304 Academy Road, Thetford, Vermont(USA), 05075, United States
13212 106 Avenue NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T5N 1A3, Canada
304 Academy Road, Thetford, Vermont(USA), 05075, United States
13212 106 Avenue NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T5N 1A3, Canada
1819
1983
300
340
7 to 12
Nursery/Toddler to 12
Coed
Coed
Homestay, Day
Day
English
English
Academic
Academic
Progressive
Progressive
14
17 to 22
Dedicated gifted school
$20,963
$8,700 to $19,500
Yes
No
0%
0%
None
None
$0
$0
50
20
0%
0%
0%
100%
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades 9 - 12
Yes: grades Preschool - 12
No
No
information not available
information not available
Thetford Academy is delightful in so many ways it’s hard to know quite where to start. Founded in 1819, it’s the oldest secondary school in Vermont, and has been coed since it first opened its doors. The location, charmingly, was chosen in order to allow students a chance to study in a location described at the time as “remarkably healthy, and free from business, excitement, and every temptation.” While finding a place apart from the real world is certainly no longer a goal—the school is very much an international one in light of its curricular gaze and student population—many of the founding values remain. That includes a dedication to the liberal arts, a rigorous delivery, and a commitment to diversity of thought, perspective, and experience. Instruction today reflects the best practices or our time, with experiential learning, cross-curricular investigation, and a focus on relationships (peer to peer; instructor to student) as the basis of instruction. The campus is extensive, and with a recent purchase of an additional parcel of land adjacent to the main property, has direct access to State Forest. Much, rightly, is made of those outdoor resources, including recreation, physical education, and outdoor instruction. There’s also a maple sugar shack. Again, it’s a stellar setting that hosts a world-class program, just as it’s been doing for more than two centuries.
View full reportProgressive Academy hits a lot of the sweet spots that parents are looking for when considering private education. The size of the student body is smaller than the mean for schools across Canada, and affords a more individual, personal approach to instruction. The students are known by faculty, staff, and peers, and therefore quickly gain a sense of place and belonging. That said, the school is large enough to provide a good range of curricular programs and extracurricular activities. Students have the opportunity to try activities that they perhaps wouldn't attempt in larger, more competitive settings. A strong academic program is delivered in consort with an attention to interpersonal skills and social and emotional development. The school is a particular draw for families looking for a balanced program, one that builds from the students’ interests and creativity, yet supports them to reach a bit beyond their immediate comfort zones.
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"Thetford Academy’s campus is 295 acres of field and forest, with stunning views of the highest peaks of the Connecticut River Valley. The historic White Building, built in 1949 after the original building burned in the Great Fire of 1942, is the centerpiece and hub of Thetford Academy. Sitting at the head of the quad, it is flanked by the the Arts and Science Building, the Vaughan Alumni Gymnasium, and Anderson Hall. Thetford Academy has an extensive trail network for hiking, walking, running, and Nordic skiing."
"Progressive Academy is a multicultural, coed, academic school for students from age 3 to grade 12. We connect learning with living, explore interests and pursue passions. Creating with purpose, energy and joy are the hallmarks of Progressive Academy students. Rigor in core subjects, at the best pace for each student, provides the foundation for pursuit of knowledge and skills. Choice in a wide range of subjects such as robotics, musical theatre, and sports is the fuel to inspire learning."
"Thetford Academy’s 295-acre campus provides unparalleled learning opportunities. Outdoor education is a vital piece of TA’s curriculum and is embedded into many academic disciplines. The Outdoor Program (TOP) offers an immersive interdisciplinary environmental studies elective which combines science, ecology, writing and mindfulness. TOP also offers hiking, camping, rock climbing, and canoeing trips, as well as a leadership program. The garden supports a culinary arts program and school lunches."
