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The 8th annual Mr. Thetford Academy Pageant—a beauty pageant/talent show spoof —featured land-kayaking to the sounds of a river, a Michael Jackson moonwalk, a wrestling match between a brother and a sister, and plenty of corny jokes, as 11 contestants and their escorts competed for the Mr. TA crown. Along the way, the packed house heard from Adelit Rukomangana, a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide; witnessed the contestants field challenging, on the spot questions; and … read moreDecember 9, 2018 -
The choral and instrumental music programs will perform their winter concert on Wednesday, Dec. 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the Martha Jane Rich Theater. Nacho plays electric guitar with his instrumental class. The band has been working hard preparing for the concert. Approximately 40 musicians in grades 7-12 will be playing pieces from a broad scope of styles and eras, including music from Bach, Tchaikovsky, Leroy Anderson, Mel Tormé, and Vince Guaraldi. A number of holiday classics … read moreDecember 14, 2018 -
TA's sugar shack is starting to take shape. Adjacent to the timber framed outdoor classroom just south of the student parking lot, the structure will be completed in the upcoming days — with several months of time to spare before this year's sugaring operation begins. With help from Mike Wells and Jere Linehan, Scott Ellis's Environmental Studies and Outdoor Education class leveled the foundation, built the floor and supporting walls, erected the roof trusses, and began … read moreNovember 30, 2018 -
Thetford Academy is among the nation’s 250 state finalists in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest – a nationwide competition challenges students in grades 6-12 to apply STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills to find creative solutions to real-world issues impacting their local communities. Out of thousands of schools that entered the contest, the 250 state finalists — five from each state — were chosen based on their creative and strategic proposals to solve complicated … read moreNovember 29, 2018 -
Paper turkeys, paper plates, paper tablecloths, and plastic utensils adorned the tables, but the food was the real thing: delicious turkey, homemade mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, plenty of peas, and rolls — served free of charge to all students and staff on the last day of classes before Thanksgiving (Tuesday, Nov. 20). Casey Huling checks on the turkeys in the TA Café's kitchen. The idea of the Thanksgiving feast came from Special Education paraprofessional Becky Sarazin. The Student … read moreNovember 22, 2018 -
The Thetford Historical Society’s Geography Bee celebrated TA’s Bicentennial this year by focusing the contest on TA and Thetford town history. It was a tough field - eight teams sparred in the adult division and five in the youth division, answering questions that might stump event the most dedicated Thetford historian. For example, do you know... Which school year did the TA boys varsity soccer team and the boys varsity basketball team both win State Division … read moreNovember 19, 2018 -
Len Whitaker's and Casey Huling's sections of 9th grade history classes have been studying ancient Greece. On Nov. 8-9, Mr. William Bugg visited as special guest star, presenting a two-day unit on Greek tragedy. He took the class on a deep dive into mythology, telling the stories of Cadmus, Oedipus Rex, and other tales from the House of Thebes. They then discussed the origins of tragedy, made paper masks modeled on ancient Greek theater masks, and … read moreNovember 15, 2018 -
In the fall of 2014 and 2015, Chris Schmidt's Timber Framing class built two new dugouts to replace deteriorating structures for the Panther baseball team. This fall, Chris's class has designed and, as of Oct. 30, erected the frame of the first of two dugouts for the Panther softball team. In September, the class of 12 students divided into three groups, each of which researched, designed, and constructed a scale model of a softball dugout. Using … read moreNovember 4, 2018 -
At times during the Thetford Academy - Vergennes Union High School Division III state championship game on Saturday, Nov. 3, it looked like intermittent heavy downpours would add an element of chance to the game. But the Panther girls' resiliency, superior ball-handling skills, and deep playoff experiences over the past three years didn't leave anything to chance — even as the ball and field conditions became slippery. An insurance goal was added midway through the second … read moreNovember 4, 2018 -
Boys Win State Behind Owen Deffner's First Place Finish; Girls Take Fifth It was snowy and cold and trail conditions were tough—but there was no stopping the Panthers at the VPA cross country state championship meet last Saturday. Owen Deffner '19 finished first in the D-III race with a time of 17 minutes, 42.1 seconds, leading the boys to an overall first place finish and the team's first state championship title since 2010. Ian Spelman finished fifth … read moreNovember 4, 2018 -
By Charlie Buttrey We made history!! As part of Thetford Academy's year-long bicentennial celebration, close to 70 runners and walkers were at the starting line when the blast of an 1820's-style muzzle loader shattered the morning stillness and sent them on their way to compete in the Asa Burton Bicentennial Blitz 5K race. This was a race with a twist. As the competitors traversed the Daniel Grossman Woods Trail on the TA campus, they passed more than two … read moreOctober 15, 2018 -
