Residential Life Update

September 25, 2025

As we move through the start of the school year, I want to share how things are going in Residential Life. It has been a full and exciting year so far, and your students continue to make the dorms feel like a true home away from home.

From the first day back on campus, students have embraced the Cate tradition of living and learning together. Our dorm activities, everything from studying together in the common rooms, our first open house hosted by CHE (Cook House East), and dorm snacks (especially the grilling), have helped create strong connections among students across grades. 

One change this year, as you may remember from earlier communication, has been the introduction of what we lovingly refer to as “phone bungalows” during study hours (a simple shelf for holding phones) and “cell hotels“, or phone lockers, for our 9th and 10th-grade students at lights out. These secure lockers provide a designated spot for phones at night, helping students get the rest they need without the distraction of late-night screens. Many students report better sleep and a more relaxed evening routine. I had the pleasure of doing a “guest” duty night in 25 House last night, and two of the prefects noted how many more students requested “early light”, or going to bed before lights out, than their class did as freshmen!

Prefects and Residential Life Representatives have stepped up in remarkable ways this year. Our prefects continue to model responsibility and kindness while organizing dorm events and helping set a positive, inclusive tone throughout the dorms. At the same time, our Residential Life Representatives have provided a vital student perspective in Senate and Residential Life leadership meetings, ensuring that the broader student body’s voice is heard and valued. Together, they have been instrumental in fostering a strong, supportive residential community.

One of the most special aspects of Residential Life at Cate is the incredible team of residential faculty who live and work alongside our students. These dedicated adults play a vital role in your children’s growth, not just academically, but socially, emotionally, and personally. Research shows that having at least one trusted adult in a student’s life can make a profound difference. They listen, offer guidance, celebrate successes, and help students navigate challenges.

Our dorm faculty do all of this and more. They create a safe, supportive environment where students feel seen and valued, help build a sense of community, and model the values of responsibility, kindness, and integrity. The bonds students form with their dorm faculty often last far beyond their time at Cate and can be a touchstone for their confidence, resilience, and overall development.

As we move into the next part of the year, our focus will remain on strengthening community connections and supporting the growth of every student. We are planning more dorm-wide events, continued leadership training for our prefects, and opportunities for students to share feedback about residential life.

Thank you for trusting us with your students. Their energy, care for one another, and resilience continue to make Cate’s residential community a truly special place.