Newton Academy & Shoreham High School

In 1811, Newton Academy in Shoreham was chartered by the General Assembly, becoming one of Vermont’s first private boarding academies. It was named for Daniel C. Newton (1752-1834), an early town official, surveyor, and Revolutionary War patriot. The Academy initially instructed only male students but expanded to include female pupils. The building had classrooms, study rooms, housing, and a chapel. In 1853, a boarding house wing was added. Students came from surrounding communities and across the U.S. Attendance for the academic year of 1860 reached 305 students, with just 57 students in 1875. The Academy offered lectures in botany, chemistry, philosophy, mathematics, ancient languages, and English, with a library of 500 volumes.

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Like similar institutions of the late 19th century, Newton Academy’s attendance declined. In 1875, the town leased the building for use as a primary school. Shoreham Central High School offered a new educational approach and course listing, preparing students for business. It was renamed Shoreham High School in 1938. The Town School Board closed the school in 1955; it re-opened a year later. Changes to school district boundaries resulted in its closing in 1969.

The 1811 Academy building was used by the Town for 40 more years as the Shorewell Health Clinic, a community meeting place and preschool. After 200 years of service, the landmark Academy was destroyed by fire on April 7, 2010, apparently due to lightning.