Thetford Academy

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.

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​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."

Online Application Form
International Application Essays
•Have you ever studied abroad or lived away from your family? If so, please tell us more. Also, please tell us about any other international travel experience (150 words or less)
•Thetford Academy seeks students who will benefit from and contribute to the educational program at our school. We are interested in students who want to try hard, help others, and join a respectful learning community. We believe in five fundamental principles: excellence, commitment, cooperation, diversity, and caring. In your words, please tell us what these principles mean to you (500 words or less).

Individual and Family Photographs (4-6 total)

International Physical Examination Report
•Part 1 completed by Parents of Applicant
•Part 2 completed by Family Physician
** Please note that proof of United States Medical Insurance will be required upon enrollment.

International Applicant Financial Statement documenting the ability to pay tuition and expenses for one year.
TOEFL Test Results

International Applicant Recommendation Forms
•One recommendation from Mathematics Instructor
•One recommendation from English Instructor
•One recommendation from Principal/Head/Counselor

Official School Transcripts

 

ACADEMICS
College Preparatory: In addition to a wide range of Honors and Advanced courses, Thetford Academy has partnerships with local universities, including Dartmouth College, University of Vermont, and Community College of Vermont where students can earn college and high school credits concurrently.
ARTS: Drawing, Printmaking, Ceramics, Painting, Advanced and Independent Art, Design Tech (woodworking, jewelry, metal work), Advanced Design Tech, Timber Framing, Drama, Playwriting, Film Analysis (Honors option), Instrumental Ensemble, Stage Band, Choral Music, Musical Theater, Music Composition and Music Theory, Culinary Arts
ENGLISH: Classics (Honors), Creative Writing, Human Nature in Literature (Honors), Journalism, Science Fiction (Honors), Senior English (Honors), Sports and Society, Women’s Literature, World Literature, ESOL I & II
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: Internet & Society, C Programming and Mobile App Development, Robotics, Yearbook
MATHEMATICS: Pre-Algebra, Algebra Lab, Geometry, Applied Math, Business Math, Statistics, Finite Math, Precalculus, Calculus
PHYSICAL EDUCATION & WELLNESS: Physical Education, Aerobic Fitness, Sports Medicine, Yoga, JV & Varsity Sports
SCIENCE: Conceptual Physical Science, Biology, Advanced/Honors Biology, Astronomy, Chemistry (Honors option), Environmental Science, Forestry, Horticulture, Physics, Robotics, ZOOBOT! Zoology and Botany
SOCIAL SCIENCE: Western Civilization (Honors option), US History, World History (Honors option), Economics, Financial Literacy, Human Geography (Honors option), Psychology, Social Communication, Sports and Society, Local Foods

American University, Bard College, Boston University, Bowdoin College, Brandeis, Brown University, Carnegie Mellon, Clark, Cornell University, Dartmouth, Drexel, Drew, Fordham, Georgia Tech, Iowa State, Michigan State, Northeastern, Oberlin, Ohio State, Princeton, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Sewanee- School of the South, Skidmore, Smith College, SUNY ESF, Tufts, UC Santa Barbara, University of Chicago, University of Delaware, University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign, University of Iowa, University of Miami, UMass Amherst, University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill, University of Notre Dame, University of Vermont, Williams College, Yale University