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Typical Class Day Schedules

Check out a day in the life of a summer student below (note that Saturdays are slightly different with shorter classes, no meetings, and lots of afternoon fun!). These sample schedules provide a snapshot of the typical day for Choate Summer Programs students. 

Immersion Geometry, Theater Arts Institute, and 2-week Workshop programs follow their own schedule of class periods and lunch, but still include built-in time for Adviser Meetings, School Meetings, Conferences, Wellness Programming, Athletics and Activities, and Study Hours.

Student Activities Center (SAC) Events and Trips

In addition to free on-campus social events, the Student Activities Center arranges day trips within CT at no extra charge. These off-campus trips are structured with specific itineraries and guidelines, and all students receive chaperone contact information and detailed maps with explicit boundaries established. On occasion, high school students may shop and dine at their leisure without direct supervision on trips; however, they are required to check in with chaperones at designated times. On off-campus trips, middle school students are always supervised in small groups led by a chaperone.

Off-campus excursions include trips to local shopping malls, movie theaters, sporting events, museums, and amusement parks. Students receive an email each Monday with information on upcoming trips and instructions on how to sign up; signups are first come, first serve.

Note: Only students signed up for Student Activities trips may use transportation associated with the trip.

Sample Downtime Calendar

Wellness Programming

Every Thursday, students participate in a 45-minute wellness activity dedicated to cultivating gratitude, joy, and healthy habits. Activities range from line dancing and board games to thank-you card writing and scavenger hunts. Students are also welcome to attend weekly faculty-led mental health and wellness meetings where students discuss how to practice wellness, develop coping skills, and establish and maintain positive relationships during their time at Choate and beyond.

Afternoon Music, Athletics, & Activities

Our Afternoon Music, Athletics, and Activities program is designed to provide students with a healthy outlet of collaboration, exercise, and interaction through fun activities. Some of our offerings are competitive, some are more recreational, and others are instructional. In addition, students are encouraged to participate in All-School programming on Wednesday afternoons and dorm competitions and events in the evenings. Students indicate their preferences for Afternoon Music, Athletics & Activities in the late spring, before arriving on campus. 

Concerts, Showcases, and Exhibitions

Throughout Summer Programs, there are opportunities to attend various campus concerts, showcases, readings, exhibitions, and performances. All members of the community are welcome, free of charge. Choate hosts the Wallingford Symphony Orchestra’s annual July 4th concert on the steps of the Seymour St. John Chapel.

The Theater Arts Institute culminates with a Performing Arts showcase on the final Thursday of the 4-week program. The performance is an original composition by Theater Arts Institute participants that incorporates various elements from the professional shows attended by the group over the course of the session. 

Students enrolled in 5-week Academic Enrichment arts courses exhibit their work in the Paul Mellon Arts Center Gallery in the final week of the program.

The Young Artist Program puts on a celebratory performance in the Gelb Theater at the end of each 2-week session.

Talent Show

The SAC sponsors an annual Talent Show for the Summer Programs community. Students and adults alike are welcome to take the stage to share their passion and skill in a wide array of areas including voice, music, theater, dance, agility, and stand-up comedy. 

Class Dress

While class dress is generally informal, all students are expected to dress appropriately for each occasion. Students may not wear clothing that exposes the midriff, shirts with offensive slogans, bathing suits, or hats in classroom buildings and the Hill House Dining Hall. Footwear must be worn in all buildings. There are some events (e.g. the festive dinner and final evening gathering at the end of the 5-week program) where semi-formal attire is encouraged but not required. The John F. Kennedy ’35 Institute in Government program requires semi-formal dress for the Washington, DC trip. 

General (On Campus) FAQ

Interactive Campus Map

 

Community Safety

Choate’s uniformed Community Safety officers monitor campus 24 hours a day on foot, by car, and by bike. Community Safety oversees daily operations, assists students, faculty, and staff; and prepares the community in the event of an emergency. Officers can be contacted by phone and via call boxes located conveniently across campus.

Campus Facilities

Academic Facilities  Arts Facilities  Athletics Facilities

  • Pratt Health Center - The Health Center is a well-resourced and professionally staffed care facility.

  • St. John Hall is the home of the Student Activities Center (SAC), school store, student services kiosk, day student lockers, snack bar, and is the hub of student activities. You’ll find information on special events, dances, movie nights, weekend trips, and more. 

  • The Inn at Choate Rosemary Hall and Sally Hart Lodge & Alumni Center

  • St. John Chapel is a nondenominational chapel that houses the Joan Harris Gelb Theater
     

Housing for Boarding Students

Boarding students live on campus in dormitories used during the academic year. Housing assignments are based on student age, gender, and length of program. Each dorm is overseen by an adult Head of House and staffed with a team of adult resident advisers. Rooms are furnished with a bed, dresser, desk, chair, and wardrobe or closet.

Housing FAQs

 

Campus Life 2024

There was always something exciting happening on campus that kept me motivated and eager to participate. —Workshop student

Campus Life 2024

I was initially nervous about adapting to a new environment, but [Summer Programs] exceeded my expectations. —Academic Enrichment student

Campus Life 2023

Choate Summer Programs provided a diverse range of amazing experiences that I thought supported all interests and aspirations of all students. I found it to be an inclusive environment that encouraged students to find their passions. —Academic Enrichment student