Canterbury High School (Accokeek)

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This article is about the defunct Canterbury High School in Accokeek, Maryland. For other schools that bear the name see Canterbury High School

1 Profile (as of 1999-2000)
2 History and Closure
3 Today
4 Sources

[edit] Profile (as of 1999-2000)

1999-2000 school year: 48 students were enrolled
more than half of the student body belong to ethnic minorities
The School employed 10 teachers and 3 administrative and support staff
Tuitions for the 2005-2006 school year were approximately 8,500.
Grades offered: 6-12
Degree conferred: High School Diploma

[edit] History and Closure

The Canterbury School was a private, Episcopal secondary school located in Accokeek, Maryland. During its golden years, Canterbury was a highly regarded institution in the region. Compared to other private secondary schools in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Canterbury was inexpensive and a much less stressful commute for students living in Maryland suburbs of D.C. Canterbury was well known for both its athletic and academic programs. Unfortunately, the school did not sustain this reputation and enrolment began to decline. While some speculate that this was due to racist reaction to population changes of the area, the true reason for its decline remains unclear. Despite falling enrolment and an all but dissolved athletic program, Canterbury maintained efforts to restore itself. In the 1990's however, questionable financial decisions and actions of the headmistress left the school in dire straights. Because of the school's progressive and liberal ideas, and declining attendance at its supporting parish, the school was suffering from a deficient budget. In the 1998-1999 school year, a new headmaster was hired, Peter Meade, Phd. , to attempt to salvage the failing school. Despite the support of the faculty and headmaster, the financial situation of the school was irreparable. One of the ten remaining teaching faculty left Canterbury during its final academic year, 1999-2000, due to its financial situation, forcing the headmaster to teach mathematics in addition to his administrative duties. As the staff and the funds of the school continued to dwindle, the school issued a letter of closure to students and faculty in March of 2000. The letter stated that the school couldn't continue to provide the quality education they aimed for due to financial troubles and that no contracts (staff or student) would be renewed for the 2000-2001 school year. Several meetings with students and parents followed, with several seniors making passionate arguments for the continuation of the school. A pledge drive was proposed but not executed and in May of 2000 the school held its final graduation ceremony.

[edit] Today

For more than half a century the school had been used for the academics, athletics, and special events such as the school's fall Apple Festival (a popular Accokeek event). Today, the property; consisting of a wooded area, an athletic pavilion, a main building, and several acres of space; remains unused except for occasional church functions.