15 Things You Should Know

1. Just the right size. We are a day school of approximately 900 students and 75 full- and part-time teachers in Early Childhood through Grade 12.

2. A rich curriculum. As a college-preparatory school, Canterbury places its primary emphasis on the work of the classroom, the tasks that will mold young minds and create lifetime learners. Materials and methodology complement each other in bringing subjects to life, from early reading experiences to the sophistication of college-level Advanced Placement courses.

3. Talented faculty. Sixty-five percent of our faculty hold advanced degrees. The faculty get to know students not just in the classroom but on the playing field, on the stage and through the various activities they advise.

4. Shining stars. Typically, about one-fifth of the students in each graduating class are recognized by the National Merit Scholarship program either as finalists, semifinalists or commended scholars, including 16 of 63 students in the Class of 2006.

5. A match for the next step. Our college counseling office has two full-time staff members who work with our students to help shape the best possible college match.

6. A chance to play. Our all-inclusive policy gives everyone an opportunity to join one of our many interscholastic sports teams.

7. Good food and conversation. The commons dining area with its round or hexagon tables is more than a place to eat a great lunch; it’s where students and faculty gather to discuss the day’s events and share stories.

8. A jump on journalism. Lower School, Middle School and High School offer opportunities to write for the school newspaper as well as literary magazines. The yearbook is offered to High School students as an extracurricular activity.

9. Students helping students. The Cavalier Helpers, Resource Committees, class officers, Student Council, Honor Committee, Senior Leadership Forum and Peer Tutors are some of the ways to serve and lead.

10. A palette of fine arts. We offer choir and orchestra, visual arts and band, theater and speech. Plays, musicals, concerts, exhibits and speech meets are all part of a program in which we take great pride.

11. A way to make it happen. More than $750,000 in financial need-based assistance was granted to students for 2005-2006. (No full scholarships are given, and no athletic scholarships are awarded.)

12. Traditions. Blue-and-white school dress for Lower and Middle School field trips, Chapel every day, the Lower School musical, dads’ breakfasts and suppers, the Family Fun Run, the Fall Family Picnic … a few of our great traditions.

13. A goal of excellence. The median SAT scores for Canterbury’s Class of 2006 were 632 critical reading, 618 math and 620 writing. The Class of 2006 was offered more than $1 million in merit-based college scholarships.

14. A challenge. In the spring of 2006, 104 High School students wrote 243 Advanced Placement exams. Ninety-three percent of the exams were scored a 3 or higher out of a possible score of 5. Seventy percent scored 4 or 5. Most colleges or universities give course credit or advanced standing to students who score a 3 or higher on the AP exams. 

15. A cultural variety. Foreign language instruction begins in Kindergarten and continues through Grade 12.

Let’s strike up a conversation. We are always pleased to talk with prospective families. Please call us at 260-407-3553 with questions. We welcome the opportunity to get to know you.