Vermont Academy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vermont Academy |
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Logo of Vermont Academy.
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| Address | |
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10 Long Walk
Saxtons River
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05154
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| Coordinates | 43°08′30″N 72°30′31″W / 43.1417444°N 72.5087004°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Private boarding and day school |
| Established | 1876 |
| Head of School | Jennifer L. Zaccara |
| Faculty | 50 |
| Enrollment | 200 |
| Campus | Rural |
| Color(s) | Black and orange |
| Mascot | Wildcats |
| Website | |
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Vermont Academy Campus Historic District
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View of the Vermont Academy campus in 2013.
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| Architect | Adden & Parker; Adden, Parker, Clinch & Crimp; Frank Lyman Austin; Clinton Smith |
| Architectural style | Italianate, Romanesque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 15000423 |
| Added to NRHP | July 14, 2015 |
Vermont Academy (often called VA) is a special school in Saxtons River, Vermont. It's a private school where both boys and girls learn together. Students can live at the school (a boarding and day school) or come for the day. VA helps students get ready for college. It teaches students from ninth to twelfth grade, and also offers a year for students who have already graduated high school. The school started way back in 1876. Its beautiful campus was even added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015, which means it's a historically important place!
Contents
School History: How Vermont Academy Began
The idea to start Vermont Academy came up at a meeting in Windsor, Vermont, on November 10, 1869. The goal was to create a school for young people, both boys and girls, from the Baptist community.
A man named Charles L. Jones, who was from Saxtons River, gave a large amount of money ($20,000) to help build the school. The very first building on campus, Jones Hall, was named after him. It's still standing today!
Vermont Academy officially opened in 1876. It was founded by William M. Pingry. At first, it even had a special section just for younger boys. This part of the school focused on teaching students about outdoor life.
In 1934, Laurence G. Leavitt became the headmaster, which is like the school's principal. He led the school for 25 years. During his time, the number of students doubled, and the school was able to pay off all its debts.
School Traditions: The Evening Song
One special tradition at Vermont Academy is the "Evening Song." It's a beautiful poem written by Dorothy Hall Leavitt in 1934. The song talks about the amazing nature and beauty of Vermont, and how those memories stay with students long after they leave.
O Vermont, we've seen your beauty,
changing with each hour and day.
We have found your hidden trout pools,
where the light and shadows play.
Swirling sparks above a campfire,
hemlocks laden down with snow.
Autumn hillsides flaming crimson,
where the sugar maples grow.
Morning mist upon the mountains,
frosty stars across the sky.
Snowy campus turned to silver,
when the moon is riding high.
O Vermont, we will not leave you,
here behind us when we part.
We will take your beauty with us,
etched forever on each heart!—Dorothy Hall Leavitt
What Students Learn: Academics at VA
Vermont Academy offers many different subjects to help students learn and grow. You can take classes in Art, English, History, and Music. There are also classes for Math and Science.
Students can learn a new language, choosing from French, Latin, or Spanish. The school also has a special program called Learning Skills to help students with their studies. Plus, there's College Counseling to guide students in applying to universities.
Vermont Academy even works with another private school, Liceo Europeo, in Madrid, Spain.
Sports and Activities: The Wildcats
Vermont Academy's sports teams are called the Wildcats. They compete in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council and are part of the Lakes Region League. The school offers a wide variety of sports throughout the year.
Fall Sports
In the fall, students can try:
- Crew (rowing)
- Cross country (running)
- Equestrian (horse riding)
- Mountain biking
- Soccer
- Wilderness skills
Spring Sports
When spring arrives, the sports include:
- Baseball
- Equestrian
- Fly fishing
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Rock climbing
- Tennis
Winter Sports
During the winter months, students can enjoy:
- Alpine skiing
- Basketball
- Dance
- Freeskiing
- Hockey
- Nordic skiing
- Snowboarding
The school has great facilities for sports. There are five playing fields, two practice fields, and an ice rink. You'll also find six tennis courts, a ropes course, and a mountain biking course. Plus, there are 20 kilometers (about 12 miles) of trails and a winter sports park with ski jumps and slopes!
