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Friday, October 25–Sunday, October 27: Family Weekend
- Monday, October 28: No classes. Boarding students must check in by 9:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 29: No classes. Boarding students must check in by 8 p.m.
- Saturday, November 9: Andover-Exeter athletic contests
- Friday, November 22: Students may depart campus after 3 p.m. for Thanksgiving Break.
- November 23–December 3 is Thanksgiving Break: Students must depart by noon on Saturday, November 23.
- Tuesday, December 3: Dorms reopen at 8 a.m. Boarding students must return by 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 4: Term 2 classes begin for all students.
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Family Weekend Begins Next Friday! |
It’s not too late to register for Family Weekend, October 25–27. This helps us plan various meals and events.
Be sure to register in person when you arrive on campus: Check in at the Oliver Wendell Holmes Library on Friday, October 25 (noon–7 p.m.), or Saturday, October 26 (7 a.m.–noon), to pick up your nametags and welcome gift and get answers to your questions.
Student Overnight Permissions due this Sunday: For Family Weekend overnights away from their dorm, your student must submit a REACH request by 8 p.m. on Sunday, October 20. Please prompt your student to submit on time!
Get easy access to your student’s “Classroom Visits” schedule: Schedules for Saturday morning’s Classroom Visits will be available online Tuesday, October 22, 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, please consider taking a snapshot or screenshot of the schedule and storing it on your phone—or bring a printed copy with you.
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Plan ahead! Be sure you can log onto The Hive prior to your visit on campus. The Technology Help Desk is available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by email or phone (978-749-4357) and can assist with login issues or forgotten credentials.
Quick Reminders:
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- Teachers look forward to seeing parents during the 20-minute “Classroom Visits” on Saturday morning. Given the number of events scheduled during Family Weekend, teachers will not be able to have individual meetings with parents.
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Students do not have classes on Monday, October 28, or
Tuesday, October 29.
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Family Weekend Highlights—Sessions for Each Class:
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Families of 9th- and 10th-Graders: An Introduction to the College Counseling Office: Members of the College Counseling team will discuss PA’s approach to college counseling, our collaboration with the Andover community, the college timeline, and what is important in a student’s early years (junior and lower) at PA.
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Families of 11th-Graders: The Upper Kickoff for the College Counseling Process: The entire College Counseling team will present an overview of the college counseling process for 11th-graders (uppers). We will introduce the team, review our philosophy, and discuss the process going forward. This program will be the first of several that will be recorded throughout the winter and spring.
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Senior Year at Andover: An Insider’s Guide: Key faculty and administrators will talk about the range of opportunities and challenges—academic, intellectual, social, and emotional—typically faced (and embraced!) by 12th-graders. Q&A will follow. Panel will be moderated by Merrilee Mardon P’27, deputy head of school for academics and student affairs.
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Family Weekend information: For event information, including area hotels, a campus map, and frequently asked questions, please visit the Family Weekend website.
Grasshopper Night tickets: For information on how to get tickets to Grasshopper Night, go here.
Schedule of Events: The full Family Weekend Schedule can be found on the Andover Event Guides app, available through the Apple App Store or Google Play (for Android users).
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| - Download the Andover Event Guides app.
- Open the app and tap Find Guides (magnifying glass in bottom right corner of the app).
- Tap the Have a passphrase? button.
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Type the passphrase Andover1778 to find the PA Families and Campus Community guide for the latest information and schedule for Family Weekend. Be sure to accept notifications so you will receive notice of any venue or schedule changes.
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Customize your weekend visit by using the My Schedule option within the guide.
More Family Weekend questions? Please send us an email.
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Two Events With the Family Giving Team
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The Family Giving team looks forward to building partnerships and community with families attending Family Weekend. We have two events at which parents can connect and engage:
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Andover’s Finances and the Impact of Philanthropic Support—Friday, October 25, 1–2 p.m. (Kemper Auditorium): All are welcome to this annual opportunity to hear from the secretary of the Academy, Andover Fund Parents Committee co-chairs, and the Family Giving team to learn about the Academy’s finances, this year’s fundraising goals, and ways you can get involved. Bring your questions!
- All Parent Reception—
Saturday, October 26, 5–7 p.m. (Addison Gallery): Join fellow parents/guardians for fellowship and conversation at this reception co-hosted by Family Giving and the Parent of Students of Phillips Academy (PSPA). Refreshments and drinks will be provided. Note: Due to alcohol service, Academy policy prohibits currently enrolled students from attending.
