T H E D E L B A R T O N E X P E R I E N C E

“...that here, we belong.”

DELBARTON SCHOOL • 230 MENDHAM ROAD • MORRiSTOwN, NJ 07960(973) 538-3231 • www.DELBARTON.ORg

How do we sayDELBARTON?Challenge your brain. Push your body. Draw, act, write. Be bold, be inspired. Be exactly who you are only better. And be among friends, for these are yourbrothers. Treasure your time here becausethis is not just another pretty place. This is an experience… The Delbarton Experience.

“Together!”

“A man’s homeland is wherever he prospers.”

Aristophanes 540 BC – 388 BC

Old Main

The blue granite mansion at the heart of the Delbarton campus completed in 1883 as the summerretreat of wealthy banker Luther Kountze and his family.

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Welcome to the DelbartonExperienceFor every young man who walked under the Delbarton arch,

there is a unique Delbarton Experience.

Yet Delbarton graduates share one thing in common: They have

a deep and abiding love for this place. Recent grads bring college

friends back to Delbarton campus for tours…Alumni return for

reunions and receptions…Delbarton parents stay connected long

after their sons have graduated…When members of our community

are hurting we join together to support them. In an age of speed

and change, this immutable bond that keeps Delbarton people

connected is what we call progress.

“I love teaching at

Delbarton. The boys are

so motivated to do their

best and they enjoy

being challenged —

exactly what every

teacher hopes for.”

Katie Schroeder

The name “Delbarton”

Luther Kountze named his country estate “Delbarton,” using a syllable from his children’s names:William Delancey, Barclay Ward, and Helen Livingston Kountze.

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A Brief History ofHeaven on EarthOur four hundred acre campus in the heart of western New Jersey

was named for the vacation estate of Luther Kountze. Purchased

by the Order of St. Benedict in 1926, the School was originally

established as a house of theological studies and in 1939 the

monks founded Delbarton as a college prep boarding school.

The School graduated its first class in 1948 and switched to a

day school in the late 1970’s. Of course, nothing about education is

new to the Benedictines who have been in the business for the last

1500 years. Long on tradition and short on trendiness, Delbarton

today remains one of the top independent schools in the nation yet

stays faithful to its original mission of educating the whole person

on an extraordinarily beautiful piece of God’s green earth.

The CampusDelbarton is located in Morris Township on Mendham Road,

three miles west of the historic Morristown Green and thirty

miles west of New York City. The four hundred acre campus

has four academic buildings, including a 24,000 square foot

science pavilion and a 36,000 square foot Fine Arts Center.

With four science labs, six computer labs, one language lab,

and a library of over 25,000 volumes, it’s little wonder why

our young men become young scholars. The school facilities

act as intellectual gymnasiums, enticing and challenging students’

capacities and imaginations. And because these academic buildings

line the perimeter of our bucolic formal garden, they constitute

the physical and

symbolic heart of

who we are.

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The Senior Garden

A formal Italian garden, constructed in the 1890s, with statuary dating from the Roman Empire. At its center is a tempting fountain that makes warm spring days difficult for guys withimagination (i.e. every Delbarton student). Entry into the garden may be reserved as a seniorprivilege, but for all students this unique privilege is a meaningful rite of passage, a doorwaythrough the Delbarton Experience.

The Senior Commons

A lounge in Old Main reserved for seniors, connected to the offices of the senior GuidanceDepartment and always abuzz with talk, music, food, chess boards, college guidebooks and, ofcourse, lounge chairs.

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The Delbarton Tie

Instead of a cap andgown, at Delbartongraduation each seniorproudly wears a tieembroidered with theSchool seal and motto.

Open Your MindDelbarton is not a quiet place. Debates, discussions, lectures and

laughter are in the air. If you’re intellectually curious, if you like to

learn, if you don’t mind sharing your ideas, you’ll fit right in here.

The Delbarton Experience is accessible to all qualified students,

regardless of their ability to pay, and our students come from over

one hundred public, parochial and independent schools throughout

New Jersey. What do they have in common? Open minds, the desire

to achieve alongside their Delbarton brothers, and a genuine

respect for one another.

The Ties That BindHow do you quantify the Delbarton Experience? Through

relationships forged over a lifetime. Our alumni magazine,

Delbarton Today, shows photos from Baptisms to Best

Men where alums are surrounded by

classmates. In fact, we are proud to lead

independent schools nationally in the

percentage of alumni who support the School

financially. At every level, in every way,

Delbarton inspires active

involvement by forging deep

connections among its students,

faculty, alumni, current parents,

and parents of graduates.

“We arebrothers from differentmothers.”