Exploring the Campus: Buildings and Dorms
The Vermont Academy campus is located in Saxtons River. It's a big area, more than 31 acres (about 12.5 hectares) in size. Many of the buildings are very old, dating back to when the school started in 1876.
Jones Hall was the very first building, and it's now a dormitory where students live. In 1888, Fuller Hall was built, named after a school trustee named Levi K. Fuller. Later, in 1921, Alumni Hall was designed by a famous architect, Frank Lyman Austin.
Besides the Wilbur Library, Vermont Academy has many other buildings. The dormitories are separate for boys and girls. There's enough space for over 100 boys and 60 girls to live on campus.
In the 2000s, the school added some new and modern spaces. These include an observatory (built in 2003) for looking at the stars, a gymnasium and fitness center (2004) for sports and exercise, and a performing arts center (2006) for plays and music.
Because of its history and special buildings, the Vermont Academy campus was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.
Cost of Attending: Tuition
For the 2023-2024 school year, the cost to attend Vermont Academy is $69,500 for students who live at the school (boarding students). For students who come for the day (day students), the tuition is $38,000.
Famous People Who Went to VA
Many interesting people have graduated from Vermont Academy over the years.
Leaders and Public Servants
Some graduates have become important leaders in the United States. These include politicians and military officers. For example, John Barrett (1885) became a diplomat, and Mark Palmer (1959) was an ambassador. Judges like Joseph Bogdanski (1931) and Fred Tarbell Field (1895) also went to VA.
Three people who served in the House of Representatives (part of the U.S. government) also graduated from Vermont Academy: Henry L. Bowles, Howard A. Coffin, and Samuel B. Pettengill (1904). Frank C. Archibald, who was the top lawyer for Vermont, also attended.
Military officers who went to VA include United States Army officers Donald E. Edwards (1955) and Bruce M. Lawlor (1966), Marine Corps officer William W. Stickney (1922), and Navy officer Joseph Metcalf III (1946).
Athletes and Sports Legends
Vermont Academy has also produced many professional athletes.
- Basketball: Bruce Brown (2016) and Jordan Nwora (2017) are two graduates who have played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nwora won the NBA Finals with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021, and Brown won with the Denver Nuggets in 2023. Other professional basketball players include Keron DeShields (2011), Corey Johnson (2015), Tyrique Jones (2016), and Simisola Shittu (2018).
- Hockey: Chloé Aurard (2018), Paul Fenton (1978), Lotti Odnoga (2018), and Blanka Škodová (2018) are professional hockey players. Bill Torrey (1952) is a very famous name in hockey. He's in the Hockey Hall of Fame because he was a general manager for the New York Islanders and helped them win four Stanley Cups in a row in the 1980s!
- Other Sports: Bert Abbey (1887) and Danny MacFayden played Major League Baseball. Skiers Rob DesLauriers (1983) and Joseph Peter Wilson also went to VA. Marcus Santos-Silva (2017) played football, and Jim MacLaren (1981) was a famous triathlete. John Henry Williams (1986), whose dad was the baseball legend Ted Williams, also attended the school.
Innovators and Creative Minds
Vermont Academy graduates have also been inventors and creative people.
- Paul Harris (1888) founded Rotary International, a huge worldwide service organization.
- Russell W. Porter (1891) started the hobby of amateur telescope making, helping people build their own telescopes.
- Archibald Query (1900) invented Marshmallow Fluff, a sweet treat!
- Christopher A. Sinclair (1967) was the former CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Pepsi, a big company that makes drinks.
- Joe Perry (1969) is the lead guitarist for the famous rock band Aerosmith.
Other notable alumni include authors like Mark W. Smith (1987) and John Steptoe, and scientists like Florence R. Sabin (1889). Clara Converse (1879) was a missionary who helped start education for women in Japan.
See also
Images for kids
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Frank C. Archibald
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Clara Converse
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Paul Harris
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