Burr and Burton Academy

An Independent

High School

With a Public Mission

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Burr and Burton Academy’s mission is to educate its students intellectually and morally for a life of responsibility, integrity, and service.

English, M

athematics, S

cience, Social Studies, Foreign Languages and Travel Opportunities, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Media Arts, Athletics, Field Study, International Program, Mountain Cam

pus, College Planning, Target Program and Special Services

1829 Burr Seminary is incorporated by an act of the

Vermont State Legislature.

1849 Women admitted to classes for the first time.

1860 The Trustees change the name to Burr and Burton

Seminary in honor of benefactor Josiah Burton.

1913 The gymnasium is built with the support of

the alumni.

1965 The new classroom wing is added to Seminary

Building, a gift from Sarah Given Larson.

1977 new gymnasium dedicated as the e.H. Henry

Physical education Center.

1992 The original gymnasium is converted into the

Riley Center for the Arts.

1998 The Smith Center for Science and Communications

opens with state-of-the-art information technology

and science laboratories.

2005 Rowland Center opens with art studios, cafeteria

and classrooms. new entrance to the e.H. Henry

Physical education Center added.

2009 Sports teams win a record ten state championships;

90 percent of graduates go on to college.

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English, M

athematics, S

cience, Social Studies, Foreign Languages and Travel Opportunities, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Media Arts, Athletics, Field Study, International Program, Mountain Cam

pus, College Planning, Target Program and Special Services

While walking down the

Senior Steps, I am tracing the paths of the

many students that have come before me.

Underneath the Seminary door leading

to these steps, a deep impression from all

the footsteps has evolved; I love this. As

a student, throughout each day, I traverse

the various buildings on campus, but then

I am also traversing each of my interests.

I love that each day, I may wake up, take

woodworking, and then head to the upper

part of campus to take modern physics and

mathematics. Here, many of the opportuni-

ties open to students seem boundless, and

many are. At Burr and Burton, everyone

is working for and with you, but you are

also pushed to form your own conclusions,

to truly think for yourself. Everyone has the

opportunity to make the best of a Burr and

Burton education.

Leah ’10

Sunderland

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Dear Families,

If you are reading this letter, you are taking a look at the future. As you will see in the pages of this book, Burr and Burton Academy is a school where students can explore a World of Opportunities. We take seriously our mission to educate students intellectually and morally for a life of responsibility, integrity and service, and, through our vast array of offerings, we ensure that each student can find a place to shine in this community.

Our philosophy is simple: hire the best teachers, provide superb facilities, nurture a culture that values achievement in all its forms, celebrate the many accomplishments of our students, and strive for excellence in everything we do. We take a broad view of education and recognize the vital role that academics, athletics and the arts each play in preparing students for the 21st century.

Is it possible that a school of this caliber, with this range of opportunities, serves as the “public” school for our sending towns? The answer is, Yes: if you live in a sending town, your town pays the tuition. If you do not live in a sending town, we offer financial aid so we can help you bridge the gap between the cost of our tuition and what you can afford.

So, please enjoy this book. Take a look at our website (www.burrburton.org). Check out our course offerings. Imagine yourself as part of this community. And then come for a visit, because seeing is believing. I look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to Burr and Burton Academy.

Sincerely,

Mark H. Tashjian Headmaster

Sending Towns 2010–2011 (Towns pay tuition)

Manchester • danby • dorset • Londonderry • Landgrove • Mt. Tabor • Peru • Stratton • Sunderland • Weston • Winhall

Students also attend from: Bennington • north Bennington • Shaftsbury • Rupert • north Rupert • Pawlet • Arlington

Sandgate • Rutland • Wardsboro and several other towns.

�Burr�and�Burton�Academy�results�speak�for�themselves:

•��virtually�100 percent graduation rate

•��college�matriculation�rate�that�hovers��between�80 and 90 percent

•��SAT�scores�122 points higher�than�the�national�average

•��Vermont�state�assessment�test�scores��in�the�top 4 percent of all high schools

•��extracurricular�participation�rate��of�85 percent

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oreign Languages and Travel Opportunities, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Media Arts, Athletics, Field Study, International Program, Mountain Campus, College Planning, Target Program and Special Services

The�average�class�size�for�our�core�subjects�is 16 students.

