Choate Rosemary Hall - Virtual Tour & Map

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Table of Contents

Tours

1. Admission Walking Tour

   Welcome to campus!

   Stops

   1. Carr Hall

      Welcome to Carr Hall, the School’s Welcome Center and home to the Admission Office. Whether you’re here for a tour or your first glimpse of Choate, this bright and welcoming space at the center of campus sets the tone for what lies ahead. 

      Just across North Elm Street is Carrington House, home to Choate Summer Programs, where students from around the world come together for academic exploration beyond the academic year.

   2. Paul Mellon Arts Center

      If you’re drawn to the stage, studio, or rehearsal room, you’ll find inspiration in Choate’s performing and visual arts spaces.

      The Paul Mellon Arts Center (PMAC)—designed by famed architect I.M. Pei and opened in 1972—was envisioned as a bridge between The Choate School and Rosemary Hall. Today, it continues to connect students and the broader community through creative endeavors. Home to visual arts studios, gallery space, production and performance space, the PMAC is where ideas come to life.

      Adjacent to the PMAC, Colony Hall expands the performance landscape with a 1,080-seat auditorium, a sun-filled dance studio, and practice rooms. The William T. Little ’49 and Frances A. Little Theater is currently being renovated to become an intimate, high-tech, and fully accessible performance space—set to reopen in 2026.

   3. The Great Lawn

      A lush centerpiece to campus, the Great Lawn is where major moments happen—Opening Days, Reunion, community carnivals, and eventually, Commencement. Along the way, you’ll find yourself here for pickup games, snow fights, and study breaks. It’s a place for longstanding traditions and making new memories.

   4. Carl C. Icahn Center for Science

      Nestled beside the pond, the Carl C. Icahn Center for Science is a modern hub for research, discovery, and hands-on learning. The building features 22 classrooms and labs, with dedicated floors for biology, chemistry, and physics. The 150-seat Getz Auditorium is used for lectures, student presentations, and Science Research Program symposia.

   5. Archbold Pond

      At the intersection of pathways and bridges lies Archbold Pond. This scenic spot is enhanced by the view of Archbold. The Georgian building was constructed in 1929 by Choate’s own workforce and once used as the School’s infirmary. 

      Each spring, the pond comes alive with activity at the Physics Phlotilla, where students design and build a boat to race across the pond—using only two double-mattress cartons and two rolls of masking tape!

       

   6. Lanphier Center for Math & Computer Science

      The Cameron and Edward Lanphier Center is home to applied math, robotics, and computer science. The building also houses the School’s i.d.Lab—an innovation and design space where students use tools like 3D printers, VR gear, and circuitry kits to bring their ideas to life.

      You’ll also find informal study areas, the Lanphier Café, and the Advanced Robotics Concentration program.

       

   7. Memorial Circle

      Framed by student dorms and shaded by old trees, Memorial Circle—or “Mem”—is a central gathering space for social connection. You’ll find students playing sports on the lawn, participating in the President’s Cup softball tournament, or simply relaxing with friends. It’s the social crossroads of campus.

      Memorial House,  at the top of the circle, is one of the School’s original dormitories, built in 1921and  honors Choate alumni who died in World War I.

   8. Paul Mellon Humanities Center

      Once home to the sciences, the Paul Mellon Humanities Center is now the academic home of the English and History, Philosophy, Religion, and Social Sciences departments. Discussion-based classrooms foster debate and conversation that spills into the hallways—just as they did when alumnus John F. Kennedy ’35 studied here.

   9. Steele Hall

      Steele Hall houses Choate’s Languages Department, where students can study Arabic, Chinese, French, Greek, Italian, Latin, and Spanish. Students enrolled in two signature programs - Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies and Global Engagement Program - use Steele Hall as the base for their academic study.

   10. Andrew Mellon Library

       Whether you prefer a quiet nook or a collaborative table, the Andrew Mellon Library is built to support all kinds of learners. With over 190,000 print titles, expansive digital resources, access to scholarly databases, and knowledgeable librarians, it’s filled with all the academic resources one could need. 

       The Library is also home to Choate’s Archives, a rich collection of photos, yearbooks, and school publications. Just look for the Wild Boar statue out front—it’s hard to miss.

   11. Hill House

       Iconic Hill House was originally constructed in 1911 and, after being damaged by a lightning strike, was beautifully renovated and reopened in 2021. The building's function has evolved over the years, but it has continuously been home to the Dining Hall, where the School community comes together for meals each day.

   12. St. John Hall

       At the center of student life is St. John Hall, a vibrant student center that draws students together in their downtime. Inside, you’ll find club meeting rooms, project spaces, video games, and ping-pong and pool tables. It’s also where day students can find their lockers and hang out between classes.

       Need a snack? Stop by the Tuck Shop Café or browse the Choate Store for gear, supplies, and gifts. It’s a space built for connection, collaboration, and socializing.

   13. Seymour St. John Chapel

       Built in 1924, the Seymour St. John Chapel is a beautiful, non-denominational space for multifaith services, school traditions, and quiet reflection.

   14. Larry Hart Pool

       The Larry Hart Pool, named for life trustee and former All-American water polo champion Larry Hart ’32, is a 25-meter, eight-lane facility with diving boards, a viewing window, and solar-powered heating. It serves as home to Choate’s swimming, diving, and water polo teams, and also hosts open swim.

   15. Worthington Johnson Athletic Center

       The Athletic Center is for athletes of all levels. With wrestling rooms, basketball, volleyball, and squash courts, a weight training room, fitness center, and a suspended indoor track, it has everything you need to compete or stay active.

       Also housing locker rooms, equipment services, and the Athletics Department, the WJAC is a central destination for wellness, training, and team pride.

   16. Remsen Arena

       Remsen Arena, once a seasonal, outdoor rink and now enclosed, offers ice skating and hockey facilities and is known for the best ice in Connecticut.

   17. Kohler Environmental Center

       Just a short drive from the main campus, the Kohler Environmental Center is a nationally recognized LEED Platinum-certified academic and residential facility. Designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, it’s home to Choate’s Environmental Immersion Program, a year-long interdisciplinary course where students live on-site and engage in hands-on research.

       The KEC offers space for studying ecosystems, food systems, and environmental design. It’s not just a building—it’s a model for a more sustainable world.