News & Views

List of 70 news stories.

  • Artificial Intelligence, Incorporating Human Creativity and Ingenuity

    Dr. Reshan Richards, Director of Studies at New Canaan Country School and Stephen J. Valentine, Associate Head of School at Montclair Kimberley Academy
    Example 1: A restaurant in New York City serves a complimentary glass of champagne to someone dining alone. The gesture becomes part of their signature service.

  • The Value of Traditions: Building Continuity and Change

    Traditions at Country School offer a grounding sense of continuity while creating space for growth and change. This week marked the start of our 109th school year, a moment filled with familiar rituals that reset and renew our community.

  • New Canaan Country School Holds Closing Exercises

    At New Canaan Country School’s Closing Exercises on Friday, June 7, Head of School Aaron Cooper reminded members of the Class of 2024 to draw upon the many strengths they developed during their tenure at the Pre-K through Grade 9 school, noting that they were already capable of surmounting difficulty. “When you work towards a common goal with others, your chances of success increase.”

    “You have done hard things, and because of that, you are capable of doing great things. I am proud of you and grateful to you. Your teachers and I congratulate you on all you have accomplished in your years here at NCCS. You have made this school better through your talents, drive, support of one another, and enthusiastic pursuit of excellence.”

  • A Joyful Tradition: Rowboat Launch at Hardon Pond

    One of the lesser-known highlights of the late spring at New Canaan Country School is the launch of rowboats on Hardon Pond. Each year, eighth and ninth graders in Mr. Lawler’s Boat Building woodshop elective design and build wooden rowboats which, on a particularly beautiful spring day, they cart across Frogtown Road for a celebratory christening and launch on the placid pond. The group manages the event with the appropriate level of ceremony: they don straw hats, sing songs and adorn the bow of the boats with a bouquet of peonies and blue false indigo, freshly clipped from the Lower School Wellness Garden.

  • Middle School Shares: Showcasing Artistic Talent and Community Spirit

    Country School fifth and sixth graders showcased their considerable artistic talents in group and individual performances at “Middle School Shares,” an hour-long production created by the students, for the students, on June 4 in the school’s auditorium.

    Student acts included a comedic magician's act, a guitar solo, group dance performances, a video of digital photography, piano and saxophone performances, a recitation of a Shakespearean monologue, vocal solos, and joke-telling emcees.

    “Community-building is central to the school’s mission, and this event reiterated that this is a safe place where students are encouraged to take risks, be unique, celebrate individual talents and passions, and show respect and support for others doing the same,” said Middle School Teacher Abby Cali, who, together with teachers Camden Fort, Lindsay Frey and Andy Tyson, helped facilitate the event. “Part confidence-making, part courage-practicing, part celebration of the performing arts, the event was 100% amazing.”

  • Students Release Salmon into Connecticut River

    Fourth-grade science students traveled to the Salmon River State Forest in East Hampton, CT, where they carefully released baby salmon—or fry—into the river’s tributary, May 24. The salmon release was the final step in a scientific study of salmon, ecology, and environmental issues.

    In February, the Lower School science department received 300 salmon eggs from the Connecticut River Salmon Association. Through its “Salmon-in-Schools” program, the organization has been working to re-establish the endangered species in the state’s major river. Every day since then, the children have taken turns measuring the water temperature in their classroom’s chilled aquarium tanks; salmon need cold water, about 2 degrees Celsius.

  • Third Graders Bring to Life Iconic Trailblazers in "Wax Museum" Research Project

    Bruce Springsteen, Jackie Robinson, Julia Child, Albert Einstein, Serena Williams, Neil Armstrong, and Helen Keller were among the famous people brought to life by Country School third graders for a “wax museum” research and writing project, part of a biography unit that culminated today.

    Each student chose a famous figure, researched and then wrote a speech summarizing the figure’s life and accomplishments, and finally presented the speech before friends and family.

