Student Activities and Leadership

Andover students seize their opportunities. Whether starting up a new club from scratch or editing the school newspaper with a hundred years of history, Andover fosters bold, thoughtful, and engaged student leadership.

There is a ton to do here beyond study, but you already knew that. The Student Activities Office and Student Activities Board plan fun, exciting and varied events for all student interests. (Think dances, trips to Boston, dodgeball tournaments, performances). We make sure students are never bored and that there’s always something different going on.

But beyond weekend entertainment, student activities are meant to develop thinkers and doers. Try new things. Put yourself out there. Grow in unexpected ways. Set the tone for your Andover experience.

Andover takes the opening of school very seriously. We want to welcome new students to Andover in the most enthusiastic way possible. That task belongs to our Blue Key Heads.

“Anyone can be a leader here. You don’t need a title. What you need most, I’d say, are passion and self-motivation.”

Samuel Senior, Andover, MA

This is what Andover is all about. Academics. Athletics. Arts. Community. Innovation. Fun.

A Sample of Student Organizations

Rock Climbing Society
Alianza Latina
Microfinance Initiative, Inc.
VEX Robotics Club
Af-Lat-Am Society
Women’s Forum
Baking Club
Sports Analytics Club
Under the Bed
Linguistics Club
The Phillipian
South East Asian Club
Mock Trial
WPAA Radio
Meditation Club
Gender and Sexuality Alliance
Wildfire Conservation Club
Jewish Student Union
Model United Nations
Movie Makers’ Club

Andover has

125+

student-run clubs and organizations

[footnote]

Our Blue Key Heads are Andover’s unwavering spirit leaders. They’re on the sidelines at big games, ubiquitous around campus events, and constantly amping up the energy of our students. The public auditions every spring in Paresky Commons are a must-see. Official uniform: blue skirt, face paint, megaphone.

The Weekender announces everything going on for students in a given week. Here's a recent sample.

A Glimpse Into Campus Life

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Outdoor space at Andover is immense and students take advantage with games, sports, picnics, and outdoor studying.

Students in Outdoor Pursuits feel the rush of cold, refreshing air filling your lungs as you challenge Mother Nature and yourself and then enjoy a warming campfire and hot chocolate back at your campsite. Hard work, lots of fun, and the ultimate team sport as each of us looks out for the other.

Andover frequently hosts guest speakers and lecturers. A few recent campus visitors include astronaut Mae Jemison (pictured), primatologist Jane Goodall, New York Times financial columnist Ron Lieber, and Black-ish writer and producer Peter Saji ’96.

First printed in 1857, The Phillipian is Phillips Academy’s weekly student newspaper. Entirely uncensored and student run, the paper is distributed every Friday from September to June.

Prom is a signature event at the end of every year. Throughout the year theme dances, movie nights, and off-campus trips are also planned.

Along with over 67 different athletic teams, Andover offers numerous intramural sports including ultimate frisbee, ballet, squash, yoga and fencing. When not competing, students love to support and cheer for Big Blue from the stands.

Did you know that on campus there are two dance studios, a nature sanctuary, two museums, one electronic music studio, a darkroom, and a Makerspace?

You will often see your professors cheering for you at games and performances. There are also many opportunities where faculty perform and engage in campus activities alongside students.