An independent school with a public purpose.
Our mission is to celebrate the unique worth of all students, to nurture their strengths, and to challenge them to fulfill their potential.
A supportive community that cares.
At Thetford Academy, students are part of a community that values citizenship and service. Every day, TA encourages students to use their strengths to help make the world a better place.
Dedicated teachers who inspire.
At Thetford Academy, you will find truly excellent teachers, recognized by their peers regionally and nationally for the quality of their instruction and dedication to students.
Students who live what they learn.
For 200 years, Thetford Academy has taught students through thinking and doing. Experiential learning is central to TA's teaching philosophy and curriculum. It's part of our DNA.
Elle Dixon Presents Research at National AJAS Conference
Thetford Academy senior Elle Dixon is a not only a cross country and track athlete, a competitive skier, and a standout writer, she is an up-and-coming scientist. For the last two years, Elle has been studying with the New Hampshire Academy of Science in its intensive summer STEM programs. Each year, her hard work paid off with an invitation to present at the national American Junior Academy of Science's (AJAS) annual meeting –something less than … read moreApril 3, 2020
TA Student Supports COVID-19 Response
Thetford Academy senior Morgan Busby has always had a passion for caring for others. In her junior year at TA, Morgan enrolled at River Bend Career and Technical Center's (RBCTC) Health Sciences program to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. By the end of her junior year, she had earned her license to be an LNA (Licensed Nursing Assistant) and began working at Kendal at Hanover.
This year, as a TA senior, Morgan has … read moreMarch 30, 2020
Head of School Message: Our Remote Learning Plan
Quick link to Thetford Academy's Remote Learning Plan.
Message from Head of School - March 18, 2020
The public health crisis caused by COVID-19 is impacting every facet of our lives in the United States and throughout the world. Each day we tune in to the news, trying to make sense of the rapidly-evolving situation and keep up with the public health recommendations and government responses.
In K-12 education, we find ourselves in a situation wholly unimaginable only … read moreMarch 20, 2020
Tomorrow - Together! - We Launch 'Remote TA'
Letter from Head of School Carrie Brennan to students, parents, and staff, sent via email on March 17.
Tomorrow we turn the experience of school upside-down and inside-out. Following our governor’s orders and public health recommendations, we will cease convening each day on our beloved Academy Road campus. Classes will move to a virtual space, with teachers, paraprofessionals, and students working from home and using technology to connect with one another, collaborate, and continue learning.
We are developing … read moreMarch 17, 2020
Coronavirus Updates, March 4-15
Head of School Carrie Brennan shared the following information with the TA parent, student, and employee email lists between March 4-15 ...
March 15, 2020
Dear TA Students, Parents and Guardians,Vermont Governor Phil Scott declared this afternoon that Vermont schools must close their campuses as of Wednesday 3/18 and continue educational services to students remotely. This directive is for March 18 through April 6. A link to the press release is below.*
Here are the plans as … read moreMarch 13, 2020
Champions! Panther Boys Earn 2020 DIII State Title
With an up and down season, the #7 seed Panthers trip to the Aud was never a sure thing. But with an upset of #2 Randolph 63-54 in the quarterfinals, they punched their ticket emphatically for the third year in a row. The Valley News round-up quotes coach Jason Gray: "It just means that the boys are dedicated and they want to show the best of their abilities at the right time. So they played … read moreMarch 11, 2020
Eloise Silver Van Meter Advances to Poetry Out Loud State Finals
Ten brave students took part in TA's 11th annual Poetry Out Loud Recitation Contest on Feb 11th: Eamon Deffner (as a sample for judges to calibrate their scoring), Frank Loveland, Lily MacVeagh, Grace Davis, Jordan Smith, Hanna Blankenship, Nattilie Sanso, Mackin Briglin, Gretta Koppers, and Eloise Silver Van Meter. Frank emerged as the runner-up, and for the second year in a row Eloise won the event. TA thanks judges Kay Morton and Ina Anderson for … read moreMarch 9, 2020
UPDATED: TA Drama Presents "The Insanity of Mary Girard"
Thetford Academy Drama students will perform “The Insanity of Mary Girard,” by Lanie Robertson, in the MJR Theater on Friday, March 13, and on Wednesday, March 18, at 7:00 p.m. UPDATE: The March 18 performance has been canceled.
Robertson’s play is a dramatic re-creation of the real-life story of the wife of the famous Philadelphian philanthropist, Stephen Girard (he personally saved the U.S. government from financial collapse during the War of 1812). Girard committed his wife, Mary, to … read moreMarch 10, 2020
TA Adds Low Ropes Course to Campus and Curriculum
Late this fall, just before the snow overtook campus, Brattleboro-based High 5 Adventure Learning was onsite installing a low ropes challenge course at Thetford Academy. The course, located on the Barrett property adjacent to the Thetford Hill State Forest, has twelve features that will challenge students to think creatively, work together, and help to build self-confidence.
