Deerfield Academy,MA
Deerfield Academy is an elite private, coeducational boarding school located in Deerfield, Massachusetts, United States. It is a four-year college-preparatory school with approximately 600 students and about 100 faculty, all of whom live on or near campus.
Deerfieldis a member of the Eight Schools Association (ESA), begun informally in 1973-74 and formalized in 2006. Deerfield is also a member of the Ten Schools Admissions Organization, founded in 1966. There is a seven-school overlap of membership between the two groups. Deerfield is additionally a member of the G20 Schools group.
In 2007, Deerfield's endowment was valued at $415 million, or roughly $680,000 per student. For the 2010-2011 school year, boarding tuition was $43,800 and day student tuition was $31,400. There is also an additional mandatory $910 book fee, a $675 technology fee and a $390 ($165 for day students) infirmary fee bringing the total to $45,775 for boarders and $33,150 for day students.
A favorite tradition of Deerfield students occurs on the Sunday of commencement at the end of the year; the night when the graduating senior class has left campus. On this Sunday, the Deerfield students gather on the lower fields and celebrate the school, as well as the coming year, with a bonfire. This event is also the place of the debut of the new Captain Deerfield.
Another tradition, also a favorite of the students, are the events the night before "Choate Day"; the final day of the fall athletics season when arch rivals Deerfield and Choate play each other in every sport, at every level. In the Main Auditorium, the Deerfield Cheerleaders put on various skits mocking the other schools that Deerfield plays. Also included are speeches by Mr. Morsman, the spirit of Deerfield, Captain Deerfield,the step team, and the Head Cheerleader. Also, in the athletic building the seal of Deerfield Academy is surrounded by students so the members of the Choate teams will not step on it. After the events in the Main Auditorium are finished, the students rush down to the lower fields, where they are awaited by a bonfire, at the top of which rests a burning "C" (Choate). Captain Deerfield, the cheer leaders, and the Varsity Sports teams captains rile up the students with many Deerfield chants.