    Kudos to the Grade 3 teaching team, which includes Julie Porter, Caroline Reilly, Valerie Schirmer, Ella Girling, Alexa Leon, and Avery York, who oversaw the grade-wide activity.
  • New Canaan Country School seventh-grade Spanish student Abigail Reilly, eighth grader Eva Juarez-Lace and ninth grader Hunter Harper (not pictured) each received first-place recognition nationally as a result of their perfect scores.

    New Canaan Country School Students Earn National Recognition on World Language Exams

    Students from New Canaan Country School’s Upper School division (grades 7-9) participated in the 2024 National World Language exams in March and April yielding sixty-four medals of honor as well as state and national distinctions of merit. Of particular note, seventh-grade Spanish student Abigail Reilly of New Canaan, eighth grader Eva Juarez-Lace of Shelton and ninth grader Hunter Harper of New Canaan each received first-place recognition nationally as a result of their perfect scores.

  • Former Faculty & Staff Visit Campus

    During a beautiful autumn day in October, nearly 30 former faculty and staff gathered on campus to reconnect with each other, visit classrooms and attend the weekly Wednesday community lunch with current faculty and staff, including former Head of School Nick Thacher who traveled from the West Coast to reunite with former colleagues.
  • Head of School Aaron Cooper, Daley O'Herron Avery '05, Charles Bogus and Sarah O'Herron Casey '80

    Charles Bogus Presented the Shirley and Jonathan O’Herron Award

    The Shirley and Jonathan O’Herron Family Faculty Award was established in November 2013 through a bequest from the estate of Jonathan O’Herron and at the direction of the children of Shirley and Jonathan O’Herron: Anne O’Herron Burleigh, Sarah O’Herron Casey ’80 and Jonathan O’Herron Jr. Shirley and Jonathan O’Herron were the proud grandparents of 11 Country School students and one current employee, Daley Avery.  

  • School Community Gathers for 2023 Annual Meeting & Dinner

    The Country School community gathered Sept. 21 for the Annual Meeting and Dinner, and reflections on the state of the school and our strategic mission: “Redefining Childhood Education for the Future.” In addition, the night was dedicated to honoring faculty and staff, celebrating recent accomplishments and looking toward the school’s future. Circles, a long-held metaphor for the school’s culture and community, were featured throughout the evening in both message points and decor.

  • New Canaan Country School Holds Closing Exercises

    At New Canaan Country School’s Closing Exercises Friday, June 9, Head of School Aaron Cooper encouraged the members of the Class of 2023 to draw upon the many strengths they developed during their tenure at the Pre-K through Grade 9 school, particularly the skill of building stronger work teams. 

    “Make a difference with the groups with which you work, and do it in a purposeful manner that betters the group’s work. You know about these skills, you have practiced them here, and you are ready to use them in the future.”
  • Mackie Coffield '21

    Young Alumni Go Boldly!

    Congratulations to our young alumni on their academic, athletic and character achievements and recognitions!

    Class of 2022

    Brendan Buda ’22 was elected third form student government representative (9th grade) at Canterbury School. 

    Reed Ghriskey ’22 received Westminster School’s All Founders League Award for Boys Varsity Golf (sportsmanship, hard work and character in the spirit of competition and fair play at the varsity level) and was voted the 2023 Scull Most Valuable Golfer. 

    Oliver Johnson ’22 received the Upsen Prize at Hotchkiss (scholarship, athletics, and citizenship) and distinguished himself in swimming, medaling at Founders League Championship, earning an All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention for distance swimming at New Englands and for the second consecutive year, was awarded the Nelson S. Talbot ’11 Cup (most valuable, effort, performance, and spirit). 

    Colin Mackey ’22 was nominated for FAA All League Honors in Boys’ Ice Hockey at Greenwich Country Day School. 

  • Students Take Center Stage in LS Arts Assembly

    First and second grade students performed original dances they choreographed themselves for an audience of friends and family in the school’s auditorium, April 19. 

