Arts Electives
Vistors to The Academy participate in Studio Block programs, which are visual art and music electives taught by full-time faculty and local adjunct faculty who are professionals in these fields. Over 30 Studio Block courses are available to our students each semester, and many are open to Network students.
Proximity to Prominent Colleges/Universities
The so-called 5-college system (composed of Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, and the University of Massachusetts (Amherst) is a big part of western MA life. Students interested in any of these colleges may want to consider visits as a part of their exchange. Also nearby are Williams College and Bard College at Simon’s Rock.
Living Arrangements and Travel
Students will live in home-stays with Academy or local families. Network students should fly into Bradley International Airport in Hartford, CT.
Dates
Individually arranged throughout the year at our mutual convenience for a duration of two weeks. See the School Calendar for vacation dates.
Charlemont Advisor Contact Information:
Advisor Name: Katherine Anderson
Title: Director of Admissions
Phone: (413) 339-4912, ext. 119
Email: kanderson@charlemont.org
The Academy at Charlemont
Charlemont, Massachusetts
General Information
The Academy at Charlemont is a rural day school of 90 students in grades 6-12 (open to visitors in grades 7-12) with an honor code and strong arts and academic programs.
Programs
Network students in grades 7-12 are considered part of The Academy student body for the duration of their stay and are encouraged to participate in the academic, artistic, and sports offerings available to our students throughout the school year. In addition, the following seasonal options are available:
Maple Sugaring
Each spring, New England maple farmers tap their trees and transform sap into syrup. Network visitors during February, March, and April (weather dependent) can participate in our on-campus, multi-grade-level maple sugaring program, through which students collect sap from maple trees on our campus, boil syrup using our outdoor wood-powered steam boiler, and conduct independent projects for their courses based on data collection throughout the process.
Kayaking and Paddling
In the spring and fall, Network students could learn to paddle on the Deerfield River through our partnership with Zoar Outdoor, a local adventure company, or consider an internship to learn about the adventure tourism business. Space in these offerings is limited and may vary from year to year.
Alpine Skiing
Many Academy students enjoy skiing and snowboarding at Berkshire East throughout the winter months. Network students could learn to ski at this family-owned mountain or enjoy multiple runs down the hill each afternoon. January, February, and March would be the most ideal months for this option.
New England Town Meeting
Many towns in our region are still governed by a town meeting, our country’s most robust form of direct democracy. Annual town meetings are scheduled throughout the spring, mostly in April and May. Network students could intern in a town office, learn the mechanics of small-town governance, and then attend one or more annual town meetings as an observer. In addition, The Academy meets daily for our all-school Morning Meeting.