Residential Life

Ten small, bright “cottage” dormitories, that hold a maximum of 18 students, help to provide a positive atmosphere that encourages intellectual, emotional and social growth.

The cottage faculty’s focus is primarily on the residential life of CFS students. However, most are involved in other facets of the school. It is not unusual for our students to interact with them as a teacher or substitute in the classroom, coaching their sports team or sponsoring a club.

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships and make responsible decisions.

At Church Farm School, our goal is to transition an adolescent ninth grade student to a successful college-bound senior prepared for a productive and fulfilling life by building young men of character through personal, social and life skill development. The SEL program at Church Farm School will be implemented in a variety of ways across different student experiences. This robust program dedicated to educating our boys' character, habits and emotional needs will be addressed primarily through our residential life, grade level and advisory programs. This program is dedicated to meeting boys where they are, providing them with a variety of lesson types and experiences and meeting each of the SEL standards throughout their high school career. Each of the following program areas will implement the SEL curriculum in its own unique way

Grade Level: Students will meet as a grade level team every other week with meetings focused on delivering SEL lessons, grade-level specific programs and developing specific life skills.

9th Grade: The 9th grade students will have a robust grade level program around SEL that will focus on their own personal growth and how they become a Griffin. This work will focus on the Self Awareness and Self Management components of the CASEL framework. During the first semester of the school year, a Freshman Seminar will deliver helpful SEL lessons and help students learn how to structure and organize use of conference and free times throughout their academic careers. All 9th grade students will also take a focused health class in their first year at CFS to address some of these specific self-management needs.

10th Grade: The 10th grade students focus will be on their social development, being a member of a community, serving the community and becoming a leader. Their grade level meeting time will focus on the CASEL framework components of Social Awareness and Relationship Skills.

11th Grade: The 11th grade students focus will be on determining their character, who they are and who they want to be as they start the college application process. Their grade level meeting time will focus on the CASEL framework components of Responsible Decision Making.

12th Grade: The 12th grade students focus will be on preparing for College and giving back as Alumni. Their grade level meeting time will focus on college readiness and transitioning to life beyond college.

Residential Life: Cottages will meet two or three times per month to discuss SEL lessons, community events and grade-level specific life skills. SEL topics will generally focus on life skills and social development.

Advisory: Students meet weekly in advisory groups, with a member of the faculty assigned to their group of 4 to 6 students, to review academic progress, social issues, time management and other personal issues. The faculty advisor will act as a facilitator for discussion, reflection and support around SEL topics that aid in personal growth.