For safety reasons, some of the elements in the course were built solely by High 5, but many … read moreMarch 2, 2020
POSTPONED - TA to co-host Nolumbeka Project's "River Stories"
EVENT POSTPONED - We regret to share the news that this event has been canceled to mitigate community health concerns. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.
Thetford Academy and the Dartmouth College Native American Studies Department will co-host the Nolumbeka Project event “Nisnol Siboal/Two Rivers: Celebrating the Waters of Ndakinna (Our Land)" on March 14, 2020, in TA's Martha Jane Rich Theater. This event is the second of 12 in the series “River Stories 2020: Recovering … read moreFebruary 27, 2020
Student of the Month: Logan Brinkman
February's Student of the Month
is not a flamboyant attention seeker. He doesn't do things because he wants you
to notice, but because it's the right thing to do. Teachers describe him as kind,
easy-going, and dependable with a ready smile.
He's a team player. Coach Tim Ouellette says that even though he was "a newcomer to the Varsity team...[he] immediately accepted the new challenges of this level of competition. He is coachable, engages outside his comfort zone … read moreFebruary 27, 2020
Indoor Track and Field Takes Top Spots in State Finals
Thetford Academy's Indoor Track and Field teams had a very, very good day at the state meet, walking away with a hard-earned Division II title (boys) and a TA-best second place overall finish (girls). According to Coach Buttrey, "new school records were set and a boatload of PR's were made and ELEVEN TA athletes punched a ticket to New Englands."
Some highlights included Knute Linehan's 20'3" long jump, the second longest in both D-1 and … read moreFebruary 20, 2020
Leo Downey Wins TA Middle School Spelling Bee, Heading to State Finals
TA's annual Middle School Spelling Bee went 36 rounds before defending champion Leo Downey correctly spelled the word "patrilocal" to win the contest. (Patrilocal definition: adjective 1. relating to a pattern of marriage in which the couple settles in the husband's home or community.) Runner-up Margaret Smallwood also had an impressive performance, getting knocked out late in the bee on the word technophile.
This year's event was emceed by English teacher Joe Deffner, with the … read moreFebruary 13, 2020
TA's Alpine Ski Team Competes at Pico and Bromley
by Paul Dixon
Thetford Academy's alpine ski team competed at Pico and Bromley recently, with some great individual and team performances from both the boys and the girls. Elle Dixon skied well in both races finishing in 14th place in the Giant Slalom at Pico and cracking the top ten for the first time ever in the Slalom at Bromley with a very strong 9th place finish.
On the boys side, the team has been skiing very … read moreFebruary 10, 2020
Student of the Month: Tim Gray
January’s Student of the Month takes his responsibilities seriously. Never before has Ms. Silver had an advisee who checks in with her if he will be absent to see if there is any advisory-related work he should take care of ahead of time.
Whether he is motivated by the desire to excel, or by the knowledge that high marks keep his car insurance rates down, senior Tim Gray puts in the time to make his work … read moreFebruary 9, 2020
Young Writers Project Features TA Student Work in "The Voice"
Thetford Academy sophomore Olivia Sayers' piece "Mountains" was featured in the January edition of the Young Writers Project (YWP) publication "The Voice." The Voice, a digital magazine showcasing the best of the art and writing submitted to the project, publishes work selected by YWP staff, community leaders and mentors: "We look for fresh voice, interesting perspectives, humor, wisdom -- and GREAT STORYTELLING!"
Mountains
by Olivia Sayers, Corinth, VT
I am lucky to live in a place where there … read moreFebruary 5, 2020
77 Years of Founders' Day at TA
On Friday, Feb. 7, with the celebration of TA's 77th Founders' Day, Thetford Academy will enter its third century .
TA's Founders' Day tradition began in 1944, two years after the original White Building was devastated by fire and with World War II raging across Europe. Then headmaster Carl Anderson hoped, that in this dark time for TA and the world, a celebration of Academy and its founders would raise the spirits of the school community.
Since … read moreFebruary 3, 2020
Panthers Basketball Season in Full Swing
TA’s girls and boys basketball teams were back in action after a busy week last week that included their Cancer Awareness events. Both teams are will finish out their regular-season schedules in February vs. Capital League foes.
After a trip to the XL Center to watch UConn play against Team USA, the TA girls teams took the court Wednesday to face Randolph High school. Both the junior varsity and varsity teams came out victorious.
The varsity team … read moreJanuary 31, 2020
Thetford Outdoor Program Featured on NH PBS "Windows to the Wild"
For the past few years, Thetford Academy's Outdoor Program (TOP) has offered "TOP Summer" trips to TA students. One of these trips, a five-day paddle down the scenic Connecticut River led by TOP coordinator and outdoor educator Scott Ellis, is the subject of an upcoming episode of New Hampshire PBS's show "Windows to the Wild."
"Windows to the Wild" host Willem Lang and his film crew joined TA students on the river in the … read moreJanuary 31, 2020
TOP Summer Programs
TOP summer programs fill up fast - enroll today to ensure your child can be a part of the adventure!
Trail Crew, June 15-19
Students must first apply and interview for a position with the TOP Trail Crew. Participants will be hired based on their previous experience, application, and interview.
