Secondary School Counseling

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Our Secondary School Counseling program has been thoughtfully designed for our VIIth Form (9th Grade) students. We begin working closely with each family in the Spring Term of the VIth Form (8th Grade) year, aiming to find the best possible fit for each graduate to continue growing in mind, body, and character. Our collaborative approach involves students, families, teachers, and secondary school admission officers to ensure our graduates experience the most rewarding secondary school years possible.

Rumsey offers workshops for students and parents that delve into various aspects of the secondary school admission process. We conduct meetings in large and small groups, as well as individually, to assess the strengths, talents, and needs of each family. Our emphasis lies in personalized advising and guidance.

To maintain a comprehensive understanding of secondary school cultures and expectations, we visit over thirty schools annually, and more than fifty secondary schools from across the country regularly visit our campus. With relationships spanning over 112 years, we take pride in the continued success of our graduates in their secondary school endeavors.

Rumsey students are uniquely prepared for the secondary school search, consistently earning places at the most prestigious secondary schools nationwide.

Clayton Ketchum, Director of Secondary School Counseling

Clayton Ketchum

Director of Secondary School Counseling

Clayton is a graduate of The Hill School, Pottstown, PA and St. Lawrence University where he majored in English Literature. He earned his Masters in Liberal Studies with a focus on Humanities at Wesleyan University.

Previous to being responsible for Secondary School counseling and placement, he was the Dean of Students for 20 of his 26 years at Rumsey Hall. Clayton lives on campus with his wife Claire, and both his children, son Tobias ‘14 and daughter Elyse ‘17, are Rumsey Hall graduates.

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Secondary Schools

Admissions and school representatives from over 50 schools across the country regularly visit our campus

Acceptance & Matriculation Lists

Matriculation

Rumsey Hall students go on to attend a wide range of distinguished secondary schools.

The list below reflects placements at U.S. private secondary schools over the past several years.

Avon Old Farms School, CT
Berkshire School, MA
Blair Academy, NJ
Brewster Academy, NH
Brooks School, MA
Burr and Burton Academy, VT
Canterbury School, CT
Choate Rosemary Hall, CT
Cushing Academy, MA
Ethel Walker School, CT
Forman School, CT
Frederick Gunn School, CT
Governor’s Academy, MA
Greens Farms Academy, CT
Gulliver Prep, FL
The Hill School, PA
Holderness School, NH
Hoosac School, NY
Hotchkiss School, CT
Immaculate High School, CT
Kent Denver School, CO
Kent School, CT
King School, CT
The Lawrenceville School, NJ
Linden Hall School, PA
Loomis Chaffee School, CT
Mercersburg Academy, PA
Middlesex School, MA
Millbrook School, NY
Milton Academy, MA
Miss Porter’s School, CT
North Broward Preparatory School, FL
Northfield Mt. Hermon School, MA
Peddie School, NJ
Phillips Academy, Andover, MA
Pomfret School, CT
Portsmouth Abbey School, RI
Proctor Academy, NH
Riviera Preparatory, FL
Saint Andrew’s School, FL
Salisbury School, CT
South Kent School, CT
St. Andrew’s School, DE
St. George’s School, RI
St. Mark’s School, MA
St. Paul’s School, NH
Stevenson School, CA
Suffield Academy, CT
Tabor Academy, MA
Taft School, CT
The Thacher School CA
Trinity-Pawling School, NY
Vermont Academy, VT
Wayland Academy, WI
Westminster School, CT
Westover School, CT
Westtown School, PA
Wilbraham & Monson, MA

*Matriculation of Classes 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025

Class of 2025 Acceptance

The American School Foundation, MEX
Avon Old Farms School, CT
Berkshire School, MA
Blair Academy, NJ
Brewster Academy, NH
Brooks School, MA
Canterbury School, CT
Cheshire Academy, CT
Choate Rosemary Hall, CT
Colegio Vista Hermosa, MEX
Comunidad Educativa Tomas Moro, MEX
Cushing Academy, MA
Frederick Gunn School, CT
Governor’s Academy, MA
The Hill School, PA
Hotchkiss School, CT
Humanitree, MEX
Immaculate High School, CT
Kent Denver School, CO
Kent School, CT
King School, CT
Lakeview High School, CT
Lawrence Academy, MA
Lawrenceville School, NJ
Loomis Chaffee School, CT
Middlesex School, MA
Millbrook School, NY
Miss Porter’s School, CT
Northfield Mt. Hermon School, MA
Notre Dame High School, CT
Peddie School, NJ
Pomfret School, CT
Portsmouth Abbey School, RI
Proctor Academy, NH
St. Andrew’s School, DE
St. George’s School, RI
St. Mark’s School, MA
St. Paul’s School, NH
Salisbury School, CT
San Domenico School, CA
South Kent School, CT
Stevenson School, CA
Suffield Academy, CT
Tabor Academy, MA
The Taft School, CT
Tecnologico de Monterrey, MEX
The Thacher School, CA
Trinity-Pawling School, NY
Vermont Academy, VT
Westminster School, CT
Williston Northampton School, MA

Class of 2025 Matriculation

The American School Foundation, MEX
Avon Old Farms School, CT
Blair Academy, NJ (3)
Brooks School, MA (2)
Canterbury School, CT
Choate Rosemary Hall, CT
Colegio Vista Hermosa, MEX (2)
Comunidad Educativa Tomas Moro, MEX (2)
Cushing Academy, MA
Frederick Gunn School, CT (2)
Governor’s Academy, MA
The Hill School, PA
Hotchkiss School, CT (3)
Humanitree, MEX
Kent Denver School, CO
Kent School, CT (4)
King School, CT
Lakeview High School, CT
Lawrenceville School, NJ
Loomis Chaffee School, CT (2)
Middlesex School, MA
Millbrook School, NY (3)
St. Andrew’s School, DE (3)
St. Mark’s School, MA
St. Paul’s School, NH (2)
Salisbury School, CT
Stevenson School, CA
Suffield Academy, CT (2)
The Taft School, CT (6)
Tecnologico de Monterrey, MEX
The Thacher School, CA
Vermont Academy, VT
Westminster School, CT (2)

2025 Acceptances & Matriculation List

Senior School Search Seminar (4S)

The Senior School Search Seminar is a scheduled time for the Director of Secondary School Counseling to meet with 9th Grade students in small groups to guide them through the secondary school process and beyond. In addition to exploring the school search, the class focuses on building life skills such as goal setting, interviewing, and writing thank‑you notes. By combining practical exercises with lessons on leadership and responsibility, the seminar prepares students for a successful transition to their next chapter of education and life.

The Value of a Ninth Grade Year

Rumsey’s VIIth Form (9th Grade) offers a unique senior-year experience where students embrace leadership, rigorous academics, and personal growth within a supportive community. This intentional program prepares students not only to excel academically but also to develop the confidence, resilience, and leadership skills that set them apart in secondary school admissions and beyond. Through expert guidance and unparalleled opportunities, our seniors graduate ready to thrive as purposeful, self-assured young leaders.

Learn More About the 9th Grade Experience at Rumsey Hall

Clayton Ketchum

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Acceptance & Matriculation Lists

Matriculation

Class of 2025 Acceptance

Class of 2025 Matriculation

Senior School Search Seminar (4S)

The Value of a Ninth Grade Year

Our students go on to remarkable Secondary Schools

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