- Friday–Sunday, October 17–19: Family Weekend
- Monday, October 20: No classes. Boarding students check in by 9:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 21: No classes. Boarding students check in by 9:30 p.m.
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Wednesday, October 22: No classes. PSAT exam for uppers (11th graders). Boarding students check in by 8 p.m.
- Saturday, November 8: Andover-Exeter athletic contests
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Family Weekend Starts Friday! |
We are very excited to welcome families back to campus this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. A typical cool and crisp New England fall weekend is anticipated, so be sure to pack accordingly and wear comfortable shoes—Phillips Academy is a walking campus!
Reminder: There are no classes on Monday, October 20, Tuesday, October 21, or Wednesday, October 22. Please keep in mind student athletes must return for Tuesday afternoon practices and Wednesday competitions, boarding students taking the PSAT exam must return by Tuesday at 9:30 p.m., and students with private music lessons should confirm attendance with their instructor.
Family Weekend schedule: The full schedule for Family Weekend can be found using the Andover Event Guides app. A printed Family Weekend schedule will be available at registration.
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Download the Andover Event Guides app (Apple App Store or Google Play)
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Open the app and tap Find Guides (magnifying glass icon, bottom right).
- Tap Have a passphrase?
- Enter: Andover1778
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Be sure to accept notifications so you will receive notice of any venue or schedule changes. You can customize your weekend visit by using the My Schedule option within the guide.
Parking: Please reference this campus map for parking options.
Wi-Fi access: To connect to campus Wi-Fi, select PA-OPEN-GUEST. No username or password is required.
On-Campus Registration/Check-In Hours: Friday, from noon to 7 p.m., and Saturday, from 7 a.m. to noon, at the Oliver Wendell Holmes Library (OWHL).
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Saturday “Classroom Visits” schedule: Schedules for Saturday morning’s Classroom Visits are available online in BlueLink. Simply log onto The Hive and click BlueLink near your student’s photo. The Family Weekend Schedule is available on the entry page. To expedite campus check-in, consider taking a snapshot or screenshot of the schedule and storing it on your phone—or bring a printed copy with you.
Be sure you can log onto the Hive before you arrive on campus. Forgot your password to The Hive? Use the Self-Service Password Reset Portal. Need more help? Contact the Technology Help Desk weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by email or phone (978-749-4357).
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Please note: Individual teacher conferences will not be available: Given the number of events scheduled throughout the weekend, teachers, house counselors, and advisors are unable to hold individual conferences with parents.
Grasshopper Night tickets: For information on how to get tickets to Grasshopper Night, click here.
Family Weekend questions? Please reference these Frequently Asked Questions or send us an email.
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Course Requests for Term 2 |
Students will prepare and submit course requests for Term 2 now through Wednesday, October 29. Each student will work with their advisor to determine remaining diploma requirements, which of their current courses or sequences will continue in winter term, and what space they might have to choose electives. Students should have conversations with adults, including their parents/guardians, to consider what the winter might look like in big-picture terms, taking into account sports commitments, extracurricular activities, family responsibilities, and their own health and well-being.
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Register for 2026 AP Exams |
Registration for AP (Advanced Placement) exams is open now through noon on Wednesday, November 4, and will reopen February 2 and run through noon on February 27. The exams take place May 4–15.
Students will be sent an email from the Phillips Academy Standardized Testing Office with registration instructions. Exam fees will be paid through the Course Material Account and are 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 missed class time just before final assessments. Please be aware that AP exams are in May and will bump up against end-of-term 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, exam dates, and fees, click here.
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Learning in the World Opportunities Are Now Live! |
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We’re excited to announce that Learning in the World (LITW) has officially launched its slate of domestic and international programs for March break and summer 2026! Visit our website for full program details.
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LITW opportunities are diverse and multifaceted, and we encourage all students to take advantage of at least one experience during their Andover career!
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Dates and deadlines to remember:
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- Saturday, October 18, 9–11:30 a.m.: Join us at our Family Weekend Open House to talk with student veterans of LITW and Performing in the World (PITW) programs, program leaders, and representatives from affiliate programs. Bring your student, your questions, and your curiosity to the Tang Gallery on the second floor of the Oliver Wendell Holmes Library.