Kenneth Nyameyke ’10

Guiding PrinciplesHonesty, integrity, and respect for others are foundations of the

Delbarton Experience. Newcomers are often struck by the fact

that School regulations, academic and social, are relatively few. The

underlying understanding is that each boy, entering with others

into a common educational enterprise, shares responsibility with

peers and faculty for developing standards which contribute to

the entire community. Each class has a moderator charged with

advising and assisting the group’s members. The moderator knows

each boy well and works closely with him, particularly during

difficult and challenging times in his growth. Every boy is also

assigned a guidance counselor to help with course selection,

college entrance requirements, and the student’s particular

interests. Individual and group conferences are also held regularly

to discuss academic and personal growth. The bottom line is that

nobody falls through the cracks here.

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“That government is best which governs the least, because its people

discipline themselves.”Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)

A Del Aside…TimeManagementOne thing you willlearn at Delbarton istime management.Our attitude can besummed up withthese words: “Get itdone.” A busy Friday isfollowed by sportspractice, or Scholarehearsal, maybepizza (because mandoes not live by CluckU Chicken alone) anda movie with friends.And set your alarm fortomorrow’s game.You’re either a playeror a fan. See? It canbe done.

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MISSION STATEMENT

Delbarton School, an independent Roman Catholic learning community conducted by the Benedictinemonks of St. Mary’s Abbey with their lay colleagues, welcomes young men in grades 7-12 from diverse backgrounds to pursue excellence, to develop leadership, and to build character by

educating the whole person: mind, body, and spirit.

Lifer

A student who has attended Delbarton from grade seven through twelve. Lifers are no better thana non-lifer — just ask a non-Lifer! — but the label is a source of some pride among those who bearthe distinction. Clearly this was not the case in the early days when Lifers were called “Schnoids”.Note: Eighty percent of Delbarton students are non-Lifers.

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The Middle SchoolThe seventh and eighth graders of our Middle School are fully

integrated into the Upper School, sharing the same facilities and

faculty with the Upperclassmen. Middle School goals are age-

appropriate and reflect, of course, the Delbarton demand for

excellence. And while the Middle Schoolers prepare for the college

prep Upper School curriculum, they are also having a blast. The

younger students are unofficially adopted by the older ones and

make excellent lifting fodder at pep rallies.

(Just kidding, Mom.)

“Brotherhood is

what Delbarton is

all about. I know

that if I follow my

own path in life

I need not look

who is behind me

because I know

my brothers

are there.”

Robert Powell ’08

“I shall foreverbleed green.”

Rob Rooke ’08

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“What makes Delbarton truly special is the sense of camaraderie exhibited by its

students, parents, and alumni - it is a veritable family, a place where members

enthusiastically stay in touch, and continually enrich one another.”

Matt Popper ’04 (Princeton ’08)

Del FactDuring theThanksgiving fooddrive someonesuggested thedeaneries competeagainst each other to see which wouldbring in the mostfood. Did we hear“Free pizza for thewinning deanery”?44,000 pounds offood later, Delbartoncollected enoughstaples to stock theMorristown FoodPantry for anentire year.

The Upper SchoolGrades nine through twelve are college prep, offering a challenging

course of study with the goal of teaching each boy how to listen,

read, think, imagine, speak, debate and write. Communication skills

are emphasized, and a level of comfort in one’s own skin is

encouraged. Afraid of public speaking? You’ll get over that here.

The process begins with respect: respect for one’s teachers, and for

other students. Course work can be intense and often involves

fifteen to twenty hours of outside preparation each week. For

qualified boys in the sophomore, junior and senior years, all

departments offer challenging Advanced Placement options.

Requirements for graduation (other than a highly evolved sense

of humor and a lot of green t-shirts) ) include English (4 years),

Math (4 years), Foreign Language (3 years), Science (3 years),

History (3 years), Religious Studies (8 terms), Fine Arts (5 terms),

Language Arts (1 term), Computer Science (2 terms) and Phys

Ed/Health (4 years).

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Teaching: A Joint VentureThe Delbarton faculty includes Benedictine monks and lay

teachers, men and women with a commitment to draw one thing

from every Delbarton student: their best. The same person who

assigns a paper in AP Euro History runs players through wind

sprints at basketball practice. When faculty members

serve as counselors, moderators, and

coaches, they are in a position to push

boys to develop their whole selves—

mind, body, and spirit. Students embrace

these relationships, so the joint venture

between faculty and students multiplies

the Delbarton Experience.

“He gave us his all, hisfull attention andcommitment, and anunwavering desire tosee us improve andperform our best everyday. This to me is a signof a great educator,whether they areteaching you how torun the bases or howto construct ahydrobromic acid.

Mike Kennedy ’08,

speaking of his

Delbarton chemistry

teacher/baseball coach

M Block

The Delbarton schedule is comprised of blocks. M Block (10:05 -10:35) is a time for students tostudy and seek extra help (all teachers make themselves available at this time). “Meet me at MBlock” is a common Delbarton phrase.

