Little is known about Vermont’s first high schools during its years as an independent republic. We do know that in 1791, the year Vermont became the 14th state, the town of Pittsford divided education into six districts, and one-room schoolhouses popped up in many neighborhoods throughout the town. These multipurpose schools taught students in multiple grades. Many of those small buildings still exist today as private homes.

In 1878, the Pittsford Academy, a private accredited high school, became the first school in town to successfully graduate high school students. In 1894, the town opened a public high school in Eaton Hall, now home to the Pittsford Historical Society. Enrollment grew rapidly, and the town completed construction of the current Lothrop School building in 1912, opening it to students in grades 1–12. The new school grew and flourished. From 1949 to 1960, Barstow School in Chittenden partnered with Pittsford High School to broaden activities and share educational resources.

Everything changed with the rise of union high schools and the consolidation of smaller schools. Pittsford High School and Brandon High School were merged into the newly established Otter Valley Union High School, and 1961 was the final year for both of the old schools. In Pittsford, the graded school continued in expanded facilities, and Barstow Memorial School continued as a wonderful graded school on its own. High school students from Chittenden attended schools of their choice through the town’s tuitioning system.

Brandon and Pittsford students shared longtime friendships and a strong athletic rivalry, and all felt the pain of losing their schools. Not only did they lose their identity, but many students also faced significantly longer commutes to get to school.

Aware that they would be the final class to graduate from PHS, the PHS class of ‘61 quietly shifted into high gear. In sports, a team of just 10 players, led by co-captains Mark Mooney and Charlie Patch, won Pittsford’s first ever Vermont Class M Basketball Championship. Patch was rated the Class M top basketball player in the state.

All the Class of ‘61 PHS sports, academic and social programs alike reached new heights in 1961. With unspoken recognition of their place in history, the 37 students of the final Class of ‘61 grew into a magical family that remains as solid today as it was in 1961.

Records show that there are 23 remaining alumni of the PHS Class of ‘61. On August 3, 2026, the group will gather to celebrate their 65th reunion, beginning with morning tours of their former school and followed by an afternoon luncheon at Proctor-Pittsford Country Club. The meal will be catered by the club’s “Redfield’s Restaurant.” The gathering will begin at 12 noon and will continue throughout the afternoon with friendship, stories, endless laughs and perhaps a few “mysteries solved.”

If you went to PHS, you are welcome to join the luncheon or drop by for a visit with the proud “Panther” patriots. For information and dining reservations, contact Kathy Parker at (802) 236-6480 or [email protected].