The Derryfield School Revenue and Competitors

The Derryfield School was founded by a group of local citizens on July 27, 1964. The reason for the founding is expressed in the original statement of purpose: The Derryfield School has been founded to provide an opportunity for an outstanding secondary education for students of the Merrimack Valley region. The School will operate as an independent coeducational day school. Derryfield opened its doors in the fall of 1965 at temporary quarters in the Manchester Institute of Arts and Sciences and at the Manchester Boys' Club. One hundred and two students, in grades seven through ten, matriculated that first year. In February 1967, the school moved to its present location and the first commencement was held in June 1968. Derryfield expanded under the past leadership of Headmasters R. Philip Hugny (1964-1970), Ralph J. Scozzafava (1970-1978), William B. Pfeifer (1978-1982), Marcus D. Hurlbut (1982-1993), and Nancy S. Boettiger (1993-2000). Randle B. Richardson was appointed Head of School in 2001. Originally confined to one building, Derryfield now provides spacious classrooms and labs for 379 middle and upper-school students, a 400-seat auditorium, a cape-style house accommodating administrative offices, and updated athletic facilities. The purchase of additional land in 1996 expanded the campus from 12 to 84 acres. The Derryfield School has remained firm in its mission to prepare secondary school students for college. Growth in southern New Hampshire has created a much more regional school than originally envisioned. Students now come from more than 40 communities within a 45-mile radius.