February 20, 2025

Calendar of Events

Athletics Calendar

The Weekender 

(View on The Hive)

As we approach the end of the Term 2 (winter term), please note the following:

Term 2 ends at 3 p.m. on Friday, March 7. All winter term work must be submitted by the assigned deadline; instructors are not permitted to accept any additional work from a student after 3 p.m. Any possible exception to these policies—if a student falls ill, has a family emergency—must be approved by the director of studies in collaboration with the chief medical officer. 

Please note that students must attend all class meetings during the final week of the term, regardless of how instructors plan to use those meetings.

Only in extraordinary circumstances will permission be granted for a student to miss class meetings during the final week of the term. The purchase of nonrefundable tickets for an early departure is not considered such a circumstance.

PA is offering Spring Break transportation to and from New York City (NYC), with a stop in Darien, Connecticut. Students can sign up for one-way travel ($100) or roundtrip ($160). Buses will depart at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 7, and return to campus Sunday, March 23, departing NYC at 11 a.m. 

For additional details, bus form, and commonly asked questions, please review the Spring Break Travel FAQ. This information has been posted on PAnet for student access and in 2024–2025 Information for Families. Note that only students can complete the bus form. 

For transportation to Logan (Boston) and Manchester (N.H.) airports or Boston’s South Station, arrangements can be made with private taxi and limousine service providers. A list of service providers regularly used by members of the PA community is available here and in 2024–2025 Information for Families. FlightLine offers a shared car service exclusively for PA students for one-way travel to Logan or Manchester airports and to Boston’s South Station. Details on how to make a reservation with FlightLine can be found in the Spring Break Travel FAQ.

Questions? Email Claudia Scofield or call 978-749-4124.

The 2025–2026 housing process for returning boarders has begun. Cluster deans and house counselors are engaging with students on housing placements for the upcoming school year. As a reminder, we provide support services and reasonable accommodations to students who qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The deadline to request any type of disability accommodation that is related to housing for the 2025–2026 school year is Thursday, March 27, at noon. Requests related to housing made after the deadline will likely not be accommodated. A family member can complete the “Reasonable Accommodations Request” form in the Medical Health Portal and upload supporting documentation. Supporting documentation may also be emailed to Student Accessibility Services. If you have any questions about this process, please email Laura Warner, director of the Academic Skills Center and Student Accessibility Services.

As we plan for the upcoming re-enrollment period, we want to let you know that the Academy has changed its nonrefundable enrollment deposit to $6,000. As a reminder, this enrollment deposit is credited toward your total tuition bill and may be adjusted depending on your financial aid award. We appreciate your continued support and partnership in your child’s education. Please do not hesitate to email Tina Rioux, bursar, if you have any questions.

Registration for AP exams is open now through noon on Wednesday, March 5. The exams run May 5–16. 

PA students will receive an email with registration instructions from the Academy’s Standardized Testing Office. Exam fees will be paid through the Course Material Account and will be processed later in the spring. This year, most AP exams will be in a digital format with students testing on their own device.

Please note that AP exams are optional and not required for college applications. Student grades and classwork are more important than AP exam scores. The exams require a significant amount of preparation and can mean missed class time just before final assessments. Note that AP exams are later in the month this year and will bump up against end-of-semester activities. Students who are unsure about taking AP exams should speak to a teacher or college counselor. Students should not register for more exams than they are sure to take. For specific information on registration and exam dates and fees, click here.

Questions? Email Deb Colombo, director of Standardized Testing. 

When six kids ride the Cyclone and crash, they’re thrown into limbo with a strange fortune-telling machine. With the prize of coming back to life, they share the extraordinary parts of their less-than-ordinary lives. Ride the Cyclone; a comedy and tragedy about what it means to live a meaningful life. 

This production, a THD901 Independent Project, was directed by Serafina Shin-Von Nordenflycht ’25.

Showtimes:

Venue: Evans DeFelice Theatre Classroom, George Washington Hall (lower level)

This event is first-come, first-served seating. We recommend arriving 30 minutes prior to showtime to secure your seat for the show. All persons in your party must be present to claim their seat—there is no saving seats and no late seating. 

The end of the world? Or a new beginning? Join us as we revisit R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots), the famous Czech science fiction play that introduced the word “robot” to the world over a hundred years ago. 

Our new adaption, written by faculty member Natalya Baldyga, updates Karel Čapek’s language, characters, and setting, bringing the play into direct conversation with today’s technology and issues. Together, our collaborative ensemble will explore questions related not only to contemporary ever-accelerating changes in technology, but also consciousness, rapacity, and the nature of humanity.

