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Leadership may seem like an ephemeral quality, but alumni and faculty of Salisbury School know otherwise. The all-boys preparatory school in Northwest Connecticut has been developing future leaders for nearly 125 years. Salisbury understands the key to developing successful leaders is intentional programming, mentorship, and service opportunities that mold a confident, capable, and compassionate young man.
Building the “Salisbury Gentleman” is the throughline of Salisbury’s character-driven, college prep education. Beginning in Third Form — the Hilltop’s designation for ninth grade — a Salisbury Knight is given every opportunity to lead as he receives individualized support from Salisbury faculty and student mentors. It’s no surprise that over one-third of the Salisbury student body holds a position of leadership. Form Representatives, Dorm Prefects, Orientation Leaders, and team captains, among many other positions, all embody how leadership is a natural extension of character.
These opportunities serve the larger goal of a Salisbury education: graduating men of character who are prepared to meet the challenges of college and beyond. It’s here that the Salisbury advantage lies. This is education with a higher purpose. It’s one that prioritizes the growth of young men who are poised to lead, instilling within them a strong moral compass. Parents looking for a secondary school that prepares a boy to thrive in any environment can count on a Salisbury education to deliver.
Acclimating to life on the Hilltop as a Third Former is both rewarding and challenging. The Third Form Knight Life Program is designed to help the youngest Knights quickly connect to Salisbury’s values and community. As part of Salisbury’s individualized support programming, Knight Life uses small, faculty-led group sessions where third formers engage directly with some of Salisbury’s finest student leaders through impactful conversations.
Knight Life is centered on the bonds of brotherhood. Using reflective methods such as open discussion and the critical friends protocol (a collaborative learning approach meant to help students develop strong communication and relationship skills) third formers learn important aspects of Salisbury school and personal life. How much sleep is important? How much should I study? What should I do when I’m feeling overwhelmed? Receiving answers to these important questions by mentors and faculty builds trust and unlocks a young man’s potential.
The importance of the Third Form Seminar is its ability to meet incoming boys where they are. The program recognizes that boys enter high school at different degrees of readiness, both academically and socially. One of the advantages of an all-boys education is being able to teach and socialize young men in an environment conducive to community rather than one-upmanship. Competition is important — look no further than Salisbury’s rigorous and wide-ranging athletics program. But true brotherhood is born of being in service of one another.
Ultimately that’s what Third Form Seminar is about: teaching, practicing, and mastering the skills, attitudes, and behaviors that prepare a young man to be a leader in college and throughout the rest of his life. It’s a journey that begins from day one on the Hilltop.
SPONSORED BY SALISBURY SCHOOL
-Bobby Wynne '22 (Hon.), P'19, Associate Head of School
Sponsored by Salisbury School
The Connecticut Boys’ Boarding School That Has Been Developing Leaders for Nearly 125 Years
Knight Life: Unlocking every Young Man's Potential
“Through athletic competition, our students develop the qualities of commitment, self-confidence, self-discipline, perseverance and sportsmanship.”
By Ryann Swift on October 24, 2025
The Knight Life Program for Third Formers is one part of a holistic approach to building confidence, character, and college readiness in a young man. In addition to acclimating a nascent Knight to the School’s values and community, the journey towards becoming a Salisbury Gentleman begins in the Third Form Seminar. Coordinated in partnership between the Rudd Learning Center, the Deans' Office, the Academic Office, and the Campus Life Office, this comprehensive year-long program is the foundation for a successful first year on the Hilltop.
The Seminar features speakers from all departments who offer advice on the skills and strategies for academic success, plus wisdom that speaks to leadership and character. Values like loyalty, honor and respect for others and oneself are reinforced through heartfelt talks on school culture, academic readiness, and life skills.
For over a century, Salisbury School has been doing right by boys. Intentional programming, a strong athletics program, immersive arts with state-of-the art media, and individualized education create the Salisbury Gentleman, a young man of character who’s prepared to lead. With a $100+ million endowment, Salisbury School is building momentum in student development and campus innovation like never before.
There’s never been a better time to become a Knight at Salisbury, where tradition meets transformation. Inquire and apply at SalisburySchool.org.
“Fostering this growth mindset among our student-athletes ultimately leads to a positive experience on The Hilltop and cultivates an optimism and confidence important for success throughout life.”
-Tim Sinclair '91, Director of Athletics
Building the Salisbury Gentleman
Leadership may seem like an ephemeral quality, but alumni and faculty of Salisbury School know otherwise. The all-boys preparatory school in Northwest Connecticut has been developing future leaders for nearly 125 years. Salisbury understands the key to developing successful leaders is intentional programming, mentorship, and service opportunities that mold a confident, capable, and compassionate young man.
Building the “Salisbury Gentleman” is the throughline of Salisbury’s character-driven, college prep education. Beginning in Third Form — the Hilltop’s designation for ninth grade — a Salisbury Knight is given every opportunity to lead as he receives individualized support from Salisbury faculty and student mentors. It’s no surprise that over one-third of the Salisbury student body holds a position of leadership. Form Representatives, Dorm Prefects, Orientation Leaders, and team captains, among many other positions, all embody how leadership is a natural extension of character.
These opportunities serve the larger goal of a Salisbury education: graduating men of character who are prepared to meet the challenges of college and beyond. It’s here that the Salisbury advantage lies. This is education with a higher purpose. It’s one that prioritizes the growth of young men who are poised to lead, instilling within them a strong moral compass. Parents looking for a secondary school that prepares a boy to thrive in any environment can count on a Salisbury education to deliver.
Acclimating to life on the Hilltop as a Third Former is both rewarding and challenging. The Third Form Knight Life Program is designed to help the youngest Knights quickly connect to Salisbury’s values and community. As part of Salisbury’s individualized support programming, Knight Life uses small, faculty-led group sessions where third formers engage directly with some of Salisbury’s finest student leaders through impactful conversations.
Knight Life is centered on the bonds of brotherhood. Using reflective methods such as open discussion and the critical friends protocol (a collaborative learning approach meant to help students develop strong communication and relationship skills) third formers learn important aspects of Salisbury school and personal life. How much sleep is important? How much should I study? What should I do when I’m feeling overwhelmed? Receiving answers to these important questions by mentors and faculty builds trust and unlocks a young man’s potential.
The importance of the Third Form Seminar is its ability to meet incoming boys where they are. The program recognizes that boys enter high school at different degrees of readiness, both academically and socially. One of the advantages of an all-boys education is being able to teach and socialize young men in an environment conducive to community rather than one-upmanship. Competition is important — look no further than Salisbury’s rigorous and wide-ranging athletics program. But true brotherhood is born of being in service of one another.
Ultimately that’s what Third Form Seminar is about: teaching, practicing, and mastering the skills, attitudes, and behaviors that prepare a young man to be a leader in college and throughout the rest of his life. It’s a journey that begins from day one on the Hilltop.