The Academy at Charlemont

After reading the reviews below I feel the need to offer a different opinion. My advise would be to tread carefully. The school is excellent for the right type of student (and it's arts program is wonderful), but if your child has any type of learning difficulty, our experience was that they were not prepared to help. The administration promised us all kinds of help and support, none of which ever came to fruition, and our experience was similar to that of several other families that we knew. Also, there is only one class per grade in each subject. This makes it nearly impossible for the teachers to address the needs of each student as some were ready for more complex material while others needed to take it slower. The classes had also gotten large (mid 20's in algebra class, for example) making addressing individual needs even more difficult. In addition, they supported independent thinking as long as it ran parallel to their own. We always felt that to be successful there we needed to "drink the Kool-Aid" There is now a new Head of School and some changes in administration. Hopefully this will help, but if your child needs any kind of academic support, be careful.
—Submitted by a parent

Being a student at the Academy is amazing. The school's community is 100% unique and caring. The teachers and students are very supportive of the students at all times. The older students of the school really take on a large leadership role and always have been enthusiastic, encouraging, and social with and towards the younger students. The Academics are outstanding and you are surrounded with other students who want to learn and challenge themselves Academically. It is a great learning environment to be in. One of the great things about the Academy is that the visual and preforming arts aren't considered as extra curricular but part of the curriculum of the student. The arts are a very important part of the school and the programs for the arts are outstanding. I can strongly say that anyone that is looking for a private school with a good academic program, art program, and a healthy school environment should really consider the academy. I know that I really enjoy it and look forward to going back for another year.

The Academy is a small independent school in rural Franklin County that both my children have attended. The most outstanding feature of the school is that kids there smile! They are engaged in learning, they create interesting, high quality art, music and class projects and they are part of a community that values them as individuals. The Academy has an honor code that sets the tone for the school and is critical in creating a community where everyone is responsible for their own actions and for nurturing the relationships that make the school succeed. This is more than lip service and the kids take the honor code to heart. The Academy has excellent college outcomes with graduates attending the top schools in the country including Williams, Oberlin, Wesleyan, Middlebury and many others. The academics are rigorous and independent thinking and analysis is strongly encouraged. Overall, a great place for adolescents to thrive!
—Submitted by a parent