Thayer Academy

Thayer Academy (TA) is a private, co-educational, college-preparatory day school located in Braintree, Massachusetts, United States. The academy, conceived in 1871 at the bequest of General Sylvanus Thayer, known as the father of the United States Military Academy at West Point, and founder of the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College, was established in 1877. Thayer annually enrolls approximately 470 students in the Upper School (grades 9–12) and an additional 220 students in the Middle School (grades 5–8).[1] The 34-acre (14 ha) campus is situated in the heart of Braintree and consists of eight buildings and 54 classrooms. Students are drawn primarily from Boston's MetroWest and South Shore communities.

Thayer Academy
Address
745 Washington Street

Braintree
,
Massachusetts
02184

United States
Coordinates42°12′30″N 71°0′20″W
Information
TypePrivate
Established1877 (1877)
FounderSylvanus Thayer
DirectorHighley Thompson (US)
Galen Hamann (MS)
Head of schoolChris Fortunato
Grades5–12
GenderCo-educational
Number of students700
Student to teacher ratio6.5:1
Campus typeSuburban
Color(s)Black & orange   
Athletics conferenceIndependent School League
Team nameTigers
AccreditationNEASC
Endowment43 million
Websitewww.thayer.org

History

General Thayer, born in Braintree, Massachusetts, graduated as valedictorian from both Dartmouth College and the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. General Thayer was dedicated to hard work, and at the age of 17, he taught in the local schools of Hanover, New Hampshire to earn money to pay for college – an early sign of the importance he attached to teaching and education. He was Superintendent of the Military Academy at West Point from 1817–1833. General Thayer's 1871 will provided for the creation of Thayer Academy, and on September 12, 1877, the Academy opened its doors to 30 students in what is now Main Building. Glover opened sometime later in 1894. The junior school (grades 5–8), Thayerlands, opened in 1924 and quickly grew to include eight grades as well as kindergarten and nursery school. Beginning in 1969, the lower grades were gradually eliminated, and Thayerlands became Thayer Academy Middle School. Thayer has been a co-educational institution since its founding.[2]

Athletics

Thayer's athletic teams participate in the competitive Independent School League (ISL), the oldest independent school athletic association in the United States. Thayer offers these interscholastic sports at the High School varsity level:

  • Fall
    • Boys': Intramural Crew, Soccer, Football, Cross Country, Intramural Fitness & Games (MS)
    • Girls': Intramural Crew, Soccer, Field Hockey, Cross Country, Volleyball, Intramural Fitness & Games (MS)
  • Winter
    • Boys': Basketball, Ice Hockey, Swimming and Diving, Skiing, Wrestling
    • Girls': Basketball, Ice Hockey, Swimming and Diving, Skiing, Wrestling, Gymnastics
  • Spring
    • Girls': Lacrosse, Crew, Track and Field, Tennis, Golf, Softball
    • Boys': Lacrosse, Crew, Track and Field, Tennis, Golf, Baseball

Thayer also offers interscholastic sports in the Middle School.

As a general rule, Middle School Students are required to participate in interscholastic activities or Health and Wellness (a program consisting of intramural and fitness activities), year-round. Upper School students are required to participate in 11 terms of interscholastic sports or Health and Wellness classes in order to graduate.

The Thayer Academy campus is equipped with multiple facilities that foster athletic training and performance. Located directly behind the academic buildings include turf soccer, baseball and football fields.[3] On campus, The Sawyer Athletic center is located in Thayer's campus center and is home to the athletic department offices, Alumni Gym, Memorial Gym and the hall of fame lobby. The athletic training room is also located in the campus center in the Fish Center for Physical Fitness. Thayer's additional facilities include two off campus turf Field Hockey fields.

Notable alumni

Notable teachers

References
  1. "Thayer Academy Fast Facts | Independent School Near Boston MA".
  2. "A History of Thayer - Thayer Academy".
  3. "Private School Athletics | Middle & High School Sports in Boston".
  4. Wentworth, Lillian, Thayer Academy archivist. Interview with Patriot Ledger, Braintree, MA (26 January 2009), accessed 12 February 2009
  5. Voreacos, David (24 June 2010). "Banker Who Blew Whistle on Secrecy Over Tax Cheats Seeks Pardon". Bloomberg. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
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