Gould Academy Photo #8

Gould Academy

39 Church Street
Bethel, ME 04217
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Gould Academy Photo #1 - Rock climbing, hiking, ice climbing canoeing and variety of other outdoor experiences abound in the White Mountains.
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Gould Academy Photo #1 - Rock climbing, hiking, ice climbing canoeing and variety of other outdoor experiences abound in the White Mountains.
Gould Academy Photo #2
Gould Academy Photo #3 - With 11 Steinway pianos on campus, Gould holds the All Steinway School distinction, shared with other schools such as the Yale School of Music and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Through state-of-the-art technology, Gould also offers a distance learning program in partnership with the Manhattan School of Music.
Gould Academy Photo #4
Gould Academy Photo #5 - Gould Academy offers the only Ski Patrol Program recognized by the National Ski Patrol. Once our students earn their 'jackets,' they are certified to work for the National Ski Patrol at any mountain in the U.S.
Gould Academy Photo #6 - A rigorous academic curriculum is at the core of the Gould Academy experience. Our students are innovators, creators, risk-takers, and complex problem solvers.
Gould Academy Photo #7 - Our 40-kilometer Pine Hill trail system begins just steps from campus and serves as our daily training ground and race venue. Students also benefit from access to an additional 500 kilometers of groomed Nordic terrain across western Maine-making Gould a true epicenter of competitive cross-country skiing in the East.
Gould Academy Photo #8 - From mountain biking and lacrosse, to soccer and skateboarding, to equestrian and basketball. We offer a very diverse selection of competitive sports so that each student may discover or continue to develop their passion.
Gould Academy Photo #9
Gould Academy Photo #10
Gould Academy Photo #11 - Our beautiful 456 acre campus in the heart of the western Maine mountains is a gateway to outdoor experiential learning, research, and play. The Bethel, Maine downtown is a gem offering coffee shops, restaurants, and retailers all within walking distance of campus.
Gould Academy Photo #12
Gould Academy Photo #13
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 Stats (2025)

  • Grades: 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 230 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $75,324
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $54,848
  • Acceptance rate: 97%
  • Average class size: 9 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Upcoming Events and News

  • Exploring Dominca: Gould's 9th Grade Four Point 2025 - 08/15/2025
    Excerpts From a Travel Journal by Trip Leaders Chris Hayward P'16,'19 and Abbey Quinn '09 as they cover one of Gould's signature experiential learning experiences.
  • Gould Students Sweep Prestigious Camden Conference Essay Competition - 07/14/2025
    In an extraordinary display of academic excellence and civic engagement, Gould Academy students have made history by earning all three top honors in the 2025 Camden Conference Bill Taylor Essay ...moreContest - a first in the competition's decades-long tradition. hide
  • What We Carry: Lessons from 40 Years of Junior Four Point - 07/10/2025
    The 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
  • A Revolution Around the Sun: Phil Coupe ’86 Envisions a Brighter Future - 05/04/2025
    Gould Alumni, Phil Coupe, and his colleagues at ReVision Energy are on a mission to save the planet. It's a lofty goal that he finds somewhat intimidating, but spend some ...moretime with Phil, and you get the sense that he is the right person for the job. hide
  • Four Gould Snowboarders Nominated to 2025–26 U.S. Snowboard Pro Team - 03/01/2025
    Gould Academy is proud to announce that four of our very own riders have been nominated to the 202526 Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Pro Team in the discipline of Snowboard ...moreCross, as released by U.S. Ski & Snowboard on May 15.Hanna Percy '25, a current student-athlete at Gould Academy, was newly named to the Pro Team for Snowboard Cross. She is joined by alumni Nathan Pare '23, who earned a promotion to the Pro Team, along with fellow alum nominees Tyler Hamel '22 and Bri Schnorrbusch '24-all recognized in the Snowboard Cross discipline. hide
  • Gould Alum Peyton Meader ’22 on MIT All-Indigenous Rocket Launch Team - 11/17/2023
    Peyton Meader '22 is a member of Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) first all-Indigenous Rocket Team in Cambridge, MA, where she is a second-year chemical engineering student. The team, Doya, ...morerecently placed second in the First Nations Launch international student competition with a blast that reached a height of 1,290 meters. Peyton was featured prominently in an article for the MIT News and on the MIT website, and the story was reported locally by The Bethel Citizen. We're following Peyton's career closely and are among her biggest fans. Congrats, Peyton! hide
  • Gould Mountain Biking Takes Second Place at New England Championships, First in Eastern Division - 11/02/2023
    The Gould Mountain Bike team had an exceptional season this fall, finishing in second place overall last week at the Northern New England Mountain Bike (NNEMTB) Championships and first place ...morein the Eastern Division. Thirty-two teams from three divisions and almost 500 racers competed on the challenging, singletrack-heavy course at Holderness School. Lucie Jezkova '25 was the top Junior Girl racer in the league, a fantastic feat considering she is in her first season. Parker Nellis '25 took the second spot for Junior Boys. hide
  • ...read more

Top Rankings

Gould Academy ranks among the top 10 schools with 200-400 students (out of 96 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Offering Breadth
School History

School Overview

Definition of Terms | 2024 School Data
Gould Academy
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12, PG
9-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Supports Learning Differences (LD)
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Neurodiversity
n/a
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1836
1907
Campus Size
456 acres
125 acres
Colors
White, Blue
First Day of School
Mon. Sep 1, 2025

Student Body

Enrollment
230 students
315 students
% Students of Color
4%
27%
% International Students
20%
21%
% Students Boarding
70%
68%
Average SAT Score
1230
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »View
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No

Academics and Faculty

Saturday Classes
Yes
No
Frequency of Saturday Classes
Less than once a month
Weekly
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Mountain casual
Casual
Average Class Size
9 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
11
18
ESL Courses Offered
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
73%
72%
Summer Program Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details

Tuition Cost

Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$75,324
$68,420
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$54,848
$37,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
No

Admissions

Application Deadline
None / Rolling
Jan. 15
Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)
No
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Acceptance Rate
97%
64%
Director of Admissions
Kristen Kaschub
Application URL

AP / Advanced Courses

# 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

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
15
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Blue KeyCertified Ski Patrol Program
Community Service ClubGlobal Student Organization
Gould Goes GreenMath Team


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
  • Gould Academy accreditations: TABS, NEASC, NAIS
  • 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/
  • School Motto: Gould Academy guides students to be creative, courageous and resilient and to lead lives of fulfillment and purpose.
  • School Mascot: Husky
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Gould Academy cost?
Gould Academy's tuition is approximately $75,324 for boarding students and $54,848 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 23 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Baseball, Basketball, 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. Gould Academy is ranked as one of the top boarding schools for most sports offered.
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 average class sizes, Most sports offered and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Gould Academy?
The application deadline for Gould Academy is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review
Description

Class of 2003
5.00
University of Rhode Island
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. . .

Class of 2011
5.00
Stetson University
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. . .
Submit Review for Gould Academy
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Quick Stats (2025)

  • Grades: 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 230 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $75,324
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $54,848
  • Acceptance rate: 97%
  • Average class size: 9 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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