feel and

As Miss Porter’s School continues to evolve in step with our changing times, shifting from what many perceived as an exclusive academy for socially privileged girls to a more inclusive and equity-focused institution dedicated to cultivating female leaders, its student population has become increasingly diverse. Today, students at Porter’s better represent the racial, ethnic, religious, cultural and socioeconomic demographics of America than at any other time in the school’s 181–year history.

As students graduate from Porter’s, they become part of the school’s global community of Ancients, which now numbers about 6,500. Porter’s cherishes Ancients as the lifeblood of the larger school community who play a critical role in sustaining the school’s resilience through philanthropic giving, volunteering and supporting future graduates. To sustain ties with the broader and increasingly diverse Farmington family, school leaders want to ensure they are meaningfully engaging with graduates. This priority is what prompted Porter’s to introduce its Ancient census in 2022, its first substantial effort to gather qualitative information on graduates in two decades. The survey asked Ancients in-depth questions about their distinct identities in order to better understand who they are and how they would like to be seen. The school is applying the emerging insights to make Farmington more welcoming for all.