- Deadline—Friday, November 14, 5 p.m.: Applications for PA faculty/staff-led programs and expressions of interest for LITW affiliate programs due. Late submissions will be put on waitlist status.
- Week of December 8: LITW office will send out invitations and waitlist notifications for LITW programs as well as updates regarding affiliate programs.
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Deadline—Monday, December 15: RSVPs due. Please help your student be ready to make their decision, having fully considered your available financial resources, coinciding/conflicting commitments, and other logistical details by this time. See “Take Action” on our website for more details and information.
- Please note: Once a student enrolls in a faculty/staff-led LITW program, fees will be posted to FACTS, and a permissions packet and other materials will be collected via Canvas (with parent access). Please be attentive to your email and adhere to the strict deadlines for each of your responsibilities.
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Your questions are welcome! Please email LITW & Academy Travel Opportunities Director Mark Cutler.
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Next Month! Family Allyship for LGBTQIA+ School Community Members: Join us on Wednesday, November 12, at noon for an empowering session led by Dave Edwards that will focus on how families can actively support LGBTQIA+ students, educators, and staff. Learn practical ways to foster inclusion, advocate for equity, and build stronger school communities through allyship. Register here.
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Join the Andover–Exeter Challenge: November 5-7 |
The longest-running sports rivalry in prep school history is back, and we’re in it to win it! While our student athletes prepare to compete in the Andover-Exeter games, PA families, alumni, and the greater Andover community are invited to rally in a different competition—this one off the field.
The Andover-Exeter Challenge is a 48-hour competition that’s all about participation. How do we beat Exeter, our biggest rival? Make an online gift—of any size—between noon on Wednesday, November 5, and noon on Friday, November 7. The school with the most donors wins!
Your donation of any size fuels the Andover Fund, which helps our students WIN every day. You’ll drive their achievements in the classroom. Elevate their performances on stage. Propel their competitive spirit on the field. Most of all, you’ll help them embrace their truest and best selves.
We Win as ONE! And together, we make it fun!
Questions about the A-E Challenge or ways to give? Email Katherine Solimini, associate director of Family Giving.
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We are currently seeking host families for international students. We have students from more than 45 countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Germany, and Austria and so many more! We particularly need host families for Thanksgiving break, November 21–December 2. This is a great opportunity for both the international students and their host families, as many long-lasting friendships are often formed.
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To learn more, you can view the Host Family Program segment of the Family Webinar Series here. Questions? Please email Gina Finocchiaro, international student coordinator. If you are interested in serving as a host family, please complete this Host Family Volunteer Form.
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Order the 2026 Pot Pourri, Phillips Academy’s full-color yearbook, here. Enter school code 3591 if prompted. Yearbooks will be delivered to campus in May.
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Senior Portraits: Portraits for the yearbook are due by January 1, 2026. You may have your student’s photo taken by a photographer of your choice—or take it yourself! Photos can be emailed to us directly. We will also offer photo shoots with our student yearbook staff later this fall. More details are available in the Class of 2026 Info Flyer.
Yearbook Family Tribute Messages: Celebrate your senior with a tribute page (additional cost). Instructions are in the Class of 2026 Info Flyer.
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Class Rings: You can purchase a class ring for your senior through our vendor, Herff Jones. A representative will be at the OWHL at registration during Family Weekend on Friday, October 17, from 3:30 to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, October 18, from 8 a.m. to noon. Questions? Please email Mike McCann.
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Spiritual & Religious Gatherings |
- 1–1:25 p.m.—Muslim Student Association (MSA) Jummah Prayer: Led by Noureddine El Alam. Meditation Room, lower level of Cochran Chapel (enter from left side of building)
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5:15 p.m.—Kabbalat Shabbat Service & Oneg Shabbat: Come greet shabbat with other families. Led by members of the Jewish Student Union and Rabbi Joshua Greenberg. Light oneg to follow. Cochran Chapel, Kemper Chapel (lower level, enter on left side of building)
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5:30–6:30 p.m.—MSA Dinner & Discussion: Led by Noureddine El Alam and members of the MSA. Ada’s Room, Paresky Commons (second floor).
