The school was originally named the New Hampshire Conference Seminary of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was located in the town of Northfield. In the first year of the school, the seminary's enrollment consisted of 130 students, (74 males, 56 females). Most students were from neighboring towns, but some traveled from as far as Vermont and Boston to attend the new Methodist school. After a number of setbacks, including a fire that destroyed the first school building, the school moved across the Winnipesaukee River to its current location in Tilton. many town academies in New England, Tilton School was a coeducational college preparatory boarding school with students from all over the world. It also served as the public high school for the towns of Northfield, Tilton and Sanbornton until 1939. During this time, students were able to choose a college preparatory or a general course of study. In addition to granting high school degrees, Tilton School awarded a number of other degrees, including college diplomas when the seminary included a women's college from 1852 to 1903. Tilton School also functioned as a junior college which awarded men their Associate Degree from 1936 until 1958. Tilton School had a lower and a middle school at different times in its early history.