1 Elm Street, Byfield, MA 01922 - 
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tel: 978-499-3120
Welcome to the oldest boarding school in America! Established as Dumm'r Charity School in 1763 through a bequest from Massachusetts Bay Lieutenant Governor William Dummer, what is now called The Governor's Academy provided the foundation for the preparatory school tradition in America. Today, more than two centuries after its founding, The Governor's Academy continues this tradition of innovation through inventive, inspired programs that reflect the Academy's pioneering spirit.
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Overview: |
The Governor's
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Boarding School Avg.
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| Definition of Terms | ||
| School Focus | College Preparatory | College Preparatory |
| Grades Offered. | 9-12 | 9-12 |
| School Type | Co-ed | Co-ed |
| Support for ADD/ADHD Students | No | No |
| Religious Affiliation | Non-denominational | Non-denominational |
| Year Founded | 1763 | 1906 |
| Campus Size | 450 acres | 125 acres |
| Student Body | ||
| Enrollment | 397 students | 296 students |
| Percent Students of Color | 16% | 18% |
| Percent International Students | 12% | 18% |
| Percent Students Boarding | 66% | 69% |
| Average SAT Score | n/a | * National Avg. »View |
| Offers Post-Grad Year | No | No |
| Academics and Faculty | ||
| Saturday Classes | No | No |
| Classroom Dress Code | Casual | Casual |
| Average Class Size | 12 students | 12 *National School Avg. » 20 |
| Teacher : Student Ratio | 1:6 | 1:7 |
| # of AP/Advanced Courses Offered | 20 | 14 |
| ESL Courses Offered | Yes | Yes |
| % Faculty with Advanced Degree | 78% | 64% |
| Summer Program Offered | Yes | Yes |
| Finances | ||
| Endowment Size | $62 million | $14 million |
| Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students) | $46,280 | $42,800 |
| Yearly Tuition (Day Students) | $36,620 | $23,900 |
| Percent Students on Financial Aid | 30% | 34% |
| Average Financial Aid Grant | $31,000 | $18,500 |
| Merit Scholarships Offered | No | No |
| Admission | ||
| Application Deadline | Jan. 15 / Jan. 30 / rolling | Jan. 15 |
| Accepts Standardized Application | Yes | No |
| SSAT Required | Yes | Yes |
| Average Percentile SSAT | 70% | - |
| Acceptance Rate | 29% | 60% |
| Director of Admissions | Michael Kinnealey | |
Course Listings: |
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| List of Courses Offered | Link to List of Courses | |
Sports: |
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| Total Interscholastic Sports Offered | 15 | 13 |
Interscholastic Sports
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| Baseball | Basketball | |
| Cross Country | Dance | |
| Field Hockey | Football | |
| Golf | Ice Hockey | |
| Lacrosse | Soccer | |
| Softball | Tennis | |
| Track and Field | Volleyball | |
| Wrestling | ||
College Matriculation: |
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| Year: 2004 | 10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
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| Boston University | 4 | |
| George Washington University | 3 | |
| Tufts University | 3 | |
| Union College | 3 | |
| University of Denver | 3 | |
| University of Southern California | 3 | |
| Dartmouth College | 2 | |
| Johns Hopkins | 2 | |
| Wellesley College | 2 | |
| Williams College | 2 | |
School Notes:
- The Academy offers a challenging, thought-provoking and student-centered curriculum that inspires a passion for learning. By focusing on the learning process and the development of essential skills, The Governor's Academy teaches students how to think critically, creatively and independently. We encourage students to acquire knowledge through hands-on activity, multi-disciplinary inquiry, analysis and reflection.
- Many structures--including the advising system, extra help sessions, and evening study hours supervised by dormitory parents--help students learn to study and manage their time well. Our goal is to teach young people to become actively accountable for their own learning and to grow by learning with others.
- Classes meet for 60- and 90-minute periods, affording students and teachers more opportunity to explore subject matter in depth, from different perspectives and with a variety of classroom activities. In addition to traditional assessments such as tests and papers, students debate, conduct hands-on laboratory and field experiments, make oral presentations, research in groups, use technology to create presentations, and design their own exhibits.
- Students and faculty bring to The Governor's Academy a richness of experience, perspective and diversity which adds immeasurably to the education of all. This is the spirit that inspires a community of learners.
- During the past decade, many new buildings have been erected or renovated, including the Math and Science Center, Library, Student Center, Performing Arts Center, and faculty housing. A new ice hockey arena, synthetic turf field and dormitory will be constructed by the fall of 2007.
- For more information about the academic program at The Governor's Academy, contact Academic Dean Elaine White at 978-499-3147 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 978-499-3147 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or ewhite@thegovernorsacademy.org.
- School accreditations: New England Association of Schools and Colleges; Association of Boarding Schools
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Booker T. Washington Jr. - son of famous abolitionist, statesman and author
- Yu Kil Chun - first Korean to study in West; essayist and social reformer
- Theophilus Parsons - helped draft Bill of Rights and developed US judiciary system
- Edward Preble - Commodore of the USS Constitution
- Dan Gadzuric - NBA basketball player
- Jeb Bradley - Congressman - New Hampshire
- Samuel Phillips - Founder of Phillips Academy, Andover
- Profile last updated: 12/22/2011
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Nearby Boarding Schools:
- Phillips Academy Andover - 1,105 students - 14.0 mi. away - view location
- Phillips Exeter Academy - 1,063 students - 16.2 mi. away - view location
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- Co-ed school
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