Phillips Exeter Academy

20 Main Street
Exeter, NH 03833
Phillips Exeter Academy has a tradition of academic excellence, a distinguished faculty, and a long history of educating young people to find their place in the world. The heart of Exeter is its signature Harkness method of instruction.
The Harkness philosophy, developed at Exeter over 80 years ago, is centered on a way of thinking and engaging with others that requires preparation and provides a sense of readiness for learning, for college, for life. Exeter is a school for teenagers who want to be surrounded by peers who share their intellectual curiosity and raw excitement about learning.
The school is alive with learning: spirited conversations spill out of classrooms and make their way to the playing fields, theater stages, laboratories, the dining halls and the dorms.
Students are given the freedom to explore and know their intellect, to challenge themselves in new ways, and enjoy the richness of human interaction.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: (Boarding) 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 1,078 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $64,789
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $50,604
  • Acceptance rate: 17%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Phillips Exeter Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 289 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
Offering Breadth
Student Test Scores
School History

School Overview

Definition of Terms | 2023 School Data
Phillips Exeter Academy
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)
9-12, PG
8-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1781
1907
Campus Size
700 acres
130 acres

Student Body

Enrollment
1078 students
310 students
% Students of Color
56%
25%
% International Students
8%
20%
% Students Boarding
79%
67%
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No

Academics and Faculty

Saturday Classes
Yes
No
Frequency of Saturday Classes
Bi-Weekly
Weekly
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Average Class Size
12 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
93%
71%
Summer Program Offered
Yes

Tuition Cost

Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$64,789
$64,000
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$50,604
$35,000
% Students on Financial Aid
44%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$56,251
(Day student average grant: )
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
No
No

Acceptance Rate

Application Deadline
Jan. 15
Jan. 15
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Average Percentile SSAT
94%
-
Acceptance Rate
17%
60%
Director of Admissions
John M. Hutchins

Sports

College Matriculation

Year: 2011 - 2013
10 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)
Columbia University
34
New York University
34
Harvard College
33
Yale University
33
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
27
Tufts University
26
Princeton University
25
Dartmouth College
24
Brown University
23
University of Pennsylvania
22

School Notes

  • Phillips Exeter Academy is a co-educational residential school with students from the U.S. and over 30 foreign countries. Exeter has a centuries-old tradition of academic excellence and a commitment to empowering Exonians to find their place in the world.
  • We are a community that celebrates curiosity and cultivates potential. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 5:1, more than 450 courses in 18 subject areas, and the opportunity to study on five continents, Exeter provides unparalleled opportunities for discovery and exploration, of both self and subject matter.
  • We provide need-based financial aid that makes it possible for talented students to attend Exeter regardless of their family`s finances. Exeter works with families from all economic backgrounds to make tuition affordable. And, an Exeter education is free to any accepted student whose family income is $75,000 or less. We encourage all interested students to apply, regardless of their ability to pay.
  • Phillips Exeter Academy accreditations: NAIS, TABS
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Mark Zuckerberg - Founder and CEO, Facebook
    • Dan Brown - Bestselling Author, The Da Vinci Code
    • Pauline Chiou - Award-winning Anchor and Correspondent, CNN Hong Kong
    • Win Butler - Lead Vocalist and Songwriter of Grammy Award-winning band Arcade Fire
    • John Knowles - Author, A Separate Peace
    • John Irving - Bestselling Author and Academy Award-winning Screenwriter, The World According to Garp, The Cider House Rules
    • Suzy Welch - Bestselling Author, Television Commentator and Noted Business Journalist
    • Pierre S. Du Pont - President, Du Pont; Chair and President, General Motors Corporation
    • Robert Todd Lincoln - Son of President Abraham Lincoln, US Secretary of War
    • Daniel Webster - US Senator from Massachusetts
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Phillips Exeter Academy cost?
Phillips Exeter Academy's tuition is approximately $64,789 for boarding students and $50,604 for day students.
What schools are Phillips Exeter Academy often compared to?
Phillips Exeter Academyis often viewed alongside schools like Phillips Academy Andover, Deerfield Academy, Choate Rosemary Hall by visitors of our site.
What is the acceptance rate of Phillips Exeter Academy?
The acceptance rate of Phillips Exeter Academy is 17%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 60%. Phillips Exeter Academy's acceptance rate is ranked as one of the top boarding schools with low acceptance rates.
Who are famous alumni from Phillips Exeter Academy?
Phillips Exeter Academy famous alumni include: Mark Zuckerberg, Dan Brown, Pauline Chiou, Win Butler, John Knowles, John Irving, Suzy Welch, Pierre S. Du Pont, Robert Todd Lincoln and Daniel Webster.
What sports does Phillips Exeter Academy offer?
Phillips Exeter Academy offers 28 interscholastic sports: Ballet, Baseball, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Cycling, Dance, Diving, Fencing, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball, Water Polo, Winter Track and Wrestling. Phillips Exeter Academy is ranked as one of the top boarding schools for most sports offered.
What is Phillips Exeter Academy's ranking?
When is the application deadline for Phillips Exeter Academy?
The application deadline for Phillips Exeter Academy is Jan. 15.

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review
Description

Class of 2021
5.00
Vassar College
Phillips Exeter is distinct for its use of the Harkness Method and its unique athletic opportunities afforded by a robust alumni network and excellent teachers from various high-level academic positions within their fields. Harkness, a. . .

Class of 2017
5.00
Williams College
The use of the Harkness table. The discussion based, or flipped, classroom is what truly separates Exeter from all other private schools. . .

Class of 2012
5.00
Sewanee: The University of the South
The Harkness table is used in all classrooms, facilitating discussion and exploration of subjects that allow students to take the reins on their own education. With classes averaging 12 students or fewer, every student is. . .
Show more reviews (27 reviews)
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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: (Boarding) 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 1,078 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $64,789
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $50,604
  • Acceptance rate: 17%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15
  • Source: Verified school update

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