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"Thetford Academy proudly offers families a distinctly different learning community. Our strengths lie in our inclusive culture of kindness and student-centered approach. Families choose Thetford Academy because they know their child will have access to diverse and challenging academic opportunities within a respectful, supportive community. Whether working toward a competitive four-year college or a specialized career in the trades, TA cares, and strives to help each student find their own path."
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"Our location may be one of the most underrated aspects of our school. The phrase ‘best of both worlds’ applies; no one leaves without exclaiming over the beauty of our natural landscape. Our campus sits at the edge of an idyllic village, surrounded by farmland and forests. Mountains beckon in the distance, and one of the best cross-country courses in New England graces our backyard. All this, and we’re still just 3 minutes from the highway, 2.5 hours to Boston, and 3 hours by car to Montréal."
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"Thetford Academy families are often surprised by the depth and breadth of academic and extracurricular opportunities available at TA. Despite its small size, TA is often “punching above its weight,” in academics, arts, athletics, robotics, and more. TA students are often competing at the highest levels in their disciplines, winning state championships, competing in state and worldwide competitions, and shining in performances, publications, and on the playing field."
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Carrie Brennan joined Thetford Academy as Head of School in July 2019. With a new, five-year strategic plan in place, and with the school on the cusp of its third century, Carrie Brennan is focused on TA’s future: “I am awed by the rich history of Thetford Academy—and inspired by what a vibrant and dynamic 21st-century school TA is today!” Knowing that she would be leading a team of such dedicated and skilled faculty and staff, sold Carrie on the leadership position. “With this team we can accomplish anything for students.”
Formerly the executive director and co-founder of CITY Center for Collaborative Learning in Tucson, Arizona, Carrie’s work in education and education leadership has been widely recognized. In March 2019, she was named one of Tucson’s “Women of Influence,” an award honoring the region’s most impressive female professionals.
There are so many benefits to sending your child to a school that recognizes the incredible potential of each individual.
Progressive Academy strives to develop well-rounded advanced learners, capable of becoming the entrepreneurs of the future. We develop confidence with intention. Our approaches to education stress understanding through discovery, yet ensure that the necessary base skills are well developed, opening the door for students to pursue subjects as far forward as they are want.
Students are exposed to many required classes including French and Mandarin as second languages, art history, music (including concert band in Junior High), robotics, as well as many options including public speaking, programming, photography, and sports like fencing and equestrian. Our students perform regularly during the school year to build their confidence and comfort with being in front of crowds.
Our school is best characterized as academic. Students are encouraged to learn beyond their grade or age might dictate. We follow the passion for learning of the student, rather than hold them back based on age. Our highly individualized approach helps students learn at an early age that they are directly responsible for their own development.
Progressive
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Progressive (sometimes called "in- quiry-based") curricula attempt to place children's interests and ideas at the heart of the learning experience. Instead of lessons being driven by predetermined pathways, progressive curricula are often "emergent", with learning activities shaped by students' questions about the world. Instead of starting with academic concepts and then tying it to everyday experience, progressive methods begin with everyday experience and work back to an academic lesson. Teachers provide materials, experiences, tools and resources to help students investigate a topic or issue. Students are encouraged to explore, reflect on their findings, and discuss answers or solutions.
Progressive (sometimes called "in- quiry-based") curricula attempt to place children's interests and ideas at the heart of the learning experience. Instead of lessons being driven by predetermined pathways, progressive curricula are often "emergent", with learning activities shaped by students' questions about the world. Instead of starting with academic concepts and then tying it to everyday experience, progressive methods begin with everyday experience and work back to an academic lesson. Teachers provide materials, experiences, tools and resources to help students investigate a topic or issue. Students are encouraged to explore, reflect on their findings, and discuss answers or solutions.
