Greens Farms Academy in Westport, CT: Exploring Its History, Campus, and Facilities

The History of Greens Farms Academy

1920s and 1930s: Founding and Early Growth

Greens Farms Academy, located in Westport, CT, traces its roots back to 1925 when Mary E. E. Bolton founded the Westport School for Girls. Originally intended to educate her own daughters, the school quickly grew, and in 1926, Bolton’s sister, S. Kathleen Laycock, joined as a teacher. The school was renamed Mrs. Bolton’s School for Girls and operated out of a three-story house on Church Lane in downtown Westport. As enrollment increased, the school relocated several times, eventually moving to King’s Highway and Wilton Road in 1929. By 1936, it had expanded to offer a full K-12 program.

1940s-1950s: Structural Changes and a New Home

In the 1940s, the school underwent structural changes, with Bolton overseeing the lower grades and Laycock managing the upper grades. As the school continued to grow, a group of parents proposed converting it into a nonprofit institution. While Bolton declined, Laycock supported the idea, leading to the incorporation of the Kathleen Laycock Country Day School in 1957. Two years later, the school moved to its current home, the former Vanderbilt estate on Beachside Avenue, a 44-acre property bordering a salt marsh, woodlands, and the Long Island Sound.

1960s: Mergers and Leadership Transitions

In the 1960s, the school merged its lower and upper divisions, and leadership transitioned as Laycock retired and William M. Posey took over as headmaster. Around this time, the school added new facilities, including Bedford Gym. Nancy Lauber, an alumna, became headmistress and oversaw an enrollment of 250 students.

1970s: Becoming Greens Farms Academy

In 1970, the institution made a significant shift, admitting male students for the first time. The transition to a fully coeducational model led to the school being renamed Greens Farms Academy. Under the leadership of headmaster James M. Coyle, the school continued to expand, and by 1975, it celebrated its 50th anniversary.

1980s: Academic and Campus Growth

During the 1980s, the school focused on academic and extracurricular development. Enrollment reached over 400 students, and the campus saw the addition of new academic wings, a library, and science labs. The Middle School Forum was established in 1988.

1990s: Athletics and Arts Development

Throughout the 1990s, Greens Farms Academy broadened its athletic and arts programs. The school dedicated a new gymnasium in honor of former headmaster Jim Coyle, and the campus expanded to include multiple gymnasiums, varsity sports teams, and new arts facilities. By the end of the decade, enrollment had grown to over 500 students.

2000s: Milestones and Modernization

In the early 2000s, the school marked its 75th anniversary with community celebrations and continued campus improvements. Janet M. Hartwell became head of school in 2003, overseeing initiatives that included the introduction of Harkness tables for collaborative learning. The school also developed an organic garden in 2009. In 2015, Greens Farms Academy opened a new performing arts center and a global studies center, reflecting an ongoing emphasis on interdisciplinary learning. In 2018, Bob Whelan was appointed head of school, guiding the institution through continued expansion and mission refinement.

Campus and Facilities

Since moving to Beachside Avenue in 1959, Greens Farms Academy has continually expanded and modernized its facilities while maintaining the character of the historic Vanderbilt estate. The original mansion has been preserved and adapted for administrative and academic use, while the surrounding campus has evolved into a state-of-the-art educational environment.

Athletic facilities have expanded significantly over the years, with the addition of all-weather turf fields for soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse. The 30,000-square-foot athletic center features basketball courts, a wrestling gym, a fitness center, and dedicated training spaces, supporting the school’s 65 interscholastic teams. A notable addition is the standalone squash pavilion, designed by renowned architect Roger Ferris. In 2024, construction began on a new athletics and wellness center, nearly doubling the existing space with an additional 30,000 square feet to accommodate the school’s growing sports programs.

The Janet Hartwell Performing Arts Center, opened in 2015, has become a central hub for theater, dance, and visual arts, offering students access to state-of-the-art performance spaces, dedicated drama and music rooms, and a fine arts studio.

Academic spaces have also expanded, with contemporary science labs in the Bernhard Academic Wing, providing hands-on learning opportunities in physics, biology, and chemistry. STEM workspaces and a greenhouse allow students to engage in environmental research, engineering projects, and sustainability initiatives. The school’s Harkness classrooms emphasize collaborative learning, with discussion-based instruction that fosters critical thinking and engagement.

More recently, Greens Farms Academy has focused on improving student spaces and gathering areas. In 2023, the school opened a new dining commons and renovated the Lower School Assembly Room, creating more flexible and modern spaces for student interaction.

As Greens Farms Academy approaches its centennial, its Beachside Avenue campus remains central to its identity, blending history with forward-thinking education.