Positive Momentum: A Great Start to the Sesquicentennial Year

It's clear to see that the 2025-26 academic year is off to an incredible start. Tabor's campus is buzzing with energy, enthusiasm, laughter, and vibrant conversations. Head of School, Tony Jaccaci, remarks that while every year is a great one, our sesquicentennial year is particularly exciting as we “build excitement and a deep understanding of Tabor’s history.” 

Good news is flowing through all corners of campus and member of our senior leadership team have been full of praise for the first month of the year.

Academics

Matt Voci, Interim Dean of Academics notes, “It’s a simple thing, but returning to classes is always a triumph for us. The school comes alive when students engage with their teachers, advisors, coaches, directors, etc.”

In particular, he points to the emphasis on community along with the increased number and quality of person-to-person interactions and connections as a result of Tabor's modified academic schedule and newly established cell phone policy. He also highlights in-classroom wins such as the successful launch of the 10th grade Fundamentals of Health and Wellbeing course and the acceptance of an academic AI policy being incorporated into humanities classes and which focuses on using technology as a copilot in student learning.

Diversity, Equity, and Belonging

RoseMarie Wallace, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging, speaks about the drive to "build a community of true belonging and shared connections."

To that end, in September, the Tabor Boy crew was delighted to welcome aboard a group of students from Nativity Preparatory School in New Bedford along with their Head of School, Tabor alum Christian Garris '05.

In a similar vein, the Tabor One Address Project serves to look at how all of our individual stories connect and intersect at a common address, 66 Spring Street. Tabor welcomed Oman Frame, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at the Paideia School, as the keynote speaker for the project. Utilizing the lens of The Address Book by Deirdre Mask, the project guides faculty, staff, and students in gaining a deeper understanding of who makes up our community, how we dialogue with one another, where we each come from, what stories we carry, and how we co-create a shared culture of belonging.

Arts

Jesse Hawley, Chair of Visual and Performing Arts highlights a number of exciting "new and renewed" programs and projects.

Tabor is kicking off the first year of the "Rock Band" elective under the guidance of Nadine Cunningham and rehearsals are well underway for the Fall Drama Clue, slated to open on November 6 in the Black Box. We are also celebrating the re-vamping and return of Tabor's photo darkroom thanks to photo and video teacher Mike Bodall. The visiting students and faculty from Rysensteen Gymnasium in Copenhagen, Denmark participated in evening ceramics workshops led by Kevin Arnfield. The works will be fired and completed here at Tabor before being delivered back to the students with a visit to Copenhagen in March.

Additionally, as part of the Sesquicentennial celebration, the Tabor 150: Student Art Retrospective, a photo, ceramics, and studio art exhibit, is currently on display in the Braitmayer Art Center, featuring over a century's worth of student artwork.

Athletics

Kelly Walker, Athletic Director, says, “We’ve had a great beginning on the fields, course, and water. It's a great fall to be a part of Seawolf Nation!”

The fall season has been marked with success. Our varsity football team is among the top ranked teams in New England. Our varsity field hockey and volleyball teams both kicked off the season at 3-0, and our boys soccer started the season at 2-0, claiming eight goals over opponents' one. In good news from the waterfront, the Tabor Boy took third place in the Gloucester Schooner Festival and we are thrilled to be sending two crew boats to the Head of the Charles Regatta in mid-October.

Admissions

Eric Long, Director of Enrollment Management, notes that his team is actively working to facilitate the increased interest in our school saying, “There’s a lot of excitement around Tabor. Demand is high and people are eager to see all of the incredible things we have to offer our students and families.”

Through targeted outreach, engaging events, and personalized communication, Tabor was able to fill every bed for the start of this school year, and inquiries and applications are already exceeding what we had at this time last year. The admissions team is out on the road in full force, and over the course of the first ten weeks, admission representatives will be visiting 10 countries and 14 states. September's open house welcomed more than 100 families to campus. The success of the season not only reflects the school’s growing reputation but also sets the stage for an exciting and dynamic year ahead.

Advancement

Stephen Ginter, Director of Advancement says, “Our team is always eager to welcome alumni, families, past faculty, and friends back to campus! We’ve been making a lot of intentional moves to ensure a positive student and alumni experience.”

In particular, the Advancement Office has moved its headquarters to Dexter House with a beautifully renovated alumni meeting room and office space closer to the center of campus.

Additionally, the Travis Roy Fellowship Fund, one of Tabor’s new endowed funds, was established to support students who are most in need of financial support to ensure a positive student experience. This fund has already been used to support the purchase of extra sweaters, sport coats, and ties for students to use for Chapel and formal dress days, prom photos, and other necessary items.

The positive momentum already building on campus is invigorating. From strong community connections to academic milestones and intentional plans for future growth, these early successes have set a hopeful and energetic tone for the months ahead. A promising start is just the beginning of what’s sure to be an extraordinary year.