Lawrence Academy, an independent boarding school for grades 9 through 12, is located in Groton, Mass. Our mission focuses on recognizing students for who they are, inspiring them to take responsibility for who they want to become, and empowering them to take action for the greater good. Our community welcomes 400 boarding and day students to our campus and prides itself on a warm, welcoming, and compassionate culture.Individualized learning and empowerment is a cornerstone of our program, a focus that extends beyond the classroom to athletics, the arts, clubs, community service, and experiential learning (via our Winterim program). Skilled at "teaching for understanding," faculty use innovative methods to help students learn in the way best suited for them. Each day, our Advisory system uses student interests, needs, and passions to help build pathways to individual goals and aspirations. We seek to see students grow in knowledge, confidence, and empathy, making meaningful contributions to the world once they leave our campus.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 415 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $78,150
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $63,250
- Acceptance rate: 29%
- Average class size: 13 students
- Application Deadline: Jan. 15
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Lawrence Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 281 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
School History
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12
9-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1793
1907
Campus Size
140 acres
125 acres
Colors
Blue, Red
Student Body
Enrollment
415 students
315 students
% Students of Color
23%
26%
% International Students
16%
21%
% Students Boarding
43%
70%
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student : Teacher Ratio
5:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
65%
72%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$38.5 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$78,150
$67,000
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$63,250
$36,000
% Students on Financial Aid
32%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$42,653
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
No
No
Admissions
Application Deadline
Jan. 15
Jan. 15
Acceptance Rate
29%
64%
Director of Admissions
Mike Polsonetti
Associate Director of Admissions
Sara Gillis
Application URL
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
22
16
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
33
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
A/V Club, Admissions Tour Guides, Art for All, Business Club, Club 1899, Community Service Advisory Board, Consortium (Literary Magazine), Debate Club, Did Jew Know (Religious Club), Environmental Sustainability Council, GSA (Gender Sexuality Alliance), LA Embassy, Men's Club, Moral Courage Task Force, PAWsitive Vibes, Rise Against Hunger, S[Hair], Spartan Leaders (Residential Life, New Students, International Students), Student Government - Executive Board, Student Government - Faculty-Student Senate, Student Government - Judiciary Council, Student Government Committees (Community Life, Food, Special Events, AAA-Academics, Arts & Athletics), The Lawrencian (Yearbook), The Politics Club, Umoja (Unity), Yard Games Club
Arts and Music Programs:
LA Singers, Lawrencian Chorale, Performing Artists Series, Private Vocal or Instrumental Instruction, Spring One Act Play Festival, Technical Theater
Recreational Athletic Programs:
College Matriculation
College Acceptance Rate
100%
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
Boston University
15
Connecticut College
11
Elon University
10
Boston College
9
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
9
Northeastern University
8
Sacred Heart University
8
Bentley University
6
Fordham University
6
Skidmore College
6
School Notes
- Lawrence Academy embraces an individualized approach to learning in a highly collaborative community of 400 boarding and day students. LA features a balanced academic program of intellectual development, self-discovery, wellness, and a desire to serve the greater good. Our curriculum is supported by LA`s advisory program; daily meetings between adults and a group of 4-8 students. In the classroom, faculty teach students how to think, not what to think, and commit to recognizing, inspiring, supporting, and empowering students as learners and as people. For students seeking additional support, LA offers a Learning Support program to help students acquire the skills necessary to succeed in the LA classroom.
- Co-curricular activities are key to the LA experience. In our arts program, our Dance students are mainstays at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, while the LA Singers frequently grace the stage at Carnegie Hall. Young performers have a variety of music-focused courses, several vocal and instrumental performance groups and lessons available to them at Lawrence Academy. In addition to these on-campus offerings, Spartans are also encouraged to venture off campus for instrumental music studies at the nearby Groton Hill Music Center. Athletically, LA Spartans compete in the Independent School League and our student-athletes often move on to compete on NCAA squads. Clubs, diversity groups, and leadership roles of nearly every ilk also encourage students to develop in confidence and character.
- Winterim, LA`s two-week experiential education program, takes students outside the classroom. Science excursions to the Galapagos Islands, volunteering at a refugee camp in Greece, or exploring the legal system in Boston and Washington, D.C., are just a few of Winterim`s opportunities.
- Lawrence Academy accreditations: NEASC, TABS, NAIS, AISNE
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Tim Armstrong - AOL Chairman and CEO
- Dana Messina - CEO and Owner of Steinway Piano
- Audrey McNiff - Managing Director at Goldman Sachs
- Page McConnell - Keyboard Player for Phish
- Steve Heinze - '88 Olympian in Men's Hockey and Former NHL player for Boston Bruins and LA Kings
- Laurie Baker - Three time Olympian in women's hockey
- Antoine Wright - NBA player for Dallas Mavericks
- Tyler Beede - Player for the San Francisco Giants
- School Motto: Omnibus Lucet: The light shines for all
- School Mascot: Spartan
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Lawrence Academy cost?
Lawrence Academy's tuition is approximately $78,150 for boarding students and $63,250 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of Lawrence Academy?
The acceptance rate of Lawrence Academy is 29%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 64%.
Who are famous alumni from Lawrence Academy?
Lawrence Academy famous alumni include: Tim Armstrong, Dana Messina, Audrey McNiff, Page McConnell, Steve Heinze, Laurie Baker, Antoine Wright and Tyler Beede.
What sports does Lawrence Academy offer?
Lawrence Academy offers 22 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Baseball, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Dance, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Snowboarding, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Volleyball and Wrestling.
What is Lawrence Academy's ranking?
Lawrence Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Lawrence Academy?
The application deadline for Lawrence Academy is Jan. 15.
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
The ninth grade program is completely unique to Lawrence Academy. It teaches students how to learn and develop thinking skills rather than immediately be immersed in facts and dates. It develops a strong. . .
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The nearest boarding school to Lawrence Academy is Applewild School (12.3 miles away)
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