Salisbury School

Salisbury School
Location
Salisbury, CT United States
Information
Type	Private College preparatory school
Motto	Esse Quam Videri - To be, rather than to seem to be
Established	1901
Head of school	Chisholm Chandler
Faculty	62
Grades	9-12
Enrollment	290
Color(s)	Black & Crimson
Mascot	Crimson Knight

Salisbury School is an all-boys, private college-preparatory school founded in 1901 and located in Salisbury, Connecticut. The campus consists of 725 acres of beautiful landscapes and buildings. Its school newspaper is The Cupola*[1]. Its mascot is the Crimson Knight. The School's motto is Esse quam videri, which translates to To be rather than to seem to be. The current headmaster is Chisholm Chandler, a graduate of the Hotchkiss School and Brown University. The school currently has 290 boys from 30 states and 13 countries.

History

The story of Salisbury School begins with St. Austin’s Military Academy located on Staten Island. The Rev. George Emerson Quaile served as headmaster of St. Austin’s from 1896 to 1900. At the turn of the century Quaile decided to relocate the school up to Salisbury, Connecticut. His doctor told him to seek a dryer climate. The Staten Island site on which the original school stood lacked sufficient space to expand the school. Finally, Quaile wanted a school of his own. In the fall of 1901 the Salisbury School with 13 students opened on the newly purchased farmland in rural Northwestern, Connecticut. The main building was completed in October of 1901 designed by the noted New York City architectural firm of Boring and Tilton, the designers of Ellis Island. The impressive colonial structure housed the entire school.

By the mid 1920s several changes had been made. Enrollment had increased to approximately 100 students. Quaile had expanded the campus by purchasing substantial additional land. Finally, he had changed the school from a proprietary institution to a non-profit one. Architects Boring and Tilton had also prepared designs for an extensive building program.

The depression years, however, placed a great strain on the school. Enrollment dropped sharply. By 1934 only 34 boys and seven masters remained. That same year the reverend Quaile died. His son, Emerson, assumed the leadership role the following year. The younger Quaile guided the school through the trying depression years but died suddenly in 1942.

Salisbury’s resurrection was accomplished under the leadership of the reverend George Langdon who arrived at the school in 1943. During his headmastership, which lasted until 1965, enrollment increased steadily and several new buildings, including dormitories, classroom buildings, a gymnasium, and the present chapel were completed.

Upon Landon’s retirement, leadership of the school passed the Rev. Edward Ward. He filled that post until 1981. During his tenure enrollment continued to increase and he continued a program of expanding and modernizing the school’s facilities. Highlights of that program included two new dormitories and an up to date science building. Ward also helped steer the school through the tumultuous prep school years of the 1960s and 1970s.

Ward’s successor the Rev. Peter Sipple arrived in 1982. During his years as headmaster overall enrollment increased to 240 and several additional buildings were completed, a second gymnasium, a major expansion of the dining facilities, and additions to Quaile dormitory.

Richard Flood, Salisbury’s first non Reverend Headmaster took the roll in 1988. During his years the school embarked on a major campaign of expansion and renewal. Much of the campus was rebuilt, with special attention be paid to state of the art academic buildings, a vast expansion of playing fields, a reconstructed hockey rink, and plans for additional dormitory space.

The present headmaster, Chisholm Chandler, assumed the post of headmaster in 2003. The school enrollment presently stands at 290 and the campus covers 745 acres of land. Current plans call for substantial additional expansion and renovation of administrative, residential and athletic facilities

Headmasters

• The Rev. Dr. George Emerson Quaile (1901-1934)

Founder and past owner of Salisbury School.

• The Rev. Emerson B. Quaile (1934-1942)

Graduated from Salisbury and taught at Hotchkiss.

