Hyde School purchase a done deal

WOODSTOCK — Woodstock Academy has completed the purchase of The Hyde School.

The Academy closed on the purchase Thursday and has already put up a temporary sign announcing it as the Woodstock Academy South Campus.

“We are truly grateful for the many alumni and donors who continue to believe in and support The Academy to make this possible” said Christine Swenson, president of The Woodstock Academy board of trustees, in a statement. “This historic step for The Academy enhances opportunities for students in academics, athletics, fine arts, and other programs.”

The $14 million purchase announced by the Academy in the fall will dramatically increase the size of the Woodstock Academy campus.

The former Hyde property gives Woodstock Academy 25 more classrooms, two more auditoriums, including a 1,000-seat facility, a second cafeteria, a school store, 24/7 health center and more space for the arts and athletic facilities. There are also dorm rooms that can accommodate 250 students.

Head of School Christopher Sandford said in a recent meeting with the Brooklyn Board of Education that while the purchase has been in the works for many months, few people associated with the Academy have actually toured the Hyde facilities.

“It’s been a working campus,” Sandford said. “We don’t want to just walk through with our people as they’re dealing with their own transition.”

Hyde School, which is a boarding school, will consolidate all of its programs back into its original Maine campus. It first opened its Woodstock campus in 1996 and was welcomed by the community. The property on Route 169 has served as a school for most of its existence and was also the site of a business. It had been vacant when Hyde purchased the property.

The Academy has also hired some Hyde staff.

“We are thankful to both Hyde School and the Gauld family (founders of Hyde School) for the opportunity,” Sandford said. “Acquiring South Campus sets the Academy on a positive trajectory to continue its tradition of excellent education well into the future.”

The academy will host an open house for South Campus from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Sandford said for the Academy to build a single new building would cost $10 million to $16 million, making the Hyde School purchase the most economical way to ensure the Academy has the space it needs.

Associate Head of School Holly Singleton said the purchase will benefit the community as well.

“One of our goals with this acquisition is to use our new space to strengthen our community partnerships around northeast Connecticut, especially with local nonprofits,” Singleton said.