Through a combination of dorm-based discussions and activities, Connect4 seeks to establish a consistent vocabulary, skill set and framework of support for students and faculty as they navigate the challenges of high school together. In particular, Connect4 focuses on the development of self-awareness, humility and empathy.
History and Themes
Connect4 was established through Deerfield’s strategic plan Imagine Deerfield in an attempt to be more deliberate and intentional about residential life. It is guided by two fundamental questions: “What do we expect students to contribute to our unique residential environment?” and “What do we want students to gain for having lived in our dorms/for having lived here?”
To lend Connect4 coherence, it focuses on a single theme each year. This year, 9th graders are focusing on “connection.” The program will continue on to address “identity,” “leadership,” and “legacy.”
Just hours after their arrival on campus, 9th graders travel to Camp Becket in the Berkshires for a Connect4 retreat. Their 24 hours away together — in cabins on the shores of Center Lake — fosters long-term connectedness and inclusivity and serves as an exciting springboard to their Deerfield experiences.
Four Residential Heads lead the Connect4 program at Deerfield. They are: