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.
May Students of the Month: Jahirah Thurber and Lilian MacVeagh
Given that TA alternates between recognizing a junior and a senior as Student of the Month, May is the last opportunity to award a member of the Class of 2020. We couldn’t let this chance go by without awarding two particular seniors: JJ Thurber and Lily MacVeagh. Congratulations to both!
Jahirah Thurber, Class of 2020
JJ, Kate Owen, and Ms. Brennan on one of two school visits they made to learn from others in Vermont about advisories
JJ … read moreMay 29, 2020
Letters to Seniors: John Brown
Dear Thetford Academy Class of 2020,
Although I have not been one of your educators, coaches or mentors, my work here at TA has offered me the opportunity to watch each and every one of you grow and develop into the fine young adults you have become through your performances, athletics, Founders Day, ODW and collaboration with some of your outdoor classes.
Missing traditional graduation ceremonies this year is disappointing for all of us but makes your achievements … read moreMay 29, 2020
Letters to Seniors: Becky Sarazin
Dear Thetford Academy Senior Class,
To say that the final months of your senior year have been a whirlwind, is an understatement. It certainly is not the way I expected it to end for any of us-but here we are.
I wasn’t sure how to write this letter and what really to say to all of you. I cannot imagine what you are all feeling and thinking. You missed out on things like prom. Your final year … read moreMay 29, 2020
Letters to Seniors: Dana Brettell
Dear Seniors of the class of 2020,
Just to say that you were a member of the class of 2020 sounds really cool and something that may always have its own special ring. Conversely, on those future occasions when you tell someone that you graduated in 2020, you may hear a sigh, an “oh, that year”, “how did you do it?”, or “what was it like?” Well, those of us who were alongside have a pretty … read moreMay 27, 2020
Letter to Seniors: Casey Huling
Congratulations to the members of the Class of 2020,
You have used your creative energy and boundless enthusiasm to push through this very challenging experience to graduate high school!. (The last few months certainly give new meaning to the term Senioritis!)
You should be very proud of your many accomplishments from when we were all at school together, and you should take pride in your determination to finish while we were apart. You are an inspiration to … read moreMay 27, 2020
Head of School Community Email - May 22
Dear Parents & Students,
Here are the latest news and announcements from Thetford Academy as we shift into the final weeks of the school year.
1. Special Schedule for the Week of June 8-12
Please note that we have a special schedule for the last week of school with A block, B block, C block, and D block each having a dedicated 2-hour period of time. This is to better accommodate the need for final class meetings, exams, … read moreMay 22, 2020
Letter to Seniors: Siobhan Lopez
Dear Seniors,
I’m writing the first of what will be regular letters from some of the people at Thetford Academy who care about you. So many of us have wished we could let you know that we’re thinking about you and worrying that you might think you are forgotten in the midst of Quarantime (that’s Casey’s term for this period in history). This is how we have decided we can reach out to all of you to … read moreMay 7, 2020
Student of the Month April 2020: Emi Vaughan
The floodgates opened when an email went out soliciting input for April’s Thetford Academy Student of the Month Emi Vaughan. Some common themes quickly emerged and were summarized by Mr. Mann, who writes that Emi Vaughan is “a scholar, a natural leader, and one of the kindest people I have had the privilege of knowing.”
Mr. Deffner writes, “I don't think I have ever witnessed, or know of, Emi Vaughn being unkind to anyone. She accepts … read moreMay 18, 2020
Update on End-of-Year Celebrations and Milestones
With many of Thetford Academy's traditional end-of-year milestone events on hold as a result of Covid-19, we are working hard to ensure that our students don't miss out and that every student feels valued, supported, and celebrated.
Graduation for the Class of 2020: Though we may not be able mark graduation day in the same way we have in the past, we are developing ideas on how best to make this important event as meaningful … read moreMay 4, 2020
Student of the Month: Frank Loveland
Pictured above: Frank Loveland at the 2017 Mr. TA Pageant, accompanied by Eamon Deffner and Alan Xi. The pageant raises money to support the high school education of students in Rwanda via the non-profit Raise Rwanda. Photo by Dan Grossman.
If there is anyone more upbeat than our March Student of the Month, it’s not clear who that person is. No matter the situation, he always manages to find the good in something or someone. This … read moreApril 13, 2020
Self Care Resources for Remote TA, volume 4
Hi, Panthers,
I don't know about you, but I am grateful that the weather is feeling spring-like (at least on some days) and that we live in a beautiful place with lots of outdoor spaces for hiking, running, walking, etc. It makes this whole "stay at home thing" a little more tolerable. Are you getting outside, too?
Here is this week's installment of resources. If you've found other awesome sites or things to do, let Rebecca know! … read moreApril 9, 2020
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
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 were installed … 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 - UPDATED
PLEASE READ: UPDATE ON TOP Summer Programs, April 16, 2020.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: … read moreApril 20, 2020
“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.
