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From the Head of School

Welcome to TA’s website! Whatever brings you here – whether you are a current or prospective student, a panther parent or grandparent, a TA alum, a community supporter, a curious educator, or just an interested Upper Valley neighbor – we hope you find stories, facts, and program information about Thetford Academy that are useful and compelling and that capture the unique and inspired nature of our school.

The Head of School page allows me to share my weekly family letters and other blog posts with the wider world. Topics range from program highlights and parent reminders to student shout-outs and class projects – and so much more. Most importantly, I try to spotlight all of the exciting activity happening on our campus and offer a window into daily life and learning at TA.

I invite you to take time to cruise around our website to learn more about Thetford Academy, starting with the TA News page for all of the latest updates.

You can read more about me and my experience as an educator here: Carrie’s bio.

Please be in touch with questions, suggestions, and ideas to share!

Carrie Brennan, Head of School
Thetford Academy
  • Dear TA Families, Early January is a busy time of transition, as we return from holiday break and jump back into classes. Students are working on culminating projects, essays, performances, exams, and reflections during this final stretch of the semester. Please encourage and support students as they prep for important deadlines in the coming days......

  • Dear TA Families, In keeping with the season of giving, our assembly this week featured a variety of clubs and classes generously raising funds and awareness for community needs on both the local and global levels. It was inspiring to have so many student groups modeling our school values of......

  • Dear TA Families, Winter is here! The snow and chilly temps change up our routines – but don’t deter us from heading outside during the school day. Some early winter season spotlights (featured in this week’s photos): One of the (cozy indoor) ways we kick off the season is the winter......

  • Dear TA Families, The weeks between Thanksgiving and the Holiday Break are busy ones at Thetford Academy. Here is a preview of some key December dates. Dec. 9 – FAFSA Workshop for the Class of 2025 We hope to see lots of seniors and their family members on Monday evening......

  • Dear TA Families, A short note on this short week with one big message: On behalf of all of us at Thetford Academy, we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the extra time with family and friends over the holiday weekend. We will see everyone back on Monday.  Carrie Brennan,......

  • Dear TA Families, Question: “If you were in a traveling circus, what role would you have?” First response: “The lion tamer, no doubt!” This fun discussion prompt, which quickly elicited spirited answers from friends around the table, was one of many interesting conversations I caught little pieces of while strolling......

  • Pictured (l to r): Pril Hall, trustee of Thetford’s Farm Trust; Jane Francisco, representing the Frances Barrows Fund; Beckie Gray, ’59; John Brown, Director of Buildings and Grounds; Barbara Smith, ’58; Carrie Brennan, Head of School; Patty McIlvaine, Director of Advancement; and Caleb Crossett, ’25. We hosted a small ribbon-cutting......

  • Dear TA Families, Three topics to turn your attention to this week:  👉 Come out to support the performing arts at Thetford Academy and celebrate student creativity and talent! 🎶 🎭  👉 Sign up now for the winter sports season! 🏀 🎿  👉 Please complete your student records review in Alma! ✅ Thank......

  • Dear TA Families, Next week, at long last, the bridge connecting Thetford, VT and Lyme, NH will reopen. While only 18 months in duration, the project took place over the course of three school years, starting in the spring semester of 2022-23 and ending in the fall semester of 2024-25.......

  • Dear TA Families, We had a fun spirit week and lots of Halloween creativity. I was impressed with the number of students who participated each day, starting with a very cozy Monday with so many students in pajamas! We closed the week on a more serious note, gathering as a school......

  • Dear TA Families, Hosting & Traveling This past week was a busy one of hosting and traveling. On the athletics front, the boys soccer team hosted local rival Oxbow on Tuesday and kept the crowd on the edge of their seats with a double overtime win, 1-0. The girls varsity soccer......

  • Dear TA Families, Quarter 1 Homestretch Next Friday, October 25, is the last day of 1st quarter. This is an important time for students to take stock of their progress in their classes thus far, revise work they want to improve upon, and prepare for final assessments and assignments due next week.......

Upcoming Events

January 2025

Sunday January 12

All Day
HS Track & Field @ UVM

Monday January 13

10:00 am – 11:00 am
'Devised Theater' Performances
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Boys JV/V Basketball @ Williamstown (5:30/7:00)
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Girls JV/V Basketball @ Peoples Academy (5:30/7:00)

Tuesday January 14

All Day
Final Exams & Projects Day (Half-Day, 8:10am-12:10pm)
4:00 pm – 6:30 pm
MS Girls/Boys Basketball vs Hartford (4:00/5:15)

Wednesday January 15

All Day
Final Exams & Projects Day (Half-Day, 8:10am-12:10pm)
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Boys JV/V Basketball vs Lake Region (5:30/7:00)

Thursday January 16

All Day
Alpine Ski Team @ Saskadena Six
Last Day of Quarter 2 / Semester 1
Make-Ups & Call-Backs Day (Half-Day, 8:10am-12:10pm)
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
MS Coed Basketball Game @ Sharon (5:00)
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Girls JV/V Basketball vs Windsor (5:30/7:00)

Friday January 17

All Day
No School ~ Semester Break
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Boys JV/V Basketball @ Spaulding (5:30/7:00)

our VALUES

Excellence

We set high expectations. We challenge all members of the school community to reach their highest potential.

Commitment

We value initiative, courage and dedication. We take personal responsibility for the goals we set and work hard to achieve them.

Cooperation

We work and learn together. We see teachers as coaches, students as team members, families as partners, and learning as practice and action.

Caring

We provide individuals with personalized support and guidance. We care about each other and the larger community.

Diversity

We respect differences among people. We welcome the contribution of varied perspectives to a rich and flexible school culture.