When students enter Grade 4 and up at our school, they become members of Cushnoc Academy. Cushnoc Academy is made up of our Upper Elementary (Grades 4-6) program, and our Middle School (Grades 7&8).

Rooted in the Kennebec Area
We are located in the heart of Kennebec Valley, close to the Kennebec River. One of the earlier names of the Kennebec area was pronounced “Cushnoc” by the Native Americans. We encourage our students to know the history of themselves, their families, the area, and the ultimately the world.

Traders of Knowledge and Sharers of Friendship
Everybody has a skill, an art, a piece of knowledge, and friendship to share. We value each person’s gifts, even when the person is different from self or others. The Native Americans and Europeans traded goods and knowledge with one another at the historic Cushnoc Trading Post. They found a way to be share what they had. This challenge is ours as well. “In ye most convenientest place for trade..." - William Bradford said of the Kennebec area.

Stewards of the Earth
A name of Native American origin seems fitting for our ideals. Native Americans knew and loved the land, and they used the Kennebec River and adjoining tributaries/streams for transportation, setting up camp, and agriculture. The name Cushnoc also means “head of tide.” In all of our studies, we want to be at the “head of the tide,” especially in our knowledge, our skills, and our care for the earth. We put special emphases on outdoor knowledge, green practices, and gardening/animal husbandry.