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- No Protestant Worship today
- 6:15 p.m.—Catholic Mass: Overseen by Dr. Mary Kantor, Catholic chaplain, with presider Fr. Jack O’Brien and other guest priests from the Archdiocese of Boston. Kemper Chapel, lower level of Cochran Chapel (enter from left side of building).
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| Read the latest headlines and happenings from campus at Andover Today.
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October 23 —Virtual: Steering Toward the Future with Head of School Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD, P’24, ’27
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October 28 in Denver: Steering Toward the Future: A Leadership Conversation with Charter Trustee David J. Corkins ’84, P’25, and Head of School Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD, P’24, ’27
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November 8 in Palo Alto: Andover-Exeter Viewing Party
- November 8 in Philadelphia: Andover-Exeter Viewing Party
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November 10 on Campus: HYBRID: 16th Annual Veterans Day Dinner & Program
- November 17—Virtual: Navigating a Changing Climate in Higher Education
- November 19 in Washington, D.C.: Big Blue Connections with Jenny Savino P’21, ’24, Director of Alumni Engagement
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November 20 in Baltimore, MD: Big Blue Connections with Jenny Savino P’21, ’24, Director of Alumni Engagement
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November 23 in Stamford, CT: Domus Thanksgiving Non Sibi Project with Torrance York ’84
- December 4 in London: Toast the Holidays with the Eight Schools Association
- December 9 in New York
: Steering Toward the Future: A Leadership Conversation with Board of Trustees President Amy C. Falls ’82, P’19, ’21, and Head of School Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD, P’24, ’27
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Keep an eye on the Academy’s Events Calendar for more campus and regional gatherings.
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Family Weekend: The PSPA (Parents of Students of Phillips Academy) is looking forward to welcoming families back to campus October 17–19. Special PSPA-sponsored events:
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- General Meeting, Social & Mixer—Andover Inn: Friday, October 17, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Click here to RSVP.
- Thriving at Andover Forum—Kemper Auditorium: Friday, October 17, 2:30–3:30 p.m.
- Parent Reception with Family Giving Office—Addison Gallery: Saturday, October 18, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
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Crumblween Celebration: PSPA is excited to host a Crumblween Celebration for all PA students on Friday, October 31, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. outside of Paresky Commons. We will be serving delicious Crumbl cookies and a festive Halloween candy buffet. We need your help to make this event a success! Please sign up here if you are able to volunteer at the event or contribute treats.
Campus Closet
Shop Campus Closet during Family Weekend! Stock up on new PA gear at the store (located on the lower level of George Washington Hall) or online, open 24/7. We offer free delivery to your student’s dorm room. All proceeds from Campus Closet fund the work of the PSPA.
Special Family Weekend Hours for Campus Closet
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- Friday, October 17, 11:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Saturday, October 18, 12:30–5:30 p.m.
- Sunday, October 19, 10:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
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Volunteer at Campus Closet: If you’re available to volunteer for a shift, the October sign-up is here. If you’re planning to be in town for Family Weekend, it’s a great opportunity to connect with other families while supporting your favorite campus shop.
Other PSPA Volunteer Opportunities: There are numerous ways to get involved with the PSPA. Sign up here to be notified about opportunities to volunteer.
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We’re currently accepting nominations for the following positions: Class of 2029 representatives, marketing and social media director, and treasurer secretary. If you’d like to nominate yourself or someone else, please use this link.
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If you have some time to assist the PSPA remotely with its marketing activities, please email us.
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Follow us on Facebook (@Parents of Students of Phillips Academy (Andover)) and Instagram (@pspa_campuscloset).
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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.
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Phillips Academy
180 Main St. | Andover, MA 01810 US
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You received this message because you are a valued member of the Andover community. We are obligated to communicate with you, and require you to be on our email list while your student(s) attends Phillips Academy. For more information contact the Dean of Studies Office.
© 2025
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