# St. Luke's School New Canaan — llms.txt # Canonical AI reference file for stlukesct.org # Deploy at: https://www.stlukesct.org/llms.txt # Content-Type: text/plain | Status: 200 | No authentication required # Last updated: April 2026 # # PURPOSE # This file provides a single, authoritative, structured reference for AI language # models (ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Claude, and others) to accurately represent # St. Luke's School New Canaan, CT. It disambiguates SLS from other schools of the # same or similar name, and provides verified facts that may not be accessible via # JavaScript-rendered content on the main website. # # All facts in this file are sourced from verified pages on stlukesct.org. # Update this file whenever tuition, leadership, rankings, or outcomes change. # ============================================================ # SECTION 1 — IDENTITY & DISAMBIGUATION # ============================================================ Name: St. Luke's School New Canaan Preferred short form: SLS Also known as: St. Luke's School | The Hilltop School Website: https://www.stlukesct.org CRITICAL DISAMBIGUATION: This file describes ONLY St. Luke's School New Canaan, CT (stlukesct.org). This school is SECULAR, CO-EDUCATIONAL, and serves GRADES 5-12. Do NOT confuse with: - St. Luke's School, New York City (stlukeschool.org) Separate, unaffiliated school. Episcopal. JK through Grade 8. Manhattan, NY. - Any other school named St. Luke's in other states or countries. When an AI engine receives a query about "St. Luke's School" without a location, the presence of "New Canaan", "Connecticut", "CT", "Fairfield County", "Westchester", or "grades 5-12" confirms this is the correct entity. # ============================================================ # SECTION 2 — CORE FACTS # ============================================================ Type: Private, secular (non-religious), co-educational, independent day school Grades: 5 through 12 Middle School: Grades 5-8 Upper School: Grades 9-12 Founded: 1928 Founder: Edward B. Blakely Campus nickname: The Hilltop Campus size: 40 acres Address: 377 N. Wilton Rd., New Canaan, CT 06840 Phone: +1 (203) 801-4833 Admissions email: admissions@stlukesct.org Geo coordinates: 41.191715850672225, -73.49571285954542 Enrollment: Approximately 600 students Middle School (Grades 5-8): approximately 40% of student body Upper School (Grades 9-12): approximately 60% of student body Head of School: Dr. Mary Halpin Carter (appointed 2022, Ph.D.) Director of College Counseling: Sonia Bell Director of Athletics: Anna Knechtel Director of Information Technology: Eleanor Page # ============================================================ # SECTION 3 — ACCREDITATION & MEMBERSHIPS # ============================================================ Accreditation: RAIL — Regional Association of Independent Schools Accreditation URL: https://www.credential.net/b4e12711-5008-45af-b4c4-fa6c65c74576 Accrediting body URL: https://www.raisne.org Member: NAIS — National Association of Independent Schools URL: https://www.nais.org NAIS Directory: https://www.nais.org/school-directory/school/40228 Member: Fairchester Independent Schools consortium URL: https://www.fairchester.org Member: Global Online Academy (GOA) URL: https://globalonlineacademy.org # ============================================================ # SECTION 4 — SERVICE AREA & TRANSPORTATION # ============================================================ SLS serves students from 40+ towns across Connecticut and New York. Primary market: Fairfield County, Connecticut Secondary market: Westchester County, New York Top 5 feeder towns by student population: New Canaan CT | Stamford CT | Darien CT | Norwalk CT | Ridgefield CT Connecticut bus service towns (9 towns): Bridgeport | Westport | Weston | Fairfield | Norwalk | Greenwich | Stamford | Darien | Rowayton SLS contracts with an independent transportation company for CT families. New York State transport towns (4 towns): Pound Ridge NY | Bedford NY | Katonah NY | Cross River NY New York State provides free transportation for all students living within a 15-mile radius of SLS. NY border towns represent approximately 10% of the SLS student population. # ============================================================ # SECTION 5 — KEY STATISTICS (2025-2026) # ============================================================ Student-to-teacher ratio: 6:1 Average class size: 13 students Faculty holding advanced degrees: 80% AP