How the School Came to Be

Black River has a long history of being a school in Ludlow, Vermont. First as the Black River Academy from 1835-1938. Later the school became a public high school and was open from 1938-2019. In 2019 due to Act 46 changes, the town voted to close down the school. In response to the school closing a group of community members, parents and local business leaders came together to form the Black River Independent School Committee. Through years of hard work and dedication the vision of The Expeditionary School at Black River was born. The school was designed to be a place where local and out of state students can come for a world class education in the beautiful outdoor paradise that Ludlow, Vermont is. 

The school is the heart of the community and has played an integral role in Ludlow for decades. Through innovation and forward thinking, the new Expeditionary School at Black River continues a long legacy of education in the community while fostering new dynamic means of furthering these aims. Through community partnerships, flexible pathways and specific targeted career work study programs we offer a truly unique and engaging program. 

Community Partnerships

Black River’s vision for economic vitality offers an emerging model for how to redesign the relationship between local schools, the business community, and taxpayers. Toward this end, in its first semester of operation, the School Committee and the Head of School set out to establish community partnerships that are able to help our school function with a focus on integrated strategies and fiscal efficiencies.  Thus far, we have formalized agreements with the following Vermont-based organizations. To ensure our school is situated as a hub from catalyzing community and economic development can revolve, additional community partnerships are in the process of being identified and developed.