• The Rev. George D. Langdon (1942-1965)
• The Rev. Edwin M. Ward (1965-1981)
• The Rev. Raymond A. Nelson (1981-1982)
• The Rev. Peter W. Sipple (1982-1988)
• Richard T. Flood, Jr. (1988-2003)
• Chisholm S. Chandler (2003-Present)

Since the Rev. Dr. George Emerson Quaile founded Salisbury each headmaster has upheld the schools mission, to educate young men. George Quaile held the headmaster office until his death in 1934. After George Quaile’s death, his son Emerson Quaile a teacher at Hotchkiss took the job. For forty years the Quaile's ran Salisbury. Sadly in 1942 Emerson Quaile pasted away. His Successor George Langdon led the school for twenty three years, building the schools current chapel, but due to medical reasons he resigned. From 1965-1981 Ward led hilltop, creating a strong academic and athletic programs. When Ward left, Robert Nelson was interim headmaster, giving some leadership through the schools transition year. Peter Sipple for most of the eighties led Salisbury contributing much to the community. Also Rev. Sipple was the schools last Rev. to be a headmaster. Richard Flood was the first headmaster in the schools history to not be a Rev. and he led the school through its one hundredth year. Presently, Chisholm Chandler is the schools headmaster, before getting this job he was the schools Director of Admission. Salisbury headmasters have proven that there is more to the job then alumni affairs and capital campaigns rather student relations create a better community and future for everyone at the school.

Facilities

Academic

The Centennial Building: Built in celebration of Salisbury's 100th anniversary (in 2001), the Centennial is best known for being the center of the Language and History departments. Holding over 15 classrooms, a giant basement conference room, the school library and the art center, Centennial has established itself as the largest academic structure on Salisbury campus. The Centennial also features the Rudd Learning center which provides aids for those in academic need (see academics)

The Phinny Library: Is part of the first floor of the Centennial building and features over thousands of books for students and faculty to enjoy. The library has proven itself vastly resourceful, equipped with magazines, articles, newspapers, novels and etc. .. making it a dire necessity to the Salisbury academic experience. The library also functions as the primary campus computer lab where students may find peace and quiet to commonly check their e-mail or continue their assignments. With the latest modern features, the Phinny library has proven to be an essential part of the Salisbury campus.

The Wachmeister Building: Built in cooperation and with same intentions as the Centennial, the Wachmeister focuses more on the Math and Sciences. Holding eight classroom (4 which are laboratories), the Wachmeister has led the school in the more contemporary, modern arts. The building also includes the technology department in its basement and is intriguingly decorated with art works created by previous or attending students.

Ruger Fine Arts Center + Tremaine Art Gallery: Completed in 2003, the Ruger Arts Center is an architectural wonder being built in a circular fashion. It consists of multiple rooms which give students access to endless amounts of supplies and working/learning space to create their art masterpieces. The Tremaine Art Gallery, positioned in the basement of Centennial, provides Salisbury with a beautiful space to display the students artwork as well as the work of artists outside the Salisbury community.

Seifert Theater: The Seifert Theater located in the Athletics building is a giant auditorium convenient for featuring drama, announcements and movies. With many a drama storage room, tech room and over 350 seats, the Seifert Theater has been a constant, central structure in amassing the student body.

Athletic

Athletics Building: Simply known as the Athletics building, the structure fulfills its name by holding the offices for the athletics director, Tim Sinclair, the cage (equipment storage), lockers and the athletic trainers' office. For the sake of those who wish to improve their physical strengths, the building also provides a shared work-out gym. The Athletics building is also known for holding the squash courts and the Seifert Theater, used for plays and school meetings. With many pictures, documents, equipments and memories, the Athletics Building has found itself as one of the integral structures of the Salisbury campus.

Rudd Rink: As one of the largest Olympic sized ice surfaces in the nation, the Rudd Rink is the proud home of the Sarum Knights hockey team. Although not the biggest structure, it still receives much attention from the persevering athletes, determined coaches and enthusiastic classmates who cheer their team to victory.

Meyers Gymnasium: Located in the Athletics building, the Meyers Gymnasium primarily provides a basketball court for the school's basketball teams. On occasion, the gym is also used as a setting ground for speeches or indoor athletic activities when the need calls for it.

The Dome: Also known as the Bubble due to its shape, the Dome was a gift of the Class of 2003 and functions as a general area for indoor sports. Commonly used by students and faculty for basketball, lacrosse, tennis and winter soccer, the Dome is recognized as one of Salisbury's most important athletic facilities. Like the gym, events such as the school's annual carnival also takes place in the cozy dome.

The Lake and Boathouse: Positioned at the southern end of The Twin Lakes, Salisbury has access to one of the most serene pieces of water in Connecticut. The Salisbury Boathouse is fully stocked with countless rowing shells and boats. Construction for a new Boathouse will begin at the end of the 2007 rowing season.