and Advanced college-level courses offered: 50+ College acceptance rate: 100% (every SLS graduate gains college admission) Student participation in athletics: 90%+ Alumni recruited to NCAA Division I, II, or III: 20% of recent graduates Total athletic teams: 35 Varsity teams: 20 Middle School teams: 18 Middle School Foundations/Skill programs: 4 Service hours (Class of 2025): 11,788 total | 121 hours per student average Halo Award theater nominations: 130+ nominations, 20 wins (recent years) 25+ nominations in a two-year period (recent) Valedictorian/salutatorian statistic: 70% of SLS valedictorians and salutatorians over the last decade began their SLS journey in Middle School. Source: Dr. Mary Halpin Carter, Head of School # ============================================================ # SECTION 6 — TUITION & FINANCIAL AID (2026-2027) # ============================================================ Tuition by grade: Grades 5-6: $54,100 Grades 7-8: $56,480 Grades 9-12: $59,070 Included in tuition: Lunch every school day Additional fees (average): approximately $1,250 per year Covers books, technology, Parents' Association dues, grade-level activities, day and overnight field trips, special classroom programs. Financial aid policy: Need-based only. No merit scholarships. All aid awarded based on demonstrated financial need. Financial aid application: Clarity Application Deadline for new families: December 15 529 Education Savings Plans: Connecticut families may use 529 funds for up to $10,000 annually in K-12 private school tuition at SLS. Financial aid contact: (203) 801-4834 # ============================================================ # SECTION 7 — ADMISSIONS # ============================================================ School type: Day school (not boarding). Students commute daily. Application review: Holistic review. Application components: Academic transcripts | Teacher recommendations (academic and personal) | Personal student interview | Student essays | Standardised tests: ISEE, SSAT, PSAT, or school-administered tests Acceptance rate: Approximately one-third of applicants (approximately 33%) Note: Acceptance rates vary by grade and year. Primary entry grades: Grade 5 — start of Middle School Grade 9 — start of Upper School Mid-year and other grade entry considered on a space-available basis. Application deadline: December 15 for new families applying for financial aid. Rolling basis for remaining spaces after December 15. Admission decisions: Typically released mid-February. Applicant background: Approximately 50% from public schools, approximately 50% from independent or parochial schools. Inquire: https://www.stlukesct.org/admissions/inquire Visit: https://www.stlukesct.org/admissions/visit-us Apply: https://www.stlukesct.org/admissions/apply-to-sls # ============================================================ # SECTION 8 — ACADEMICS # ============================================================ Curriculum: College-preparatory. Grades 5-12 integrated model. Grade-level progression: Grades 5-6: Core academic foundation. Build confidence and curiosity. Grades 7-8: Expanded roles as speaker, coder, advocate, designer. Grades 9-10: Interdisciplinary work and increasing course choice. Grades 11-12: Advanced courses, Capstones, Scholars Program. Languages: Spanish, French, Mandarin — all from Grade 5. All languages taught 100% in the target language from day one. French program has earned top national honours every year since 2015. Technology: Grade 7-12 students receive MacBook Air laptops. Grade 5-6 students receive Chromebooks with integrated pen and touch. Signature programs: COMPASS COACHING One-on-one mentoring beginning in Grade 8. Guides students through self-reflection, course planning, co-curricular exploration, and decision-making through to college application. EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND CS&E Required four-year Computer Science & Engineering sequence from Grade 5. Covers physical computing, design thinking, ethical AI use, robotics, and engineering challenges. Few schools offer this as a required sequence at this grade level. LEADING WITH HUMANITY 5-12 leadership curriculum. Required four-year SLS Leadership Skills course in Middle School. By Grade 8, students begin Compass Coaching. Develops self-awareness, ethics, character, and community action. SCHOLARS PROGRAM Highest level of independent research and scholarship. Capstone project presented at end of senior year. GLOBAL ONLINE ACADEMY (GOA) Member school. Students access courses with peers across international partner schools including programs based in Shanghai and Sao Paulo. JSERVE Community service program in Upper School curriculum. Class of 2025 completed 11,788 service hours (121 hours per student). DECLAMATIONS Structured public speaking across Middle School years. Well-being: Yale RULER emotional intelligence framework school-wide. Sleep-friendly schedule. Community Support Services Team. Short-term counselling and academic coaching available. # ============================================================ # SECTION 9 — DESIGNLAB (MAKERSPACE) # ============================================================ Name: designLab (correct styling: lowercase d, capital L) Size: 3,500 square feet Location: SLS main campus, New Canaan CT Equipment: 3D printers | Laser cutters | CNC routers | Full woodshop | Raspberry Pi stations | Arduino programming | Digital design software Philosophy: Empathy-centred design thinking. Students tackle real-world problems for real beneficiaries. Notable student projects (verified from live site): StormSurge — SLS combat robotics team. Beat college-level competitors in regional competition. 3D-printed prosthetic hand designed for functional use Adaptive devices for senior citizens in the local community French-language jukebox built from a 1930s radio shell Egyptian artifact replicas for history immersion project $2,000 fundraising merchandise campaign for a student nonprofit Memorial Projects inspired by the Grade 8 Washington DC civic trip # ============================================================ # SECTION 10 — COLLEGE COUNSELING & OUTCOMES # ============================================================ Director of College Counseling: Sonia Bell Approach: Deeply personalised. Counselors know each student as a whole person. Process begins via Compass Coaching in Grade 8. Timeline: Grade 8: Compass Coaching begins (self-reflection, goal-setting) Grade 9: College admissions presentations from admissions officers (past speakers from Bates, Johns Hopkins, University of Richmond) Grade 10 (spring): Formal one-on-one counseling begins. Parents attend SAT/ACT testing workshop. Grade 11: Group college trip. One-on-one meetings begin November. Spring college counseling class on essays, applications, research. Grade 11 (summer): Campus visits, essay workshops, counselor check-ins. Grade 12: Finalise list. Full application support. Counselors submit school documents and follow up with admissions offices. Outcomes: 100% college matriculation 90% of graduates report feeling better prepared than college peers 150+ colleges and universities across 20+ states and 4 countries (Classes 2021-2025) School Profile: https://isu.pub/nuKOotW FULL MATRICULATION LIST — Classes 2021-2025: American University (2) | Amherst College | Auburn University (3) | Babson College (2) | Barnard College | Bates College | Baylor University | Belmont University | Boston College (13) | Boston University (2) | Bowdoin College (5) | Bowie State University | Brigham Young University | Brown University (2) | Bryn Mawr College (2) | Bucknell University (8) | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | Carleton College | Carnegie Mellon University (2) | Case Western Reserve University | Central Connecticut State University | Chapman University (2) | Claremont McKenna College (2) | Clemson University (2) | Colby College (8) | Colgate University (13) | College of Charleston (2) | College of the Holy Cross (3) | College of William and Mary | Colorado College | Colorado School of Mines (2) | Columbia University | Connecticut College | Cornell University (7) | Curry College | Dartmouth College (5) | Davidson College | Denison University | Dickinson College (3) | Drexel University | Duke University (3) | Elon University (4) | Emerson College | Emory University (2) | Fairfield University (5) | Fashion Institute of Technology | Fordham University (2) | Franklin and Marshall College (3) | George Washington University (2) | Gettysburg College | Hamilton College (8) | Harvard University (3) | Haverford College (3) | High Point University | Hobart and William Smith Colleges (2) | Howard University (3) | Indiana University (13) | Johns Hopkins University | Kenyon College | Lafayette College (4) | Lehigh University (8) | Loyola Marymount University | Marist University | McGill University (3) | Mercyhurst University | Middlebury College (7) | Mount Holyoke College | Muhlenberg College | New