Gould Academy is not just a school. It's a journey of self-discovery.
Nestled in the beautiful mountains of Maine, Gould fosters intellectual exploration and personal growth through a unique blend of rigorous academics and experiential learning.
Here, students challenge their assumptions in a safe, nurturing environment, whether it's through our renowned individual sports programs, cutting-edge Maker Space, or our one-of-a-kind experiential program.
At Gould, we don't just prepare students to earn a diploma-we prepare them for life.
Quick Facts (2026-27)
- Grades: 9-12, PG
- Enrollment: 210 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $77,584
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $55,396
- Acceptance rate: 97%
- Average class size: 11 students
- Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Upcoming Events and News
- Open House - Mon., October 12, 2026 - get more information!
- Open House - Mon., November 09, 2026 - get more information!
- Open House - Fri., December 04, 2026 - get more information!
- Open House - Sun., February 14, 2027 - Mon., February 15, 2027 - get more information!
- Open House - Fri., April 16, 2027 - get more information!
- The Symbiotic Relationship between Gould Academy and Hurricane Island - 05/10/2026Gould has been visiting Hurricane Island in early May since 2015 and is one of the first school groups to visit under the stewardship of the Hurricane Island Center for ...moreScience and Leadership. Even though we took a couple of years off during COVID, it was obvious this week that Gould has made an impact on Hurricane in the most positive ways. The staff commented on how much they love having Gould on the island and how great it is that we are always the first school group of the season. hide
- Gould Academy Students Win NASA Rover Challenge with Perfect Run - 04/14/2026After months of planning, designing, building, and testing, the Gould Academy Engineering Team earned first place in the remote-control high school division of NASA's 2026 Human Exploration Rover Challenge at ...morethe Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. hide
- Prepared for the Moment That Matters - 04/05/2026Gould is one of sixteen institutions featured in Elevate: 16 Boarding Schools and the Practice of Holistic Education, a new collaborative volume exploring the practice and structure of holistic education ...morein independent boarding schools. The book brings together institutional reflections on mission, community, and character. The following article is Gould's chapter, authored by Head of School Tao Smith '90, P'23,'28. hide
- Defining Experiential Learning: Real Responsibility, Real Confidence - 01/12/2026At Gould Academy, we often talk about experiential education - but every so often, a student's story puts real meaning behind the phrase. It becomes less of an educational philosophy ...moreand more of a lived truth.
There's a familiar message that young adults often hear as they grow into themselves, especially the ones with visible talent: Pick one thing. Specialize. Narrow your focus. Choose your lane. hide - What We Carry: Lessons from 40 Years of Junior Four Point - 07/10/2025The packs and snowshoes have improved a little over the years, and we now have protocols for emergency communication that weren't in place in the 80s and 90s, but otherwise, ...morethe trips have mostly remained the same. It's nine days away from technology in the students' pockets. Nine days away from academic pressure and fully-packed daily schedules. Nine days that will change their lives. hide
Top Rankings
Gould Academy ranks among the top 10 schools with 200-400 students (out of 96 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
School History
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Learning Difference Programs
Neurodiversity
n/a
Year Founded
1836
1907
Campus Size
456 acres
130 acres
Last Day of School
Thu. May 27, 2027
School Motto
Gould Academy guides students to be creative, courageous and resilient and to lead lives of fulfillment and purpose.
Student Body
Enrollment
210 students
320 students
% Students of Color
4%
27%
% International Students
30%
20%
% Students Boarding
70%
66%
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No
Academic Profile
Saturday Classes
Yes
No
Frequency of Saturday Classes
Less than once a month
Weekly
Student-Teacher Ratio
6:1
7:1
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
73%
73%
Summer Program Details
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
11
18
Courses
AB CalculusBC Calculus
BiologyChemistry
English LanguageEnglish Literature
Government ComparativeHonors Senior Math(topics include Calculus BC)
PhysicsStastistics
US History
Tuition & Financial Aid
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$77,584
$69,500
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$55,396
$38,700
% Students on Financial Aid
40%
40%
Admissions
Application Deadline
Feb. 1 / rolling
Jan. 15
Acceptance Rate
97%
64%
Director of Admissions
Kathleen Willis
Application URL
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
22
17
Colors
White, Blue
School Mascot
Husky
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
17
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Blue KeyCertified Ski Patrol Program
Global Student OrganizationGould Goes Green
World QuestYearbook
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Intramural Ultimate Frisbee ClubMaine Adaptive Ski Coaching
On-Snow Instructing ProgramRecreational Skiing
College Matriculation
College Acceptance Rate
99%
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
St. Lawrence University
13
University of Vermont
10
Boston University
9
Saint Michael's College
9
University of Colorado, Boulder
9
Drexel University
8
Suffolk University
8
University of Main
8
Bates
7
Hobart William Smith
7
School Notes
- Private High School for Boys and Girls
- Grades 9-12, Postgraduate and Winter Term for Grades 7-8
- Boarding School in the Mountains of Maine
- Founded in 1836 and located in the historic mountain village of Bethel, Maine, Gould celebrates winter through an unparalleled partnership with Sunday River Resort. Students experience the mountain by becoming ski patrollers and instructors, sliding on rails and racing through gates, or discovering a lifelong passion by simply learning to ski and ride. We flip our daily schedule in the winter and begin our days on snow to take advantage of the best conditions, returning to campus for academics in the afternoon. Sunday River is one of the largest ski and snowboard resorts in the Eastern United States, and we explore every acre of terrain.
- Academics at Gould are both challenging and inspiring. Our innovative faculty offers unique and intentional experiential opportunities you won't find at other schools. Hand-build your own skis or snowboard. Pilot underwater robots in the Marlon Family IDEAS Center, Gould's maker space. Investigate the natural world surrounding campus in Environmental Science. Develop your artistic passions, hammering iron in the blacksmithing forge. Become a world traveler with your ninth-grade classmates, and go on a winter camping expedition in the White Mountains in our signature Four Point Program.
