About Our Connecticut Private School | The Hotchkiss School

Welcome to Hotchkiss

The Hotchkiss School is an independent boarding school located in Lakeville, Connecticut. Founded in 1891, the School provides an education of academic distinction to 599 students in grades 9 through 12, and to a small number of postgraduates. Students at Hotchkiss come from across the United States and around the world. Graduates attend many of the most selective universities and colleges.

Campus Life

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When you join Hotchkiss, you join a diverse community that represents individuals from around the country and the globe. Small class sizes and an atmosphere dedicated to learning and personal growth make a Hotchkiss education truly unparalleled. On our thriving campus, students have the unique opportunity to share life together as teammates, classmates, friends and community members.

Whether you're competing on a sports team, embracing your creative side with the arts or participating in community service activities, there is a place for you at The Hotchkiss School.

Faculty Spotlight

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At Hotchkiss, you'll find more than 150 faculty members dedicated to mentoring, teaching and preparing each student to excel at the School and beyond. Each faculty member is committed to going above and beyond their classroom time to support student life, whether through coaching, club mentorship or college advising.

Our teachers have an incredible amount to offer every Hotchkiss student — 72% of faculty hold advanced degrees, and the average faculty member has more than 22 years of experience in education.

Learn more about one of our spectacular educators in this faculty spotlight video.

Fairfield Farm

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We believe in a sustainable, forward-thinking future. That's why we've invested in our Fairfield Farm, a 287-acre plot located just a mile from our Lakeville campus. Students and teachers have the unique opportunity to see organic agriculture unfolding in front of their eyes and participate in the farm work directly, teaching invaluable skills about farming, nutrition and agriculture.

Many students dive into real-world planting and harvesting, as the farm supplies 30% of the produce in the dining hall during the fall semester. Fairfield Farm also provides students with the chance to take care of farm animals and enjoy the landscape for hiking, gardening and other events.

The Arts at Hotchkiss

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At Hotchkiss, every student has a voice. We provide ample opportunities to discover and express yourself through the power of the arts. Music, theatre, photography and film, studio art, and more offer the chance to discover a new skill, develop a lifelong passion and harness an outlet for your creative individuality.

In addition to state-of-the-art spaces, Hotchkiss is committed to creating opportunities for you to shine. Recitals, concerts, theatre productions, art showings,  are just a few of the many ways that students showcase their skills and share their voice with others.

What Are You Excited About?

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An education at our Connecticut boarding school offers plenty of reasons to get excited. From dorm living and sports teams to over 60 extracurricular activities across campus, students find that they're never bored at Hotchkiss. Check out this video of students and teachers sharing the things they're most looking forward to about their time at Hotchkiss.

Athletics at Hotchkiss

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Teamwork. Perseverance. Personal growth. Our leading high school athletic program is about so much more than technical skill or winning awards. Whether you're born for the water or the field, there's an athletic opportunity for you at Hotchkiss. More than 92% of students participate in team athletics, finding their place among 62 sports teams. Join our athletics program and become part of a competitive community that grows, learns and wins together every day.

Moments in Hotchkiss History

The Hotchkiss School History

After 125 years, Hotchkiss has a great deal of history to celebrate. What began as just a collection of 50 students has since flourished into a community of learners, innovators and future world-changers. Learn more about the founding history of our private high school in Lakeville, Connecticut, and discover the moments that have shaped us along the way.

Ready to apply to Hotchkiss? Start your application today!

Welcome From

Craig W. Bradley, Head of School

Welcome to the Hotchkiss website, a virtual place intended to convey something of the values, culture, and information about this extraordinary school. School communities are continually evolving; they experience a cycle of renewal each year with graduation in May followed by the arrival of new students and faculty each fall. This website reflects that constant renewal and evolution, and I hope you will return regularly to keep in touch with what’s happening at Hotchkiss.