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For more information, please email or call 978-749-4583 to reach Katherine Solimini, associate director of Family Giving.
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College Athletics Panel Discussion
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The Department of Athletics and College Counseling Office invite you to our annual College Athletics Panel on Tuesday, October 22, at 7 p.m. ET via this Zoom link. This program is designed to help prospective college athletes and their families navigate the landscape of college athletic recruitment. Speakers will include athletics representatives from College of the Holy Cross, William & Mary, and Bowdoin College.
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This panel is appropriate for PA student-athletes in every grade level. We encourage you to bring your questions for our live Q&A.
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Supporting Spiritual and Religious Life at Andover: Join us for a webinar on Thursday, October 31, at 11 a.m. ET to learn more about spiritual and religious opportunities available to your student.
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This is a great chance for families to discover how Andover fosters an inclusive environment for all—whether students are deeply religious, spiritual, or exploring life’s big questions—and how we support their spiritual and ethical growth within a diverse and caring community. You’ll also have the chance to meet our chaplains, who are dedicated to guiding students on their spiritual journeys. Following the general session, we will host breakout rooms with each chaplain and advisor; families will be able to ask questions and engage in deeper discussions. Click here to register.
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Learning in the World Application Portal Now Open! |
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Learning in the World (LITW) has released its slate of domestic and international programs for March break and summer 2025. See our website and Instagram for details. Pay special attention to the “Take Action” page for information on eligibility, financial aid, and the selection process.
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Some important notes regarding the process:
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Students should submit LITW applications and affiliate expressions of interest via our online portal by Friday, November 15. Please give full consideration to affordability and compatibility with family calendars prior to consenting to this step.
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Students should be in touch now with PA adults who know them well and can write recommendations for them in support of their LITW applications and affiliate expressions of interest. They should not ask the program leaders themselves, but rather other members of the community who can vouch for their integrity, curiosity, and conviviality.
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Due to high levels of interest in LITW and affiliate programs, we aim to place selected/approved students in one opportunity per year. Students are still encouraged to apply to and express interest in up to three faculty-led and/or affiliate programs to increase their chances of being selected/approved for one.
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In some cases, PA program leaders may require an interview to support a student’s application. This should take place by December 4. Students should be on the lookout for invitations from the program leaders.
- We plan to notify students of selection/approval and waitlist decision the week of December 9, and
RSVPs are due December 16. See the full list of deadlines on the website.
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One frequently asked question is whether need-based financial assistance is available for affiliate programs. YES, need-based assistance is available to those students and families already qualified through their PA enrollment. In some cases, tuition for affiliate programs exceeds our ability to fully meet your demonstrated need, but we endeavor to make these opportunities as accessible as possible. Other times, affiliates offer their own assistance as well, and aid packages generally can be combined. Please email Andréa Gerakaris in the Financial Aid office with specific inquiries.
Questions? Email Mark Cutler, director of LITW.
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Information regarding the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) Northeastern Festival was sent via email to all students enrolled in lessons and ensembles. Interested students must sign up with the Department of Music before Wednesday, October 23.
Congrats to all our students who performed on Wednesday, October 16, in our first student recital of the year! Our next recital is Wednesday, November 6, and signups are available to students on our Canvas page. Questions? Please email the Department of Music.
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Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks Travel Options |
Phillips Academy will offer transportation at Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks 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).
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For Thanksgiving Break: Buses will depart at 4 p.m. on Friday, November 22 and return Tuesday, December 3, departing NYC at 11 a.m.
- For Winter Break: Buses will depart at 4 p.m. on Thursday, December 19 and return Sunday, January 5, departing NYC at 11 a.m.
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For additional details, bus forms, and commonly asked questions, please review the Fall and Winter Breaks Travel FAQ. This information has been posted on PAnet for student access and in 2024-2025 Information for Families for parents and guardians.
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 ($55.85) and to Boston’s South Station ($53.25). Details on how to make a reservation with FlightLine can be found in the Fall and Winter Breaks Travel FAQ.
Questions? Please email or call 978-749-4124 to reach Claudia Scofield.
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PA yearbooks are now on sale! All families are encouraged to order a 2025 Pot Pourri 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.
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Families of seniors! This section keeps you in the loop on important events and milestones of your student’s final year.
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2025 Commencement: We are excited to welcome the families of the Class of 2025 to celebrate Commencement on June 1, 2025. For a complete schedule of events and FAQs, please visit the Commencement webpage.
