Elaine Loft, Staff Writer
Stage lights, study guides, basketballs, field hockey sticks, robotic creations, conferences, and celebrations–Derryfield is brimming with activity during the summer, and the 2025 season has brought a record number of participants to River Road.
Just after school ended in June, Derryfield hosted two large events with community partners–a three-day conference for NH educators, coordinated by the Joan and James Leitzel Center for Mathematics, Science and Engineering Education, and the Leadership Greater Manchester graduation ceremony. These gatherings utilized both classrooms and the Matarese (dining) Commons, and introduced over 200 people to the campus.
Next the student summer programs began in earnest. Coach Courtney Cheetham led her annual five-day co-ed basketball program, while Derryfield English teachers Regina Assetta and David Baroody helped rising seniors “jumpstart” their college essays, and math teachers Chris Induni and Jim Watt prepped students for their SAT and ACT exams. Meanwhile, LetGoYourMind attracted a throng of energetic elementary school kids, eager to put STEM skills to work to create mechanized vehicles, movies, and cartoons.
July saw the return of Derryfield’s two signature summer programs–Derryfield Repertory Theatre (DRT) and Breakthrough Manchester (BTM). DRT, now in its 20th year, brings together young performers and training professionals to produce six productions during two camp sessions. This year DRT registered nearly 180 attendees (a program record) and featured the junior versions of beloved musicals “Willy Wonka,” “Dear Edwina,” “Something Rotten,” “The Most Epic Birthday Party Ever,” “Elf,” and “Mean Girls.”
The Derryfield School has hosted BTM since 1991, providing in-kind support of benefits, facilities and administrative needs, as well as legal counsel and governance. The BTM Middle School Summer Program brings rising 7th-9th graders to the campus for an intensive six-week daily program, with a curriculum that includes math, literature, writing, science, leadership skills, extracurriculars and field trips.
The schedule for August includes a three-day field hockey camp with Coach Katie Bulk, “Algebra Launch,” with math teachers Tori Lucas and Mimi Coombes, and a final session of “Jumpstart Your Essay,” with Regina Assetta.
In addition to all of the usual summer programs, Derryfield is also a community partner with Youth Co-Ed City Tennis, which runs a no-cost five-day tennis clinic for youth ages 8-17, with the goal of introducing the sport to aspiring players from Manchester. Coordinated by Derryfield tennis coach Gus Moral, volunteer instructors include both Derryfield players and both high school and college coaches from around New Hampshire.
