Master Plan: Shaping Suffield’s Future

Suffield is an academically challenging, nurturing school with an intentional program for between 410 and 420 students. A strategic plan endorsed by the Board of Trustees in October 2018 articulates Suffield’s goals for the student enrollment, academic program, school culture, and resource development. It marks the most recent step in planning for Suffield's future and follows the completion two extensive Campus Master Plans executed between 2007 and 2017. These was made possible by fundraising of more than $120 million.

New facilities were constructed for academics, athletics, the arts, college counseling, residential life, health services, yoga and mindfulness, dining, and student life. Below is a summary of the 2018 Strategic Plan, the 2011 and 2007 Campus Master Plans, and more brief history about school’s development.

2018 Strategic Plan

A Strategic Plan for Suffield—2018 Onward helps shape the school’s direction and future decision making. It was crafted over a full year with input from trustees, faculty, alumni, students, and parents. It has four sections: (1) enrollment; (2) school culture; (3) academic programs; (4) finances and development. Features include a desired student enrollment target (410-420), embracing a range of academic profiles, sustaining commitments to several school traditions, having a student-centered and encouraging culture, and a focus on recruiting, supporting, and evaluating a talented faculty that is involved in all parts of school life. The plan outlines goals for academics, athletics, the arts, and the school’s focus on college counseling and leadership development. It also speaks to the goal of aggressively maintaining an outstanding physical plant.

Master Plan History

List of 7 frequently asked questions.

  • + Campus Master Plan: 2011–2017

    The eight major campus master plan were funded entirely by gifts to Suffield. Goals of the plan were to remove vehicles from the core of the campus, and modernize and expand various facilities. Projects included Hoffman College Counseling Center, Holcomb Science Center, Stiles Walk, a perimeter road on the northern tip of campus, an expanded Brewster Hall, Brodie Hall, a renovation of Holmes Field to include synthetic turf and lights, and the new Memorial Building academic center.

  • + 2006–2010

    A capital campaign—The Time is Now—raised more than $30 million. The campaign increased Suffield’s endowment and helped achieve two strategic goals for the campus: consolidating campus on the west side of Main Street, and creating distinctive quadrangles for academics and residential life. Projects included Tisch Field House, Guttag Music Center, the Williams Performing Arts Studio, Rockwell Hall, a new health center, and a synthetic turf field.

  • + 2004

    Charles Cahn III became Suffield’s Headmaster. Charlie’s tenure has been marked by significant increases in the applicant pool and fundraising, and a dramatic strengthening of Suffield’s position in the independent school world.

  • + 1992

    David Holmes ’60 was named Suffield's Headmaster. He partnered with Board President and Suffield classmate Bill Kotchen ’60 to reinvigorate the school. The academic and residential quadrangles were established and several facilities were constructed including Tremaine Arts Center, the Kotchen Quad Dormitories, Courtney Robinson ’88 Outdoor Leadership Center, and Centurion Hall.

  • + 1952

    The trustees hired a talented leader, Appleton Seaverns. It was during Ap’s tenure as headmaster (1952 to 1972) that Suffield Academy was essentially built.

  • + 1939

    A public high school opened in town and Suffield Academy’s future was jeopardized.

  • + 1833

    Suffield initially opened as the Connecticut Literary Institute. The school served as the town of Suffield’s secondary school with a small boarding population.

How Can I Contribute?

For more information please contact Headmaster Cahn at ccahn@suffieldacademy.org or Director of Development Phil Riegel ’87 at priegel@suffieldacademy.org

Recently Completed Campus Projects

Suffield Academy   185 North Main Street   Suffield, Connecticut 06078   Phone 860.386.4400  |  Fax 860.386.4411