“Consider that the mind is capable of an endless growth,” said Asa Burton, who led a group of community-minded individuals to found Thetford Academy in 1819. Today, Thetford Academy continues to uphold and operate with this same premise. By combining the traditions of its 176-year history with a constantly-renewed commitment to serving the changing needs of students and local communities, Thetford Academy seeks to prepare learners for both the practical needs of the present and the emerging realities of the future.
Thetford Academy has always been a School in Motion, continually improving by challenging all members of the school community to set high expectations and to reach their highest potential. In a caring, cooperative setting, Thetford Academy’s 300 students in grades 7–12 are challenged to become active learners in preparation for life. The Academy has small-school traditions of individualized attention, respect for diversity, a strong cooperative spirit, and opportunities for leadership and service. These encourage students to challenge them-selves, work together to solve problems, and help neighbors in school and in the community.
To meet the needs of these and future students, Thetford Academy must improve classrooms and labs, move and expand the library, increase computer capabilities, and provide handicapped accessibility, all at an estimated cost of $1.5 million. Only through a successful campaign can Thetford Academy continue to create the active learning community needed to prepare students for tomorrow’s endless growth.

Firmum Fundamentum Pone is the motto of Thetford Academy. Through the innovative collaboration of students, faculty, and community members, Thetford Academy has been “Building on a Firm Foundation” for the past 176 years.
During Thetford Academy’s history, cooperative efforts have risen to the challenge. At times, crisis has inspired cooperation, as in 1942, when Thetford Academy rose from the ashes of a fire that burned classroom buildings to create a new campus with the White Building as its centerpiece. During the years that followed, change inspired cooperation. The Thetford community pulled together to meet the needs of a growing community by building activity centers such as Anderson Gymnasium, Daniels Science/Agriculture Building, and the Art Building. At times, cooperation was motivated by opportunity, a sheer desire to create something to benefit the greater community. This desire spurred the creation of a 5,000 meter cross- country trail through Academy land and the Thetford Hill State Forest.This popular trail hosted the New England High School Championships in 1992 and will be host again in 1996.
The cornerstone of Thetford Academy’s firm foundation is, and always has been, cooperation. This living heritage is renewed each year as students and teachers take active responsibility for their memberships in the school and the larger community. Together with parents, alumni and community members the Thetford Academy community will again pull together and meet the challenge, and the opportunity, of this campaign.

To prepare students for the future, their library must be a space that serves many purposes: quiet reading and group discussions; research through books, periodicals and on-line; and individual study and cooperative projects.
By moving the library upstairs in the White Building, students gain needed storage, work space, and light with convenient access to books, audio-visual equipment, and computers.
The design of the new library will preserve the architectural integrity of the exterior of the White Building while creating an open, multi-purpose floor plan enclosed by walls of windows. The White Building with the new library will become a central, active learning space for the school community, as well as an accessible meeting place for the larger community.

Today’s students need ready access to a diverse set of tools. Thetford Academy’s learners require up-to-date classrooms, equipped workshops, and expanded science labs all appointed with the right tools. These same students also need access to technology in the classroom and in independent or group study.
With the laying of new fiber optic and coaxial cable, the entire campus will have access to computer and telephone-based technology and a local area network (LAN) linking faculty, administrators, and students. Teachers can share information for interdisciplinary education and students can jump on the information superhighway to tap into research at other schools. Thetford Academy has been chosen by the State of Vermont as a television satellite downlink for “distance learning” and can make a broad array of satellite broadcasts and Advanced Placement courses available for school and community use.

Thetford Academy must comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and must continue its efforts to meet current standards for life safety, handicapped accessibility and building conservation. To protect all members of its community, emergency lighting, exit signs, fire alarm systems, and fire rated doors and sprinkler systems will be upgraded.
With a gift from the town of Thetford, a new elevator tower now provides access to Anderson Hall’s lower level multi-purpose room and locker rooms and upper level gymnasium, kitchen, and town meeting room. A new handicapped lift will also be installed in the White Building for access to two levels and to the Annex through a new connector. Bathrooms also will be accessible. In addition, energy efficiency will improve with window replacement, insulation, mechanical system controls, and upgraded heating, ventilating, and electrical systems.

With dramatic views from atop Thetford Hill to the eastern mountains, members of the Thetford Academy community have always enjoyed a beautiful setting. Yet, the campus has not had a central focal point. Students currently walk through a parking lot to reach classes in various buildings. With the development of new entrances for accessibility, Thetford Academy has an opportunity to create a pedestrian “quadrangle” in place of the present parking lot.
The new landscaped courtyard will provide a focus for the campus and increase the safety of all students with designated walkways and grade level access to buildings. Students will enter the campus from a drop-off area at the top of the “quad” and traffic will be diverted around the campus to a larger parking lot behind the Daniels Science/Agriculture Building. The new quad will be both the symbolic and geographic center of the Thetford Academy campus for students, staff, and community members.

Thetford Academy needs support at all levels to successfully build on its firm foundation. The school is not state supported or subsidized for building improvements and renovations. With a leadership gift from the estate of Sheldon Miller ’09 and a generous gift from the town of Thetford, we were able to begin work, but much remains to be done. Your gift to this campaign will strengthen our ability to provide for future generations, while keeping tuition affordable and programs competitive. We invite you to participate through a contribution of cash, appreciated securities, real estate, or by making a planned gift. Named and memorial gift opportunities are available. For more information or to discuss how you can help, please contact Trish Rick in the Development Office at 802-785-2600.
Contributions can be mailed to Thetford Academy, Academy Road, P.O. Box 622, Thetford, Vermont 05074.

Thetford Academy was founded in 1819 as an independent school with a public mission, and has remained true to this commitment ever since. As Vermont’s oldest secondary school, Thetford Academy is proud of the generations of learners it has served. As a private, non-profit institution, Thetford Academy has an opportunity to create an active learning environment for the 21st century, the cost of which will not be paid by the local tax payer or floated through a bond issue.
Only through fund-raising can this challenge be met. Only then can the community benefit from these improvements to facilities and programs. Thetford Academy’s greatest strength is the exceptional commitment of its members: the student who tutors at the elementary school, the teacher who paints the backdrop for an upcoming theatre performance, the Trustee who pores over the budget to stretch resources, and the neighbor who cheers on the championship team.
This is Thetford Academy. The initiative, courage, and dedication of all members of the school and its surrounding community have made the firm foundation at Thetford Academy possible. Your commitment, and contribution at any level, is needed to meet the challenge for the future. We look forward to hearing from you.

Thetford Academy
Academy Road, P.O. Box 622
Thetford, Vermont 05074-0622
School: 802-785-4805
Development: 802-785-2600
Photography by John Sheldon,
H-O Photographers