Showtimes:

Venue: Tang Theatre, George Washington Hall (first floor)

This event is first-come-first-serve seating. We recommend arriving 30 minutes prior to showtime to secure your seat for the show. All persons in your party must be present to claim their seat—there is no saving seats and no late seating. Families of students involved in the production can check in with the house manager (or any event staff) to receive priority seating. 

Award-winning magician Danny Dubin, who has enthralled audiences around the country with his crisp slight-of-hand and inexplicable mentalism, will perform on Sunday, February 23 from 3-4 p.m. in Kemper Auditorium.

Don’t miss this mind-boggling one-of-a-kind show! Sponsored by the Jewish Student Union and free and open to the public.

Our final Fireside Chat is next week! Hear about the many ways cluster deans support your student, hear from student leaders about cluster traditions and events, and more. All gatherings are local time. 

Register now using the link:

Questions? Email the Office of Family Engagement. Note that all other cluster chats have already taken place; recordings will be made available soon.

Join us next week for an evening conversation via Zoom with Lisa Miller, PhD, on Thursday, February 27, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. ET.

The Office of Family Engagement will raffle off copies of Miller’s book for those who attend.

Register now! 

In Case You Missed It: Families can view the recordings of the “Office of Community and Multicultural Development (CAMD)” and other segments of the Family Webinar Series on MediaSpace. Links are also available on the Family Engagement webpage. 

A special section for families of seniors! Read along for coming deadlines.

Class Rings: You can purchase a class ring for your senior through our vendor, Herff Jones. If your child would like to see sample rings or get sized, a representative will be in Paresky Commons during lunch periods on Wednesday, February 26, and Thursday, February 27. Rings ordered before March 1 will be delivered to students in time for graduation. Visit the Herff Jones website for more information. Questions? Please email our ring vendor, Mike McCann.

2025 Commencement: We look forward to welcoming the families of the Class of 2025 to celebrate Commencement on June 1. A series of important events for seniors and their families begins Thursday, May 29. For a complete schedule of events and FAQs to help you plan ahead, please visit the Commencement webpage. 

Upcoming deadline! Order a 2025 Pot Pourri for your student by Saturday, March 1, by clicking  PA Yearbook. If prompted, enter school code 3591. Yearbooks—full color and typically about 300 pages—will be delivered to campus in May. 

Enjoy photos of student-athletes and fans, team news, and player and event highlights in Andover Athletics News.

Read the latest headlines and happenings from campus at Andover Today. 

Read on for details about two upcoming events and how to get involved: 

Weekend Recap

Campus Closet

Shop This Friday: Stop by Campus Closet from 2 to 6 p.m. tomorrow (lower level of George Washington Hall) to stock up on new PA gear—or shop online 24/7. 

Volunteer for Campus Closet: Staffed by PSPA volunteers, all proceeds from Campus Closet go toward student activities and building a stronger PA community. Please sign up here to help in the shop for a few hours in February. Spring Visit days are coming up in March and April, which will bring lots of visitors to Campus Closet. It’s always fun to meet these new families. If you would like to help out, please sign up here.  

Ways to Engage

Stay in the Know: Not to worry if you miss a Family Bulletin now and then. You can still keep up to date on PSPA activities by following us on Facebook (PSPA Campus Closet) and Instagram (@pspa_campuscloset). To receive our email newsletter, sign up here.  

Get Involved: Please sign up here to be notified about opportunities to volunteer. 

The Parents of Students of Phillips Academy (PSPA) is a nonprofit, parent-run organization that hosts social gatherings, educational panels, and engagement events throughout the year for students, families, and the broader PA community. As a PA parent or guardian, you are automatically a member!

Friday, February 21

Sunday, February 23

Keep an eye on the Academy’s Events Calendar for gatherings in your area and an array of campus and other events that may be open to families (i.e., special student presentations; music, theatre, and dance performances; and athletic competitions).

Please join us!

Want to find other Andover families in your area? Log in now using your Hive credentials. The directory is opt-in; families must log in to be visible to others. You can find tutorials on how to use the directory here. Should you need assistance with resetting your Hive login information, reach out to the Technology Help Desk by email or call 978-749-4357.

The Office of Family Engagement is here to support you throughout the school year! If you have any questions or need assistance, please email Director Jennifer Vasquez or call 978-749-4068. 

Andover Family Directory

Family Webinar Series

2024–2025 Academic Calendar

Class Schedule

2024–2025 Information for Families 

Guide for New Families

Strategies for Student Success