Summer Programs

Opportunities for students and faculty to learn about global issues are developing in exciting ways at Phillips Academy, with the largest number of students involved in summer, rather than academic-year programs. We have a long tradition of sending students abroad for language immersion programs, and are also continually developing other kinds of programming. Of course, students often travel also on their own initiative. In the summer of 2008, for instance, we know of the participation of over 130 students and over two dozen faculty members in global programs involving language, archeology, service learning and environmental issues. Some of these are described below.

ACE (Accelerate, Challenge, Enrich)

ACE is a by-invitation-only summer program run by Phillips Academy teachers at the Colorado Rocky Mountain School for currently enrolled and newly admitted students entering their Lower (tenth-grade) year. Open to students who have not yet completed geometry, ACE’s academic program covers geometry, an introduction to chemistry, and work in the area of reading and writing. Students who successfully complete the program receive credit for geometry.

Language Immersion Programs Abroad

Under a pilot program, which began in 2007, Phillips Academy has a financial aid fund to support 4-6 week summer language immersion programs. Locations vary somewhat from year to year, but recent programs have taken students to: China, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, and Spain. For information about specific offerings, contact the Division of World Languages. Credit is not awarded, but, if the student makes sufficient progress, his or her placement in World Language may be advanced.

The B.A.L.A.M Project

Sponsored by the Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology and the Spanish Department, B.A.L.A.M. (the “Bilingual Archaeological Learning Adventure in Mesoamerica”) is a two- to three-week program in which students travel to Mexico and Belize in order to be immersed in the language and culture of Central America. Credit is not awarded; financial aid is available.

Pecos Pathways

This three-week program invites students from Phillips Academy and the town of Pecos, New Mexico to participate in a cultural exchange that has the students visit both the Southwest and New England. The program features home stays and archaeological and community service projects with the Pueblo of Jemez. Credit is not awarded; financial aid is available.

Niswarth

This service-learning program takes Andover students and faculty to Mumbai, India, the world’s third-largest city, to engage in three weeks of cultural immersion, reflection, activism and solution-driven partnerships with schools and NGOs. Upon return, students are required to complete an academic paper or visual work drawn from their experiences. Credit is not awarded; financial aid is available.