A Day in the Life of Cardigan Mountain School

A day in the life looks different for each Cardigan boy; their experiences and their ways of navigating through every day are as diverse as the cultures and backgrounds they represent. This extended photo essay attempts to document some of this diversity, as well as the strong and engaging forces that unify the boys—and the adults.

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In October we set out to document a day in the life of Cardigan Mountain School, curious to see what through-lines would appear and what themes would bubble to the surface. The plan was simple. Put cameras in the hands of faculty, staff, and students and ask them to document their lives. The day was Friday, October 8, and over 2,800 photos recorded the perspectives of over a dozen individuals.

7:10 AM

Step onto campus any day of the week, and what do you experience? It’s an active, sometimes demanding, pace; faculty, staff, and students all have commitments from the moment they wake until their heads hit their pillows again well after dark. Of course, the brotherhood is also palpable—the bonds the boys build with their classmates and teachers, the trust they put in each other, the respect they have for one another’s perspectives. It’s a positive and energetic vibe, one that infuses the whole campus and makes one feel that anything is possible.

7:15 AM - The Morning Commute

For some, mornings are tough; shaking off a good night’s sleep, finding a clean pair of socks, and packing for classes can take a little longer. These boys are the last to scurry across campus, but as the crisp, cool air fills their lungs, they rise to the occasion, breaking into a quick jog to the Commons, where a hot breakfast awaits.

“My favorite time of day is waking up, talking to my roommate, seeing my friends, then heading over to breakfast and seeing the whole Cardigan community.” – Brandon ’23

7:45 AM - Breakfast

Cardigan’s day begins and ends as a community. For practical reasons, this ensures that everyone eats a healthy meal and receives the daily announcements and schedule adjustments, preparing everyone for the day ahead. But it is also a touch point, a moment to say “good morning” and “how are you?” making sure that each individual student feels seen and acknowledged for the role he plays in the community.

“I’ve learned as a member of the Cardigan community that it feels better to help other people than to always be for yourself.” – Darius ’23

“Sometimes I get down and I feel sad and homesick. Then someone comes up to me and asks me if I’m okay. That’s been really nice.” – Kai ’25

8:20 AM - Class Period 1

Cardigan’s academic program is designed to be hands-on and flexible, and allow for freedom of movement and creativity. Science classes visit the Living Lab to observe first-hand the unique needs of different creatures and critters. Photography classes put cameras in the hands of students, giving them the opportunity to explore their observations of the world in a visual format. Art, wood- working, and Gates classes take students through the creative process from concept to final product. There’s often no right answer, and it’s up to students to find solutions.

“I really like Gates because you get to go to the E.P.I.C. Center and create things.” – Oscar ’25

“I like science labs. I’m a very hands-on learner and being in a group with everybody and hearing everybody else’s side of the story helps me learn better.” – Jackson ’22

9:25 AM - Community Time

Each week, Cardigan schedules Community Time. During any given meeting students and faculty may give thanks and appreciation for the kindness and generosity of others, talk about the Core Values and the Cardigan Way, or participate in an activity that builds brotherhood. It’s not about schedules or technical details; it’s about shaping, trusting, and honoring the bonds that strengthen this community. On Friday, October 8, two faculty members shared their thoughts on the care they have experienced and witnessed at Cardigan.

“Choosing to care can be difficult at times, because when the people we care about struggle, it affects us. That’s okay. Struggle is easier when you’re not alone. Care about each other enough to not let anyone around you feel alone. I promise you will not regret being the best version of yourself for those around you. Look to your left and to your right; make a decision right now to care.” – Cam McCusker ’10

9:55 AM - Class Period 2

Cardigan’s academics ask a lot of students, challenging them to think critically and creatively. Taking risks—from playing a solo in the school concert, to experimenting with a new art form, to solving a math problem at the front of the classroom—is embraced because failure isn’t seen as an end but rather a step in a longer journey; there’s time to unpack mistakes and learn from them. And there’s always someone around to lend a helping hand—a teacher, a friend, an advisor. There’s an overarching sense that we’re all in it together, whatever the “it” may be.

“When I first came to Cardigan, I didn’t have the best grades and getting a bad grade didn’t really matter. I’ve learned to care and take pride in my work because most kids here give their best effort, so I don’t want to be the one person who doesn’t do his part of the project.” – Robbie ’22

“Cardigan made me structure myself—go to sleep earlier, wake up earlier, get a routine so I can better myself. I did get to play a lot more basketball at home but there’s a time and place for everything.” – Preston ’22

11:00 AM - Advisory/Study Hall

Several days a week, students meet in their advisory groups. Students can receive help on homework, eat a snack, check in with their advisor, and visit the mailroom and school store. It’s a chance to catch up and take a breath in the middle of a very busy schedule.

