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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.

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. 

And because we take a balanced approach to academics, extracurriculars, and just plain having fun; because our talented, caring teachers, coaches, house counselors, and advisors are always ready to help; because we have a renowned art gallery, archaeology museum, and observatory right on campus; and because we offer the best of high-tech, low-tech, and multidisciplinary  learning plus experiential learning opportunities for every student in fascinating places on nearly every continent.