WOODSTOCK — The 2016/2017 Fiscal Plan of The Woodstock Academy includes a complete remodel of the Alumni Field House, hiring an alumni director and enhancing some academic curriculum areas.

The plan is  aligned with the Academy’s motto, “Look to the Future.”

“As an independent school, it is crucial that The Academy maintains its cutting edge and continues to provide a state-of-the-art educational experience. It is important that, prior to discussions of future investments, we examine the results of past investments,” said Headmaster Chris Sandford. “We are very proud of the successes of our students and staff.  The Academy’s variety and strength of programs and opportunities for our students makes us one of the top educational options available. Additionally, The Academy transitioned to a 1-to-1 environment this past year, providing each student with an iPad.  This transition transformed the educational experience of our students.”

The three premises, the foundation of the 2016/2017 fiscal plan, provide a tuition rate well below the per pupil expenditures of other communities, yet provide an educational experience which is second to none in the area. The per pupil expenditure of The Academy was the 6th lowest in the state, as provided in data from a 2014/2015 report by the CT State Department of Education, the most recent report available.

In addition to our low per pupil rate, as a private school, The Academy also has the ability to raise funds and undertake projects which do not impact the overall tuition rate. The continued efforts of The Woodstock Academy Foundation has, over the last two years, allowed The Academy to build a state-of-the-art Culinary Lab and two chemistry labs, all of which has had no impact on the overall tuition rate. 

In the 2016/2017 year, the total cost of the Alumni Field House remodel, will be approximately $340,000.  Only $84,000 of the cost of the project will be from tuition dollars; the largest amount is coming from The Woodstock Academy Foundation.

As with most fiscal plans, the majority of the budget is for staff. The staff is the foundation of The Academy, and the most crucial component of our program. The success of our students is directly attributable to our dedicated, experienced, and supportive staff. For our 2016/2017 Fiscal Plan, approximately 88 percent of the budget covers the cost of staff, Sandford said.

The overall operating budget has only increased a total of $58,134 over the last seven years.  In 2009/2010, the operating fiscal plan was $13,473,696; in 2016/2017, the fiscal plan will be $13,531,830.  Furthermore, those towns with a contract have seen a significant decrease in the percentage of their portion of the operating budget. In 2009/2010, the sending towns covered 99% of the total operating budget; in 2016/2017, that percentage has fallen to 88 percent, a decrease of over 1.2 million dollars.  

Sandford has presented the budget to the town of Woodstock, and would be more than willing to present The Academy budget to any community groups.  Please contact him directly at 860-928-6575, extension 1111, or via email at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..