Housatonic Valley Regional High School was opened in 1939 to serve the towns of Canaan, Cornwall, Kent, North Canaan, Salisbury, and Sharon.  This legislative innovation became the prototype for regionalization in Connecticut and beyond.

Each of the six towns has its own K-8 elementary school governed by an autonomous board of education.  Housatonic Valley Regional High School is governed by the Region One Board of Education.  The superintendent, assistant superintendent, business manager, and director of pupil services provide educational leadership for seven school districts, governed by seven boards of education in the six towns.