Head of School

Welcome From the Head of School

Barbara Landis Chase

In our contemporary world, there are few places that provide a strong sense of community to the people who live and work in them. Phillips Academy students and faculty have found just such a place. The author John Gardner writes, “The traditional community could boast generations of history and continuity. Only a few communities today can hope to enjoy any such heritage.” Andover's 231-year history creates the kind of continuity that is, indeed, rare in American secondary schools or in institutions of any kind. We invite you to experience this community as you come to know Andover.

Andover was founded during the American Revolution on the principle that it would be open to “youth from every quarter” and with the motto non sibi, which means “not for one's self.” These ideals have created a culture of leadership and service that has endured for two centuries.

Today, we are proud of a $14.7 million financial aid commitment which helps to make those ideals a reality for 43 percent of our students. Our “affordability initiative” has culminated in a need-blind admission policy, which means that every applicant is considered for admission regardless of their financial circumstances. Andover's commitment also guarantees that the demonstrated financial need of each enrolling student will be met 100 percent. We are proud to be among the very few institutions to support students in this comprehensive way.

Andover students do indeed come “from every quarter.” We strive to bring the world to this very American institution, so that our students will one day give back as global citizens. Last fall, more than 340 new students joined our community from places including Arkansas and Wyoming, Utah and South Carolina, Denmark, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates. They were welcomed by returning students from California and Canada, Jamaica and Japan, Maine and Michigan.

Andover students immerse themselves in activities that are rarely available at the high school level. They may master a world language such as Chinese or Russian, or take part in a master class taught by a visiting scholar. They have the opportunity to study the stars from the observatory of a state-of-the-art science center. They may compete in math or music events, or act in a production directed by a Broadway playwright. They may start a new club to promote a social cause, curate an art exhibition, or join the Ultimate Frisbee team.

In all this, students are guided by faculty members who welcome curiosity and inspire greatness, and who are immensely talented and committed to their fields. They are accomplished authors, athletes, scientists, mathematicians, linguists, historians, musicians, and, above all, mentors to their students.

We continue to assess our academic program to ensure its flexibility and rigor -- goals that follow our recent success in developing programs that enable students to get the most out of our rich academic and extracurricular offerings.

We reduced the size of the student population and built additional faculty apartments to lower the residential student-teacher ratio. Our largest dorms have 42 students; our smallest just four.

We adjusted the daily schedule to increase time for advising and enhanced the development of critical reading and analytical writing skills. Teachers are collaborating on interdisciplinary courses that address the most challenging questions facing our global society. We have also developed opportunities for seniors to design independent projects as a culminating academic experience. All of these steps have more clearly illuminated the path toward academic excellence.

Underpinning the academic and social life of Andover is a network of programs, policies, and services which provide the support necessary for the development of well-balanced adolescents living away from home.

Whether you visit the campus several times or come to know Phillips Academy through our Web site or interviews with our alumni representatives, we hope the exploration will be an enriching and intriguing experience. Welcome to Andover.

Photo of Barbara Chase by M. Malyszko