More than
just academics, Avon Old
Farms builds character in its students
By Monica Vanover on September 17, 2025
Cameron Andrews arrived at Avon Old Farms in 2016, as a freshman with a budding interest in engineering and technology. The private school, located in Avon, Conn., fed that curiosity with cutting-edge resources — a robotics program, computer science and technology courses, an independent study project exploring mobile app development with teachers and industry experts, and a field trip to Lockheed Martin, where he successfully applied for a summer internship following graduation. Today, Andrews is an engineer working in applied AI research for Microsoft in Seattle.
Andrews credits Avon Old Farms for providing the foundation upon which his early professional success was built. But, he says, that’s only one way his four years at Avon shaped his life and who he is today.
“Avon Old Farms played a major role in my personal growth by not only giving me the freedom to dive deep into my interests, but also by encouraging me to explore new passions,” says Andrews. “They created an environment where I stepped outside of my comfort zone every day. I engaged with my teachers and peers in a much more personal way to explore new ideas. And I learned to take smart risks and seize opportunities — all habits I’ve carried into my personal and professional life.”
"Avon Old Farms played a major role in my personal growth by not only giving me the freedom to dive deep into my interests, but also by encouraging me to explore new passions."
Cameron Andrews, Avon Old Farms Alumnus
An Immersive Experience
This all-boys boarding school in the Farmington Valley of Connecticut also prides itself on building students’ character as well as their professional skillset and resume. In other words, Avon Old Farms strives to graduate well-rounded adults who not only succeed in their careers — but who also flourish in life.
“You don’t just come here to get good grades and move on,” says Patrick Miller, Dean of Enrollment at Avon Old Farms and an alum (Class of ’07). “The real education happens at night and on weekends. We push our students to get involved and find their own fun, encourage them to uphold their duty to their fellow students and community in a supportive, structured environment. There’s more growth outside of the classroom.”
Avon Old Farms strives to graduate well-rounded adults who not only succeed in their careers — but who also flourish in life.
“Teachers go out of their way to involve themselves in the lives of the students,” says Miller. “As a student, you quickly realize the teachers care about you. You see them at dinner, at chapel, and in the library. You feel seen. You feel cared for.”
“The school and faculty will encourage and support you along the way, but it’s also on you as the student to take initiative and make the most of the opportunities around you,” adds Andrews. “Avon isn’t a traditional high school, and your teachers are true partners in your success.”
When it comes to extracurricular activities, Avon Old Farms is famous for its athletics, including football, hockey, soccer, lacrosse, and baseball. But the school also excels in the arts, pushing students to express themselves through a top-tier curriculum of music, theater, and visual arts. And students are encouraged to broaden their horizons by trying new things on the field, in the gym, on the stage, or in the studio.
“The boys know that the adults in the Avon community – teachers, staff, administrators, parents – want the boys to be successful at school and try out new things to develop new and different parts of themselves,” say Jessica and Scott Lister, whose son graduated Avon last spring. “The boys also know that their AOF brothers want them to be successful, too. They are genuinely happy for each other as they take on personal challenges. We saw our son be both a quiet leader and a supporting player in many activities at school.”
Building Good Men and Good Brothers
The immersive boarding-school experience of Avon Old Farms is made even more powerful by the Brotherhood of an all-boys school.
“The external perception of an all-boys school is that boys are rough around the edges — but I’ve observed that this environment is actually freeing,” says Rebecca Winsor, Director of Financial Aid, whose brother Charlie graduated from Avon. “They get to be themselves and experience the emotional bond between brothers. They support each other.”
And just because the entire student body is male, doesn’t mean it isn’t diverse. The population of about roughly 400 students have come from 35 states, 24 different countries, and from a wide range of backgrounds. Just by interacting with their classmates, students can get a sense of different cultures and perspectives.
This emphasis on a well-rounded education is formalized in Compass, a journey of character and wellness through classes and workshops. Led by dedicated faculty, administrators, and guest speakers, these sessions cover character, masculinity, brotherhood, health, wellness, diversity, equity & inclusion, and college preparedness. A key part of Avon’s overarching mission, Compass programming educates, models, and fosters the values of being a good man and a good brother, such as integrity, loyalty, responsibility, humility, resilience, adaptability, and commitment.
“It’s about finding who you are, making connections, and formalizing these soft, social skills,” says Miller. “It’s an education outside of calculus, U.S. history, or engineering, giving you the skills, habits, and tools to succeed in life beyond school.”
But, Miller says the best way to understand the Avon Old Farms difference is to experience it for yourself. It’s easy to read about something, but seeing it in person brings all of the talk to life. Upcoming Open Houses will be held on October 13 and November 4 (you can RSVP for either here). Attendees tour the campus and facilities, meet students and faculty, and get a sense of the time-honored traditions of this special place that has built hundreds of successful careers — and just as many successful men.
SPONSORED BY AVON OLD FARMS SCHOOL
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At Avon Old Farms, students can pursue interests and responsibilities outside of the standard school day because, for them, the learning never really ends. Avon is a boarding school, a beautiful 860-acre campus where boys study, play, work, reflect, and live together, 24 hours a day.
But students say this boarding school experience is not disciplinary — it’s liberating. It provides the balance and freedom that most don’t get until they go to college.
“Avon offers a special experience for boys and that’s independence,” says Aaron Aryee, a three-year Avon boarder who graduated in 2014. “With that independence comes responsibility. The earlier you learn how to manage your time, your commitments, and more importantly your choices, the more rewarding your experience will be.”
Academics, of course, are paramount. But at Avon, students do more than just turn in homework and essays and take tests and move on. Each student has an advisor (each advisor only oversees four to six students), with whom they meet on a daily basis. In addition, teachers also act as advisors, applauding them when they go above and beyond, gently letting them know when they think the pupil isn’t meeting expectations or potential, and helping them when they struggle, in the classroom or outside.
“The boys know that the adults in the Avon community – teachers, staff, administrators, parents – want the boys to be successful at school and try out new things to develop new and different parts of themselves."
Jessica and Scott Lister,
son graduated Avon last spring