A Burr and Burton Academy education addresses intellectual,

physical, artistic and moral development.

In academics we begin with competence in the core subjects:

English, mathematics, social studies, and science.

In the mathematics classes, the TI-83/84 family of

graphing calculators, Geometer’s Sketchpad, and

other tools provide visual images of ideas, facilitate organizing and analyzing

data, and help students quickly and accurately perform calculations.

C O R E C u R R i C u l u m

Of�the�27�students�who�participated�in��the�UVM�Math�Prize�Exam�in�2009,�18 scored in the top 10 percent of the state, winning�the�top�3�places�for�our�region.

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English, M

athematic

s, Science, S

ocial Studies, F


During their four years

of English, students

are introduced to classic

and contemporary

literature and poetry.

Their teachers guide

them in their discovery

of the power of voice

in speech and writing

as they develop

control over style and

content. The English

Department teachers are

dedicated to helping all

students to find personal

meaning and enjoyment

through reading across

a variety of genres, time

periods, and cultures and

to become discerning

and independent

thinkers.

17 courses including

Advanced Placement english

Search for identity

Man and nature in America

Creative Writing

The goal of the

Mathematics

Department is to

provide all students with

a broad mathematical

understanding and

appreciation of problem

solving. This goal is

achieved as students

engage in a progressively

more demanding

series of courses that

offer appropriate rigor

and opportunities

for mastery. Students

are encouraged to

be confident and

competent in their

skills and able to use

mathematical tools in

their lives.


Honors Algebra

Advanced Placement Calculus

Accounting

Statistics

Through their study of

Social Studies,

students are taught

to understand and

participate in the

democratic process

as well as to have

an awareness and

understanding of the

interdependence of

the global community.

They are also taught

to understand and

appreciate their own

history and heritage, and

to accept diverse people,

ideas, and cultures in

their local community

and the greater society.


Advanced Placement united States History

Advanced Placement Psychology

Politics of the environment

Government and Law

Faculty members

in the Science

Department are

dedicated to promoting

a sense of wonder

about the natural world

and of stewardship

and understanding

toward the self and

the environment.

Through consistent

use of the scientific

method of investigation

and analysis, students

are trained to make

responsible decisions

based on information.


Advanced Placement Biology

electricity, Magnetism and Modern Physics

environmental Studies

explorations in engineering

At Burr and Burton

each class is small, which

gives us more one-on-one

time with teachers who are

passionate about what they

do. The smaller classes create

more of a community feeling

in the whole school, where

everyone knows one another.

I play three sports, and the

bonds I’ve formed with all

of my teammates is another

reason why I love going to

Burr and Burton.

Brendan ’12

Shaftsbury

Burr�and�Burton�students�averaged�122 points higher�than�the�national�average�on�the�SATs.�

BB

A

12�Advanced�Placement�courses,�250+�AP�tests�taken�annually,��with�test�results in the top 4 percent nationally

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athematics, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Languages and Travel Opportunities, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Media Arts, Athletics, Field Study, International Program, M

ountain Campus, C

ollege Planning, Target Program and Special Services

The Arts are an integral part of every student's education at Burr and Burton. In their arts

courses, students learn to be skilled art makers as well as knowledgeable appreciators of art.

Burr and Burton is fortunate to have first-class facilities including a large and bright painting

studio, digital photography lab, ceramics studio with kiln, and a fully equipped wood shop.

Students choose from a variety of media and techniques, from prints to digital photography,

from oil paintings to cabinetry. Several courses

have advanced levels, where students can work on

individual projects to build portfolios.

v i s u A l A R t s

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English, M

athematics, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Languages and Travel Opportunities, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Media Arts, Athletics, Field Study, International Program, M

ountain Campus, C

ollege Planning, Target Program and Special Services

Students�won�first�place�awards�in:�

•��Vermont�Young�Patriots�Art�competition�

•��Vermont�Forestry�Poster�competition

•��Vermont�State�Duck�Stamp�competition

•��National�Kick-AIDS�poster/t-shirt�competition

Burr�and�Burton�was�the�only�school�to�receive�two�awards�at�the�2009�Congressional�Art�competition.

I love the atmosphere of Burr and Burton.