    The Lower School “Arts Assembly” as it is known, is a beloved Country School tradition, a kind of creative rite of passage for students in which first and second graders create and choreograph all of the dances themselves for a one-hour performance. They performed earlier in the week for peers and younger students during a dress rehearsal, and then held this performance for family.

  • Fifth & Sixth Grade Performing Arts Students  Produce Original Play: "The Rocky Road Trip"

    Fifth and sixth grade performing arts students presented their original play "The Rocky Road Trip" to audiences of Middle School classmates, family, faculty and staff during performances held in the school’s auditorium June 2 and 5. The production was entirely student-written, choreographed, designed and performed by the ensemble cast of 32 students over the course of the spring trimester.

  • Second Graders Host States Expo

    Second graders have been exploring the “fifty nifty United States” this spring. Working in small groups, they collected and presented research about the regions within the country, highlighting important landmarks and landforms.
     

  • Third Graders Bring to Life Iconic Trailblazers in “Wax Museum” Research Project

    Laura Ingalls Wilder, Steve Irwin and Amelia Earhart were among the famous people brought back to life by Country School third graders for a “wax museum” research and writing project, part of a biography unit that culminated June 1.
     
    Each student chose a famous figure, researched and then wrote a speech summarizing the figure’s life and accomplishments, and finally, memorized the speech.


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  • New Canaan Country School 4th Graders Restock River with Salmon

    New Canaan Country School fourth grade students traveled to the Salmon River State Forest in East Hampton, Conn where they carefully released baby salmon— or fry—into the river’s tributary, May 26. The salmon release was the final step in a scientific study of salmon, ecology and environmental issues. 

    “I loved releasing the salmon,” said Henry Monteone. "It was really special to release an endangered species into the wild,” added Daniel Bowling.



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  • Head of Early Childhood (and Lisa's Classmate), Jeannie Staunton Bean '83, Lisa Pike Sheehy '83 and Head of School Aaron Cooper

    Environmental Activist Lisa Pike Sheehy ’83 Wins 2022 Alumni Award

    The New Canaan Country School Alumni Council presented the 2022 Alumni Award to Lisa Pike Sheehy ’83. Lisa, formerly of New Canaan​, returned to campus May 19 to accept the honor and to share with students, alumni and guests her work as an environmental activist and pioneer in advocating for climate awareness. This event kicked off Alumni Weekend.

    The Alumni Award is presented each year to honor an alumna or alumnus who best embodies the statement from the school’s mission, “New Canaan Country School inspires students to live lives of impact and purpose.”

  • New Canaan Country School Students Earn National Recognition on World Language Exams

    Students from New Canaan Country School’s Upper School division (Grades 7-9) participated in the 2023 National World Language exams in March and April yielding 59 medals of honor as well as state and national distinctions of merit. Of particular note, eighth graders Grace O’Donnell and Liany Otero both scored in the 99th percentile on the National Spanish Exam. 

    Sixteen French language students received recognition on the 2023 National French exam. Students who achieved silver and bronze honors at the national level included: (silver) Louisa Gosk of Darien, Maggie Newport of Norwalk, Kat Palmer of Stamford, Katya Bank of Westport, Lily Arneill of Darien, Lilly Peake of New Canaan, Aubry Grant of Darien, Opal Thompson of Stamford and Charlotte Parker of New Canaan; (bronze) Itzel Llamas of Norwalk, Syndi Francis of Trumbull, James Knowles of Rowayton, Caroline Irwin of New Canaan, Avery Brooks of New Canaan, Edie Goodyear of New Canaan, and Cameron Ableman of Norwalk.

  • Grow Together

    The New Canaan Country School community came together to celebrate at the school’s biennial auction, with the theme Grow Together, on April 29.

    Highlights of the evening included dancing to live music performed by Perri Rossi and his orchestra as well as remarks from Board President Sarah Irwin and Head of School Aaron Cooper.