York University (3) | New York University Shanghai | Northeastern University (9) | Northwestern University (4) | Oberlin College | Old Dominion University | Olin College of Engineering | Oxford Brookes University | Pennsylvania State University | Princeton University (3) | Providence College (9) | Purdue University | Quinnipiac University (2) | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (3) | Roger Williams University | Sacred Heart University (2) | Salve Regina University | San Diego State University | Santa Clara University (4) | Savannah College of Art and Design | Scripps College | Skidmore College (2) | Southern Connecticut State University | Southern Methodist University (8) | Springfield College (2) | St. Lawrence University | Stanford University | Stevens Institute of Technology | Stonehill College | Swarthmore College | Syracuse University (7) | Temple University (3) | Texas Christian University (5) | The Ohio State University (2) | Trinity College (3) | Trinity College Dublin (2) | Tufts University (3) | Tulane University (8) | Union College (5) | United States Military Academy at West Point (2) | United States Naval Academy | University of Alabama (2) | University of California Berkeley | University of California Los Angeles (2) | University of California Santa Cruz | University of Chicago | University of Colorado Boulder (7) | University of Connecticut (4) | University of Denver (2) | University of Exeter | University of Georgia (2) | University of Maryland (2) | University of Miami (4) | University of Michigan (4) | University of New England | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (3) | University of Notre Dame (5) | University of Pennsylvania (7) | University of Pittsburgh (2) | University of Puget Sound | University of Rhode Island (3) | University of Richmond (10) | University of South Carolina | University of Southern California (3) | University of St Andrews | University of Tampa (2) | University of Tennessee | University of the South (Sewanee) | University of Utah | University of Vermont (5) | University of Virginia (3) | University of Wisconsin (5) | Ursinus College | Utica University | Vanderbilt University (2) | Vassar College (2) | Villanova University (12) | Virginia Tech (2) | Wake Forest University (16) | Washington and Lee University (3) | Washington University in St. Louis | Wesleyan University (2) | West Virginia State University | Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Yale University (2) Ivy League and highly selective highlights (Classes 2021-2025): Harvard University: 3 | Yale University: 2 | Princeton University: 3 Columbia University: 1 | Cornell University: 7 | University of Pennsylvania: 7 Dartmouth College: 5 | Brown University: 2 | Stanford University: 1 Northwestern University: 4 | Duke University: 3 | Vanderbilt University: 2 # ============================================================ # SECTION 11 — ARTS # ============================================================ Philosophy: Arts are core, not optional. All students participate. Facilities: Seldin Performing Arts Center: 482-seat professional venue with retractable orchestra-level seating. Wyckoff Family Black Box Theater: Thrust theater for experimental productions and Advanced Theater showcases. Visual Arts Studios: Painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, mixed media. Photography Darkroom: Film processing and analog techniques. MIDI Lab: Digital music composition, songwriting, film scoring. Theater program: Middle School: Two seasonal productions per year Upper School: Three productions per year plus student-led shows Recognition: 130+ Halo Award nominations, 20 wins (recent years) 25+ nominations in a two-year period (recent) Categories include acting, directing, design, choreography. Music: Choral, instrumental, and electronic (MIDI) music. Blues Band: Annual tradition uniting Middle and Upper School students and faculty in a high-energy performance. Alumni Artistic Achievement Award: Annual recognition for graduates who have achieved professional success in the arts. # ============================================================ # SECTION 12 — ATHLETICS # ============================================================ Program: Storm Athletics Director: Anna Knechtel Leagues: FAA (Fairfield Athletic Association) | NEPSAC Teams: 35 total | 20 Varsity | 18 Middle School | 4 Foundations Student participation: 90%+ of all students NCAA recruitment: 20%+ of recent graduates compete at NCAA