Why Andover?
Because you’ll be welcomed into an inspiring community of smart, motivated, curious, open-minded, and genuinely nice people from across the country and around the world. Because this is a high school that celebrates difference and prizes originality. Because at Andover you can be your most honest, authentic, daring self.
“There’s history here. I want to live up to it. I want to contribute to it in my own way.”
The iconic Samuel Phillips Hall is named after our founder, and home to the History & Social Science and World Language departments.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Phillips Academy, a residential secondary school, seeks students of intelligence and integrity from diverse cultural, racial, socioeconomic, and geographic backgrounds.
The school’s residential structure enables faculty to support students in their personal, social, and intellectual development. The academic program fosters excellence in all disciplines within the liberal arts tradition. Faculty members guide students in mastering skills, acquiring knowledge, and thinking critically, creatively, and independently. The school strives to help young people achieve their potential not only intellectually, but also artistically, athletically, and morally, so that they may lead responsible and fulfilling lives.
The Academy is committed to establishing a community that encourages people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs to understand and respect one another and to be sensitive to difference of gender, ethnicity, class, and sexual orientation. In its programs, the school seeks to promote a balance of leadership, cooperation, and service, together with a deeper awareness of the global community and the natural world.
Andover’s 1778 Constitution charges the Academy to prepare “Youth from every quarter” to understand that “goodness without knowledge is weak… yet knowledge without goodness is dangerous.” This obligation challenges students in mind, body, and spirit to see beyond themselves and to go beyond the familiar; to remain committed to developing what is finest in themselves and others, for others and themselves.
This revised version of the Statement of Purpose, voted by the faculty in winter 2000, reaffirms the Academy’s goals set forth in the Constitution of 1778.
Fast Facts
300
courses offered including 8 world languages and 150 electives
13
students in the average class
Students from
44states and territories
49
countries represented
12%
international students
50%
students of color
226
teaching faculty with 101 men and 125 women
5:1
student-teacher ratio
33%
faculty of color
Boarding tuition:
$55,800Day tuition:
$43,30047%
of students receive financial aid
Average annual grant:
$40,800Total annual financial aid:
$23.9MEndowment (June, 30, 2018):
$1.105BKnowledge & Goodness
Explore the largest fundraising effort in independent school history.
Connecting Our Strengths
Learn how we’re executing the 2014 Strategic Plan.
Campus Master Plan
Grounded in sustainable principles, the Campus Master Plan is a framework for decision making about the physical development of the campus over time, preserving its history while planning for the future.
[footnote]
In addition to being our Head of School, John Palfrey also teaches. Here, he's moderating a discussion with students in History 300/310—a class co-taught with History and Social Sciences Instructor (and Dean of Students) Jenny Elliott ’94, P’22.
Our Head of School
John Palfrey is kind, smart, friendly, and very approachable. You should meet him. You will meet him. He’s very accessible. He partners with Dean of Students Jenny Elliott to teach U.S. history (and even took the history department on a eld trip to Harvard Business School to learn case method teaching). He eats in Paresky Commons and frequently goes back for seconds of our signature Sam Phil smoothie. He attends athletic and cultural events and talks at All-School Meetings. His office is in George Washington Hall, and his door is open, figuratively and very often literally.
Mr. Palfrey has done audacious things at Andover (developed a new Strategic Plan, started the Tang Institute, opened the Sykes Wellness Center), but what’s so great is that none of this matters when you’re talking with him. What matters is that he’s interested in you—in what every Andover student thinks and has to say. He’s mindful of history, fascinated by technology, in love with complexity, and always ready to work together to build, create, or share something important.
We recommend you read his blog and follow him on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. He’s proficient in emojis and will most likely follow you back.
Meet Our Leadership
The Phillips Academy governance structure is mission-driven and led by trustees, a Head of School, and senior administrators who hold themselves accountable to a culture of excellence.
Peter Currie ’74
Palo Alto, CA
Linda Carter Griffith
“LCG” connects educational programs, cultural celebrations, and big ideas coming from CAMD, the Brace Center, and Community Engagement
view full profile lgriffith@andover.eduJenny K. Elliott ’94, P’22
“Students who take advantage of Andover's support structures while tapping into their own developing values do the best here.”
view full profile jelliott@andover.eduFernando Alonso
Appointed dean of administration and finance in 2016 following seven years as director of Andover Summer Session & outreach
view full profile falonso@andover.eduClyfe Beckwith
“Inspiration lurks around every corner on this campus, like chaos theory where one small difference can result in a completely new outcome.”
view full profile cbeckwith@andover.eduAmy Falls ’82
New York, NY
Joseph Bae ’90
Hong Kong
Patrick Farrell
Has coached competitive math teams and individual students to regional and national success
view full profile pfarrell@andover.eduStephen Matloff ’91
Los Angeles, CA