Our students accomplish so much throughout their academic careers on the Hilltop. They are challenged, they are inspired, and they grow. They discover their interests and have the opportunity to explore them. But before any of that can happen, they need the proper foundation.

To enroll in advanced classes, students must take charge of their own success by refining their time management, organization, and study skills. They must establish positive health habits, care for their wellbeing, and know when and how to ask for help. But they don’t need to figure these things out alone. They learn all these things and more in our Freshman Foundations Program every Sunday night during the fall term.

Established by Director of Wellbeing Erin Fisher, Freshman Foundations connects Pomfret's ninth-grade students with the faculty from the Collaborative Learning Center, Humanities program, and du Pont Library. This holistic approach is designed to help students develop the tools they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally at Pomfret.

"I believe Freshman Foundations is an essential program for our youngest students as they navigate the transition into high school and living independently, away from home — many for the first time," says Fisher. "We focus on helping develop foundational skills and habits that help them thrive in all facets of their life at Pomfret."

The first session of the Freshman Foundations Program is dedicated to introducing students to the various resources and supports available at Pomfret. This includes their Form Dean Katie Forrestal, advisors, dorm parents and prefects, coaches and teachers, and the Counseling Office. The session also focuses on building healthy habits to support students' wellbeing. To provide a firsthand perspective, members of the junior class share their experiences and insights.

"When I arrived at Pomfret as a freshman, I quickly realized that I lacked the study skills necessary for academic success. Through my participation in the Freshman Foundations program, I learned effective study techniques and organizational strategies that transformed my approach to learning," says Fallon DeNapoli ’26. "I discovered the importance of studying at my desk rather than in my bed, and many other simple but impactful habits that have made a huge difference in my everyday life at Pomfret. Now, as a junior, I continue to apply the skills I gained from the program."

The second session, held after classes are fully underway, addresses executive functioning skills. In order to combat any possible long-term procrastination and exercise discipline and self-regulation, Director of Learning Support Marc St Laurent offers time management tips, including the use of a planner, goal setting, and developing a routine.

As the sessions progress, the freshmen learn about the brain and effective study strategies, AI and academic honesty, and digital wellbeing. They practice note-taking and annotating and participate in a writing workshop. During the program's final session, which is held before the freshmen prepare to take their first signature assessment, they receive guidance on test-taking strategies and presentation skills.

"This wonderful program helps freshmen hit the ground running by connecting them with the key resources and the people they can turn to for support right from the start, setting them up for success," says Form Dean and English Teacher Katie Forrestal. "In addition to helping students build strong organizational and study skills, the program emphasizes wellbeing, encouraging students to prioritize both physical and mental health so they can thrive as humans."

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