Scott Ellis, coordinator of the Thetford Outdoor Program (TOP), was recognized by the Society of Health and Physical Educators of Vermont (SHAPE Vermont) with the Physical Activity Leadership Award during a ceremony Oct. 19 in Killington. The state-wide award recognizes outstanding individuals who actively promote lifelong health and physical activity. Ellis, who teaches Thetford Academy's half-day outdoor and environmental education course and leads TOP's monthly student adventure trips, has made it his mission at Thetford Academy … read moreOctober 19, 2018 -
This September, alumni everywhere came out to honor TA's beloved, 40 year-old Mountain Day tradition. The first of many events celebrating TA's 200th birthday this year, #MountainDayEverywhere was an enormous success and a whole lot of fun. Over the first two weekends in September, TA alumni hiked from where they were - there were hikes in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, New York, Montana, and of course - right here in Vermont! All alumni were invited … read moreOctober 2, 2018 -
Eighteen poets performed at TA's Poetry Slam to a packed theater this past Friday morning, while four student judges sat in the audience, ready to hold up score cards. Emily Silver's Creative Writing class hosted the event, while Poet-in-Residence Geof Hewitt was the ever-entertaining MC. Congrats to the brave souls who performed: Michael Adams-Lindberg, Samara Spelman, Ellen Veracka, Grace Davis, Jacob Slaughter, Jordan Smith, Chris Sanso, Alexis Gaetz, Gavin Slider, Alden Nichols, Kiana Johnson, John Longshaw, … read moreOctober 1, 2018 -
Thetford Academy's 4th annual Homecoming weekend kicks off Friday, Sept. 28 with middle school and high school dances. The full Homecoming Celebration happens on Saturday, Sept. 29! JV and Varsity girls soccer teams face People's Academy at 11 a.m.JV and Varsity boys soccer teams also take on People's at 1 p.m.BBQ and concessions provided by Project Senior to benefit the Class of 2019TA swag, including a bicentennial t-shirt, and other giveaways of TA spirit gear to … read moreSeptember 29, 2018 -
Thetford Academy has a big birthday this year - the school is celebrating 200 years since Asa Burton founded Thetford Academy, the first secondary school in Vermont. In honor of this milestone event, TA is hosting a series of community events aimed at bringing our community together in the spirit of TA’s core values and progressive mission. Beginning in October, TA brings a series of thought-provoking speakers to campus to share their personal stories, ideas, and … read moreSeptember 25, 2018
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Have you ever wondered where the Thetford Academy trails go? Are you curious about the school's management of Thetford Hill State Park, next door to TA? Would you like to hike the school's new trails at a leisurely pace and see the new yurt built by the Thetford Academy Outdoor Program and the new outdoor classroom built by TA's Timber Framing class? Here's your opportunity. Trail signage made by students in the TA shop; map made by students in … read moreSeptember 11, 2018 -
On Tuesday, an all-school announcement interrupted TA's lunch period--a surprise for all students was "happening now" on the green. Students would not be disappointed, announcer (Alden Nichols '18) promised. And if they appreciated art and cookies, they were not. Alden and his classmates William Bugg '18, Owen Deffner '18, and William Bosco '18 had spent part of their summer constructing a TA Trojan Horse. Up-cycled from wood scraps, the horse sculpture stood more than 6 … read moreSeptember 7, 2018 -
MOUNTAIN DAY: Our 40th annual Mountain Day, one of Thetford Academy’s most special traditions, will take place on Friday, Sept. 14, with a rain date of Monday, Sept. 17. Founded by the late headmaster Frederick G. Torrey, Mountain Day challenges each of TA’s six classes to climb a nearby peak: 7th Grade – Mt. Cube; 8th Grade – Black Mountain; 9th Grade – Smarts Mountain; 10th Grade – Cardigan Mountain; 11th Grade – Mt. Ascutney; and 12th … read moreSeptember 7, 2018 -
Fifteen Students from TA and LHS Participate in Inaugural Program After more than 18 months of planning, FUJIFILM Dimatix and Hypertherm launched a half-day STEM internship program in high-tech manufacturing and engineering for seven Thetford Academy students and eight of their counterparts from Lebanon High School. In the semester-long program which began Aug. 30, students will rotate through various FUJIFILM Dimatix and Hypertherm teams. Over the 18 week program, students will be immersed in all aspects of business including … read moreAugust 31, 2018 -
Thetford Academy’s 200th session began on Tuesday, Aug. 28. This year, our 301 students—including 67 new to the school—come from 13 Upper Valley towns (Brownsville, Chelsea, Corinth, Hanover, Hartland, Lyme, Newbury, Orange, Sharon, Strafford, Thetford, Topsham, and Washington) and two countries (China and South Korea). Opening day began with an all-school assembly during which the theme and goal for the year were revealed: “It's not your aptitude but your attitude that will determine your altitude.” This quote is attributed to both Jesse … read moreAugust 28, 2018 -
Over 100 families attended our Back-to-School Picnic and New Student Orientation Tours on Sunday, Aug. 26, including 42 Student Ambassadors in grades 8-12 (who showed new students where their classes and lockers are located) and 48 new students and their families. Families contributed dozens of home-cooked main dishes, sides, and desserts for the TAPA-sponsored event, and adults and students alike enjoyed catching up, meeting new people, and playing games of corn hole on the quad. The … read moreAugust 27, 2018 -
