The purpose of this study was (1) to portray the historical periods of the Newbury, Vermont, school system; (2) to note the growth of the district schools between 1763 and 1832; and (3) to determine what role the state played between 1777 and 1807 in the development of the Newbury school system. In terms of school governance and organization, five historical periods of the Newbury school system are described: 1763-1832, 1833-1891, 1892-1915, 1916-1960, and 1961-1988. The trends of Vermont public education have been toward more bureaucracy, consolidation, student classification, curricular differentiation (tracking), and state influence. Population statistics of Vermont (1791-1980) as well as a map of the Newbury school districts in 1988, and 33 references are appended. (SI)