We provide the structure boys need to succeed. Daily life at Cardigan has predictable routines that productively engage the boys from the first class through afternoon sports, meals, and evening study hours. Boys know where they need to be, what they need to be doing, and, importantly, when and how to seek extra help.

We show boys that we value what is important to them. Boys thrive at Cardigan because they feel a sense of fellowship and belonging as they work and play together under the supervision of adults who understand and appreciate them.

We all live by our Core Values: Compassion, Integrity, Respect, and Courage. Through discussion, class assignments, and community-building activities, students explore the meaning of each of these values. Modeled by adults in the community, the Core Values become the basis for personal decision making. 

Boys feel comfortable, un-self-conscious, and safe enough to take healthy risks in a single-sex environment where expectations are clearly stated, where feedback and positive reinforcement are constant, and where relationships with adults are characterized by consistency and kindness.

We purposefully develop the interpersonal and communication skills that make a student successful. The firm handshake and eye contact, along with the common courtesies, confidence, and respect fostered here serve our graduates well both at Cardigan and for the rest of their lives.

The Cardigan Way is not just an academic curriculum. Every boy has the opportunity to participate in athletics, arts, spiritual and ethical development, service, and leadership activities. Each boy has a chance to shine in areas of strength, to become more well-rounded, and to enjoy a variety of fulfilling experiences.