We are lucky to have such a beautiful campus,

and all the opportunities we do, but what

makes Burr and Burton feel so special to me

is the sense of respect. The teachers respect the

students, and that respect is returned.

Mariette ’12

Manchester Center

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edia Arts

, Athletics, F

ield Study, International Program, Mountain Campus, College Planning, Target Program and Special ServicesThe Performing Arts Department provides a range of opportunities

for students to explore their performance and expressive potential. Students

develop skills in various disciplines — dance, drama, musical theater, band,

orchestra, jazz ensemble, electronic music, among others — while working

together toward showcase performances. Whether they are in the music labs,

rehearsal rooms, dance studio or on stage, students develop confidence and

collaborative skills that will enhance their lives now and into the future.


instrumental Music ensemble

electronic Music Workshop

Contemporary Vocal ensemble

Advanced drama

Over 30 students participate annually�in�the�Green�Mountain��Choral�Festival�and��the�All-State��Music�Festival.

p E R f O R m i n g A R t s

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AnnuAl PerfOrMAnce OPPOrTunITIeS

Fall Dramatic Production

Spring Musical

Green Mountain Music Festival

Calliope Café Performances

Theater Arts Symposium

Madrigal Singers and Renaissance Recorder Club

Winter Wassail and Dessert Banquet

Winter Concert

Winter Showcase for Drama, Dance

and Small Ensembles

Green Mountain Instrumental Festival

Green Mountain Vocal Festival

Prism Multimedia Concerts

All-State Music Festival

Spring Showcase at the Southern Vermont Arts Center

recenT PrOducTIOnS

Godspell, Play On, Fiddler on the Roof, Grease, A Chorus Line,

Anything Goes, The Diviners, Laramie Project

With varied personalities and

nationalities come different

interests. Here you can

be an athlete, an actor, an

instrumentalist, a member

of the student council, and

the options do not even end

there. If you can’t find a

class or club that satisfies

your passion, then you can

start your own.

Mitch ’12

Manchester Village

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ocia

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anguages a

nd Trave

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erforming Arts, Visual Arts, Media Arts, Athletics, Field Study, International Program, Mountain Campus, College Planning, Target Program and Special Services

Students from the Wirtemberg-Gymnasium in Stuttgart, Germany, have been coming to Burr and Burton for a two-week visit in

October every year since 1981. Burr and Burton students visit Stuttgart in the spring.

The primary goal of the Foreign Languages program is to achieve oral and written proficiency

in real-life situations. During their course of study, students will acquire a substantial vocabulary, a

solid foundation in grammar, and a broadened cultural awareness, all while enjoying the learning

experience. Due to the advantages of block scheduling, students can study multiple languages and

reach exceptionally high levels during their four years at Burr and Burton.

f O R E i g n l A n g u A g E s : f R E n C h , g E R m A n , A n d s pA n i s h

excHAnge OPPOrTunITIeS

Spanish exchangeGerman exchangeFrench exchange

CanadaecuadoregyptFranceGermany

HaitiGuadeloupeJamaica Panama

cOunTrIeS VISITed

Through�the�Rowland�Endowment�$50,000�in�financial�aid�is�available�for�school�trips�abroad.

36�percent�of�graduates�in�the�last�three�years�took�four�or�more�years�of�at�least�one�foreign�language.

73�percent�of�the�students�who�took�the�Spanish,�German�and�French�AP�tests�in�the�last�three�years�scored�a�3�or�higher.

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Engl

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s, S

cien

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ocia

l Stu

dies,

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anguages a

nd Trave

l Opportu

nities, P

erforming Arts, Visual Arts, Media Arts, Athletics, Field Study, International Program, Mountain Campus, College Planning, Target Program and Special Services

The faculty members in the Media Arts and Sciences Department teach students how to construct, use, and interpret

messages across multiple media types in order to inform, manage, relate to

and influence each other within and across social contexts and cultures.

Through practical experience in three core areas — research, exploration

and production — students learn lifelong interpersonal, media, and

communication skills.

• Students explore technology with software applications such as Lego

Mindstorms, Robolab, Toon Boom, and 2D Animation Studio.

• Digital television cameras and Avid editing stations allow students to

create original films from conception to final cut.

