It was a picture-perfect fall weekend on the Hilltop as families returned for Family Weekend. The sun was shining, the campus was buzzing, and the sense of connection among students, teachers, and families was everywhere you looked.

Festivities began with a Welcome Reception hosted by the Pomfret Parent Executive Council, where families mingled with Head of School Heather Willis Daly and their students’ form deans. The next morning, Daly shared updates on competency-based learning, NEASC accreditation, and early decision applications during her Head of School Update. "It's been an amazing start to the year. I hope you all are coming away with a sense of excitement and a sense of the possibilities for your children here at Pomfret," she said. "They have the opportunity to learn in an environment tailored to who they are — one that offers incredible possibilities and a faculty who encourages them to take risks and grow into who they’re meant to become."  

Throughout the weekend, more than 1,000 conferences gave families the chance to meet with teachers, advisors, and college counselors to discuss student growth and progress. Between meetings, they dropped into classes and explored the Hilltop.

“This is the best day of my life,” one parent said with a smile, summing up the joyful spirit of the weekend.

A highlight of Family Weekend was the college counseling programming. The W.P. Carey Lecture featured Mike Drish, executive director of undergraduate admissions at Vanderbilt University, who offered his insights into the holistic college admissions process. “Holistic admissions means looking at all of the pieces together — the whole person — not just the GPA, not just leadership, not just a recommendation letter," he shared. We’re learning about someone, not judging them.” The guidance continued Saturday morning with workshops and a panel discussion on the college search, athletic recruiting, and financial planning. In the afternoon, families with representatives from nearly fifty colleges and universities.

During their weekend on the Hilltop, families got a first look at The Gallery in the Jahn Reading Room, which debuted ’Til Now — an exhibition of student work from painting and drawing, ceramics, photography, and graphic design classes. Outside the Jahn, the Certificate Program Showcase highlighted innovative projects that blend curiosity and creativity. Later that evening, the Performing Arts Showcase brought the crowd to their feet as students shared their talents in music, theater, and dance.

After lining the sidelines and cheering on their Griffins, families enjoyed time together over the Long Fall Weekend. Students returned to the Hilltop after some well-deserved time off, refreshed and ready to return to the classroom for the second half of the Fall term.

“It was a joy to welcome families back to the Hilltop for Family Weekend,” said Daly. “I enjoyed mingling with parents during the opening reception of our new art gallery and cheering during Friday’s Performing Arts Showcase and Saturday’s athletic contests.”
 

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