As conditions of the pandemic are constantly changing, please be assured that Hotchkiss continues to monitor public health recommendations and will adapt safety protocols and plans as necessary. 

Campus Visitor Policy

We have made the decision to resume allowing family visitation to campus. Read the full communication sent to parents on April 27.

We will require a series of precautionary measures and ask that families follow our expectations assiduously in order to ensure the health and safety of not only your children but also our Hotchkiss community. We are trying to provide an opportunity for families to connect safely over a long semester, but we are not opening our campus. Please minimize the number of family members coming to campus, and expect to visit on only one of the coming weekends. Additionally, the athletics agreement that allows games this spring specifically prohibits parent spectators at games. All families must respect this agreement so that out teams can continue to compete this spring.

The Process

• Visits are only allowed on Saturdays from 8-10 a.m. and from noon-6 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through May 23.

• Request a visit using this form by Tuesday at noon before the weekend you wish to visit. For this first weekend of May 1-2 only, submit your request by Thursday, April 29 at noon.

• Before you come to campus, we ask that you be especially diligent in minimizing your chances of acquiring COVID-19 for 10 days. 

• Visitors who are fully immunized (two weeks past a full vaccination regimen) may visit without providing proof of negative testing. Unvaccinated visitors, including children who visit, must obtain a COVID PCR test within 72 hours of arrival on campus. 

• Please bring a copy of your negative test result or vaccination record to give to Security when you check in.  

The Visit

• Check in with Security when you arrive, either at the Welcome Station at the main entrance to campus or at the Security office in the basement of Coy Dormitory (the first dorm on the left as you enter campus). 

• All visits must occur outdoors and all participants must be masked and physically distanced for the duration of time spent together. Visitors must maintain distance from students and others on campus. 

• Given the increased risk of transmission while unmasked, please do not share food while visiting. 

• Vehicle use--even sitting inside a car--is prohibited, and visitors will not be able to access school buildings including dorms, gym, and classrooms. Consider the weather when you are planning your visit. 

• Here are some guidelines for safe physical contact.  

We are grateful for your partnership to help keep our community healthy. Please reach out to Dean of Community Life Steve McKibben P'22 or COVID Coordinator Richard Davis if you have any questions or concerns.

Spring 2021 Interscholastic Athletic Update

We are pleased to announce that Hotchkiss has been able to form a special partnership with Choate Rosemary Hall, Loomis Chaffee School, Taft School, and Westminster School that will allow us to offer a limited schedule of varsity-level competitions this spring. This is made possible by the fact that each of these schools follows similar health standards and has committed to adhering to common safety measures. These stringent requirements give us confidence that we can engage in interscholastic play while maintaining the safety of our student athletes. We remain open to the possibility that other schools may also join in this partnership. 

As always, Hotchkiss is committed to providing a rigorous athletic program for all student athletes and will continue to offer JV, thirds, and other athletes intersquad opportunities for on-campus play.

Read the full communication sent to current families on March 2.