Succisa Virescit (Suc-chis-sa Vir-esh-it)

1. The School motto, from the Book of Job, meaning ‘Once cut down, one will grow back stronger.’ 2. Borrowed from the motto of Monte Cassino, Italian home of the Benedictine Order, rebuilt

five times and site of one of the bloodiest battles in the World War II European theater. 3. Though difficult at first to pronounce, ‘Succisa Virescit’ trips easily off the tongue of every

Delbarton graduate.

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College CounselingDelbarton senior guidance counselors share the list of colleges

attended by Delbarton graduates like proud parents with

treasured photos. Together, counselors and students produce

exceptional results by giving qualified students thoughtful,

informed advice and helping them execute their plans with

integrity and grace. The process begins

during junior year when each boy meets

with his counselor to define and refine

his interests and goals. Next comes a

meeting with student and parents

to clarify realistic expectations

(“Rule #1: everyone is not going

to Harvard next year”) and

specific objectives. During a

student’s final year, guidance is

an ongoing, daily process. The

Senior Commons and the Senior

Guidance Department are

separated by one open door.

Parents stay involved and informed,

and every boy is guided toward a

college that challenges his abilities

and matches his interests.

“One of ourprincipal values inthis partnershipamong theDelbarton faculty,parents, andstudents is communication. Perhaps at no othertime in a boy’s fouror six years atDelbarton iscommunicationmore vital than aswe proceedthrough the collegeselectionexperience. “

Abbot Giles Hayes OSB,Director of Senior

Guidance

Religious ValuesPeople are surprised to learn that one quarter of Delbarton students

are not Catholic. Yet at this unabashedly Benedictine School,

teachings from the Rule of St. Benedict are referenced again and

again. Educating the spirit is our hallmark. The School attracts young

men with open minds and hearts, exposing them to retreats,

religious studies classes, and prayer services that cultivate our

shared Judeo-Christian values. A life of conviction, a habit of respect,

a solid relationship with God and thy neighbor. This is Delbarton.

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“What impresses me now is that Andrew’s three closest friends at Delbarton are

STILL his closest friends, although they are scattered from Boston to San Francisco.

I’ve told Andrew that I believe the Marine Corps was an extension of the Delbarton

hallmark of community, loyalty, and responsibility for your brothers.”

Catherine McVicker, mother of Andrew McVicker ’91

(Major, USAF, formerly USMC)

“The monks are the life

and spirit of this school.

Without their friendship

and guidance, the school

could not raise the type

of young men it does.”

Chris Butterfield ’08

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Write. Draw. Act. Perform.The fine and performing arts flourish at Delbarton. Our Fine

Arts Center, which opened in 2006, symbolizes the School’s

commitment to offering a vital arts program. No student leaves

Delbarton without deep, satisfying exposure to the arts in its many

forms: Five terms are required including a full-year (three terms)

elective course in art, music, drama, or creative writing. Courses in

studio art include drawing, painting, sculpture, film, print-making, and

computer-generated graphic design. The Music Department offers

courses for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students

in the history, appreciation, and theory of music. Instructors are

available to teach voice, piano, organ, classical guitar, harpsichord,

strings, percussion, woodwinds, and brass. Recitals and performances

are held throughout the year by our choral group, Schola Cantorum,

by several a cappella groups, and by our instrumental groups,

including the Brass Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, and

the Abbey Orchestra, whose membership draws from Delbarton

students and from musicians in the surrounding community.

Delbarton’s theater group, the Abbey Players — with assistance

from visiting thespians — stages three theatrical productions

a year, including a musical in the winter and one-act plays in

the spring that are student-written, directed and

performed.

The arts are alive and kicking at Delbarton.

“Delbarton is home, a

sanctuary for me. It has

places for all to go. For

arts, science, sports and

music, people have a

place to be.”

Allen Shih ’09

Run. Throw. Lift. Try.

At Delbarton you get respect for taking risks, for leaving your

comfort zone, for daring to grow. Yes, athletics are in the air here

but you are admired for whatever sport or activity you undertake

…just make sure you do something. We sponsor a variety of sports

with teams ranging from our intramural, middle school, freshmen,

junior varsity, and varsity levels including cross country, soccer,

football, winter track, ice hockey, wrestling, swimming, squash,

basketball, bowling, spring track, baseball, lacrosse, golf and tennis.

And many of our sports programs don’t have cuts.

If athletics are your

thing, you have

come to the right

place. And if they

aren’t, welcome to

the greatest fan zone

in high school sports.

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“The only thing worse than losing is not playing.”