Student life

Salisbury Chapel - Salisbury prides itself on continuing it's long tradition of school wide chapel services. Twice a week, on Tuesday and Friday mornings, the community congregates in the 50 year old chapel to participate in a service.

Belin Student Lodge - Belin snack bar is the prime location for student activity. Renovated in 2003, the Belin Lounge has a fully functional kitchen, multiple televisions, pool tables, ping pong tables and a movie theatre.

Main Building - The Main Building is one of the oldest buildings still on campus. Inside it consists of three dormitories, the day student room, the mail room, the bookstore, the alumni and development office, as well as the dining hall. On top of the building is the iconic Salisbury Cupola.

Dormitories - Salisbury School has over nine student dormitories. The newest one being completed in 2004. In mid-2006, the class of 2006 funded the construction of four new faculty homes. They were built to accommodate the large group of growing faculty families.

Others Notable

7 Tennis Courts

2.3 miles of Scenic Cross Country Trails

2 Paddle Tennis Courts

4 Soccer/Lacrosse Fields

Wrestling Room

Indoor Rowing(Ergo-meter) Room

Academics

Classes at Salisbury vary from an average size of twelve students to as small as two or three students. This class size is ideal because it enables students to interact with their teacher as well as with their peers. Emphasis is placed on individual attention and interactive learning. Each student is assigned an advisor who assists him in all aspects of academic advising and school life. The academic day is from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00p.m., except on Wednesdays and Saturdays, when classes go from 8:00 a.m. until 12:10 p.m.

Salisbury offers a wide range of classes from introductory offerings to advanced level courses. Honors level classes are offered in all disciplines. The requirements for graduation are:

• English: 4 years
• History: 3 years (World History, Ancient and Medieval History, US History)
• Mathematics: 3 years (Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra II)
• Modern or Classical Language: 3 years, or 2 years each studying two different languages
• Laboratory Science: 2 years: (An entering fourth former must take at least one of his two required Science courses at Salisbury)
• Art: 2 trimesters
• Philosophy and Theology: all 6th Formers (with exception of those with 3 A.P. courses)

New to Salisbury in the 2006-2007 school year was the Entrepreneurial Studies program. The program combines the study of economics with a history of the United States economy; it teaches students about the workings of the business world and how to succeed in such an environment. The introductory course is followed by AP Economics in the second year. The 2007-8 academic year will include new courses in Mandarin and AP World History.

The Learning Center at Salisbury provides extra support for students who need it. Full-time tutors work with students one-on-one during free periods. The Learning Center has been a key component of Salisbury since the 1950’s, and is key to the success of the many students who have utilized its resources.

The Salisbury Summer School has been in operation since 1946. Headed by Ralph Menconi, the Senior Master of Salisbury School, the coeducational residential program offers many opportunities for summer learning. The academic program resembles that of the school year. Students take classes and have academic advisors while at the same time living in a boarding school environment.

Notable teachers

• Ralph Menconi, Senior Master, English and Economics (36 years)
• Susan DeMelle, English (35 years)
• Dennis L. Wachter, Spanish (34 years)
• William Buehner, French (28 years)
• Russel P. Edes, History (26 years)
• Edward T. Mullen, Spanish (26 years)
• Dennis P. Shortelle, History (25 years)
• Geoffrey L. Rossano, History (25 years)
• Kenneth C. Stone, Chemistry (18 years)
• Drew C. Kesler, Physics (16 years)
• Jeff Ruskin, Math/Dean of Students(10 years)
• Sean Bowler, Math(5 years)

Student life

Similar to most private preparatory schools in New England, Salisbury School students are obligated to certain tasks, codes and traditions which are uniform throughout their daily lives. Each student upon arriving is assigned to an academic advisor (college advisor later on) and is expected to fully commit himself to a trimester year of school. Students and faculty alike are also required to correspond to a dress code during school hours (tie with sports jacket) and receive punishments revolving around demerit points when school rules are broken. Expulsion results when students acquire too many demerit points, or if a student is given two ‘strikes.’ These ‘strikes’ are determined by the administration and a select board of students, and are often given to students who are involved in instances of drinking, smoking, or stealing.

All students on a regular basis are required to commit themselves to classes (look Academics) and a sport (look Academics) for every trimester, from Monday to Saturday. Students than enjoy some free time where they can participate in electives or just rest before entering study hall in their rooms by 7:30 to 9:30; Mandatory study hours cause students to focus on schoolwork for at least two hours each day. Afterwards, students can once again engulf themselves in leisure activities before “check in” at 10:15 where all students must remain in their dorms until “lights out” at 10:30 or 11:30.

