The Sharon Academy

Download a PDF of the full 2008-2009 School Profile

The Mission

The mission of The Sharon Academy is to nurture intelligent, independent, and creative thinking in a small school community, awakening students to their immense potential and the difference they can make in the world.

Accreditation

The Sharon Academy (TSA) is a Vermont, state-approved independent day school, serving 160 students, grades 7-12, located in beautiful Sharon, Vermont. We are accredited by the State of Vermont and are members of The Coalition of Essential Schools, the Vermont Independent Schools Association, and the Independent Schools Association of Northern New England.

About Us

The Sharon Academy prides itself on being an innovative, academically challenging school that offers the best of both private and public school education. Because we are an approved independent school, our tuition fees can be paid by any Vermont town that normally tuitions students to area public schools. We offer a stimulating, academically challenging program in a small school environment.

The Academy opened as a middle school with 12 students in one classroom in 1996. The goal was to create a school with high academic standards where students would feel safe – a place where students came first, where they were able to be themselves, be accepted socially, and challenged academically. TSA graduated its first class of four seniors in 2002. It grew to capacity by 2004/2005, and continues with approximately 30 students per grade in the high school.

The Area

Key Facts

• 100% of our students complete Junior and Senior Exhibitions, required capstone projects that include in-depth research papers and presentations.
• 100% participate in weekly student-run community meetings.
• 100% complete at least 40 hours of community service per year as part of their graduation requirements.
• 98% of our high school students participate in the annual musical during interim.
• 100% of our middle school students participate in the circus during interim.
• 60% participate in a team sport.
• 94% pursue post-secondary education within one year of graduation (89% at four-year institutions).
• 83% elect all four years of science, history, math, and foreign language courses.
• 42% participate in independent studies or outside courses.
• 8% of our high school students study abroad every year.
• 83% are publicly funded.
• 23% will be first-generation college students according to the federal definition.
• At least 16% qualify for Dr. Dynosaur (a state health program for families with low incomes).
• 63% of our faculty hold advanced degrees.

Contact Information

Our staff is made up of qualified professionals from diverse backgrounds. All of our teachers have enhanced their preparation through continued education. In fact, over sixty percent of our staff and faculty holds one or more advanced degrees. Please see our Faculty and Staff webpage in order to see a full list of current employees.

• Head of School: Michael Livingston
• Head of Middle School: Rob Stainton
• Administrative Manager: Janice Stumpf
• Bookkeeper: Joni Lyman
• Director of Development: Elly Boerke
• High School Counseling: Christa Wurm, Robert Bryant, Rob Stainton
• College Advising: Kimberly Barnhard
• Admissions: Rebecca Seibel

Graduation Requirements (High School)

The Graduation Exhibitions contain written, visual and oral components. Exhibition assessment is based both on a written component (8-12 pages) and on the knowledge and skill demonstrated in an oral presentation (20-25 minutes) before a committee of faculty and peers.

Students generally earn 6 ½ credits per year: six in-school credits and an outside half credit for physical education. Minimum diploma requirements include:

• 4 English credits
• 2 Foreign Language credits
• 3 History and Social Science (including 1 credit of United States History)
• 1 Visual Art credit (1/2 studio art)
• 3 Math credits
• 2 Physical Education credits
• 3 Science credits (including 2 Lab Science)
• 6 Elective credits

Class Rank and GPA Procedures

The Sharon Academy is dedicated to delivering an academically challenging and stimulating curriculum to students who are committed to academic success. We use the following values to determine a student's GPA, based on a four-point system where A is 4.0. Due to our small numbers, we do not calculate class rank. No courses are weighted.

O = Outstanding
E = Excellent
S = Satisfactory
U = Unsatisfactory
I = Incomplete

Curriculum

Ability-grouping is utilized only in mathematics and foreign language. All other classes are academically advanced and designed to challenge all students. We have no AP or Honors courses because our course offerings are already demanding. We acknowledge outstanding academic performance with a High Honors designation when a student has maintained a 97% average for the duration of the course. Students who complete all of our upper level coursework and wish to pursue college credit may, beginning in January of their junior year, take one course a term at nearby Community College of Vermont or Dartmouth College. We award 1/2 credit for each completed college course.

A Sampling of the Curriculum

• The Senior Science class, Energy and the Environment, does real-world research around a specific theme every year.  Last year, the class designed five "green" homes, with each group member researching various aspects of the buildings.  The goal was to build a clean, energy-efficient building that could withstand weather conditions in Vermont.  In 2006-07, the class researched transportation issues in Vermont and their impact on the environment. They presented their findings and proposals to the Vermont Legislature.
• Division II (9th and 10^th grades) Humanities courses are interdisciplinary English and History, with a two-year curriculum that combines both grade levels.  In the 2007-08 school year, the American Studies Curriculum, "What do I believe", required students to submit a final paper and presentation defending their core values with examples from literature, history, and current events.

Extracurricular Activities

Post High School Plans:

The Sharon Academy welcomes any student regardless of socio-economic, racial, ethnic, religious or cultural origin. The Academy is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.