With this transition on the horizon, I plan to devote myself to all the work that lies ahead this year. I will divide my time into being present on campus as much as I can for students and families and visiting our alumni off campus. It is important to me to continue knowing our students, as they are the reason we are here and we are dedicated to our work with what we call the Vermont Academy Way of teaching and learning.

My excitement for the start of this school year cannot be overstated. I am absolutely thrilled to meet all of the new families and as well as saying an ecstatic “welcome back” to our returning ones. Our student population is currently at 220 (and still growing) and we’re elated to have our largest 9th grade class in many years with 37 ninth graders joining us. In just a couple of weeks, we will welcome new faculty members in Humanities, Word Language, Science, and Math to join our returning faculty for faculty orientation. Some of our newest administrators are already on campus working with the rest of the administration team putting the final touches on both faculty and student orientation. While campus is missing the energy of our Wildcats, our leadership is busy planning for a wonderful year ahead. 

The rest of the hilltop has been a flurry of activity this summer as the renovations of Fuller and Alumni Hall are moving forward according to our timeline and the fitness center awaits the delivery of brand new equipment. The gift from brothers Tom ’59 and Steve ’57 Richardson has enabled us to restore the large-sized original classrooms on the first floor of Fuller, unearth fireplaces central to each room along with high windows, and add new furniture and technology to these spaces so that each classroom is state of the art but also restored to its historical beauty. The art and media spaces are also being polished in their new spaces on the lower level of Alumni Hall. New flooring went down in our new fitness center last week and all that is missing is our Wildcats using these amazing new rooms.

As I write, the Eurocross Academy bike camp is with us for two weeks, and in July we ran a successful LaLiga Vermont soccer camp. Before we know it, the time to return will be here. I am looking forward to having our students back on campus and to seeing their faces as they witness what this year will be like with improved facilities and new spaces as well. There is much to celebrate for the opening of school!

Best,

Jennifer