If you have any accessibility needs (ASL interpreter, wheelchair, among other accommodations), please make those requests before February 14, 2025. If you have additional questions, please contact Naomi Mashburn ’08 in the Office of Alumni Engagement via email or call 978-749-4225.
Senior Portraits: Mark Lawerence Photographers will be on campus from Tuesday, November 12, through Friday, November 15, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The sitting fee is $30, payable via credit card. Photos taken will be submitted directly to the yearbook. Students will receive an email from the Students Activities Office one week prior so they can sign up for a sitting. Families are also welcome to submit your own portrait of your student by email to PA Senior Portraits. The deadline for submitting portraits is January 1. If no photo is submitted, the student’s BlueCard ID photo will be used.
Yearbook Senior Tribute Ad: Our senior tribute pages in Pot Pourri are a fun senior tradition; the yearbook staff hopes you’ll consider participating. Space for tributes to seniors, which are submitted by their family, is available through the yearbook for an additional charge. Follow the directions on the Class of 2025 Yearbook Info flyer to create and purchase your ad. The deadline for submitting senior tributes is Friday, November 15.
Class Rings: You can purchase a class ring for your senior through our vendor, Herff Jones. A representative will be on campus during Family Weekend. 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.—Jewish Student Union (JSU) Shabbat Celebration: Led by members of the JSU. Come for blessings over candles, challah and grape juice, sharing and fellowship. All are welcome. Paul’s Room, Paresky Commons (second floor).
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5:30–6:30 p.m.—MSA Dinner & Discussion: Led by Noureddine El Alam and members of the MSA. All community members are welcome to join this gathering. Ada’s Room, Paresky Commons (second floor)
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6 p.m.—Protestant Worship: Led by the Reverend Gina M. Finocchiaro, Protestant chaplain. All are welcome for this time of scripture, prayer, music, and spoken reflection. Cochran Chapel
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6:15 p.m.—Catholic Mass: All are welcome to join the PA Catholic community for Mass on Sunday evenings when school is in session. 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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Parents of Students of Phillips Academy (PSPA) is a parent-run nonprofit that hosts social gatherings, educational panels, and engagement events throughout the year for students, families, and the broader PA community. Please sign up here to be notified about opportunities to volunteer. Interested in being a class representative for the Class of 2026 and 2027? Nominate yourself or someone else, using this link.
PSPA General Meeting and Social on Family Weekend—Friday October 25, 10:30 a.m.–noon: Join us at the Andover Inn for the PSPA General Meeting and enjoy refreshments while mingling with fellow PA parents. To register, click here.
Also on Family Weekend: We look forward to welcoming you to these PSPA-sponsored or co-sponsored events (see the Family Weekend Schedule of Events for descriptions and locations):
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PSPA Meet and Connect —Friday, October 25,12:30–2:30 p.m.
- Volunteers are needed for this fun social event. Sign up here.
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Parent-to-Parent Forum: “Thriving at Andover”—Friday, October 25, 2:30–3:30 p.m.
- All-Parents Reception—Saturday, October 26, 5–7 p.m.
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Shop this Friday, October 18, from 2 to 6 p.m.: Stop by Campus Closet, located on the lower level of George Washington Hall, for Andover gear for your whole family—or shop online 24/7. Check out our PINK PA gear and support Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
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Volunteer Over Family Weekend: If you can help with a shift during Family Weekend or another day in October, please sign up here.
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Area short-term lodging: PSPA occasionally becomes aware of rental properties or homes for sale near campus. Please reach out via email.
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October 22 in Greenwich, CT: Andover’s Foundation & Future with Head of School Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD, P’24, ’27
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October 25–27 on Campus: Family Weekend 2024
- November 2 in New York: Citymeals on Wheels Fall Non Sibi Project with Marcia McCabe ’73
- November 2 in Maine: Center for Wildlife Fall Non Sibi Project with Tiffany Horne Noonan ’99
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November 7 on Campus and Virtual: 15th Annual Veterans Day Program and Dinner
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November 9 in Philadelphia: Andover-Exeter Viewing Party
- November 12—Virtual: Blue Runs Deep: Conversations with Alumni in Food & Beverage
- December 4 in Chicago: Andover’s Foundation & Future with Head of School Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD, P’24, ’27
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December 12 in New York: Andover’s Foundation & Future with 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 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).
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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.
© 2024
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