Forman School facts for kids

The Forman School is a special school in Litchfield, Connecticut. It is a boarding and day school for students in grades 9 to 12. It also offers a year after high school for students who want to continue their studies. This school is unique because it focuses on helping students with learning differences. These differences can include ADD/ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and dyslexia (a learning difficulty that affects reading). Forman School helps prepare students for college. They also have a four-week summer program in July for students with learning differences.

History of Forman School

How the School Started

The Forman School was started in 1930 by John and Julie Ripley Forman. They began with just three students. These students had found it hard to succeed in regular school settings. The Formans wanted to create a place where these students could learn and thrive.

Helping Students Learn Differently

Over the years, the school grew. It became a special high school for students who learn in different ways. In recent times, all students accepted to college from Forman School had learning differences. These often included dyslexia, attention deficit disorders (ADHD), and problems with executive function (skills like planning and organizing).

The Formans were dedicated to finding the best ways to help their students. They worked with Samuel Orton, a leader in teaching reading. He helped them figure out how to teach the basics of reading. The school created a special English department. They used the Orton-Gillingham method to teach reading sounds. The school even received money from the Rockefeller Foundation to study how to teach reading better.

Famous Connections

John Forman knew Professor Albert Einstein, who also had some learning difficulties. Because of this friendship, Einstein joined the Forman School's group of academic advisors early on. After John Forman passed away, Julie asked her brother, Dillon Ripley, to join the school's board. Ripley later became the head of the Smithsonian Institution for 20 years.

In the 1980s, Time magazine wrote about Forman School. They highlighted its success in helping people with dyslexia. The New York Times also featured the school. They wrote about its special curriculum in the 1980s. In the 1990s, they wrote about the school's project in the Costa Rican Rainforest.

School Leadership

Mark B. Perkins was the head of Forman School from 1995 to 2008. He helped make the school stronger. He also built a great student community and competitive sports teams. In 2008, Adam K. Man became the new head of school. More recently, in July 2024, Amy Clemons started her time as the Head of School.

Athletics at Forman

Sports are a very important part of life at Forman School. All students can choose to play on a competitive team. They can also join a recreational sport just for fun. Forman teams play against other schools in the Housatonic Valley Athletic League and the Hudson Valley Athletic League.

Forman School uses a special "teacher/coach" model. This means that teachers also coach sports teams. This helps teachers understand and support students even more. It has been shown to help students succeed and feel more confident in both school and sports. All coaches at Forman are certified by the Positive Coaching Alliance.

Sports Offered

• Alpine ski team
• Baseball
• Softball
• Basketball
• Crew (rowing)
• Cross-country running
• Dance
• Equestrian (horse riding)
• Football
• Golf
• Sailing
• Ice hockey
• Kayaking
• Lacrosse
• Recreational skiing
• Rock climbing
• Snowboarding
• Soccer
• Tennis
• Ultimate frisbee
• Volleyball
• Wrestling

Notable People

Alumni

• Mitchell Block, an Academy Award-winning producer and nominated filmmaker.
• David Rublin, the bass player for the band American Authors.
• John Seward Johnson II, a famous bronze sculptor.
• Blake Miller, a professional lacrosse player for the Long Island Lizards.

Former Faculty

• Joe Bouchard, a founding member of the band Blue Öyster Cult.