Guide to Schools/Alphabetical/King George School

The King George School

Population Served

Grades and Ages

The King George School served students from grades 9-12.

Special Characteristics of Students

King George School served students with a history of at-risk behaviors, but with a some willingness to work with the problems and attempt to address them. Many students entered King George School after completing a wilderness program, more restrictive therapeutic or emotional growth school or other more intense intervention. Others arrived at the school directly from home.

All students needed to be academically capable, as academic standards were comparable to many conventional boarding schools.

Size of School

In May 2010, King George School had a student body of about 35. It later closed.

Description of Physical Plant

King George School is on the grounds of the former King George Farm. It is a few miles from the rural village of Sutton, and about 25 miles north of St. Johnsbury, USA. If you drive to the campus, you will leave the paved road then continue a mile or two on gravel. As you approach the King George property, you will see the main classroom building on your left and the administration building on the right.

The classroom building includes a dance studio, a theater and an art studio, in addition to an adequate array of classrooms. This building was designed to blend with the ubiquitous white frame buildings so common in northern New England.

Across the road is the building that houses the office of the head of school, admission and financial services. Behind the administration building is a photo lab and darkroom, and a small barn that houses various unexpected projects.

Just beyond the classroom building is the boys' dormitory. Rooms are designed for about four boys per room. Design is simple, practical and clean. The girl's dorms are located down the road with the Horse Barn, a refurbished barn, that has become a very comfortable place for assemblies, meetings and recreation. Nearby is a small chapel, strongly resembling an old Quaker meeting house.

The campus goes together to form an integrated whole, that is comfortable, secluded, peaceful, practical, and very attractive.

Special Programs

King George School is proud of its academic college preparatory curriculum, supplemented by available qualified therapists, licensed in the state of Vermont. The King George School is a recognized independent school by the Vermont Department of Education and is a member of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs.

It is also well known for its diverse visual and performing arts program.

The best descriptions of these programs are on King George School's own web site. Please click on links above.

Extra-Curricular Activities other than Athletics

The student life program at the King George School provides students with many opportunities to enjoy activities both on and off campus. Activities include (but are not limited to) mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, hiking, swimming, rock and ice climbing, rock band, weightlifting, drama, local concerts and lectures, and more.

Ownership

Universal Health Services acquired King George School in August 2005, along with a several of the other former Cedu/Brown schools. Some of the previous acquisitions by Universal use the name "school" but are licensed as treatment facilities (for example, Provo Canyon School.) The mission of the school quietly changed to that of a treatment center. Enrollment declined, and the former school eventually closed.

General Description of School

King George School was a private, college-preparatory therapeutic boarding school for grades 9-12. It was a fine academic institution during its early years, with a strong visual and performing arts program to encourage student self expression and self disclosure.

The school suffered during the later days of operating as one of the Brown Schools/Cedu Schools during the time the Brown Schools were in decline, culminating in bankruptcy in April 2005. The school continued operating during the bankruptcy period. In August 2005, the school and most other Brown Schools properties were acquired by Universal Health Services. After that change of ownership, the school continued its decline, and eventually closed.