    “There is a reason our school is PreK through Grade 9, these are the years of childhood – the most important years in a person’s life where the foundation is set,” said Head of School Aaron  Cooper in his remarks to the more than 300 parents, faculty and staff gathered in the school’s Athletics & Wellness Center.

  • Middle School Shares: Students Showcase their Unique Artistic Talents

    Country School fifth and sixth graders showcased their considerable artistic talents in group and individual performances at “Middle School Shares,” an hour-long production created by the students, for the students, on April 28 in the school’s auditorium.

    Student acts included comedy skits, breakdancing, tap dancing, a drum solo, card tricks, a guitar solo, group and solo choreographed dance performances, a video of sports highlights, piano performances, vocal solos and joke-telling emcees.  
  • The Markes Family

    NCCS Community Gathers for Kyle A. Markes Earth Day of Service

    Over 100 members of the Country School & Horizons community gathered for the Kyle A. Markes (“KAM”) Earth Day of Service, held April 22. Hosted by the school’s Parents’ Association, the event is named in honor of a former 5th grade student whose commitment to service continues to inspire.


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  • Grade 8 Rocket-Science: Students Shoot for the Moon in Community Building STEM Activity

    Working in small teams, eighth graders designed, built and launched 23 rockets using recycled materials, creativity, and their knowledge of Newton’s Laws of motion, friction, mass and acceleration, and aerodynamics. The STEM-themed project was part of  three-days of grade-wide community building and experiential learning activities, held April 19 - 21.



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  • Alyssa Thomas ’13, Dr. Christopher Bogart and Cadence Pentheny of the Triangle Community Center

    Experts Lead Parents in Discussion on ‘Intersectionality’

    Parents and guardians of New Canaan Country School students had the opportunity to hear from child psychologist Dr. Christopher Bogart, LGBTQIA+ community educator Cadence Pentheny of the Triangle Community Center, and NCCS alumna Alyssa Thomas ’13 on the topic of “intersectionality” on April 13. Intersectionality is a term used to describe the interconnectedness of more than one social identifier such as race, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion and ability.

  • Do Dark-Eyed Junkos Prefer Sunflower or Milo Seeds? Sixth Grade Bird Sleuths Measure Feeding Behavior in Scientific Study

    Sixth grade students presented their scientific experiments and conclusions on the feeding behavior of local birds to Upper School students, faculty and staff at a Bird Symposium, held in the school’s Dining Hall on April 5 and 6. The event was a culmination of their trimester-long inquiry-based study of birds.

  • NBC News Correspondent Shares Life Lessons with NCCS 9th Graders

    NBC News correspondent Stephanie Gosk was on campus today to speak with ninth graders about her career as a reporter covering some of the most historic moments in modern history. Gosk, the aunt of Charlie ’19, Fiona ’21 and Louisa ’23 shared stories about some of her more interesting assignments, what inspires her about the subjects she covers, and life lessons she learned during the course of her over twenty-year-long career.

  • NCCS Community Service: Practicing a Mindset of Empathy and Kindness

    New Canaan Country School students in Grades 1-9 participated in a variety of service learning projects in February and March, including restocking a local food pantry with soup and supporting those in need with warm blankets and inspirational handmade cards. Activities were augmented with workshops and experiential activities focusing on the role of empathy and kindness within a community.

  • NCCS Third Graders Recreate a Turn of the Century Ellis Island Experience

    Third graders at New Canaan Country School experienced what it might have been like to immigrate to America at the turn of the century. The hands-on learning simulation is part of the third grade’s cultural identity study on the “Peopling of America.”  

    Assigned various personas, such as a Greek peddler, a French dressmaker and Polish sweatshop worker, students dressed in character and attempted to navigate their way through a re-created version of the famous Ellis Island inspection station. Faculty, acting as immigration officials and health inspectors, asked them some of the 29 questions typical of those posed to travelers of the period, such as “Who paid for your passage?” “What is the condition of your health?” and “Are you able to read and write?” 