- Gould Academy delivers an exceptional residential boarding school experience. The dorms are an extension of the classroom where students learn to live independently and engage with a vibrant community. At the heart of every Gould journey is a network of caring adults to mentor students and help shape their future. Advisors, coaches, teachers, and dorm parents become trusted adults that students can depend on.
- We prepare students for the biggest test there is. Life.
- LD types supported: Neurodiversity
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Lauren Jacobs ’03, PhD - Outdoor educator. Read more at https://www.gouldacademy.org/alumni/connect/an-outside-chance
- Phil Coupe ’86 - Business owner. Read more at https://www.gouldacademy.org/alumni/connect/a-revolution-around-the-sun
- Troy Murphy '10 - Olympian. Watch his commencement address with Donnie Pelletier at https://www.facebook.com/GouldAcademy/videos/2019-gould-academy-commencement-speeches/270561227086095/
- Bri Schnorrbusch '24 - US Snowboard Team, 2x World Cup Top 10 finishes, silver medal at Junior World Championship. Read More: https://www.usskiandsnowboard.org/athletes/bri-schnorrbusch
- Desiree Plata ’99, PhD - Environmental Engineer and MIT Professor. Read more: https://cee.mit.edu/people_individual/desiree-plata/
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Gould Academy cost?
Gould Academy's tuition is approximately $77,584 for boarding students and $55,396 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of Gould Academy?
The acceptance rate of Gould Academy is 97%, which is higher than the boarding school average of 64%.
Who are famous alumni from Gould Academy?
Gould Academy famous alumni include: Lauren Jacobs ’03, PhD, Phil Coupe ’86, Troy Murphy '10, Bri Schnorrbusch '24 and Desiree Plata ’99, PhD.
What sports does Gould Academy offer?
Gould Academy offers 22 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Baseball, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Cycling, Equestrian, Field Hockey, Freestyle Skiing, Golf, Kayaking, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Nordic Skiing, Orienteering, Riding, Rock Climbing, Skiing, Snowboarding, Soccer, Tennis and Ultimate Frisbee.
Does Gould Academy offer a summer program?
Yes, Gould Academy offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is Gould Academy's ranking?
Gould Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Small student body (number of students) and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Gould Academy?
The application deadline for Gould Academy is Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
Gould Academy has an incredible history of experiential learning that continues on to the present. Learning happens in the classroom, but it also happens outside of it. From the 4 Point programs, most notably, to. . .
Gould Academy's four-point program is what sets it apart from other schools. This program is defined by what each grade does during the weeks between 2nd trimester and Spring break. Grade 9 embarks on an. . .
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People that viewed Gould Academy also viewed these schools: Kents Hill School, Brewster Academy, Fryeburg Academy, Cushing Academy and Proctor Academy.
The nearest boarding school to Gould Academy is Bridgton Academy (21.7 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
PO Box 257, 1614 Main St., Rte. 17
Kents Hill, ME 04349
(207) 685-1606
Kents Hill, ME 04349
(207) 685-1606
39.1 miles
Gr: 9-12, PG | 230 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Avg. class size: 10 students Acceptance rate: 66% Tuition listed
80 Academy Drive
Wolfeboro, NH 03894
(603) 569-7200
Wolfeboro, NH 03894
(603) 569-7200
60.5 miles
Gr: 9-12, PG | 350 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Avg. class size: 11 students Acceptance rate: 50% Tuition listed
745 Main Street
Fryeburg, ME 04037
(207) 935-2013
Fryeburg, ME 04037
(207) 935-2013
25.2 miles
Gr: 9-12, PG | 578 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Avg. class size: 15 students Acceptance rate: 80% Tuition listed
39 School Street
Ashburnham, MA 01430
(978) 827-7300
Ashburnham, MA 01430
(978) 827-7300
134.8 miles
Gr: 9-12, PG | 385 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Avg. class size: 12 students Tuition listed
204 Main Street - P.O. Box 500
Andover, NH 03216
(603) 735-6652
Andover, NH 03216
(603) 735-6652
84.4 miles
Gr: 9-12, PG | 388 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Avg. class size: 12 students Acceptance rate: 48% Tuition listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
11 Academy Lane
North Bridgton, ME 04057
(207) 647-3322
North Bridgton, ME 04057
(207) 647-3322
21.7 miles
Gr: 12-12, PG | 155 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Avg. class size: 12 students Acceptance rate: 60% Tuition listed
745 Main Street
Fryeburg, ME 04037
((20) 7) -935-2013
Fryeburg, ME 04037
((20) 7) -935-2013
25.2 miles
Gr: 9-12, PG | 578 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Avg. class size: 15 students Acceptance rate: 80% Tuition listed
PO Box 257, 1614 Main St., Rte. 17
Kents Hill, ME 04349
((20) 7) -685-1606
Kents Hill, ME 04349
((20) 7) -685-1606
39.1 miles
Gr: 9-12, PG | 230 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Avg. class size: 10 students Acceptance rate: 66% Tuition listed
148 Main St
Yarmouth, ME 04096
(207) 846-2376
Yarmouth, ME 04096
(207) 846-2376
51.7 miles
Gr: 9-12, PG | PK-12, PG (day) | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Avg. class size: 12 students Acceptance rate: 76% Tuition listed
616 High Street
Bath, ME 04530
(207) 443-5584
Bath, ME 04530
(207) 443-5584
59.3 miles
Gr: 9-12, PG | 130 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Avg. class size: 12 students Acceptance rate: 73% Tuition listed
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