Beaver Founded & Incorporated

Beaver was incorporated as an elementary school and an all-girls’ high school in 1920 by a group of parents who were interested in progressive education and the Country Day School movement.

Eugene Smith, the “man of ideas,” had the great good fortune to be able to build a school literally from the ground up. An optimist and a realist, Smith was able to knit together the elements of his own vision of “progressive education” and to surround himself with a faculty and supportive trustees who could help him catapult the Beaver philosophy into the educational limelight of his day. He retired in 1943.

First Beaver Graduating Class

The East Wing of the building was completed and the first class graduated with five members.

Impact of WWII

British children are evacuated from their homes because of WWII to countries all over the world. Several children lived with host families and attended Beaver.

Beaver Summer Camp launches

The first session is held in June 1946.

The Green Gym

Beaver’s original “Green” Gymnasium sufficed until 1953, when a new one was constructed. The new gym was named for the Sawtell family in gratitude for the loyalty, generosity, and wisdom of Margaret and Frank Sawtell, whose dedication and service to Beaver as parents, Trustees, and Incorporators spanned 25 years.

When the new gym opened, it was adjoined by a professionally-appointed dance studio. Shortly thereafter the School acquired what became the Head’s house on Woodland Road.

A Letter from the Senior Class President

An excerpt from the 1962 yearbook:

We, the Seniors, are saying good-bye to a happiness and a growth which are ever present at Beaver. This growth has been partially directed and partially self-determined. This happiness reflects the joy of our achievements and the light of our friendships. 

—Nancy Tucker Barnes ’62, Senior Class President

Donald Nickerson Becomes Head of School

The 60s were a troubled period on any school campus, and Donald Nickerson, taking the School’s reins in 1963, must have felt like the engineer on a roller coaster as students and faculty alike demanded a greater voice in school governance and curriculum. In addition, the adventure of co-education was begun in 1970. To Nickerson, controversy was a sign of vitality and integrity of mission. The School’s history, he asserted, revealed “its essential humaneness and willingness to try new ideas. Its ideals have not been static; and it’s mixed past is evidence of its willingness to adventure beyond the past’s safeties.”

Nickerson served until 1972.

Philip McCurdy (PEM) becomes Head of School

Philip McCurdy, whose nickname “PEM” often appeared under barbed cartoons in the School newspaper, joined Beaver in 1972. The tumultuous times had confused Beaver’s image in the community, where conservatives feared that “progressive” really meant “permissive.” Fortunately, Beaver was a “liberal” school; 74% of the student body felt Nixon should resign in November ’73. In all events, the School’s reputation for honoring individuality resulted in an enrollment increase under McCurdy. He was also an able financial manager and an administrator who empowered the faculty and its strong leaders to develop and oversee the academic program.

McCurdy served until 1984.

Jerry Martin Becomes Head of School

Martin proclaimed Beaver a “world school.” Outreach programs drew students to Beaver from South Africa, the Navajo Nation, and, after a decade’s hiatus, Japan. Formal and informal arrangements brought students from Korea, Hong Kong, Germany, Spain, and Mexico, and in 1989 English-as-a-Second Language instruction began. The School became more aggressive in developing both its athletic program and its commitment to diversity.

Athletics at Beaver

By 1994 Beaver teams had added New England titles in Girls’ Basketball (’90) and Boys’ Basketball (’92, ’93, and ’94). Beaver athletes have graced All-Star rosters at every level, including All-American, and have represented the United States in international play in soccer, field hockey, and basketball.

The Hiatt Center Founded

The Hiatt Center is established through a generous $1M gift. Hiatt programming connects Beaver students to the global society through mutually beneficial partnerships that deepen learning and inspire individuals to rethink their place in the world. Each summer, more than 100 students participate in summer fellowships.

The Beaver Brand

Beaver goes through a visual rebrand, committing to sharing the school’s philosophy, vision, and programming at the national and international level, garnering a reputation beyond New England and positioning the school as a prominent voice in the educational sector.

The New Basics

Beaver names the New Basics— creative problem-solving, collaboration, iteration, visual communication, empathy, tech & media literacy, and presentation skills.

More.

Happy 100th Birthday Beaver!

Beaver celebrates its 100th birthday by collecting over 100 stories from our alumni of all decades. From 2020 to 2022, the BVR100 endowment campaign secured more than $5.7M of new endowment for Tuition Assistance, Partnerships, and the Hutton Explore Fund.