It wasn't until the early 1960's that the towns of Enfield, Canaan, Orange, Dorchester, and Grafton joined together and formed the Mascoma Valley School District and built the present high school. Since that time the towns have consistently strived to provide quality educational programs and physical plants.

In the past few years the school district has taken a quantum leap in many areas for several reasons. In 1987 The Indian River School opened adjacent to the high school. It is an upper elementary facility housing grades 5 to 8. The new school made it possible for the Canaan Elementary and Enfield Village schools to each house only grades K to 4, and the high school to serve grades 9 to 12. Thus the district is able to provide relatively small class sizes. Recent changes in the pay scale for teachers has placed the district's educators within the top 15 % in the state. In addition, the district recently formed its own supervisory union, making it one of a small number of one-district administrative units. This arrangement allows the district's administrators to devote their full efforts to the needs of the area's schools.

Next year the district expects to have 1650 students and to meet if not surpass the total of 76% of last year's high school graduates that went on to some form of continuing education. Test scores in the district have continually surpassed the projections of the national testing services. The district has also been noted for its excellent Industrial Arts and Special Education programs. Recently a Canaan Elementary teacher, Susan Frost, was one of the first recipients of a Christa McAuliffe Fellowship. The district has regularly sent teams to the state Odyssey of the Mind competitions. Of course the district offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities from music and drama to sports. Producing tournament bound teams in all sports is almost a yearly occurence for fall soccer to spring baseball with youth programs that will add to our list of state championships, that have been produced by both Boys & Girls basketball, field hockey, softball teams and finalists in baseball. Teams in all sports for grades K-12 have support throughout our communities, we're proud of the Mascoma Valley Athletic tradition.

The quality of education in the area is also enhanced by the quantity of public support evidenced by individuals and by organizations like the PTA, the Friends of the Mascoma Schools, Lions Clubs, Boy Scouts of America, Outing Clubs, etc.

Private education is also provided by Cardigan Mountain School in Canaan, NH, which specializes in middle school education. Boys from around the United States and the globe come together in the noble pursuit of self-improvement. The caring and able faculty place a premium on encouraging successful experiences and on building self-esteem in an extended family environment. The academic year is offered exclusively for boys in grades sixth through nineth. A summer session is also offered co-educationally for grades fourth through tenth. Academics, athletics and the arts are offered in a highly structured and supportive environment. Ivy League's Dartmouth College located in Hanover and Plymouth State College offer nearby educational opportunities.