8 courses including

Advanced digital Filmmaking

e-design: digital Suites and Web Publishing

Tech Research Lab

information Technology internship

t E C h n O l O g y

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Over�6o�percent�of�

students�participate�in�athletics,�with�two�JV�teams�for�virtually�every�varsity�team.�

In keeping with Burr and Burton’s dedication to a well-rounded education,

athletics and physical fitness

are an important component of every

student’s school

experience. In addition

to physical education

classes, students have

the opportunity to

participate in sixteen

interscholastic

sports programs.

In their first season in Division I, the girls soccer team coach Dan DeForest was named Coach of the Year.

At h l E t i C s

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, M

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, So

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s, F

ore

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and

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form

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Arts,

Visu

al A

rts, M

edia Arts

, Athletics, F

ield Study, International Program, Mountain Campus, College Planning, Target Program and Special Services

Burr and Burton is a member

of the Marble Valley League

and competes statewide in

Division I and II. Playing on a

team develops communication

and decision-making skills as

well as discipline, all of which

carry over to the classroom.

The entire faculty is supportive

of the school’s athletic teams,

and many of the coaches are

also classroom teachers. The

coaching staff is as committed

to the principle of good

sportsmanship as they are

to coaching their athletes

to reach their potential as competitors.

16 VArSITy SPOrTS

BaseballBasketballCross CountrydanceField HockeyFootballGolfice HockeyLacrosseSkiing (Alpine & nordic)SoccerSoftballSnowboardingTennisTrack

What I love most about Burr

and Burton are the vast

opportunities to try

something new and get

involved. I transferred in

as a sophomore and before

I knew it, my afternoons

were filled with sports

practices and meetings

for new committees I had

joined. I went out for the

track team and the alpine

ski racing team — two

things I had never done

before — and ended up

finding two new sports

I loved and meeting

new friends.

Sydney ’11

Peru

State championships since 2004�in�boys�alpine�skiing,�baseball,�girls�basketball,�girls�cross�country,�dance,��field�hockey,�boys�golf,�boys�ice��hockey,�girls�ice�hockey,�boys�lacrosse,�girls�lacrosse,�boys�soccer,�girls�soccer,�girls�tennis,�and�snowboarding.

Burr�and�Burton�received�Vermont’s�Mona�Garone�Outstanding�Sportsmanship�Award�in�1999�and�2004.

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Field Study is a course that offers guided off-campus job experiences with area businesses. The

Field Study coordinator works with students to place them in a local business, agency, or professional

office that is related to their area of interest. Field Study is designed to give students an opportunity

to receive part of their education within the larger community. It is not a job, but an educational

program in a different location, through a different process, and with teachers who are not in the

school classroom but the “classroom of life.”

Over 100 businesses in Manchester and the surrounding communities have taken part in this

program including:

i n t h E C O m m u n i t y

Service is an integral part

of the school’s mission, and

the Service Learning Program gives students the

opportunity to work with a

multitude of nonprofit organizations in the greater Manchester

community as well as for global needs. Students work locally for

organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the Food Cupboard,

and Albany and Rutland missions. Some recent global projects

have included a Walk for Water to benefit well drilling in Africa,

KickAIDS to educate youth in Africa about AIDS through soccer,

and special events to raise money for earthquake victims in Haiti and

Chile. Every student who attends Burr and Burton experiences first-

hand how working together can build a brighter future.

Battenkill Aquatics

Equinox Hotel

Green Mountain Veterinary Clinic

Hand Motors

Home Away From Home Daycare

Main Street Realty

Manchester Elementary-Middle School

Manchester Town Clerk

Maple Street School

Northshire Day School

Pad Print Machinery

r.k. Miles

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Engl

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cien

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Soci

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tudi

es, F

orei

gn L

angu

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a

nd Trav

el Opportu

nities,

Perform

ing Arts, V

isual Arts, Media Arts, Athletics, Field Study, International Program, Mountain Campus, College Planning, Target Program and Special Services

For over twenty years, Burr and Burton Academy has welcomed students

from countries around the world through its International Student Program. In recent years, students have come from Switzerland,

Germany, Sweden, Austria, Spain, Germany, Russia, Japan, China, Taiwan,

South Korea, Thailand, Bolivia, Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, and Colombia.

