Academics
Lasting Power
The intellectual tools students sharpen every day at Canterbury will empower them in college and far beyond.
AT CANTERBURY, YOU WILL DEVELOP THE SKILLS MOST ESSENTIAL TO MEETING FUTURE CHALLENGES AND SUCCEEDING IN COLLEGE. These start with critical thinking, excellence in writing, and a solid foundation in digital literacy. All are skills best taught the way Canterbury teaches them: in small, interactive classes, where you have the chance to make progress through practice, with individual feedback and guidance. Learning at Canterbury combines discussion and discovery in the classroom with hands-on projects and problem-solving beyond class—whether you are inventing in the Maker Space, crafting a research paper in the Writing Lab, building cardboard boats for an engineering competition in the swimming pool, or heading to Montana for a summer project combining ecology and leadership-building.
As the parents of three Canterbury graduates, we believe in Canterbury and all that it encompasses. We believe in the robust and challenging curriculum and have been witness to the impact of the individualized care, attention and daily structure given to our students in preparing them for university. We love the sense of purpose and community that is instilled in everyone you meet on campus, and we are grateful and happy to be a part of this family.
Janine and Tony Capanna, P ’14, ’17, ’21
Our Classrooms
All our classrooms are equipped with interactive SMART Boards and the latest in JTouch technology. Our teachers use this technology to enhance the learning experience and promote interactive classroom experiences. Our brand new, 22,000-square-foot Steers Center includes highly flexible classroom spaces to accommodate a wide variety of teaching and learning styles. The building also houses our Coleman Digital Media Lab and Innovation & Design Lab, state-of-the-art spaces that inspire our students' creativity and digital literacy.
Our Teachers
At Canterbury, the relationship between teacher and student is the foundation of everything we do. It is a relationship built on trust and mutual respect, and it is a powerful force inspiring learning and personal growth. Such strong relationships are possible here because of our small size. When the average class size is just 12, each teacher can know every student and his or her individual strengths and needs. These relationships are also possible because of the teachers Canterbury attracts: more than 70 percent hold advanced degrees, and all are dedicated mentors, deeply committed to the success of their students.
Our Students
Our students are offered many choices throughout their four years of study. Honors courses are available beginning in the Third Form, and AP courses are available in all disciplines, including music and studio art. In 2020-21, 42 students earned AP Scholars designation, with 5 students achieving the designation of AP Scholar with Honor and 22 AP Scholars with Distinction. Additionally, more than 40 percent of our Fifth and Sixth Form students are taking dual-enrollment classes offered through Syracuse University Project Advance, wherein they earn college credits while fulfilling their Canterbury curriculum requirements.
We serve and challenge students at a range of levels, including the very highest. We typically have 80 or more students each year taking calculus or courses beyond it.
— Suzanne Roberts, Associate Head of School, Academics