Cushing Academy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cushing Academy is a boarding school in Ashburnham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1865 by Thomas Parkman Cushing, the Academy is the oldest coeducational boarding school in the nation. The current headmaster is Dr. James Tracy, a recent replacement for M. Willard Lampe II.

Cushing Academy offers a college preparatory program for grades 9 through 12 plus post-graduate. As of 2006, Cushing's enrollment was 450. 85% of the students board on-campus. 23% of students are from overseas. The student population is comprised of children from 28 states and 28 countries. The faculty student ratio is 1:7 and 68% of faculty hold advanced degrees.

Cushing Academy's 162-acre campus overlooks the town center of Ashburnham. Cushing's academic structures include the historic Main Building, Joseph R. Curry Academic Center, Fisher-Watkins Library, and the English Building. Ashburnham House and Alumni Hall are the largest of the numerous student dormitories. Sports facilities include the Heslin Gym, Theodore Iorio Arena and several athletic fields. The Emily Fisher Landau Center for Visual Arts is the home of the schools excellent visual arts program.

Notable alumni of Cushing Academy include the actor Bette Davis and NHL players Jeff Norton, and Tom Poti. His Royal Highness Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, the crown prince and heir to the throne in Bhutan, studied at Cushing, and wrestler John Cena graduated from Cushing.

Cushing Academy Mission Statement Cushing Academy, founded as a coeducational boarding school in 1865, exists for students, their academic growth and their personal development. We are dedicated to educating the mind, shaping the character, and nurturing the creativity of young men and women. In a community that is academically and culturally diverse, we challenge each individual, support excellence in every aspect of the learning process, and promote active participation in all areas of life and learning. We offer a demanding college preparatory curriculum, teach skills that build confidence, and instill values that endure.