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Fryeburg Academy

Fryeburg Academy, founded 1792, is one of the oldest private schools in the United States. It is located in Fryeburg, Maine. One of the first headmasters was Daniel Webster, who taught at the school for a year.

Boarding students come from across the United States, North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. The Academy also serves as the high school for the MSAD 72 school district.

Notable alumni and faculty

Daniel Webster, lawyer and politician (Former headmaster)
Nathaniel S. Benton, New York politician
James Farrington,
Spalding Gray, actor and monologist
Monroe Mann, author & writer, musician, director/actor
Marcus C. Nash, U.S. Olympic, Nordic ski racer
Rufus Porter, painter and founder of Scientific American
Casey Sherman, author Search for the Strangler & Black Irish
Ben Hammond, musician

Gymnasium fire

On October 12, 2005, fire destroyed the Gibson Gymnasium at Fryeburg Academy started by two former students. The fire was determined to be arson, and two former students were charged. As a result of the fire, a major capital campaign was begun to fund a new and better athletic facility.

A New Fieldhouse

The new facility was opened in May 2007 and is currently in use. Featuring new basketball courts, it also has the benefits of a fitness center, wrestling room, many locker rooms, offices, and a lobby - among other things. The new multi-purpose fieldhouse is widely considered to be one of the finest in the state of Maine at the high school level. The new gym was recently used in its first public event since opening to hold the Commencement ceremonies for the graduating Class of 2007.

Center for the Arts

With the new fieldhouse/gym project completed, the school has begun to break ground on a new theater complex in 2007. It is planned to serve more than just the theater production program. Aside from a stage and seating, the plans have three galleries to be in the complex. A scene shop to assist in productions is also currently drawn into the plans. The performing arts center is expected to open in the fall of 2008.