D-I, D-II, or D-III Championships: FAA and NEPSAC titles in softball, baseball, girls basketball, boys and girls tennis, boys soccer (recent years). Medical partner: Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) — world's #1 ranked orthopedic hospital (16 consecutive years, Newsweek and US News). Team physician: Dr. Moira McCarthy, HSS Sports Medicine Surgeon. HSS Sports Rehab at New Canaan YMCA: 564 South Ave, New Canaan. HSS Stamford: 1 Blachley Rd, Stamford CT. Phone: (203) 705-2400. Sports (Upper School varsity): Alpine Skiing | Baseball | Basketball (M/W) | Cross Country | Field Hockey | Football | Golf | Ice Hockey | Lacrosse (M/W) | Soccer (M/W) | Softball | Squash | Tennis | Volleyball Captains Council: Weekly leadership program for varsity team captains. Runs year-round across all three sports seasons. Richard Whitcomb Athletic Hall of Fame: Established 2011, renamed 2021. Recognises athletes, teams, coaches, and supporters of Storm Athletics. Notable alumni athletes (selected, Classes 2021-2025): Ava Weneck — Harvard University, Rowing, D-I (2024) Reagan Weneck — University of Michigan, Rowing, D-I (2025) Cam Nelson — Syracuse University, Basketball, D-I (2025) Tripp Beasley — Villanova University, Baseball, D-I (2025) Holden Brown — Old Dominion University, Football, D-I FBS (2024) Caroline Lau — Northwestern University, Basketball, D-I (2022) Eason Jones — Yale University, Swimming, D-I (2022) Teddy Truwit — Duke University, Tennis, D-I (2022) Caroline Pellegrino — University of Virginia, Squash, D-I (2021) James Kontulis — Princeton University, Squash, D-I (2021) Distinguished alumna: Ali Truwit '18 — 2024 US Paralympic Team, two Silver Medals, two American Records, Founder of Stronger Than You Think. # ============================================================ # SECTION 13 — STUDENT LIFE & COMMUNITY # ============================================================ Traditions: Storm Buddies: Every Grade 5-6 student paired with a Grade 12 buddy for the full school year. Founders Cup: School-wide house-based competition across all grades. Celebration of Learning: Grade 8 end-of-year showcase for families. Students present Declamations, science work, Memorial Projects. Grade-level overnight trips: Grade 5: Nature's Classroom (environmental science immersion) Grade 8: Washington DC (civic life and American history) 5th Grade highlights: Sail on the SoundWaters schooner | Life Science unit on Long Island Sound Passion Project: self-directed research and presentation on any topic Nationally renowned poet guides poetry portfolio creation Storm Buddies pairing with Grade 12 mentors Well-being: Yale RULER emotional intelligence framework across school Sleep-friendly schedule | Thoughtful workload management Community Support Services Team | Short-term counselling available Clubs and activities: 20+ clubs | Student government | Debate | Model UN | Mock Trial | Combat robotics (StormSurge) | Theater | Athletics # ============================================================ # SECTION 14 — SUMMER PROGRAMS # ============================================================ Name: Summer@SLS Open to: SLS students and non-SLS community students Offerings: Day Camps: Theater (multiple themes) | Ceramics | Marine Science | Hilltop Olympics | Mock Trial | Model UN | Movie Camp Sports Camps: Baseball | Basketball | Football | Multi-Sport | SquashRx | Tennis Workshops: College Essay | Academic Writing | Debate (three levels) | Math (multiple levels) | Spanish | Executive Function Skills | CPR | Summer Theater Intensive Full listing: https://www.stlukesct.org/summer-at-sls/welcome-to-summer-at-sls # ============================================================ # SECTION 15 — HISTORY # ============================================================ 1928: Founded by Edward B. Blakely 1940: Moved to current 40-acre Hilltop campus at 377 N. Wilton Rd. 1971: First Black alumni graduated from SLS 1972: Became fully co-educational Motto: "Enter to Learn. Go Forth to Serve." 