On July 7, 2016

Sharon Academy announces open enrollment, no preapplication

SHARON– The board of The Sharon Academy (TSA) in Sharon, Vt., voted unanimously at its annual meeting Saturday, June 25, to adopt an open enrollment policy. The policy takes effect immediately for all grades, 7–12.

“The board has affirmed as official policy what is already our practice– embracing all applicants,” said Head of School Michael Livingston. The new policy also streamlines the application process, reducing paperwork from applicants and their families. “We realized that some families have felt intimidated by our application process,” said Livingston. “We want to make this easier for them. We want our school and our student-centered approach to education to be available to as many people as possible.”

The information in a student’s application provides faculty and staff with vital information to serve students more specifically, and to know what types of supports and challenges they need. Livingston said such information would now be requested only after families have decided to send their children to The Sharon Academy.

While the open enrollment policy is designed to make the school more accessible, Livingston stresses that this is not about becoming a bigger school. “We are very clear that our educational model–to know and value each student as a person so that we can challenge each student to reach his or her full potential–relies on TSA remaining a small school,” he said.

TSA prides itself on offering mentoring and personalized educational goals. In addition to providing an excellent education, one of the school’s aims is to teach “21st century skills.” These skills–including communication skills, learning strategies, and creative inquiry–equip graduates to take advantage of opportunities after graduation, whether in the job market or college or other postsecondary education. TSA students accounted for one quarter of the total number of Vermont’s National Merit Scholar semifinalists in the 2015-2016 school year. Livingston noted that the school also serves students in the OHI (Other Health Impaired) and SLD (Specific Learning Disability) categories.

The Sharon Academy is an independent school serving grades 7 through 12 in Sharon, Vt. For further information, visit sharonacademy.org.

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

Nurse union plans day of action in Rutland, Nov. 14

November 13, 2024
By James Kent A day of action is planned to support nurses at Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC). The Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 6, which represents the nurses, has stated that it’s in contract negotiations with the hospital nurses ahead of their ongoing negotiations with RRMC.  The event will be held…

Winter begins at The Beast

November 13, 2024
The Killington Resort snowmaking team is putting its new high efficiency snowguns to work —  firing over 200 guns every time the temperatures warrant. Rime, Reason, Upper East Fall, Upper Great Northern and Superstar all have guns ablaze. Opening day may be soon!

Wheels for Warmth provides opportunity to help your community by donating or purchasing tires

October 23, 2024
Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 24-26—PITTSFORD—Wheels for Warmth is back, offering an excellent opportunity to give back to the community while ensuring you’re ready for winter. Whether you have tires to donate or need affordable tires for the cold months ahead, this event has you covered. Proceeds from the sale and collection of tires support heating assistance for…

Reflecting on 30 years, a short history of Sal Salmeri and Moguls

July 30, 2024
By Polly Mikula  Salmeri, 62, has been coming up to Killington for most of his life, moving here full-time 35 years ago. “I used to come up here when I was a young kid with my uncles from Weymouth, Massachusetts, we belonged to the Mercury Ski Club,” he said. “The ski club was great, we…