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At TA, we believe that education should be: Active and Engaging People learn by doing. Students need to engage in direct experience, including practice, application, creation, and invention. Reflective and Thoughtful People learn by thinking about experience. Students need to reflect, evaluate, and integrate new learning. Varied and Adaptive People learn in diverse ways. Students need multiple approaches that explore and respect varied learning styles. Safe and Supportive People learn by taking risks in a secure environments. Students need physical and emotional safety, along with encouragement to question and experiment. Structured and Coherent People learn by constructing meaning and seeing patterns. Students need clear expectations, purposeful organization, and valid assessment of their work. Motivating and Inspiring People learn by interacting with expert mentors and inspiring models. Students need relationships with adults-both professional teachers and community mentors-who know their subjects and who love their vocations.
Progressive Academy implements the Alberta Provincial curriculum as a starting point. Students are not bound by grades or constrained by time in their forward progress through the curriculum. High expectations for full understanding and ability to use what has been learned determine forward progress. Authentic learning opportunities provide meaning for curriculum expectation. Students are often in multi-grades classes and are encouraged to perform at their highest level while mentoring younger student in their work.
Equal Balance
Traditional Math typically teaches a method or algorithm FIRST, and THEN teaches the applications for the method. Traditional algorithms are emphasized and practiced regularly: repetition and drills are frequently used to ensure foundational mastery in the underlying mathematical procedures. The traditional approach to math views math education as akin to building a logical edifice: each brick depends on the support of the previously laid ones, which represent mastery over a particular procedure or method. Traditional Math begins by giving students a tool, and then challenges students to practice using that tool an applied way, with progressively challenging problems. In this sense Traditional Math aims to establish procedural understanding before conceptual and applied understanding.
These math programs feature an equal balance of “Traditional” and “Discovery” methods.
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Phonics-intensive
Systematic-phonics programs teach young children to read by helping them to recognize and sound out the letters and syllables of words. Students are then led to blend these sounds together to sound out and recognize the whole word. While other reading programs might touch on phonetics (either incidentally or on a “when needed” basis), systematic phonics teaches phonics in a specific sequence, and uses extensive repetition and direct instruction to help readers associate specific letter patterns with their associated sounds.
Early literacy begins at age three, where our students start to read and write using phonics. Our expectations by grade school are that students are one or several years ahead of norms for reading levels.
Equal balance
Programs that balance systematic and process approaches equally likely have an emphasis on giving young students ample opportunities to write, while providing supplementary class-wide instruction in grammar, parts of sentences, and various writing strategies.
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Equal Balance
Inquiry-based science emphasizes teaching science as a way of thinking or practice, and therefore tries to get students “doing” science as much as possible -- and not just “learning” it. Students still learn foundational scientific ideas and content (and build on this knowledge progressively); however, relative to expository science instruction, inquiry-based programs have students spend more time developing and executing their own experiments (empirical and theoretical). Students are frequently challenged to develop critical and scientific-thinking skills by developing their own well-reasoned hypothesis and finding ways to test those hypotheses. Projects and experiments are emphasized over textbook learning. Skills are emphasized over breadth of knowledge.
Science programs that balance expository and inquiry learning equally will likely have an equal blend of tests and experiments; direct, textbook-based instruction and student-centred projects.
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Evolution as consensus theory
Evolution as one of many equally viable theories
Evolution is not taught
Evolution as consensus theory
Evolution as one of many equally viable theories
Evolution is not taught
Zoology
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These literature programs draw in equal measure from “Traditional” and “Social Justice” programs.
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Ancient lit
English lit
World (non-Western) lit
European (continental) lit
American lit
Canadian lit
Ancient lit
English lit
World (non-Western) lit
European (continental) lit
American lit
Canadian lit
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These programs represent an equal balance between the perennialist and pragmatic approach to teaching the humanities and social sciences.
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These programs feature an equal blend of the audio-lingual and communicative styles of language instruction.
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Hebrew
ESL
Spanish
Russian
Latin
Japanese
Italian
Greek
German
French
Chinese-Mandarin
Chinese-Cantonese
Hebrew
ESL
Spanish
Russian
Latin
Japanese
Italian
Greek
German
French
Chinese-Mandarin
Chinese-Cantonese
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Equal Balance
These programs have an equal emphasis on receptive and creative learning.
