Academy School

Academy School is a former school complex located in Glastonbury, CT. It was discontinued for school use in 2001 with the opening of the Smith Middle School and renovation of the Gideon Welles School. From 1974-2001, Academy was the town's sixth-grade school, although it housed some fifth-grade students as well for many years. Among many other uses, Academy also served as the Glastonbury High School from 1923-1953.

Buildings

A wing, constructed in 1923 (and added onto in 1926), has been used as the Glastonbury Town Hall since 1983. This building served as the town's high school until the current high school was built. It was also used to house junior high students.

B wing, constructed in 1915, is also known as the Williams Memorial Building. For many years, it was used as a recreation center and as a gymnasium facility. More recently, the upper level housed the school library and the lower level served as the art room.

C wing, constructed in 1961, was built to house junior high students, and later used for sixth grade students. The cafeteria and gymnasium are part of this building. This wing connects to both B wing and D wing. D wing, constructed in 1930, was built as an elementary school and has been used for many purposes, most recently for sixth grade students.

Current Use

The Glastonbury Town Hall has been housed in the A wing since 1983. Other parts of the building are used for the teen center, gymnastics program, community use, and storage.

Future Plans

The town plans to renovate the B, C, and D wings of Academy to serve as a muncipal center. Tentative plans would relocate the board of education and selected town offices, as well as the council chambers and pre-school program. Community uses such as the teen center and gymnastics would be maintained.

Glastonbury Free Academy

Prior to the construction of the A wing in 1923, the Glastonbury High School was housed in the former Glastonbury Free Academy building, which was constructed in 1870 and demolished in 1960, to make room for the new C wing. The Glastonbury Free Academy was the predecessor to Glastonbury High School.

= Sources =1995 Glastonbury Plan of Development, Table 2 (Educational Facilities)

----Hedden, Daniel T. The Glastonbury Express

----McNulty, Marjorie Grant. Glastonbury: From Settlement to Suburb