Legenda," prominently featuring the senior class. The 2007 Legenda was dedicated to Ms. Everett, a history teacher. The 2008 Legenda was dedicated to Mrs. Mirabito, a mathematics teacher.

Alma Mater

The Williams School Alma Mater was written by Hope Norris '67 and Elizabeth Norris Ring '70. It is as follows:

"Oh, Alma Mater, we pay thee our homage"

"Now to thy glory our song rings through thy hall"

"Thou who hast sheltered us, guided and inspired us"

"Now we acknowledge and praise thee for all."

"We will be loyal, we'll ever remember"

"Those glowing moments our whole lives through"

"Fulfilling our duty wherever it may call us"

"Williams, we'll give thee thy honor due."

chool publications

The school's administrative publications include the "Blueline" and "Ambassador" magazine. The student publications are the "Blueprint," the school newspaper, and "Bending Bridges," the school literary magazine.

Clubs

Clubs at Williams include the Multicultural Club, the Service Committee, Thespians, Acafellas, the Select Chorus, The Anime Club, Dodgeball Club, the GSA, the Cooking Club, the Hippology Club, Mock trial, Yeshua (bible study) Ultimate Frisbee Club, and the Dead Poet's Society.

Noteworthy alumni

*Rand Richards Cooper, Author (Class of 1976)
* Stephen Trask, composer (Class of 1984)
*Aaron Mcbride, Visual Effects Artist (Class of 1992)
* Jesse Metcalfe, actor (Class of 1996)
* Noah Bean, actor (Class of 1996)
* Cassie Ventura, model/singer (Class of 2004)

External links

* [http://www.williamsschool.org/ williamsschool.org] Official Website