These programs have an equal emphasis on receptive and creative learning.
Fine arts are integral to our program for a well balanced student. Art history, performing in French and Mandarin, drama and musical theatre are all part of developing our students' confidence.
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Heavy integration
Effort is made to integrate the development of digital literacy through the curriculum. However, this is not a dominant focus.
A major effort is made to integrate the development of digital literacy throughout the curriculum and in everything students do. Digital literacy is understood to be a fundamental skill in the 21st century: it therefore follows, the idea goes, that teachers should find ways to connect every lesson back to technology. Effort is made to ensure the use of technology is meaningful and advances students’ skills beyond what they would otherwise be from using computers outside the classroom.
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Progressive integrates FIRST Robotics programs into our curriculum, so all students get exposed to technology in a fun, competitive environment. All students are required to have laptops starting in grade four, as our program includes teaching such skills as computer programming, CAD, computer graphics editing and publishing. Additional instruction is available for accelerated students in things like electronics, web design and advanced programming.
Web design
Robotics
Computer science
Thetford Academy offers exciting physical education through a wide variety of activities. These units challenge the individual to master fundamental motor skills;develop coordination and overall fitness; maintain or increase positive attitudes toward peer groups; practice social skills necessary for participating in individual and team activities; demonstrate physical skills based on observation and listening to instructions; understand physical, mental, and emotional health; and increase knowledge and skills to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
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Academic
Academic-based preschools and Kindergartens are the most structured of the different types, and have a strong emphasis on math and reading readiness skills. These programs aim to expose children to what early-elementary school is like. While time is still allotted to free play, much of the day is built around explicit lessons guided by the teacher. Classrooms often resemble play-based ones (with different stations set up around the room), but at an Academic program the teacher leads students through the stations directly, and ties these activities to a whole-class lesson or theme.
By creating engaging environments and providing authentic learning experiences our young learners actively engage in learning and reflection. Whether it is a tour of the city to examine 2D and 3D shapes in Edmonton's architecture, or a study of bugs in the yard - Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten students learn the basic of research - observation. Literacy, communication skills and numeracy are woven into your students daily activities. Our high interactive phonics programs find most of our students with beginning reading skills before they enter Kindergarten.
Student-paced
Broadly-speaking, the main curriculum -- like that of most schools -- paces the provincially-outlined one. This pace is steady and set by the teachers and school. The curriculum might still be enriched in various ways: covering topics more in-depth and with more vigor than the provincial one, or covering a broader selection of topics.
The main curriculum pace is non-standardized and is HIGHLY responsive to the pacing of individual students, (via differentiated instruction, differentiated assessment, etc). In theory, some students outpace the default/normalized curriculum, while others spend periods "behind schedule" if they need the extra time.
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Rigorous
A school with a “supportive” academic culture focuses more on process than short-term outcomes: academic performance is a welcomed side-benefit, but not the driving focus. This does not mean the school lacks standards, or has low expectations for its students: a school can have a supportive academic culture and still light the fire of ambition in its students. It does mean, however, the school provides a less intensive culture than schools with a “rigorous” academic classification, and is focused more simply on instilling a love of learning and life-long curiosity.
A school with a “rigorous” academic culture places a high value on academic performance, and expects their students to do the same. This does not mean the school is uncaring, unsupportive, or non-responsive -- far from it. A school can have a rigorous academic culture and still provide excellent individual support. It does mean, however, the school places a particular emphasis on performance -- seeking the best students and challenging them to the fullest extent -- relative to a normal baseline. High expectations and standards – and a challenging yet rewarding curriculum – are the common themes here. Keep in mind this classification is more relevant for the older grades: few Kindergarten classrooms, for example, would be called “rigorous”.
