Pinkerton Academy is the largest independent academy in the eastern United States. It serves as the comprehensive high school for the communities of Derry, Chester and Hampstead. Approximately 3,400 students attend the Academy. The school's staff is comprised of more than 290 teachers and administrators, 100 support personnel, and 50 educational aides.

Pinkerton is a private, non-profit corporation. The school is governed by a perpetuating Board of Trustees and is under the direction of Headmaster Mary Anderson. Important figures in its 190-year-old history include former faculty member Robert Frost, and the first American in space, astronaut Alan Shepard of the Class of 1940.

The most important feature of Pinkerton Academy is its excellent program of studies. Built on a traditional approach to education, Pinkerton has established and maintained an outstanding reputation for academic excellence. The program of study, organized around ten disciplines, is supported by a comprehensive guidance department, department of health services, library, special education department, and computer services department.

Pinkerton offers a wide variety of courses taught at a number of levels including an Honors Program and 14 Advanced Placement courses. Among the many choices students have are Computer Technology and Pre-engineering programs, a Finance Academy, and courses in Java, Art History, String Ensemble, Meteorology, Eras in Architecture, Web Page Design and Dance.

Each year approximately 75% of Pinkerton's graduates are accepted into post-secondary schools. In addition to its strong academic program, Pinkerton is widely recognized as a leader in co- and extra-curricular activities. In fulfillment of its fundamental purpose - the education of youth - the Academy has long maintained the belief that mutual and reciprocal cooperation among students, parents, staff, and Trustees is vital. The Class of 2005 earned more than 5.3 million dollars in scholarships when they graduated.

The newest addition to the campus is the Spaulding Center for the Arts and Humanities. It houses the English and Fine Arts Departments and the state-of-the-art Stockbridge Theater. For the past two years the facility has hosted the New Hampshire All-State Music Festival.

Pinkerton students continue to score above the national averages on their SAT exams. Results of the 2005 New Hampshire Educational Improvement and Assessment Program (NHEIAP) show increases in the percent of students scoring basic or above in mathematics and reading.

Pinkerton has formally established a sister-school relationship with one of China's premier secondary schools in the port city Tianjin, located 90 miles from Beijing. Two delegations of Pinkerton students have traveled to China, and two groups of Chinese students have journeyed to Derry. A presentation of the successful program was recently made to the members of the New Hampshire Board of Education.

Pinkerton students, faculty members, and organizations contribute their time, talents and resources to many worthy charitable causes and projects every year. The dollars, and hours, they donate every year make a significant impact on local communities.

For more information on Pinkerton Academy, including a virtual tour of the campus, visit the school's web site at www.pinkertonacademy.net.