  • Lisa Pike Sheehy '83 to Receive New Canaan Country School's 2022 Alumni Award

    The New Canaan Country School Alumni Council will present the 2022 Alumni Award to Lisa Pike Sheehy ’83. Lisa will return to campus on May 19 to accept the honor and to share with students, alumni and guests her work as an environmental activist and pioneer in advocating for climate awareness. This event kicks off Alumni Weekend 2022.
     
    The Alumni Award is presented each year to honor an alumna or alumnus who best embodies the statement from the school’s mission, “New Canaan Country School inspires students to live lives of impact and purpose.”


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  • Extra, Extra "Newsies" Performed on the NCCS Stage

    New Canaan Country School seventh through ninth grade drama students performed the musical “Newsies” for members of the school community, family and friends in the school’s auditorium during three showtimes all held, Feb. 27. 

    The shows were the culmination of a trimester-long study of the production of a musical and provided students with opportunities to further their development of vocal, dance and acting skills. The 20-member cast and crew also worked on choreography, set design and construction, solo and ensemble singing, positional awareness, pacing and scene transitions.

  • Fourth Graders Honor Local Indian Culture & History

    New Canaan Country School fourth grade students shared stories, songs, dances, history, reflections and displays of hand-made work with members of the Lower School community at a special American Indians assembly, held Feb. 23. The activities were the culmination of their half-year inter-disciplinary study and showcased their extensive knowledge of the local Indigenous people who once populated our area.

  • Fifth Graders Lead Simulation of Lewis & Clark Expedition

    Country School fifth graders invited parents, teachers and younger students to an experiential simulation of the Lewis & Clark Expedition on Feb. 15 as a culmination of their social studies unit. The students created an array of hand-made visual displays, short speeches and essays to showcase the Corps of Discovery Expedition. Visitors were invited to follow the trail of tables sequenced in a loose timeline across the floor of the main gym in the school’s Athletics & Wellness Center to represent the expedition across the newly acquired western portion of the country after the Louisiana Purchase, and explore important stops along the way. 

  • Senator Murphy Honors New Canaan Country School Student for MLK Essay

    New Canaan Country School sixth grade student Juliet Chattaway’s essay was among the 15 winning essays selected by U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy in his seventh annual "Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Essay Challenge." The Senator recognized all of the winners at a ceremony held in Middletown, Sat. Feb. 11.

  • NCCS First Graders Celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Rabbit

    Country School first graders celebrated the Lunar Year with a dragon parade, a fan dance, songs and a skit at their weekly Lower School Assembly.
  • Alumna Kyla Johns '12 and Director of DEI Kojo Clarke

    Country School Community Honors Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

    New Canaan Country School celebrated the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with age-appropriate curricular activities and alumni reflections culminating in divisional community gatherings, Jan. 13.

  • Stevens Night - A Celebration of Upper School Arts and Community

    Over 300 members of the Upper School community gathered for Stevens Night, a celebration of the seventh through ninth grade arts programs, held in and around the Upper School’s Stevens Building, the evening of Nov. 16. All students participated in both a performing arts class and a visual art class during the Fall semester, so there was a lot to see and experience.

  • 2022 French Mousse-Off Winners Announced

    The results are in! The winners of the 2022 French Mousse-Off are seventh grader Luke Gutierrez, eighth grader Annsley Leclerc and ninth graders Louisa Gosk and Lillian Back. Scoring for the annual culinary contest is based on taste and execution as well as overall presentation of the delicious dessert often associated with haute cuisine. Students may choose to use the traditional chocolate recipe, or experiment with others.

