Decade in Review: Celebrating the Start of 2021 with Reflection

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Is it the start of a new decade? Some of us were skeptical too, but as it turns out, new decades start in years ending with 1, not 0. In this case, you (and we) may be grateful to leave 2020 behind in the last decade as this new year of 2021 begins. To reflect, we’re looking back at some of the highlights of our past ten years. New Hampton School’s accomplishments from the past ten years are plentiful, and these are a few that have had a significant impact on Husky Nation.

2012

  • New Hampton School became an International Baccalaureate School and launches its first IB class in the fall of 2010, and in the spring of 2012, our first IB Diploma students graduated! 
  • New Hampton School becomes an Apple Distinguished School in the 2012-2013 academic year, a certification that we have maintained for nine years since we earned this recognition.

2013

  • O’Connor House, a dormitory built through the generosity of a longtime friend of New Hampton School, Ralph S. O’Connor ’44, is officially dedicated. It houses 33 students and two faculty families.
  • Project Week, a signature experiential learning program, is reestablished with new zeal and enriches the student experience with trips around the state, across the country, and the world each March.

2014

2015

  • Moore House undergoes renovation and reopens in the fall of 2015.
  • Literati begins in the fall of 2015 as a re-imagined form of the prior Jabberwocky literary society.
  • The Dillon Tully Bleachers are built on Kennedy Field to hold a press box and bleacher seating alongside our signature turf field. The bleachers offer a new sense of community on the sidelines for eager sports fans, including students, parents, and alumni.

2016

  • Joseph P. Williams is installed as 23rd Head of School and launches a comprehensive Strategic Planning Process to move the school into its next decade.
  • Departing Head of School Andrew Menke is celebrated during Reunion 2016 in gratitude for all of his service to New Hampton School
  • Jacobson Arena opens and hosts its first season of games. It is a state-of-the-art hockey arena complete with stadium seating, advanced heating and cooling, a warming area, and professional quality locker rooms.
  • New Hampton School launches a partnership with the Walt Disney Family Museum and pilots a virtual learning class in the art of animation.

2017

  • The Bicentennial Steering Committee is established to begin planning for the school’s celebration in 2021.
  • New Hampton School completes its Strategic Planning process focused on the people and programs that characterize the school, and the Board of Trustees officially adopts the plan.
  • Habits of Mind are formally adopted in the academic program. Students receive feedback on their academic performance and their growth toward competencies in specific Habits of Mind that will enhance their future.
  • The Women’s Ice Hockey team wins it’s first NEPSAC Division I title, defeating Kent School 3-1 on March 5, 2017. Defenseman Cayla Barnes was named NEPSAC Player of the Year, and Cayla and Savannah Norcross ’18 were both named to the All-NEPSAC First Team.

2018

  • Formerly known as Albees and other names, the Country Store undergoes renovations and reopens on Main Street in New Hampton. It is a huge hit among students and employees alike with local fare, baked goods, and exceptional eats throughout the day.
  • Two New Hampton School Alumnae compete in the 2018 Olympic Games, Cayla Barnes ’17 and Annalisa Drew ’11. Cayla brings home gold with the Women’s Ice Hockey Team.
  • New Hampton School advances its partnership with the Winnipesaukee Playhouse to host the winter performance on the playhouse’s professional stage in conjunction with local area actors and actresses.
  • A teaching fellowship program is launched at New Hampton School, bringing in college students during their winter term.

2019

  • New Hampton School and the Gordon-Nash Library on Main Street propose and submit a merger in which New Hampton School acquires the library and runs it as a public use facility for the town of New Hampton and the school.
  • The Bicentennial Campaign is officially kicked off in late 2019, seeking to fundraise for the people, places, and programs that will carry the school forward into its next 200 years.

2020

  • The Gordon-Nash Library officially merges with New Hampton School in January of 2020. This year also marks the 125th Anniversary of the opening of the library.
  • New Hampton School’s Men’s Varsity Basketball team wins its first NEPSAC title in 18 years, winning the championship over Brewster Academy in March.
  • The Black Lives Matter movement highlights the ongoing need for diversity, inclusivity, and equity conversations and active steps forward within our community and around the nation. In addition to other projects around this topic, the first student-created and student co-taught class, Acknowledging Discrimination, begins in the fall of 2020.
  • Kennedy Field receives a facelift with new turf installed in the summer of 2020. Additionally, the school’s Field House gets an update with a two-level multi-use Wellness Center.
  • EliteHockey and New Hampton School form a partnership in the summer of 2020.
  • In the fall of 2020, the school begins its celebration of 50 years of our return to coeducation. In December, the alumni office hosts a panel of alumnae with current students in attendance.
  • The Board of Trustees formally approves plans to renovate Lane Hall and the Academic Research Center.

Moving forward

There are many more accomplishments that come together to showcase the growth and breadth at our school, not to mention our alumni spotlights and the achievements of our students and graduates.

With our Bicentennial enabling strong forward momentum, we are reminded to pause and honor our past. Here, we’ve only highlighted one of the school’s twenty decades, and there is more to come. Thank you to our loyal family of alumni, parents, students, staff, and friends that steward New Hampton School every day.

We look forward to sharing this next influential decade in the school’s history.

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