Founders' Purpose
Thetford Academy opened in February, 1819, and was chartered
by the State of Vermont as an Academy on October 29, 1819. There is
no statement of purpose in the charter beyond its being termed "an
academy." The constitution of Vermont called for free elementary
schools in each town, a school in each county for studies above the
elementary level, and one university for the state. The terms Grammar
School and Academy were used interchangeably to describe the second
level of a three-level system. Their purposes were initially to prepare
students in classical languages, mathematics, "natural philosophy,"
and the arts for entrance into colleges and universities, which in turn
prepared their students for the ministry, law, medicine, and teaching.
By the time Thetford Academy was founded, girls were being admitted
to some academies (usually in the summer term) for studies which were
advanced beyond the common schools but which were not intended to prepare
for college. Thetford Academy was open to both boys and girls from its
founding.
Perhaps the best evidence available as to the school's original purpose is to be found in the closing section of a sermon preached by one of its founders, the Rev. Asa Burton, in February of 1813. He admonishes parents as follows:
"Parents, if you wish to assist your children in the improvements
of their minds you ought to:
Provide them with good teachers.
Provide for them, if able, a school to teach higher branches.
Provide them with a well chosen, good library, not novels,
but books on the several branches of literature.
Give them time to study.
Consider that the mind is capable of an endless growth. Consider what
it means to neglect its growth."
Mid-Nineteenth-Century
An 1864 catalog describes the school as follows:
"Thetford Academy is situated in the pleasant and quiet village of
Thetford, Vt., two miles from the Connecticut and Passumpsic Railroad.
The location is remarkably healthy, and free from business, excitement,
and every temptation to lateness and dissipation. The society is characterized
by intelligence and morality, and a deep interest is felt in the welfare
of the students and the prosperity of the school.
"The School is divided into two departments, English and Classical.
Instruction is given in the Elementary and Higher English Branches, Latin,
Greek, French, Drawing, Painting, and Music. Students are fitted for College,
for professional teachers, or for business. The regulations require the
students to regard all the proprieties of a sober, industrious and enlightened
religious community. The teachers aim not to teach a sectarian creed,
but to inculcate the great principles of morality and religion.
"The government of the School is intended to be mild and generous,
but firm and decided. An effort will be made to excite in the mind of
the pupil a love of study, and a determination to act, and to act aright,
and the presence of those who are not, and cannot be influenced to be,
thus inclined, is not desired, and will not be tolerated."
Twentieth-Century
In 1906 Vermont passed a law requiring all towns to provide advanced
instruction either by maintaining a school or by paying tuition for their
children to attend schools which already existed. The new law went into
effect in April, 1907, and Thetford Academy appears on a list of approved
Secondary Schools published the following year. From this time on the
Academy gradually changed its curriculum to meet the broadening needs
of a larger segment of the town's young people. The Academy's survival and growth in this century have largely been
due to the dedication and lifelong effort of Carl Anderson (left), principal
for 36 years (1925-1961), his successor Ruel Barrett, who served for 16
years (1961-1977), and Frederick G. Torrey, head of school for 12 years
(1977-1989). They built a new campus after the loss by fire of the original
building, expanded to include the seventh and eighth grades, constructed
the Arts Building, initiated a commitment to computers, and developed
educational programs to serve the needs of the children of the townships
which had designated or used the Academy as their High School. The 1967
By-Laws state: "The school shall be known as a 'Junior-Senior High
School' and shall provide an adequate course of instruction for the proper
education of students at the Junior High School and Secondary School levels."
The Academy's Purpose Today
Throughout its long history the Academy's programs have surely changed,
but the spirit behind the functioning purpose has not changed at all through
180 years. The school was founded to provide for the educational needs
of rural children in their adolescent years as those needs were felt by
the people living in this area. As the needs have changed with the times
and with changes in population, the Academy has changed its offerings
and style. Just what "proper education" and "an adequate
course of instruction" may be has been decided by the people of the
region as they have made their desires felt to those of their neighbors
who have taken on the responsibility of trusteeship. Under the leadership
of Martha Jane Rich from 1991 to present, the faculty has identified five
principles to guide the direction of the school and preserve its traditions.
In addition, major renovations to the historic White Building in 1996
allowed for full Vermont Public School Approval in the fall of that same
year. Other accomplishments under her governance include development of
school-to-work and service learning programs, formation of a teachers'
association and the long range planning committee, construction of a five
kilometer cross country trail, creation of a development office, the addition
of a computer lab and the networking of all classrooms in the school.
Thetford Academy today offers an academic community that welcomes students
who accept the responsibilities of enthusiastic participation in the educational
opportunities available. There is a mutual respect for individuals and
an appreciation of diversity within a setting of consistent expectations
for students, faculty and administrators. Through attention to individual
attributes, the Academy wishes to stimulate natural curiosity, creative
thought and an appreciation of lifelong learning. Active participation
and collaboration by all in fostering the community are necessary to sustain
the positive educational environment at the Academy.
Five Basic Principles
- Commitment: We value initiative, courage and dedication. We take responsibility
for the goals we set and work hard to achieve them.
- Excellence: We set high expectations. We challenge all members of
the school community to reach their highest potential.
- Caring: We provide individuals with personalized support and guidance.
We care about ourselves, each other and about the larger community.
- Respect For Diversity: We respect differences among people. We welcome
the contributions of varied perspectives to a rich and flexible school
culture. We bring a historical perspective to cultural, religious, and
ethnic diversity.
- Cooperation: We work and learn together. We see teachers as coaches, students as team members, families as partners and learning as practice and action.