Buxton School (Massachusetts)

Buxton School is a private, coeducational, college preparatory, and boarding and day school for grades 9–12 located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, US. As of 2023, the school had a student body of 68 students.[3]

Buxton School
Address
Map
291 South St

, ,
01267-2878

United States
Information
School typePrivate, college-preparatory school
Established1928; 96 years ago (1928)
FounderEllen Geer Sangster
DirectorFranny Shuker-Haines
Teaching staff22.0 (FTE) (2015-16)[1]
Grades9-12
GenderCoeducational
Enrollment78 (2015-16)[1]
Student to teacher ratio3.5∶1 (2015-16)[1]
Campus size150 acres (0.61 km2)
Campus typeRural
Color(s)  Green
  White
Athleticsbasketball • skiing • snowboarding • cross-country skiing • ice-skating • ultimate Frisbee • mountain biking • yoga • hiking • tennis • softball • soccer • volleyball • running[2]
MascotLion
Websitewww.buxtonschool.org
Last updated: March 18, 2019; 5 years ago (2019-03-18)
The Main House at Buxton.
Students at Buxton participating in work program.

History

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The school was founded by Ellen Geer Sangster in 1928 as a coeducational country day school in Short Hills, New Jersey. In 1947, the high school was moved to Sangster's family estate in Williamstown and formed anew as a boarding school. Nineteen students and many faculty members followed Sangster from New Jersey to Williamstown's nascent boarding school. The primary and middle schools stayed in Short Hills as the newly formed Far Brook School.

2022 Campuswide Smartphone Ban

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In 2022, Buxton School announced a ban on smartphones in which students and faculty were prohibited from bringing a smartphone to campus. Students and faculty were instead given "light phones" which have limited capabilities and no internet access. There were various reasons for the ban, but the most notable reason was due to the constant hesitation to check social media at random times. Despite smartphones being banned, computers and other non-pocket internet devices were still allowed on campus.[4] This smartphone ban resulted in the school being widely recognized on various news networks, including CNN.[5]

Academics

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Available classes include: English, Spanish, American History, Ancient Greece and Rome, Sociology, World Religions, Algebra, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Multivariable calculus, Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Health, Marine Biology, Physics, The Practice of Poetry, Writing: Daily Themes, Drama, Music, Ceramics, Photography, Printmaking, Studio Art, Video Production, and more.[6]

If students are interested in a subject that is not offered as a class, they can initiate an independent study with a faculty member relevant to their subject, or a teacher from outside. Private music lessons are offered. More advanced students can take more advanced science and math courses at Williams College, which is a mile away.

Graduates' requirements are based on a credit system:

Sixteen credits are required for graduation, which includes four years of English and a year of American history. Students are also counseled to complete a minimum of 3 years of mathematics, two years of social science, two years of laboratory science, and three years of a foreign language. In addition, students are strongly encouraged to pursue courses in the arts.

— Buxton School Website: Academics Overview

[7]

The grading system is based on report conferences. Students are given grades for the purposes of college, but they are not allowed to see them until they are relevant to the student's college application process. Feedback from teachers is in the form of report letters and report conferences. Conversations and written assessments give the teacher and student a full understating of the student's performance in the class.[8][9]

Campus

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Buxton occupies 114 acres (0.46 km2) of New England meadow and forest in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. Buildings on campus include the Main House, a girls' dorm, and where meals are served; The Boys' Dorm, affectionately called "The Barn" due to its history as a barn; The Classroom Building, which houses most of the classrooms on campus; the Arts complex which includes buildings for Photography, Studio Art, Music, and Ceramics; The Theater; The Library; and faculty houses.[8]

Tuition

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Tuition for the 2022-2023 academic year is $62,000 for boarding students, and $33,000 for day students.[10]

Notable alumni

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Search for Private Schools – School Detail for BUXTON SCHOOL". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  2. ^ "Student Life — Athletics — Buxton". buxtonschool.org. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  3. ^ "Buxton School". US News and World Report. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  4. ^ rshukerhaines (June 30, 2022). "Smartphone Policy Update 2022". Buxton. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  5. ^ Trova, Justina (March 18, 2024). "Buxton on CNN". Buxton. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  6. ^ "Academics — Curriculum — Buxton". www.buxtonschool.org. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  7. ^ "Academics — Overview — Buxton". buxtonschool.org. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  8. ^ a b "Buxton School admissions viewbook". Archived from the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  9. ^ "Buxton School Profile".
  10. ^ "Admissions - Tuition & Financial Aid". Buxton. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  11. ^ "Shari Belafonte". www.nndb.com. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  12. ^ "You May Not Know His Name, but This Actor's Work Was Unforgettable". www.lifezette.com. August 11, 2017. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  13. ^ "Princess Yasmin Aga Khan Engaged to Basil Embiricos". The New York Times. April 26, 1985. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  14. ^ Smith, Jenn (April 7, 2015). "Williamstown's Buxton School hosts talk by Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin". The Berkshire Eagle. New England Newspapers Inc. Retrieved March 18, 2019 – via www.berkshireeagle.com.
  15. ^ "Meet Justin Theroux, Jennifer Aniston's new man". USA Today. Gannett. June 6, 2011. Retrieved March 18, 2019 – via usatoday30.usatoday.com.
  16. ^ "Duncan Tonatiuh Smith-Hernandez '03". buxtonschool.org. The Buxton School. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
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