Academy gets 

$15M loan 

to buy Hyde

By Linda Lemmon

Town Crier Editor

WOODSTOCK — As one of the oldest college preparatory schools in America, the Woodstock Academy is building on the future of quality education with the assistance of a $15 million Community Facilities Loan through USDA Rural Development, according to Woodstock Academy officials.

The loan funds will be used to purchase the nearby Hyde Campus facilities, which will increase the number of classrooms, faculty and administrative space, gymnasium and student spaces to accommodate the thriving educational institution and provide for future growth.

Congressman Joe Courtney, Connecticut 2nd District Representative, and USDA Rural Development Southern New England Director, Scott J. Soares presented Christopher Sandford, academy headmaster, with a “big check” confirming the funding of the USDA Community Facilities loan on Jan. 18.

In October Woodstock Academy and Hyde-Woodstock school officials  announced that the academy will be purchasing the 127-acre Hyde campus down the street. Due diligence was finished in December and Woodstock Academy intends to take possession in June and be ready for a two-campus academy by fall.

At the time Sandford said,  the campus “has a number of highlights, including: a gymnasium with a basketball court, locker rooms, wrestling room, and fitness center; a 1,018-seat auditorium; three dormitories; a dining hall; a turf field that allows for night games; an eight-lane track; residential houses; classrooms; and offices.  The facilities at the Hyde School’s campus provide all of the strategic priorities outlined by both our faculty/staff, and the Board of Trustees.  This acquisition provides increased opportunities now, while realizing major long-term construction savings.” 

Holly Singleton, associate headmaster, said in October the addition of 25 classroom spaces will provide most faculty his/her own classroom and create more specialized education spaces, thereby having a significant impact on educational programming.”  The academy intends to continue its capital campaign for a new science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics center. The campuses  are 2.2 miles apart and shuttle buses will run between the campuses during the day. Time between classes will increase. 

Sandford said one of the most exciting aspects for the local community is the space the school will have to form additional partnerships. Current ideas include summer activities and camps, senior programming and fine arts programming in what will become the academy’s new performing arts center. Sandford said the Performing Arts of Northeast Connecticut and its Community Cultural Committee will still have access to the auditorium and the academy is hoping to expand cultural offerings in the region.

The Hyde campus has 250 dorm rooms which would allow for expansion of the student population, Sandford said.  Currently the Academy has 1055 students. Of that 92 are international, 21 are paid and 942 are from the sending towns.  Sandford said the academy is not looking at that big an increase in (international) students, “but it does provide us with more flexibility.” Asked if the tuition for sending towns might increase, Sandford said “if there is (an increase) it would be a small one.”