  • Five New Canaan Country School Students Named Teens to Watch

    Three New Canaan Country School young alumni and two current students were featured in magazines for their outstanding achievements, intelligence and passion. Lindsay Ferretti ’19 and Amanda Miller ’19 were named 2022 “Teens To Watch” by Moffly Media as featured in the New Canaan, Darien & Rowayton Magazine September issue while Seth Yoo ’19, Hunter Harper and Keira Smith were named “18 Under 18” in the Bedford New Canaan Magazine September/October issue.

  • Festival of Books - A Celebration of Reading

    A week-long celebration of literacy, Country School’s “Festival of Books” provided many opportunities to build community, expand libraries and instill a love of reading in students Nov. 8-10. Perennially one of the Parents' Association's biggest fundraisers, the festival once again brought together storytellers and book lovers of all ages.

  • New Canaan Country School Community Gathers for Annual 5K Race & Fall Fest

    More than 400 members of the New Canaan Country School community participated in the 6th annual Cougar 5K Run, held Oct. 29 on the school’s 85-acre campus. The community event was sponsored by the school’s Parents’ Association and involved students, faculty, staff, alumni and parents. The event also hosted a Cougar Junior Fun Run which included a 100-meter dash for children ages 3 through Grade 2. The school’s Cougar mascot and non-runners of all ages lined the course to offer encouragement, support and congratulations.
  • Head of School Aaron Cooper and Head of Lower School Meaghan Mallin

    The Halloween Parade: A Treat of an NCCS Tradition

    A much-beloved annual tradition,  New Canaan Country School’s Lower School community (Grade 1- 4 students and faculty) gathered Oct. 31 to celebrate the season by marching in a Halloween Parade around the school’s campus. Led by Head of School Mr. Cooper, adorned for the day in a Tigger costume from the story Winnie-The-Pooh, and Head of Lower School Mrs. Mallin, as Piglet, the parade also included the fifth and sixth grade members of the school's marching band and an oversized paper mache marionette of a skeleton, made and operated by fourth-grade art students.

  • Buddies: Country School Pairs Up in Beloved Tradition

    As part of a longstanding Country School community-building tradition, all students across campus participated in “Buddies” time, which pairs younger students with older students. The first Buddies get-together of the year was held Oct. 20, with “getting to know you” games which included an iPad photo scavenger hunt, and “things we have in common” interviews. 









  • Members of the 2022-2023 New Canaan Country School Upper School student government include (from left to right): Jayne Visokey, Celia Baliotti, Michael Bria, Nico Bennett, Jonathan Gavidia, Drew Burr, Capone Andrade, Sam Peake and Miles Chandor.

    Upper School Experiences Democratic Process with Student-Government Elections

    Nearly 25 New Canaan Country School candidates vied to fill 9 positions of leadership during the Upper School’s (Grades 7-9) student government elections, held Sept. 28 through Oct. 19. 

  • Lower School Builds Community

    Collaboration and problem-solving skills were at the heart of this week’s Lower School Fall Community Day. First through fourth graders divided up into 18 teams to practice working in small groups, and build friendships. 
  • Cadence Pentheny of the Triangle Community Center and Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Kojo Clarke

    NCCS Parent DEI Taskforce Hosts LGBTQ+101: An Introduction for Parents and Caregivers

    The Country School Parent DEI Taskforce hosted part 2 of the 2-part series, LGBTQ+101: An Introduction for Parents and Caregivers, Sept. 22. Cadence Pentheny of the Triangle Community Center explored how LBGTQ+ youth in Fairfield County feel as they navigate life in our region in a 45-minute presentation, followed by opportunities for small break out conversations and a Q&A segment.

  • Country School Eighth-Grader Collects and Donates 6,000 Books to Horizons

    Country School eighth-grader Michael Bria of Wilton will deliver 6,000 books Saturday, Sept. 24 to the Horizons at New Canaan Country School community (which serves students grades K-12)  as part of an Eagle Scout project he has been working on for several months. The idea of sharing his love for reading began at a much earlier age however.

