The Derryfield School was founded in 1964 by thirty-nine visionary families in the greater Manchester community as a coeducational day school designed to offer an outstanding, traditional coeducational college preparatory education to students in grades 7-12. A talented, dedicated and caring faculty, a rigorous academic program, small classes, and rich opportunities in visual and performing arts, athletics, and extracurricular activities, were designed to promote intellectual, personal and ethical development, and a lifetime commitment to community. In September, 1965, 102 students in grades 7-10 launched Derryfield’s first academic year meeting in leased quarters in downtown Manchester, with grades 11 and 12 added in the two successive years. In March, 1967, Derryfield moved to its present campus and celebrated its first commencement in 1968. Enrollment, curricula and co-curricular programs and the physical facility grew steadily with the addition of a gymnasium in 1974. The school developed its identity as it expanded its outreach into area communities, developed pride in the increasingly demanding academic program, and planned the construction of a new library, additional classrooms and administrative offices. The 1980’s was characterized by new opportunities for student leadership, new Advanced Placement classes, expansion of athletic facilities and fields, the Performing Arts Auditorium, Summerbridge-Manchester (now known as Breakthrough Manchester), and increased cultural diversity in the student body. Derryfield’s momentum continued in the 1990’s with the acquisition of 72 adjacent acres. A middle school building, tennis courts, additional library, technology, classroom and athletic field space, and the addition of the 6th grade followed. Today, with an enrollment of 370, an outstanding faculty and dedicated trustees, Derryfield is poised to meet the educational challenges of the 21st century.
