Darrow School

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Students at the Summit of Mt. Greylock, highest peak in Massachusetts. These students, and two teachers, camped and hiked to the summit as part of the Outdoor Education program. Participation in athletics or theatre is mandatory for every student every quarter. Competitive athletics is mandatory for at least one quarter of each school year.

Darrow School is an Independent co-educational high school. Its New Lebanon campus is a 365-acre property in the Berkshire Hills, which are a southern extension of the Green Mountains of Vermont.

Over two hundred years ago the area was selected by a group of Shakers whose sound-mind and sound-body principles emphasized the meaningful rewards of both achievement and celebration. As Shaker communities all over the US declined, the property became available. Darrow opened in the fall of 1932 as the Lebanon School for Boys. It was renamed "Darrow School" in 1939 in honor of the Darrow family who had first settled the land and had provided support and leadership in the early years of the Shaker community. In the later part of the 20th century it began to accept female students.

In the late 1980s the school was forced to sell much of its original Shaker furniture to meet budget deficits. Then, in the spring of 1991 the board of trustees voted to close the school at the end of that term. Parents of the 106 students enrolled in the school and alumni acted quickly to raise over a quarter of a million dollars. Weeks later the board voted unanimously to reverse its decision and Darrow got a second chance.

The school currently enrolls about 120 students and employs 27 teachers. Students come primarily from New York and Massachusetts, however, the school has a sizable population from other states as well as countries such as South Korea, Jamaica, Japan, and Gabon.

The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) has recognized Darrow School as a Leading Edge Honoree for its curriculum innovation, specifically in the area of sustainability. The School’s Sustainability Program is an important feature of the academic program and examines the relationship between people and their resources.

[edit] The Living Machine

Darrow School is one of only three schools in the country to use living machines to help filter sewage and promote sustainability.

[edit] Notable alumni

Charles "Pete" Conrad, Apollo 12 commander and third man to walk on the moon. Darrow Class of 1949.
Chris "Mad Dog" Russo, Sportscaster and radio personality. Darrow Class of 1979.
Sam Harper, Screenplay writer of "Cheaper by the Dozen" and "Cheaper by the Dozen II". Darrow Class of 1979.
Jane Feldman, photographer and writer of several children's books including I am a Dancer and I am a Skater.
Christopher Lloyd Actor who appeared in "Taxi" and "Back to the Future".
Indianapolis Mayor William H. Hudnut
Rika Laser. "Miss Hideous 2007"