Cardigan Mountain School
Canaan, New Hampshire
62 Alumni Drive Canaan, New Hampshire 03741
Junior Boarding at Cardigan Mountain School
Founded in 1945, Cardigan Mountain School is an all-boys junior boarding and day school for grades 6–9, set on a 525-acre lakeside campus in Canaan, New Hampshire—about 25 minutes from Dartmouth College. We enroll 235 boys from more than 25 states and 15 countries, with about 90% living on campus in one of 16 dorms. Cardigan’s traditional pre-prep program is designed specifically for middle school boys, blending high expectations with the support they need to build strong study habits and real academic independence for the demanding secondary schools our graduates typically attend.
Every student takes year-long core courses in English, history, math, and science. World language study (French, Latin, or Spanish) is required in grades 7–9 for students not enrolled in ESL. Beyond the classroom, boys explore and create through required arts courses—music, theater, and visual art or woodworking—plus a wide range of co-curricular opportunities. Our PEAKS classes help each boy understand how he learns best while strengthening organization, time management, study strategies, and self-advocacy; ESL support is available from intermediate through advanced levels. Sixth- and seventh-graders also take part in the Gates Invention and Innovation Program and Competition, which builds creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on design skills.
Cardigan is a close-knit residential community grounded in compassion, integrity, respect, and courage—values that shape daily life, leadership, and global awareness. We also offer a popular co-ed summer program for boys and girls ages 8–15.
Enrollment
235 Enrolled
Grades Offered
Boarding: Grades 6-9
School Mission
Cardigan Mountain School offers a close-knit community that prepares middle school boys—in mind, body, and spirit—for responsible and meaningful lives in a global society.
“Cardigan taught me more than academics-it taught me how to grow up. When I arrived in 7th grade, I didn’t know how to manage myself or live in a community. Through daily routines in the dorm and constant support, I learned responsibility, independence, and pride in small tasks. The leadership program helped me lead not by speaking the loudest, but by setting an example. I’ll never forget my final Dawn Climb-helping younger students up the mountain reminded me how far l’d come. The secondary school process was personal and thoughtful; I felt truly known and guided toward the right path. Cardigan gave me confidence, self-awareness, and a deep sense of belonging. I’m leaving ready for what’s next.”
Graduate, Cardigan Mountain School - Class of 2025
Junior Boarding at Cardigan Mountain School
Founded in 1945, Cardigan Mountain School is an all-boys junior boarding and day school for grades 6–9, set on a 525-acre lakeside campus in Canaan, New Hampshire—about 25 minutes from Dartmouth College. We enroll 235 boys from more than 25 states and 15 countries, with about 90% living on campus in one of 16 dorms. Cardigan’s traditional pre-prep program is designed specifically for middle school boys, blending high expectations with the support they need to build strong study habits and real academic independence for the demanding secondary schools our graduates typically attend.
Every student takes year-long core courses in English, history, math, and science. World language study (French, Latin, or Spanish) is required in grades 7–9 for students not enrolled in ESL. Beyond the classroom, boys explore and create through required arts courses—music, theater, and visual art or woodworking—plus a wide range of co-curricular opportunities. Our PEAKS classes help each boy understand how he learns best while strengthening organization, time management, study strategies, and self-advocacy; ESL support is available from intermediate through advanced levels. Sixth- and seventh-graders also take part in the Gates Invention and Innovation Program and Competition, which builds creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on design skills.
Cardigan is a close-knit residential community grounded in compassion, integrity, respect, and courage—values that shape daily life, leadership, and global awareness. We also offer a popular co-ed summer program for boys and girls ages 8–15.
School Facilities
Cardigan Mountain School’s lakeside campus, known as “The Point,” spans 525 acres of fields, forest, and shoreline built for learning and play. Students create and tinker in Wallach, our new invention and makerspace, then head to the on-campus ice rink, lighted turf field, tennis courts, squash courts, fitness center, or miles of mountain bike trails—all in one unforgettable setting.
Academics
With 75+ years of experience teaching middle school boys, Cardigan creates an atmosphere where they’re motivated to do their best. We blend innovative and traditional approaches into a “hands-on, minds-on” curriculum that builds study and life skills—organization and time management—while fostering curiosity, resilience, and independence. Through experiential, hands-on learning, boys connect theory to practice and gain self-knowledge as learners.
Athletics
Cardigan athletics build sportsmanship, teamwork, and school pride across 16 sports, offering every boy a chance to play, learn, and have fun. We field teams for all ability levels—from beginners to elite players preparing for secondary school, college, and beyond—supported by top facilities including an on-campus ice rink, lighted turf field, basketball gym, climbing wall, waterfront, fitness center, tennis courts, squash courts, and more.
Arts
All Cardigan students can discover their creative potential through digital and visual arts, woodworking, music, and drama, experiencing the joy of making and sharing art. The arts are woven into every student’s experience through classes and on- and off-campus programs that deepen appreciation, spark imagination and creative thinking, and encourage artistic expression.
Signature Program(s)
Cardigan’s PEAKS classes help boys take ownership of learning through individualized coaching in study skills, time management, organization, and healthy technology use, building confident self-advocates. Our Gates program fosters creative thinking, risk-taking, and entrepreneurship as students design and build an invention prototype that solves a practical problem, improves safety, entertains, or makes life easier.
Summer Programs
Cardigan’s Summer Session blends engaging academics with unforgettable outdoor fun for both girls and boys. Mornings feature hands-on courses—ceramics, forensics, creative writing, coding, wilderness survival—plus SSAT prep and ESL. Small classes mean personal attention. Afternoons and evenings bring biking, hiking, paddleboarding, tennis, drama, and rocketry in the NH mountains, plus a Leadership Program for rising 10th graders. Choose from two 2-week sessions or the full 4-week session.
