Testing the Andover effect

Andover changed the trajectory of my life. It transformed me. Comments like this cut across generations of alumni, binding them like family. And they mean something profoundly personal to each one.

At a recent campus gathering of alumni, Dean of Studies Caroline Odden asked the group to describe someone or something from their time at Andover that stays with them today. Hands went up immediately. They described teachers and mentors whose “tough love” shaped their resilience. They recalled red-penned comments on essays hitting hard at first but eventually growing their confidence as writers. Others spoke about classes that, upon reflection, helped them understand why the liberal arts form an essential intellectual foundation. An alumna, now on the MIT faculty, credited her “be curious about everything” teaching style to those she admired at Andover. 

Later that evening, Dean of Faculty Ben Temple honored colleagues with foundations and instructorships—philanthropic awards that highlight faculty excellence. “In conversations, both inside and outside the community, I have found myself using the word magic to describe what is special and in many ways intangible about Andover,” he said. “In the case of these colleagues, they create learning in its purest form, authentic, meaningful, and transformative.”

Many would agree that what happens at Andover is magical. But how do you test that theory? How do you define transformative education and ensure that students today and tomorrow continue to enjoy its benefits?

For the first time in nearly a decade, we aim to do just that. We are partnering with experts in education research to better understand the impact of the Andover experience after graduation. We have surveyed young alumni (5 to 15 years post-Andover) to gauge their satisfaction with the school’s mission and values, curriculum, and programs. From the results we hope to learn more about their academic achievements, career paths, and their sense of wellbeing. We are especially curious about the extent to which these alumni feel prepared for life beyond Andover.

This is not an exercise in self-congratulation. It is an opportunity to evolve, to shore up our gaps, and double down on our strengths. I can’t wait to see what emerges, as we continue to preserve the magic and this transformative education for generations to come.