Trail crew meets on campus Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Planned projects include: improving and maintaining trails in the Thetford Hill State … read moreJanuary 31, 2020
TA Students Win Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Three Thetford Academy students, Layla Hanissian, Eloise Van Meter, and Olivia White, were recently recognized for their artwork and creative writing by the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. The awards program comprises the nation's "longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens in grades 7-12," and is presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers.
According to the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards website, "Submissions are juried by luminaries in the visual and … read moreJanuary 30, 2020
Joel Breakstone: 2019 High School Vermont Track & Field Coach of the Year
Named by U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association
Written by Emily Silver, long-time coaching colleague of Joel's
Joel started teaching social studies and coaching cross-country and track & field at TA during the 2003-2004 school year when he interned fresh out of college. In 2009, he moved to California for graduate school but returned to coaching at TA in 2014 after earning his degree.
Joel has many strengths as a coach. He focuses on sprints and jumps, but … read moreJanuary 25, 2020
Dartmouth Relays Recap
TA's indoor track and field team had another standout day at last weekend's annual Dartmouth Relays event. Or, as Coach Buttrey put it, "This was almost certainly the best Dartmouth Relays the Thetford Academy Indoor Track team has ever had!!"
In addition to the school records, podiums, and placement of the teams highlighted below, almost every athlete on TA's track and field team left the Relays with new personal records in their events. Go Panthers!!!
Tobin … read moreJanuary 14, 2020
Instrumental Teacher Greg Mellinger Featured in "High School Today"
Thetford Academy's instrumental music teacher Greg Mellinger recently penned an article for the National Federation of State High Schools Association's publication "High School Today." The article, titled "Maintaining School Activities in a Small School Setting," discusses the importance of providing students with a broad range of athletic, club, and arts activities—and the challenge of doing so in a small school setting.
Mellinger shares how Thetford Academy has addressed this challenge with creativity and commitment. One creative … read moreJanuary 14, 2020
Anthology Project in 29th Year
On Friday, English 10: Identity & Voice students presented the final project of the semester: "The Anthology." 2020 marked the 29th year of the Anthology assignment, which is now considered a rite of passage for TA students. Since retired teacher Peggy Sadler began the project back in 1991, the assignment has shifted, but the essence of it has remained the same.
Throughout the semester, students collect excerpts of both original and published literature that … read moreJanuary 13, 2020
Strong Showing at UVM for TA Track Team
The Panthers' indoor track team headed to Burlington last weekend for a Sunday meet at the University of Vermont. The team continued their streak of record-making and breaking performances, with both boys' and girls' teams earning podium finishes in several events.
The recap from Coach Charlie Buttrey:
Knute Linehan '21 set a new school record in the high jump, with a leap of 5' 10 3/4". In the 1500, Tobin Durham '22 crossed the finish … read moreJanuary 8, 2020
TA Student Writing Featured in VTDigger
This week, TA seventh grader Piper Leibon was featured in the online newspaper VTDigger for her Young Writer's Project (YWP) submission titled, "Tomorrow."
YWP, a Vermont-based non-profit organization, engages young people to write and use digital media to express themselves "with clarity and power, and to gain confidence and skills for school, the workplace and life."
From VTDigger: "This year’s ball drop marked the beginning of another new year… and a new decade, too: an … read moreJanuary 7, 2020
TA Drama Presents "5 Funny (Short) Plays"
Thetford Academy Drama students present five comedic, short plays Thursday, Jan. 16 and Friday, Jan. 17 in the Martha Jane Rich Theater. This year’s plays are drawn from a variety of authors, from Christopher Durang to Rich Orloff, and they offer an evening of light-hearted drama. NOTE: Some plays are PG-13 for strong language.
Shows are at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door. Students are free.
… read moreJanuary 2, 2020
TA's Track Team Running Up Records
At Friday's indoor track meet at Leverone Arena at Dartmouth College, TA athletes were on fire! They set new school records in the 600, hurdles, and 4 x 200 relay. And, TA senior Grace Davis set a new state record in the high jump. The details from Coach Charlie Buttrey:
In her first-ever race in the 600, Madi Powers '22 set a new school record. Kiran Black '22 broke the oldest record in the book, … read moreDecember 30, 2019
TA Presents a Winter Concert: Dec. 19
Thetford Academy's Choral and band students have been working hard to prepare seasonal music for the annual Winter Concert. The chorus will be singing music of several different eras and styles, including folks songs from around the world--in French, Spanish, and German. Some of the music to be performed include Scarborough Fair, Basin St. Blues, Two French Noels and On This Still, Silent Night.
The band will be performing Sounds Of Silence, Carol Of The … read moreDecember 18, 2019
“Consider that the mind is capable of an endless growth.”—Asa Burton, one of the founders, urging citizens of Thetford to establish TA in 1819We set high expectations. We challenge all members of the school community to reach their highest potential.Our mission is to celebrate the unique worth of all students, to nurture their strengths, and to challenge them to fulfill their potential.