“I really like how during advisory we have study hall because then we can do the homework that we just got. The concept of what the class was is fresh in our heads.” – Kai ’25

“I like the extended advisory. If you have a lot of homework, it is definitely a relief and a good way to go see your teachers in their classrooms. Or if you have a question, your advisor is there. It’s helpful.” – Elan ’23

11:45 AM - Lunch

Lunch, of course, means sustenance, food to maintain the boys’ energy through a busy day. But lunch doesn’t happen without the help of many hands. Cardigan’s leadership ethos involves service to others, compassion, courage, and performance. Students learn that leadership is not inherited nor is it a talent; it is learned and requires action. For many Cardigan boys it begins with participating in the Jobs Program—washing dishes, cleaning tables, putting away the food at the end of a meal. Under the guidance of Community Life Coordinator Allan Kreuzburg P’14,’17, students learn how to “do it right, do it the best that they can, and do it until the task is finished.”

“Leadership means service to others. You don’t just tell people to do things; you show them how and you show them the right way to do it. Anybody can boss anybody around, but the sign of a true leader is being able to help them through and being able to fight through with them.” – Jackson ’22

12:15 PM - Class Period 3

When the walls of the physical classrooms in Bronfmann and Wallach prove to be a limiting factor, teachers often open up the rest of the campus for learning, inventing, and observing. From science labs to artistic compositions, from math calculations to local history lessons, the out-of-doors is the Cardigan boy’s classroom. And, when the weather is warm and sunny, even the Adirondack chairs outside Clark-Morgan can be a classroom!

“Before I came here, my mom and dad did all my work for me. Here, I am all by myself. The change in environment has helped me learn to be independent.” – Jay ’23

1:25 PM - Class Period 4

Cardigan is a residential educational community. By definition, by ethos, by the fiber of its being the community puts education first—not just academic achievement but personal growth and physical development as well. And throughout this journey, the faculty and staff are there, ready to lend a hand, provide guidance, and cheer students on to success.

“Teachers, friends, the community in general. It took me a while to learn what the Cardigan Way is, what Cardigan means and stands for. That’s what really helped me change and improve as a person.” – Dom ’22

“There’s always someone there to give me extra help when I need it.” – Asher ’23

3:00 PM - Sports

Afternoons on The Point are defined by action. Boys can choose from a diverse selection of sports that take advantage of Cardigan’s location in the foothills of the White Mountains. There’s plenty of room on the athletic fields for football, soccer, lacrosse, and baseball. And the woods offer paths for running and biking and exploring. Take a deep breath, take a chance, and take the opportunity to build skills, fitness, and a life-long love of staying active.

“I would say my favorite part of the day is sports practices because you get to have everyone who’s not in your classes with you and working hard with you.” – Dom ’22

5:30 PM - Investiture

Leadership at Cardigan is a daily exercise in service to others. And it isn’t just for seniors. You’ll find leaders at every grade level, stepping up and offering help in small and large ways, whether someone is watching or not. There are, however, elected leaders as well. On Friday, October 8, Cardigan held its annual Investiture Ceremony during which the ninth-grade leaders committed to fulfilling the responsibilities that come with being the senior role models of the community, and to becoming active participants in the daily running of the School. From helping the younger students get ready for classes in the morning to participating in disciplinary cases, the School’s leaders have a significant impact on the community’s culture and help uphold the Cardigan Way.

“Being a leader means respecting the culture here at Cardigan that other ninth-grade leaders have built for the past 75 years and passing it on to the younger sixth and seventh graders who are hopefully going to lead this community in the next few years.” – Jackson ’22

“Being a leader is helping people be a better version of themselves and helping yourself be a better version for other people so they can model off of that.” – Darius ’23

6:15 PM - Dinner

As the sun sets on The Point, students and faculty gather one last time in the dining hall, catching up on the day’s events and celebrating the students’ wins.

“One of my favorite parts of the day is during dinner dress-up; it’s really cool to see the community come together and just have everyone looking sharp.” – Dom ’22

7:30 PM - Study Hall

“Cardigan is a new home for me. It’s my safe space. It’s somewhere I can be without having to worry about getting hurt or losing someone I love. I have my brothers to comfort me if anything is wrong. Cardigan is my family and it has given me a lot of opportunities to enjoy myself and express how I feel.” – Preston ’22

8:45 PM - Room Inspection and Dorm Jobs

It’s a busy day, filled with both big and small lessons. Through Community Time, Advisory, athletics, and their classes, the students learned about the Core Values—Courage, Compassion, Integrity, and Respect—and are asked to make meaningful contributions to the Cardigan community. But it’s in the spaces in between—walking between classes, waiting in line in the school store, hanging out in their dorm rooms—that students get to practice what they have learned and demonstrate their commitment to each other and to the School. It’s a commitment that brings out the best in the boys and helps them grow into strong, independent thinkers who will no doubt become leaders and life-long learners, wherever they go next.