When The Accord School began, we planned to call it Chapman Farm School and build it on a former llama farm, called Chapman Farm- it was named after Maureen Chapman, who raised llamas there for many years.
When we were starting the school, Mrs. Chapman told Founding Director Katy Boucher the story of one of her favorite llamas, Artie:
Artie was a llama that lived at Chapman Farm in his youth, but eventually was sold. Over time, Mrs. Chapman became the foremost authority on llama breeding in the United States. It was not uncommon for people to reach out to her for advice from near and far.
One day, Mrs. Chapman received a call from an out-of-state preschool that was closing. The preschool had a small petting farm, and was working hard to rehome their animals. They asked Mrs. Chapman for any leads she may have on rehoming a 20-year-old llama named Artie. Mrs. Chapman stopped in her tracks and asked for details about the animal- his coloring, behavior- and realized it was her Artie. She immediately hooked up her trailer and drove to the preschool.
When she arrived, Artie was grazing in the field, and she recognized him right away, even from a great distance. She said, “Hello, Artie.” He immediately recognized her voice and came bounding across the field. She said to him, “Come on, Artie, we’re going home.” He got in the trailer and finished his life at Chapman Farm.
After learning the story of Artie, and about llamas in general, it was decided that our mascot would be a llama. When they graduate from The Accord School, students receive a pewter llama pin while this message is read:
Llamas are OK standing alone,
But are better in a group.
Llamas are often misunderstood,
But are loyal protectors.
Llamas never forget their friends.
Our amazing students have a lot in common with our mascot… but most importantly, they never forget their friends. And much like Artie, they can always come home again to The Accord School.
Check out our Alumni information.