  • Eighth and Ninth Graders Seek Challenge, Find Community in Adirondack Adventure

    Eighth and ninth graders had the opportunity to practice skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, courage and resilience Sept 13-16 during their adventure trips in the Adirondack mountains. 

  • Country School Opens the School Year with Flag Raising

    New Canaan Country School, 570 students and 161 faculty and staff, came together around the flagpole to officially celebrate the start of the school year, Sept. 9.

  • New Canaan Country School Welcomes New Faculty & Staff

    New Canaan Country School welcomes several new faculty and staff members this year. “We have attracted a very talented group of educators with an impressive array of professional experiences who are passionate about children’s growth and development,” said Head of School Aaron Cooper.

  • New Canaan Country School Holds Closing Exercises

    At New Canaan Country School’s Closing Exercises Tuesday, June 14, Head of School Aaron Cooper encouraged the members of the Class of 2022 to draw upon the many strengths they developed during their tenure at the Pre-K through Grade 9 school, particularly the skill of leaning in to challenge. The graduates, their families, faculty and staff gathered on the front lawn of the school’s campus for the outdoor ceremony.

  • Young Alumni Achievements

    Congratulations to our young alumni on their academic, athletic and character achievements and recognitions! Do you have alumni news to share? Please send it to alumni@countryschool.net. 



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  • New Canaan Country School Celebrates Eighth Graders

    At New Canaan Country School’s Celebration of Eighth Graders, Monday, June 13, Head of Upper School Karl Palmgren recognized the 61 members of the Class of 2023 as kind, genuine and talented.

  • Fifth & Sixth Grade Performing Arts Students Produce Original Play: "The Quest for the Sceptor"

    Fifth and sixth grade performing arts students presented their original play "The Quest for the Scepter" to audiences of Middle School classmates, family, faculty and staff during a dress rehearsal and performance held in the school’s auditorium the week of June 3. The production was entirely student-conceived, choreographed, designed and performed by the ensemble cast of 21 students over the course of the spring trimester.

  • First and Second Graders Produce and Perform Original Art and Dance in Annual "Arts Assembly"

    First and second grade students performed original dances on a stage decorated with their own artwork in the school’s auditorium, June 9. 

  • New Canaan Country School 4th Graders Restock River with Salmon

    New Canaan Country School fourth grade students traveled to the Salmon River State Forest in East Hampton, Conn where they carefully released baby salmon— or fry—into the river’s tributary, May 26. The salmon release was the final step in a scientific study of salmon, ecology and environmental issues.


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  • New Canaan Country School Sixth Graders Present Persuasive Speeches

    For the last few months, New Canaan Country School sixth graders have been working hard to research, write, and rehearse argumentative and informational speeches. Each student selected a topic about which they are passionate, including topics related to their families, communities and the world. They then memorized their speech and delivered it in front of a live audience in the school’s auditorium, May 17-24.

  • NCCS Students Stand with Ukraine

    Led by students, the New Canaan Country School community engaged in a multitude of grassroots activities in an ongoing display of support for the people of Ukraine during the past few weeks. Lower School students Kai and Keilani Gokgol-Kline of Norwalk and Ben Kelsey of Darien have been particularly proactive in rallying classmates to be aware of the impact the Russian aggression has had on Ukrainian children.

  • New Canaan Country School Students Earn National Recognition on World Language Exams

    Students from New Canaan Country School’s Upper School division (grades 7-9) participated in the 2022 National World Language exams in March and April yielding 52 medals of honor as well as state and national distinctions of merit. Of particular note, eighth-grade French student Anna Zhuperina of Greenwich and seventh-grade Latin student Lucy Ward of Darien each received first-place recognition nationally as a result of their perfect scores.

  • A Fair To Remember! NCCS & Horizons Gather for 75th Frogtown Fair

    Over 800 members of the NCCS and Horizons community gathered to enjoy a picnic lunch and a variety of activities designed for the young-at-heart at the 75th annual Frogtown Fair, held on the school’s front lawn, May 14.