In addition to this daily outline, Salisbury has a long lasted tradition of gathering the school body with three, twice-a-week events: morning chapel lectures, where students are lectured in an attempt to broaden their horizons; sit-down meals where students are shuffled between tables and bond with both their classmates and faculty; and the school meetings, where both the faculty and students announce various information and acknowledgements to the whole school body. Constant meetings with advisors and teachers allow students to create close relationships with their mentors and develop social skills in talking frequently with adults. Salisbury features a collaborative setting where faculty and students live on campus alike. Boarding students all live in dormitories (randomly assigned by their form) headed by a dorm parent and a student prefect, where they collectively share facilities and chores. The Salisbury School campus also presents a cafeteria serving at practical hours and an active health center in case of illness. Salisbury also provides various athletic facilities, a theatre, weight room, common house among others to accommodate the energetic teenage student life.

As for recreational activities, students have the option of attending various activities and events on the weekends; there are weekly interscholastic dances, mall trips, and cinema trips. Students also spend leisurely time in common rooms which have TV’s and couches. Playing video games is another popular method of relaxation, and students often compete with each other on XBOX as well as on the athletic field. Overall, Salisbury School can be characterized as an above average academic New England private school which finds great strength in athletics.

Sports

The athletics program at Salisbury School has much to offer at a very high level. The school boasts 33 interscholastic sports teams over 15 sports, ranging from football to tennis to skiing. For those who are not inclined to compete at a high level interscholastically every trimester, Salisbury offers 10 different recreational sports over the three seasons. Such recreational sports include volleyball, basketball, and paddle tennis, providing a nice variety for the students to choose from each athletic season. For the varsity teams, the school competes in the NEPSAC league, a league distinguished for its athletic success in many sports. From Salisbury School and other schools in the league, many athletes go on to success at the Division 1 college level, with many having an impact on certain Division 3 schools. While certain teams and athletes stand out the most, Salisbury School is able to remain competitive in every sport on every level. Tournament appearances by the Tennis, Squash, Football, Hockey, Lacrosse, Baseball, Soccer, and Basketball teams are not rare. Many of these teams have enjoyed success recently also.

The player-coach relationships are unique at Salisbury School, as many of the coaches are also teachers. This provides for a stronger bond between certain players and coaches, as chemistry in the classroom can lead to chemistry on the field/court and vice versa.

Notable athletes

• Kevin Quick '07, University of Michigan '11, hockey, (Tampa Bay Lightning Draft Pick)
• Alex Biega ’06, Harvard University ’10, hockey, (Buffalo Sabres Draft Pick)
• Porter Collins ’93, Brown University ’98, rowing (1996,2000 U.S Olympic)
• Darryl Crawford ’97, Brown University ’01, rowing (U.S. Junior National Team)
• Mark Rosen ’02, Arizona Diamondbacks Draft Pick Baseball (CT Gatorade Player-of-the-Year)

Notable alumni

• D.A. Pennebaker '42- Film Maker
• Josiah Bunting '57 - Retired Commandant at Virginia Military Institute
• Daniel Strook '58 - Professor of Math, MIT
• Dick Field '59 - Founder, LendingTree.com
• Edward Glassmeyer '59 - Venture capitalist
• Eddie Kulukundis '50 - British shipping magnate and philanthropist
• Howard Baldwin '61 - Movie Producer (credits include Ray and Sahara)
• Jeff Erdmann '61 - Senior Vice President, Merrill Lynch
• Terry McGraw '68 - CEO, McGraw Hill Companies
• William Hiltz '69 - Senior Managing Director, Evercore Partners
• Terry McGraw III '75 - Chairman, McGraw Hill Companies
• Richard Riegel '84 - President, Thor Industries
• Chris Fisher '87 - Architect, professional skier and cyclist
• Matthew "Tyler" Packer '92 - Founder and CEO, Illadelph Glasswares

School Hymn (Reprise)

Hymn we so, our purpose bold

Devout as Knights, who fought of old

Staunch as they, to guard thy Honor

True in act and motive

Faith that never falters, Brothers

Hope and charity

External link

• Salisbury School
• The Cupola-Student Run Newspaper