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 While The Mountain School at Winhall is only 14 years old, its tradition dates back to our nation's independence. In the late 1770’s, towns throughout New England were establishing schools and school systems to prepare the
nation’s future leaders. While a mix of both public and private schools were established, a unique schooling model in New England was created. This model, dubbed the “Town Academy” model, tried to perfect a model of free and appropriate education for all—the public system—with the academic and artistic rigor and independence, coupled with fiscal responsibility, of the private system. Hundreds of independent schools were established throughout this young country that agreed to service surrounding towns as their “local” school, using public monies to educate the towns children in exchange for accepting all children the school could serve. This model, in short, is a private school with a public mission. Two of the first established Town Academies in the U.S.—Maine’s Fryeburg Academy in 1791 and Washington Academy in 1792—are still in existence.
In the spring of 1998, the citizens of Winhall voted to close their existing public school and open an independent community day school, following the Town Academy model, in its stead. For the 1997-1998 school year, Winhall had the highest per-pupil spending in the state, along with one of the lowest performing schools. The community was dissatisfied with both the quality of instruction and the cost of education. The Mountain School at Winhall (MSW) was created on Town Meeting Day on March 3, 1998 and opened its doors to just under 40 students that fall. The citizens also voted to close Winhall Elementary, the town’s public school, that same day. The newly formed Mountain School agreed to service all students in the towns of Stratton and Winhall, making it the 20th “Town Academy” in the United States—all of which are in New
England—and the only town academy servicing elementary students in the United States. The establishment of an independent school presented an opportunity to provide a high level of academic excellence for all students in the town at a cost that was significantly lower per pupil, more manageable to taxpayers (per-student costs dropped by several thousand dollars that very next year), and held accountable by an independent board of governors.
Students living in the towns of Stratton and Winhall are guaranteed admission to The Mountain School and tuition for students is paid to The Mountain School by the respective towns. Students living outside of Stratton and Winhall have the opportunity to attend The Mountain School as private-pay tuition students (which currently constitutes almost 30% of the population), sometimes assisted through financial aid, scholarships, and/or Service-in-Kind. This partnership allows MSW to enroll more students to help reduce overall tuition costs. Today over 70 students from nine towns and two countries call The Mountain School "home."
Please see the attached Blue Ribbon Committee findings that helped shape the policies of MSW, as well as a detailed account of MSW's founding from an edition of The Maine View.
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