The Taft School vs. Deerfield Academy
Should you attend The Taft School or Deerfield Academy? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.
School Overview
Top Rankings
The Taft School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 280 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
School Resources
School Resources
Selectivity
Deerfield Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 280 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
School Resources
School Resources
Selectivity
Offering Breadth
Offering Breadth
Student Test Scores
Student Test Scores
Student Test Scores
School History
Overview
Taft is one of the most rigorous and well-respected educational communities in the world.
It is also a school that lives its motto each day: NON UT SIBI MINISTRETUR SED UT MINISTRET. The school's motto, which translates to "Not to be served but to serve," permeates every aspect of the Taft community.
Taft's 609 students, who hail from 34 states and 51 countries, love their experience not simply because they are challenged by the academic rigor they experience daily, but because they develop life-long friendships with faculty members and students alike.
No matter how hard they are working, Taft students celebrate their responsibility as human beings to serve rather than be served.
Deerfield Academy is an independent secondary school committed to high standards of scholarship, citizenship, and personal responsibility.
Through a rigorous liberal arts curriculum, extensive cocurricular program, and supportive residential environment, Deerfield encourages each student to develop an inquisitive and creative mind, sound body, and strong moral character.
Set in a historic village bounded by river, hills, and farms, Deerfield inspires reflection, study and play, abiding friendships, and a defining school spirit.
A vibrant, ethical community that embraces diversity, the Academy prepares students for leadership in a rapidly changing world that requires global understanding, environmental stewardship, and dedication to service.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12, PG
9-12, PG
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
ADD/ADHD Support
No
No
Supports Learning Differences (LD)
No
No
Year Founded
1890
1797
Campus Size
226 acres
330 acres
Students Body
Enrollment
609
653
% Students of Color
41%
32%
% International Students
22%
12%
% Students Boarding
83%
88%
Average SAT Score
n/a
1400
Average ACT score
n/a
31
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
Yes
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
Yes
No
Frequency of Saturday Classes
Weekly
Weekly
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Formal
Average Class Size
11
12
Student : Teacher ratio
5:1
6:1
# of AP/Advanced Courses Offered
n/a
40
ESL Courses Offered
No
No
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
75%
70%
Summer Program Offered
Yes
Yes
Finances
Endowment Size
$282 million
$840 million
Tuition (Boarding Students)
$69,600
$70,900
Tuition (Day Students)
$51,700
$51,000
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$56,500
$53,000
Admission
Application Deadline
Jan. 15
Jan. 15
Accepts Standardized Application
No
No
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Average Percentile SSAT
n/a
85
Acceptance Rate
19%
13%
Director of Admissions
Peter Frew
Charles F. Davis, Jr.
Associate Director of Admissions
Suzanne Campbell
Gen Pitt
# of AP/Advanced Courses Offered
n/a
40
Sport
Total Sports Offered
19
28
Sports
Alpine Skiing, Baseball, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Volleyball, Wrestling
Alpine Skiing, Ballet, Baseball, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Cycling, Dance, Diving, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Skiing, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball, Water Polo, Wrestling
Extracurricular
Total Extra-curric.Total Extracurriculars
26
39
Extra-curric.Extracurriculars
All-School Play, Art and Literature Magazine, Cultural Coffeehouse, FOCUS- Fellowship of Christians in Universities and Schools, Individual Music Lessons, Individual Vocal Lessons, Instrumental Lessons, Math Club (competitions & tutoring), Red Inc. (Literary Magazine), Red Rhino Foundation, Republican Club, S.H.O.U.T., School Monitors, Service Work, Step Team, Student Ambassadors, Student Tutoring at Taft, The Annual (Yearbook), The Papyrus (School Newspaper), Tour Guides, United Cultures at Taft, Volunteer Council, Wall and Rock Climbing, Winter Hiking, Writing Tutors, Yoga
Albany Road, Lit Magazine, Alpine Skiing, Amnesty International, Angling Club, Animal Rights Club, Arabic Club, Archery Club, Asian Student Association, Asian Students Association, Ballet, Ballroom Dancing, Basketball, Black Student Alliance, Black Student Coalition, Cheerleaders, Chess, Chinese Club, Chorus, Christian Fellowship, Christian Fellowship Club, Classical Music Society, Classics Club, Community Service, Computer Club, Current Issues Speakers Club, Dance, Debate Forum, Deerfield Scroll, Diversity Club, Environmental Action Group, Fire Department Volunteers, Fly Fishing Club, Food Club, Knitting, Poetry Night, Residence Hall Student Government, Ski/Snowboarding, Yearbook