Mountain Day has been a TA tradition for more than 40 years. This year, we want to make it #MountainDayEverywhere. Do you miss Mountain Day at TA? Every year for more than 40 years, Thetford Academy students have been lacing up their shoes to climb one of the six mountains visible from TA's front door. This annual class hike is one of TA's favorite traditions, and if it's one of yours, now is your chance to … read moreAugust 30, 2018
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Our 2017-18 school year came to a close on Friday, June 8, with Graduation exercises, accompanied by beautiful weather, moving student speeches, well-deserved senior awards, hundreds of proud family members, and 67 boisterous seniors delighted to receive their TA diploma. Keeping in tradition with past Thetford Academy commencement exercises, the graduation was student-led, with speeches and performances given only by members of the Class of 2018. Senior class president Hallie Zens opened the ceremony with a … read moreJune 15, 2018 -
Nathan Perron completed the rank of Eagle Scout in December 2017. Starting in First Grade as a Tiger Cub he really enjoyed scouting, so he stuck with it through 11 years and stayed on track to complete Eagle Scout in advance of the deadline, his 18th birthday. As a Boy Scout he held several leadership positions including serving to lead the Hanover Troop 45 as its Senior Patrol Leader for a year. Because of his … read moreJune 12, 2018 -
June’s Student of the Month is a senior who produces excellent work, assignment after assignment. He is not just about getting the work done; he is about depth, substance, and often clever humor. He does not call attention to himself if his double-meanings or subtle jokes go unnoticed, but he certainly lets out a smile when individuals take notice. He is a true scholar who seeks feedback and views setbacks as an opportunity to improve. … read moreJune 12, 2018 -
High School Cross-Country: Fun Runs are every Tuesday, starting June 12, on the Dan Grossman Woods Trail at TA Arrive by for warm-up; the runs start at 6 p.m. sharp. Saturday practices, usually at TA, start at 9 a.m.and end by 10:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome! To join, contact Coaches Joe Deffner and Emily Silver. Girls High School Soccer: Practices and pickup soccer at TA every Wednesday from June 27 - Aug. 1, 4:30 - 6 p.m. Scrimmages: Wednesday, June 20 vs Hartford at Dothan Brook School, … read moreJune 5, 2018
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On July 16, 2018, at their annual conference in Los Angeles, the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) honored Thetford Academy's Counseling Office for earning designation as a "Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP)." The RAMP designation, awarded for aligning with the criteria in the ASCA National Model, recognizes schools committed to delivering a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program and an exemplary educational environment. TA is only the second school in Vermont to have earned this honor. RAMP applications … read moreJuly 18, 2018 -
Wallace "Wally" Roberts is an American Civil Rights Activist who considers some of his most important civil rights work to be his time as the Freedom School Coordinator for Freedom Summer in Shaw, Mississippi in 1968. The goals of the Freedom Schools were to educate white students about black history and the current civil rights movement, particularly in the South, and to recruit students to the Freedom Movement. The students of Joe Deffner's Literature of the … read moreMay 18, 2018 -
Thetford Academy Arts Night - Thursday, May 24, 5:30 p.m. Come enjoy the work of our culinary, design technology, visual and performing arts students. Viewing and sampling will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Anderson Hall. Students from the Foods Around the World class will be serving savory hors d'oeuvres, including spanikopita, sushi, gougeres and more. The work of second semester Visual Arts and Design Technology students from grades 7-12 will be on display in Anderson Hall as well. … read moreMay 18, 2018
Academics
STEM
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics courses teach critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration.
Humanities
Every day, students in English, World Languages, and Social Studies build their skills and confidence in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Arts
Thetford Academy’s wide selection of courses in visual, performing, and practical arts are an essential component in the TA curriculum.
Experiential Learning
Thetford Academy provides students with high quality, meaningful experiential learning opportunities through classes in every academic department.
Student Life
Clubs and Activities
Clubs and activities reflect the interests and passions of today’s students with a balance of traditional opportunities and new offerings.
Beyond the Classroom
From traditions and special events to travel and community service, the time our students spend outside the classroom deepens their learning and inspires personal growth.
Student Services
Advising, counseling, health, academic and social support are some of Thetford Academy’s strongest attributes.
Athletics
Thetford Academy is a Division III school and competes in the Northern Vermont Athletic Conference (NVAC) as a member of the Capital League.
