http://www.charlemont.org

 

facsimile page

The Academy at Charlemont

Serving students from Western Massachusetts since 1981

 

An increasing number of Ashfield students are attending this fine, small private school in Charlemont, which is a few miles down Route 2, heading east. Four of my grandkids either go there now or have recently graduated from there - which may explain my bias. On the other hand, people who have become ascquainted with this educational/regional website know better than to expect strict categories of anything here. My criterion is what happens to kids.

 

Click here for several VOX (the school publication) images from the year 2002, a set of dramatic pictures taken by a student in connection with the drama in 2001, plus pictures of the Leue family's participation in the life of the Academy.

 

Click here for a moving description of a day in the life of Academy students by Todd Sumner, the Headmaster. This is also an appeal for support money, which is OK with me - it's a great place for kids, and they take in a lot of kids from families who can't really pay much - so they are a good place to help out. Not that many private schools can make that claim.

From the website:

 

The Academy at Charlemont is an independent day school for grades 7-12 plus also post graduate study. Located in the Berkshire Hills of northwestern Massachusetts, the Academy welcomes students from neighboring hilltowns and communities throughout the Pioneer Valley. It accepts, as well, students from other regions and abroad.

 

Boarding for students from distant areas is arranged through the school's home stay program in selected homes in the Academy community. The Academy was founded with the conviction that a small school can best serve the needs and talents of each of its students. It remains committed to this principle.

 

Enrollment is limited to 100 students. The Academy at Charlemont teaches appreciation of diversity, responsibility, standards of ethical behavior, mastery of intellectual skills and appreciation of art and music 

 

The school was established in 1981, and moved to current location on Mohawk Trail in 1989. it is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), and is a member of NAIS, AISNE, and The College Board

 

The school offers a classical education with core requirements in English, Latin, history, mathematics and science. Four years of contemporary foreign language are required (French, Spanish, or Russian).  Also available are internships and foreign exchange programs, broad art, music, and drama programs and a sports program, (both competitive and un-).

 

The student population is co-educational, including grades 7-12 and post-graduate, 85 students total. 95 percent of students are day students; home stay is available. More than 90 percent of our graduates go on to a four-year college. There have been 155 graduates to date. Financial aid is available.

 

Schedule and environment: a modified long-block schedule. Class size is 6-18. The faculty /student ratio is 8:1. A student-run lunch program is available.

 

Academics: Close cooperation between students and faculty is what makes learning at the Academy special. We work together to make learning interesting and rewarding. Small class size allows for more personal attention from your instructors. The Core Curriculum includes mathematics, history, literature, the arts, science, ancient and modern foreign language, and computer literacy.

 Learning occurs in many different ways- Not all of it takes place inside the classroom. Some students choose to do a semester or a year abroad, or to do foreign travel. Sophomores do an internship in March in a business or profession that interests them. All seniors do an extensive independent project on a subject of special interest.

 

Life extends beyond the classroom: the Academy is a place for experience  beyond day-to-day classroom learning. The year traditionally begins with an all-school rafting trip on the Deerfield River. Among other opportunities during the school year are exchanges to Mexico, Alaska, and London,  into-the-workplace internships, all-school trips to New York, and the Model United Nations in Boston.

 

The arts in education: This is a big dimension of the Academy that enhances student and faculty life in profound ways often too subtle to specify! Students often take a role in the big winter production that might be a play by Shakespeare or an original musical comedy, or choose to learn how to work the lights or be a stage manager, and often participate in fall or spring drama workshops.

 

Music: .is another lively dimension of the life of the school, offering opportunities to join the chorus, study an instrument, join the jazz band, or work with others in an ensemble enthusiastically supported and trained by talented faculty members. The school presents a concert every year where students can demonstrate their musical talents of all varieties under the guidance of this superb faculty guidance and inspiration. The arts also form part of regular classroom work.

 

Preparation for college: The Academy's  college counselor helps students through the selection and application process when they are ready to think about college. Academy graduates regularly gain admission to a variety of selective colleges. 

 

Student Life:         

We recognize that not all learning takes place within the confines of the classroom.

At the Academy we value the lessons that internships, travel, service, and athletics

have to offer. We encourage all students to participate. 

 

We are a Community:

In all activities, the Academy instills appreciation of the diversity within the community, the particular gifts of people of different ages and backgrounds, and the uniqueness of the individual. 

 

Exploring the World Around Us:

In the past few years our students have participated in exchanges in Alaska, France, Austria, Germany, Mexico, London, and Spain. 

 

Service to Others: 

At the Academy each individual exercises responsibility to the community in the maintenance of a standard of ethical behavior and through participation in the civic affairs of the school and larger society. See Kate Branson's Senior Project:  Hungry to Help? Click on the URL below:

http://www.charlemont.org/students/kbranson/Hungerstatisticslinks.htm

 

Everyone is Involved: 

A distinctive spirit of community encourages Academy students to pursue their interests and to develop new skills and talents.

 

The Academy at Charlemont does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, handicap, national origin, or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational, admissions, and financial aid policies, or in any other programs and policies administered by the Academy.

  

The Academy at Charlemont

The Mohawk Trail

Charlemont, MA 01339

Tel: (413) 339-4912

Fax: (413) 339-4324

Email: academy@charlemont.com

7-12, PG, Coed, Day 75, Boarding 4

 

Send mail to admissions@charlemont.org with questions or comments about this web site.

 

Back to schools page