About
Welcome!
Welcome!
In my 25 years of experience in education, I have witnessed the transformative power that boarding and independent schools have on the lives of young people. While diverse and varied, the foundation of these experiences is remarkably similar – a strong, inclusive, committed, and inspiring community. At Kents Hill, my family and I found this community rooted in people, place, and program.
People: Kents Hill School is a thriving, dynamic community of students and adults from around the United States and the world. They are the types of students with whom I want my daughters to go to school and the types of adults whom I hope will serve as their mentors and role models, not just their teachers.
Place: Located just three hours from Boston and one hour from Portland, our idyllic, 400-acre campus is nestled in the midst of the Belgrade Lakes and provides sweeping views of the mountains of Maine and New Hampshire. State-of-the-art facilities including the $6.5M Bibby and Harold Alfond Dining Commons, Joanne and Dick O’Connor Alpine Training Center, and Bodman Performing Arts Center provide the ideal setting for our community to live, learn, and play.
Program: At Kents Hill, a student’s success is not measured solely by test scores or college acceptances, but by the relationships that they build and the opportunities that they have to experience, develop, and live by a set of core values. Our college preparatory program focuses on the individual and supporting young people in reaching their fullest potential. Illustrative of this commitment is our DIRIGO Leadership Development Program, Four-Dimensional (4D) Academic Curriculum, and Learning Skills Program where teachers trained in academic coaching deliver personal, empathetic, and innovative learning experiences.
While there is much to learn online, I encourage you to visit our campus. During my first visit, I was struck by the genuine people, inspiring location, outstanding facilities, and commitment to providing transformational learning experiences. It’s the reason why Lisa, Shea, Zoe, and I chose to make Kents Hill our home.
I hope you will come visit us.
Best,
Christopher S. Cheney
Head of School
"Kents Hill is a community that I am excited for my daughters to join because I know that they will be surrounded by students who are inspired to reach their fullest potential, and by adults who are encouraging, supportive, and care deeply about them."
Christopher S. Cheney
Head of School
Christopher S. Cheney
Head of School
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Chris, Lisa, Shea, and Zoe
About Kents Hill School
Located in central Maine, Kents Hill School is an independent, coeducational boarding and day school grades 9-PG attracting 225 students from 17 states and 18 countries. Since 1824, Kents Hill has been dedicated to providing transformative experiences rooted in the power of community, character, and core values. Students are coached through a 4-dimensional (4D) experience of leadership development, academics, athletics, arts, and extracurricular activities.
About Christopher
With 25 years of experience in education, Chris has spent his entire professional life preparing young leaders for maximum impact in their careers and communities.
Prior to his tenure at Kents Hill School, Chris served as the Head of School at LEAF Academy in Bratislava, Slovakia; Assistant Dean for Admissions and University Guidance at African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg, South Africa; and Chair of the Environmental Science Department and Director of College Advising at Kimball Union Academy. He has also held teaching positions at Colorado Academy, Northfield Mount Hermon School, Williston Northampton School, Milton Academy, and Hanover High School. He is a graduate of Bowdoin College where he earned a degree in Biology and Environmental Studies, and Harvard University where he received a M.Ed. with a concentration in administration, planning, and social policy.
Prior to his tenure at Kents Hill School, Chris served as the Head of School at LEAF Academy in Bratislava, Slovakia; Assistant Dean for Admissions and University Guidance at African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg, South Africa; and Chair of the Environmental Science Department and Director of College Advising at Kimball Union Academy. He has also held teaching positions at Colorado Academy, Northfield Mount Hermon School, Williston Northampton School, Milton Academy, and Hanover High School. He is a graduate of Bowdoin College where he earned a degree in Biology and Environmental Studies, and Harvard University where he received a M.Ed. with a concentration in administration, planning, and social policy.
His wife, Lisa DiIorio, has also dedicated her career to developing the potential of young people, most recently as Curriculum Coordinator at LEAF Academy and Head of the Writing and Rhetoric Department at African Leadership Academy. Lisa earned her undergraduate degree in English from Bates College, and graduate degree from Dartmouth College. Chris and Lisa are the parents of two daughters, Shea, age 12, and Zoe, age 10.
Since 1824, Kents Hill School has been dedicated to providing transformative experiences rooted in the power of community, character, and core values.