A Del Aside:After a big doubleovertime lacrossewin the Delbartongoalie ran past hisdad who couldn’twait to congratulatehim. “Dad, I don’thave time, I’m late formy wind ensemblepractice!” The teamfinished the seasonranked 5th in thecountry and thegoalie continued his studies at MIT.

The Green Wave

1. Symbol of the Delbarton sports program.2. Rumored to have originated on the monster hill at the Lower Abbey soccer field. 3. A force to be reckoned with. See BraveHeart.

Braveheart

1. From the movie of same name. 2. Delbarton’s BraveHeart is the intimidating sight of the student body rushing downhill faces and

bodies painted green and white, some wearing kilts, others wishing they owned one, chanting‘Wave! Wave! Wave!’ carrying the school flag, tree limbs (but no sharp sticks, Mom).

3. A sight guaranteed to weaken the knees of any opponent. 27

Deanery

1. Delbarton’s deanery system breaks all students into groups of 15 boys under the leadership of twodeans, a senior and a junior.

2. Deaneries organize discussion forums, intramural athletics, and competitions like the DeaneryOlympics.

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ClubsDelbarton has over 40 clubs tailored to the interests of our

highly evolved and involved student body. If we don’t already

have an organization, start your own. One student with a

home-based baking company — his Tart au Poivre was

superb — initiated a Culinary Club. Another fellow interested

in finance created the Green Wave Stock Exchange.Our

student government sponsors social and recreational

events throughout the year, including dances, trips to area

attractions and nearby cities, and concerts and coffee houses

held in conjunction with local girls’ schools.

(Yes, this is an all-boys school. Yes, guys here get to meet

many, many girls.)

“My favorite Delbarton moment was the tricycle

race during Spirit Week. I had heard of how

some people crash, so I made sure I was padded

up pretty well. When we started off, a snowball

immediately hit me; I swerved and crashed.

It was great!”Jack Smith ’11

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Del FactEvery year, 98% ofDelbarton studentsget involved in at leastone service activity.Most guys do multiple serviceprojects, yet unlikemany schools,Delbarton has noservice requirement.We believe in givingback and studentshere do it sincerely,generously, creatively,unselfishly. AndDelbarton studentsaren’t satisfied withthe 30 Delbarton-sponsored groups –often they put their own spin on it, inviting theirbrothers to ‘dressdown’ for a day and donate to a causethey feel stronglyabout.

Ministry and ServiceDelbarton’s faculty-and-

student run Campus

Ministry office

is home to over 30

service projects. The

Delbarton Experience

is a way of life, a way of

giving back. We partner

with local organizations including Big Brothers, Habitat for

Humanity, and the Morristown Soup Kitchen. With no community

service requirement, virtually everyone participates in service

projects each year, affirming the School’s Benedictine message of

educating the mind, body and spirit.

The Campus Ministry office also runs a comprehensive retreat

program. On-campus weekend retreats are required of all freshman

and sophomores, while days of recollection are offered to juniors,

seniors and Middle Schoolers. These programs are exciting breaks

for the boys, allowing them to get away from the daily grind and

reflect on their beliefs and values in relationship to their peers,

their community, and their God.

“To those who have been given much, much is expected.” Luke 14

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Listen carefully, my son, to the master’sinstructions, and attend to them withthe ear of your heart. — Prologue, Rule of St. Benedict

“A man’s homeland iswherever

he prospers.”

DELBARTON FAST FACTS

LOCATION:Morristown, NJ

NUMBER OF TOWNS REPRESENTED:90

NUMBER OF STUDENTS:540, Grades 7-12

NUMBER OF FACULTY: 80

ACCREDITATED BY:Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

APPROVED BY:The Department of Education of the State of New Jersey

MEAN SAT VERBAL AND MATH:1350

NUMBER OF AP COURSES:23

NUMBER OF ARTS PROGRAMS:12

NUMBER OF VARSITY SPORTS:15

NUMBER OF COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS:30 (98% Voluntary Participation)

ALUMNI ANNUAL FUND:48% Participation

FINANCIAL AID:Need-blind Admissions Decisions

Over $1 million in aid given annually

WWee bbeelliieevvee……That God works with us and through us.In the Delbarton motto ‘Succisa Virescit’:

“Once cut down, one will grow back stronger.”In the power of love to help students understand

the potential within themselves.In using our gifts in the service of others.

In the importance of seeking truth, beauty and goodness.In the power of community, where all members are respected and where

we celebrate the accomplishments of one another.In conversation promoting growth and change.

In the importance of instilling and nurturing a lifelong love of learning.In the pursuit of excellence.

That a community centered in participation and conversation provides thefoundation for the development of character and integrity.

……TThhaatt hheerree,, wwee bbeelloonngg..

DELBARTON SCHOOL • 230 MENDHAM ROAD • MORRiSTOwN, NJ 07960(973) 538-3231 • www.DELBARTON.ORg