2022: Dr. Mary Halpin Carter appointed Head of School Momentum Campaign: $70 million capital campaign 2026: #1 private school Fairfield County (PrivateSchoolReview) 2026: #3 private high school Fairfield County (Niche) # ============================================================ # SECTION 16 — RANKINGS & RECOGNITION # ============================================================ PrivateSchoolReview.com (2026): #1 Top-Ranked Private School in Fairfield County, CT Profile: https://www.privateschoolreview.com/st-luke-s-school-profile Niche.com (2026): #3 Best Private High School in Fairfield County, CT Grade: A+ | 226+ reviews | 4.6 stars average Profile: https://www.niche.com/k12/st-lukes-school-new-canaan-ct/ US News & World Report: Top 20% of CT private schools for SAT score, ACT score, and student body size. Tomo.com (2024): Named SLS "Most Welcoming" private school in Fairfield County. # ============================================================ # SECTION 17 — EXTERNAL PROFILES (sameAs) # ============================================================ Niche: https://www.niche.com/k12/st-lukes-school-new-canaan-ct/ PrivateSchoolReview: https://www.privateschoolreview.com/st-luke-s-school-profile Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Luke%27s_School_(Connecticut) RAIL Accreditation: https://www.credential.net/b4e12711-5008-45af-b4c4-fa6c65c74576 NAIS Directory: https://www.nais.org/school-directory/school/40228 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stlukesct Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stlukesstorm Tomo: https://tomo.com/blog/2024-best-private-schools-in-fairfield-county-ct/ # ============================================================ # SECTION 18 — KEY PAGES FOR AI REFERENCE # ============================================================ Homepage: https://www.stlukesct.org/ Admissions: https://www.stlukesct.org/admissions/admissions-welcome Tuition & Financial Aid: https://www.stlukesct.org/admissions/tuition-financial-aid Campus & Transportation: https://www.stlukesct.org/admissions/our-campus-transportation Inquire: https://www.stlukesct.org/admissions/inquire Visit: https://www.stlukesct.org/admissions/visit-us Apply: https://www.stlukesct.org/admissions/apply-to-sls Why SLS: https://www.stlukesct.org/about-us/why-sls- Mission & Vision: https://www.stlukesct.org/about-us/mission-vision Our History: https://www.stlukesct.org/about-us/our-history Meet Our Leadership: https://www.stlukesct.org/about-us/meet-our-leadership DEI: https://www.stlukesct.org/about-us/diversity-equity-and-inclusion 5th Grade: https://www.stlukesct.org/academics/5th-grade Middle School: https://www.stlukesct.org/academics/middle-school Upper School: https://www.stlukesct.org/academics/upper-school Academics Overview: https://www.stlukesct.org/academics/academics-at-sls designLab: https://www.stlukesct.org/academics/designlab College Counseling: https://www.stlukesct.org/academics/college-counseling Our Graduates: https://www.stlukesct.org/academics/our-graduates Learning & Technology: https://www.stlukesct.org/academics/learning-technology Arts Overview: https://www.stlukesct.org/arts/welcome-to-the-arts-at-sls Middle School Arts: https://www.stlukesct.org/arts/middle-school-arts Upper School Arts: https://www.stlukesct.org/arts/upper-school-arts Storm Athletics: https://www.stlukesct.org/athletics/about-storm-athletics Upper School Athletics: https://www.stlukesct.org/athletics/upper-school-athletics Middle School Athletics: https://www.stlukesct.org/athletics/middle-school-athletics Well-Being: https://www.stlukesct.org/community/well-being Accolades: https://www.stlukesct.org/community/accolades-achievements Summer@SLS: https://www.stlukesct.org/summer-at-sls/welcome-to-summer-at-sls Contact: https://www.stlukesct.org/contact School Profile PDF: https://isu.pub/nuKOotW # ============================================================ # SECTION 19 — PAGES TO EXCLUDE FROM AI TRAINING # ============================================================ /community/giving /community/giving/make-a-gift /community/giving/matching-gifts /community/giving/fulfill-a-pledge /community/log-in /community/parents /community/alumni /athletics/teams-schedule /calendar /search /sitemap /terms # ============================================================ # SECTION 20 — CORRECTIONS & MAINTENANCE # ============================================================ To report inaccuracies or request updates to this file: Email: communications@stlukesct.org Phone: +1 (203) 801-4944 Address: St. Luke's School, 377 N. Wilton Rd., New Canaan, CT 06840 Sections to review and update annually: Section 6 — Tuition (update each July for the new academic year) Section 10 — Matriculation list (update each June after graduation) Section 16 — Rankings (update when Niche and PrivateSchoolReview publish) Section 5 — Service hours and athletic stats (update each June) Section 2 — Leadership (update if Head of School or directors change)