On average, there are fifty-two international students studying at Burr and

Burton every year. International students bring a global perspective to the

community, thereby enhancing the educational experiences for all.

Throughout the year, international students participate in a variety of school

events that help them become part of the school community. They travel to

Washington D.C., New York City, and other historical and cultural centers to

acquire a broader understanding of American culture.

i n t E R n At i O n A l p R O g R A m

Students stay with host families or in

Burr and Burton houses close to campus.

Performing arts

Chorus

Band

Athletics

Assemblies

Special events

Celebrations and all aspects

of life at Burr and Burton

Internationals students participate in:

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Each semester, fifty students will relocate to the Mountain Campus to experience education in a vastly different setting:

a classroom of 100 acres of wilderness surrounded by the

Green Mountain National Forest. Students will study

environmental science, humanities and the arts while under-

going rigorous leadership challenges as part of this experiential

education program.

At the end of the semester, students will have developed an in-depth understanding of the human

relationship with the environment, a deep appreciation for the meaning and power of “community,”

and a clear vision of their own potential to effect positive change

in this world, all while exploring the extraordinary beauty and

complexity of the natural world. Students will bring this broader

vision and passion back to the main campus once they return

from their time on the mountain.

m O u n tA i n C A m p u s : u n d E R d E v E l O p m E n t

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form

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edia Arts

, Athletics, F


The School and College Counseling Office assists students and parents in

charting a path through Burr and Burton and beyond. College and career planning begins

when a student enters Burr and Burton and continues throughout the four years of high

school. Workshops and parent forums are offered every year to help families navigate the

college-application process.

With a broad understanding of the college and career landscape, our counselors seek to find

the right “fit” for each student based on interests, achievements, and aspirations.

Burr And BurTOn grAduATeS enroll in over 80 different colleges each year. In the last 5 years, graduates have been accepted at over 500 colleges and universities including:

Castleton State university

Colorado State university

Cornell university

dartmouth College

duke university

Harvard university

Hobart and William Smith Colleges

The atmosphere at Burr and Burton is

second to none. The supportive, bright and goal-

oriented students, aided by an encouraging group

of faculty members, help make the school

a fun and unique place to be. I wouldn’t want

to be anywhere else.

Luke ’11

Grafton

C O l l E g E C O u n s E l i n g

Johns Hopkins university

Middlebury College

Montana State university

new York university

Rennselaer Polytechnic institute

Savannah College of Art and design

Siena College

university of Chicago

university of Pennsylvania

university of Vermont

Vermont Technical College

Williams College

Yale university

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The Target program is an alternative

education program that addresses the unique

needs of students whose education benefits

from individual attention. Target’s flexible

instructional program and small class sizes

(2-4 students) are designed to ensure the

success of each student. The objective of

Target is to have every student graduate from high school well prepared to enter the work

force or go on to higher education with self-esteem, knowledge, and practical skills.

Since 2001, the program has been at Campbell House, a renovated barn

on Richville Road in Manchester, just two miles from the main campus.

Target teachers engage the students in classroom instruction for half the

day. Students also have internships at local businesses where they have the

opportunity to learn real-life skills.

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English, M

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ocial Studies, F


The Special Services Department educates students who are eligible for special

education (specialized instruction) and who

have Individualized Education Plans. An

Evaluation and Planning Team determines a

student’s eligibility for an IEP according to

Vermont State Department of Education

Special Education rules. Burr and Burton

Academy is approved by the State of Vermont

in all areas of special education.

The Study Skills program, which is held in the Learning Center, is offered for students

who need additional academic support to function successfully in regular education classes.

In the Life Skills program, students learn valuable personal and professional skills that

prepare them for successful life after high school.

s p E C i A l s E R v i C E s

The ACCESS Program is a life-skills, functional

academic, community-based, job-training course of

study for students who need a highly specialized and

individualized high-school program.

Burr and Burton Academy

57 Seminary Avenue

Manchester, VT 05254 uSA

802-362-1775

fax: 802-362-0574

www.burrburton.org

Photos by Gary Baker ‘72, page 8 by Lee Krohn.

Burr and Burton Academy

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Transcript of Burr and Burton Academy