  • Athletics & Wellness Center Formally Opens with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

    On Friday, May 13, the new Athletics and Wellness Center was formally opened with an official ribbon cutting ceremony. More than 170 alumni, parents, parents of alumni, current and former faculty and staff, and Trustees joined Head of School Aaron Cooper to honor teachers and staff - including several retiring teachers and staff members - and to officially cut the ribbon.

  • Former and Current Faculty & Staff Honored During Evening Celebration

    More than 170 members of the school community gathered in front of the Athletics & Wellness Center May 13 to celebrate the faculty & staff, reflect upon the unprecedented trials and triumphs of the profession during the past three years and to pay tribute to those who have recently or will retire in June.

  • Grade 6 Math Classes Hold Probability Fair

    New Canaan Country School sixth grade math students hosted a Probability Fair, offering small prizes to participants willing to try their luck at home-made games of chance. The annual event, a Middle School tradition, featured 55 games including well-known favorites: Plinko, Spin-to-Win and the dice game “PIG,” and was held in the School’s Susan Haigh Carver ’51 Dining Hall, May 13.




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  • Oh, What A Night! Parents’ Association Hosts Amazing Outdoor Party

    NCCS parents, faculty and staff gathered for an evening of adult good cheer, food trucks and fun in the Grace House Circle, April 30. Campfires blazed while friends old and new celebrated the arrival of spring at “Back in Bloom,” a community party hosted by the school’s Parents’ Association.

  • PA Makes Valentine's for Meal on Wheels

    Parents' Association
    More than 20 students met in the Motor Room of Thacher last Wednesday to decorate and design Valentine’s cards for Meals on Wheels recipients. 

  • Country School Donates Food Essentials for the Holidays

    This holiday season, New Canaan Country School has provided food essentials to many local families in need. Upper School students took the lead in collecting and donating Dove Bags, which provide a full day of food for a family, as well as a gift certificate for meat.  Working in coordination with Person-to-Person, a social service agency based in Darien, and New Canaan Social Services, Country School distributed Dove Bags to 63 lower Fairfield Country families. This is Country School’s largest Dove Bag donation to-date. 

  • Festival of Books and PJs & Pizza - A Celebration of Literacy

    Parents' Association
    This year’s Festival of Books was a three-day celebration of literacy including book signings, mystery readers and a faculty panel discussion. One of the Parents' Association's biggest fundraisers of the year, the Festival of Books also provided many opportunities to build community, as well as classroom libraries. VIEW PHOTOS.

  • New Canaan Country School Holds Kyle A. Markes Day of Service

    New Canaan Country School and Horizons families came together to serve the wide-ranging needs of 15 local non-profit organizations on the school’s campus and throughout Fairfield County, April 23. They were participating in the eighth annual Kyle A. Markes Day of Service, named in honor of an NCCS student who passed away in 2013 and is remembered for his commitment to community service.


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  • Seventh Graders Discuss Climate Change, Ocean Chemistry and Coral Reef Health with Chemical Oceanographer

    New Canaan Country School seventh-grade science students discussed ocean acidification and the impact of rising CO2 levels on the Earth’s atmosphere, plantlife and oceans with chemical oceanographer and Texas A&M Oceanography Professor Dr. Katie Shamberger on April 11.

  • First Graders Celebrate Chinese Traditions, Culture in “Peacock Dance”

    As part of their yearlong interdisciplinary study of China, first graders performed a traditional “Peacock Dance” in honor of the Lunar New Year at a community assembly, held April 7. In welcoming remarks, Head of Lower School Meaghan Mallin explained to the many parents and family members who attended in-person and via livestream that the assembly was particularly meaningful in that it was the first in-person Lower School gathering since the pandemic hit.
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New Canaan Country School

635 Frogtown Road, New Canaan, CT 06840
Phone: (203) 972-0771
New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.