At Progressive Academy we have high expectations. We expect our students to understand what they are learning and demonstrate their ability to incorporate their learning into their lives. We expect our students to learn how to learn, to take responsibility for their learning, to reflect on their learning and to help others. We expect our students to help shape a better world in their daily lives as students.
"We honour and distinguish our brightest students, using them as examples for other students to follow."
"We honour and distinguish our brightest students, using them as examples for other students to follow."
Balanced
Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation.
Balanced
Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation.
Intellectual
The goal is to cultivate "academically strong, creative and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions."
At Progressive Academy we believe that all of our students can shine in all domains. Each student is naturally more capable in some domains than others, but by providing tools and working together, everyone can succeed intellectually, emotionally, socially, physically, and spiritually.
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RecreationalRec. |
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RecreationalRec. |
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Badminton |
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Baseball |
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Basketball |
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Canoeing/Kayaking |
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Cricket |
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Cross-country skiing |
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Cycling |
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Downhill skiing |
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Equestrian |
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Fencing |
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Field Hockey |
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Figure Skating |
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Football |
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Golf |
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Gymnastics |
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Ice Hockey |
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Ice Skating |
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Lacrosse |
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Martial Arts |
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Mountain biking |
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Racquet Ball |
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Rowing |
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Rugby |
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Running |
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Sailing |
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Skateboarding |
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Snowboarding |
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Soccer |
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Softball |
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Squash |
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Swimming |
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Tennis |
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Track & Field |
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Volleyball |
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Weightlifting |
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Wrestling |
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Archery |
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Curling |
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Ultimate |
Ballet and Classical Ballet
Yoga
Yearbook
Student Council
Scouting
Science Club
School newspaper
Round Square
Robotics club
Radio club
Poetry/Literature club
Photography
Paintball
Outdoor Education
Outdoor Club
Online Magazine
Musical theatre/Opera
Math Club
Jazz Ensemble
Habitat for Humanity
Foreign Language Club
Environmental Club
Drama Club
Debate Club
Dance Club
Computer Club
Community Service
Choir
Chess Club
Band
Audiovisual Club
Astronomy Club
Art Club
Animation
Ballet and Classical Ballet
Yoga
Yearbook
Student Council
Scouting
Science Club
School newspaper
Round Square
Robotics club
Radio club
Poetry/Literature club
Photography
Paintball
Outdoor Education
Outdoor Club
Online Magazine
Musical theatre/Opera
Math Club
Jazz Ensemble
Habitat for Humanity
Foreign Language Club
Environmental Club
Drama Club
Debate Club
Dance Club
Computer Club
Community Service
Choir
Chess Club
Band
Audiovisual Club
Astronomy Club
Art Club
Animation
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$0
$0
0%
100%
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades 9 - 12
Yes: grades Preschool - 12
No
No
No
No
No
Yes: grades 3 - 12
Yes: grades 9 - 12
Yes: grades 10 - 12
No
No
Thetford Academy seeks students who will benefit from and contribute to the educational program at our school. We believe in five fundamental principles: excellence, commitment, cooperation, diversity, and care. We are especially interested in students who want to do their best, help others, and be a part of a respectful learning community.
International Student Application Requirements
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Submit as soon as possible after November 1st. |
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2. Additional Documents |
Mail, fax, or email as soon as possible after your online application is submitted. |
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International Application Essays
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International Physical Examination Report
** Please note that proof of United States Medical Insurance will be required upon enrollment |
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3. International Applicant Recommendation Forms |
Referees must mail, fax, or email recommendations as soon as possible after online application is submitted. |
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4. Official School Transcripts |
Records must be sent directly from your current school to Thetford Academy in a sealed envelope. |
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All documents must be mailed, faxed, or emailed to: Susan Essex Luce International Student Program Coordinator Thetford Academy 304 Academy Road Thetford Center, VT 05075 USA |
Fax: 011-802-785-4805 |
