Phillips Exeter Academy
- 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.
Alumni Reviews Review School
- Review Description
- Northwestern University Phillips Exeter Academy created a wonderful atmosphere to grow and develop as a human being rather than just as a student. Its use of the Harkness method encourages students to speak up and form nuanced. . .
- Harvey Mudd College Exeter is known for the Harkness method, and for good reason. Because we use it in every class, it really permeates all other aspects of life at Exeter. Even casual conversations at the dining hall. . .
- Macalester College The Harkness method of education was founded at Phillips Exeter, so I think this makes Exeter special. Harkness a learning method based on discussion and exchange of ideas among students, with the instructor as a. . .
- Show more reviews (18 reviews)
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Phillips Exeter Academy is listed among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 323 schools) for:
- Category Attribute
- Community Size Large student body (number of students)
- School Resources Large financial endowment
- School Resources Highest endowment/student
- Selectivity Low acceptance rates
- Offering Breadth Most sports offered
- Offering Breadth Most extracurriculars offered
- Student Test Scores High average SAT scores
- Student Test Scores High SSAT scores
- School History Oldest founding date
| Definition of Terms 2018 School Data | Phillips Exeter | Boarding School Avg. |
| School Focus | College Prep | College Preparatory |
| Grades Offered | 9-12, PG | 5-12 |
| School Type | Co-ed | Co-ed |
| Religious Affiliation | Non-denominational | Non-denominational |
| Year Founded | 1781 | 1909 |
| Campus Size | 673 acres | 106 acres |
Student Body
| Enrollment | 1081 students | 318 students |
| % Students of Color | 39% | 22% |
| % International Students | 9% | 20% |
| % Students Boarding | 80% | 69% |
| Average SAT Score | 1430 | * National Avg. »View |
| Average ACT score | 31 | *National Avg. » View |
| Offers Post-Grad Year | Yes | No |
Academics and Faculty
| Saturday Classes | Yes | No |
| Frequency of Saturday Classes | Monthly | Weekly |
| Classroom Dress Code | Casual | Casual |
| Average Class Size | 12 students | 12 *National School Avg. » 20 |
| Teacher : Student Ratio | 1:5 | 1:7 |
| ESL Courses Offered | No | Yes |
| % Faculty with Advanced Degree | 82% | 70% |
| Summer Program Offered | Yes | Yes |
Finances
| Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students) | $55,402 | $56,000 |
| Yearly Tuition (Day Students) | $43,272 (Upper School (9th through 12th graders) $1,400) | $30,250 |
| % Students on Financial Aid | 45% | 37% |
| Avg. Financial Aid Grant | $48,735 (Day student average grant: ) | $25,000 |
| Merit Scholarships Offered | No | No |
Admission
| Application Deadline | Jan. 15 | Jan. 15 |
| Accepts Standardized Application | No | No |
| SSAT Required | Yes | Yes |
| Average Percentile SSAT | 94% | - |
| Acceptance Rate | 15% | 57% |
| Director of Admissions | John M. Hutchins | |
Sports
| # Interscholastic Sports Offered | 28 | 15 |
| 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, Wrestling | |
Extracurriculars
| Total Extracurricular Organizations | 3 | 23 |
| Extracurriculars | Young Democrats Club or Organization: Young Democrat Club, Young Republican Clu | |
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 seeks students who combine proven academic ability, intellectual curiosity, and tenacity with decency and good character. True to its mission defined more than two centuries ago, Exeter continues the commitment to unite knowledge and goodness. `Goodness without knowledge is weak and feeble, yet knowledge without goodness is dangerous, and that both united form the noblest character, and lay the surest foundation of usefulness to mankind.`
- Since its founding, Exeter has provided need-based financial aid that has made it possible for talented students to receive an Exeter education. An Exeter education is free to any accepted or current student whose family income is $75,000 or less. This initiative, in conjunction with our strong middle income financial aid initiative, means that 95% of families in the US are at income levels that, depending on their circumstances, make them eligible for financial aid at Exeter. We encourage all interested students to apply to Exeter -- regardless of their ability to pay.
- Follow our admissions blog to learn more!
- 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
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- School Location Miles Grades Students
- Grades: 9-12, PG | 1142 students 24.9 miles180 Main Street
Andover, MA 01810
(978)749-405024.99-12, PG1142 - Grades: 9-12, PG | 648 students 89.2 miles7 Boyden Lane
Deerfield, MA 01342
(413)774-140089.29-12, PG648 - Grades: 9-12, PG | 850 students 141.8 miles333 Christian Street
Wallingford, CT 06492
(203)697-2239141.89-12, PG850 - Grades: 9-12, PG | 605 students 145.6 miles11 Interlaken Road
Lakeville, CT 06039
(860)435-3102145.69-12, PG605 - Grades: 9-12 | 540 students 34.7 miles325 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH 03301
(603)229-470034.79-12540
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