- Saturday, November 8: Andover-Exeter athletic contests
- Friday, November 21: Students may depart campus after 3 p.m. for Thanksgiving Break
- November 22–December 2, Thanksgiving Break: Students must depart by noon on Saturday, November 22
- Tuesday, December 2: Dorms reopen at 8 a.m. Boarding students must return by 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 3: Term 2 classes begin for all students
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A Big Blue Family (Weekend) - Thank You! |
Grasshopper Night, the much-anticipated Family Weekend variety show produced and performed by students, filled Tang Theatre for each of its four performances. Visit PA’s SmugMug site for a full array of photos.
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Thank you to those who were able to join us on campus this past weekend. We had over 1,600 family members in attendance! We hope you enjoyed the beautiful weather, spending quality time with your student, and experiencing Andover first-hand.
Your survey feedback is essential to us. Please take a few minutes to complete a confidential survey to help improve our Family Weekend programming. The survey will close on Friday, October 31. Thank you in advance for your feedback!
Videos from Family Weekend: If you were unable to join us on campus or missed a program, check out these videos (also available on the Family Weekend webpage):
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Travel Options for Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks |
PA will offer transportation at the Thanksgiving and Winter Break to and from New York City, 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 from campus at 4 p.m. on Friday, November 21, and return Tuesday, December 2, departing NYC at 11 a.m.
- For Winter Break: Buses will depart from campus at 4 p.m. on Thurdsay, December 18, and return to campus Sunday, January 4, departing NYC at 11 a.m.
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For additional details, bus forms, and commonly asked questions, please review the Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks Travel FAQ. This information has been posted on PAnet for student access and in 2025–2026 Information for Families.
For Transportation to Logan (Boston) and Manchester, New Hampshire airports or 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 2025–2026 Information for Families. FlightLine offers a shared car service exclusively for PA students for one-way travel to Logan or Manchester airports ($55.85) and to Boston’s South Station ($52.25). A private portal has been created for Phillips Academy students to sign up for this service. Details on how to make a reservation with FlightLine can be found in the Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks Travel FAQ.
Questions? Email Claudia Scofield or call 978-749-4124.
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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 spring, and what space they might have to choose electives.
Students should have conversations with advisors and their parents/guardians, to consider what the winter might look like in big-picture terms, considering 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 through noon on Wednesday, November 5, and will reopen February 2–27. Exams will be held May 4–15.
Students received registration instructions from the Standardized Testing Office. Exam fees will be paid through the Course Material Account and are processed in the spring. This year, most AP exams will be in a digital format with students testing on their own device.
Please note AP exams are optional and not required for college applications. Students should carefully consider their schedules and consult with teachers or college counselors before registering. For details on registration, dates, and fees, click here.
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Off-Campus Travel Options for 2025-26 |
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Is your student hoping to participate in Academy-sponsored travel over March or summer break—spring preseason training and/or Learning in the World? Before committing to a program, please talk with your student and consider all aspects of these experiences: purpose, value, affordability, calendar, etc.
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You and your student must collaborate on time-sensitive tasks prior to departure, from enrollment and onboarding to permission forms and logistics.
New this year, when your student has signed up for an Academy-sponsored travel program, parents/guardians will be given access to Canvas*, previously only accessible to students. We believe—and hope! —that this partnership with you and the entire family unit will lead to a more efficient, expedient, and enjoyable process.
Here are some important dates and details to keep in mind:
For preseason training over March break:
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- By Thursday, October 30: Students and families seek information from and express interest to the head coach.
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By Monday, November 3: The Learning in the World (LITW) & Academy Travel Office (ATO) sends formal invitations to interested students.
- By Monday, November 10: Students RSVP to invitation, provide essential data
- Other to-dos will be shared via email and Canvas.
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For LITW programs over March and summer breaks:
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By Friday, November 14 at 5 p.m.: Students and families submit the Main Application via the LITW website, plus any program-specific application(s) and/or affiliate expression of interest via EduCompass (links on LITW website).
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By Friday, November 21 at 5 p.m.: Parents/guardians will receive emailed invitations from EduCompass requesting permission for their students to apply and submit forms.
- By Week of December 8: LITW program leaders finalize selections and LITW & ATO office sends formal invitations to students and their families.
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By Monday, December 15: Students RSVP to invitations, provide essential data.
- Other to-dos will be shared via email and Canvas
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*Please note that parent/guardian access to Canvas is only for the purpose of Academy-sponsored travel, not for academic courses or other purposes.
Questions? Email Mark Cutler, director of LITW & ATO.
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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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Missed the Learning in the World session? You can view the recording here.
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From the Family Giving Office |
We loved connecting with so many of you during Family Weekend—from Friday’s Academy Finances conversation to Saturday's All Parent Reception. Our team looks forward to continuing to get to know all of you in the year ahead!
Family Participation & Your Support
In the coming weeks, be on the lookout for communications from our Andover Fund Parents Committee volunteers with exciting updates including our parent donor participation progress. Andover aspires to have every family contribute to the Andover Fund annually at whatever amount is right for them. Every gift—at any amount—counts and helps us reach our goal of 100% family participation. We hope you will join us this year! For more information, please email Katherine Solimini, Associate Director of Family Giving.
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Join the Andover–Exeter Challenge: November 5-7
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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!
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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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Spiritual & Religious Gatherings |
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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 and Rabbi Joshua Greenberg. 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. Ada’s Room, Paresky Commons (second floor).
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9:30 a.m.—Protestant Worship at South Church: Our October worship field trip will be to South Church in Andover, an over 300-year-old United Church of Christ congregation dedicated to remaining faithfully relevant and radically inclusive for generations to come. Meet at the steps of Cochran Chapel at 9:30 a.m. and we will walk together to South Church for the 10 a.m. service. Our return to campus will be around 11:15 a.m.
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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 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
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December 4 in London: Toast the Holidays with the Eight Schools Association
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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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Thank You! It was wonderful seeing so many of you during Family Weekend—whether at the general PSPA meeting, the “Thriving at Andover” panel, or the All-Parent Reception. We appreciate you joining us!
Crumblween Celebration: Join us for hauntingly delicious event for all PA students on Friday, October 31 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. outside of Paresky Commons. Sign up here to volunteer or contribute treats for the candy buffet.
Senior Oasis: The PSPA is partnering with the Empathy, Balance & Inclusion program and the Dean of Students Office to host Senior Oasis—an event to mark the end of early college applications and celebrate wellness and well-being—on Friday, November 7, from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Volunteers are needed! Be on the look out for a sign up sheet in the coming weeks.
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Campus Closet
Shop PA gear Fridays from 1–5 p.m. (located on the lower level of George Washington Hall) or anytime online with free dorm delivery. All proceeds from Campus Closet fund the work of the PSPA. Want to help? Volunteer for an October shift.
Get Involved with the PSPA: There are many ways to volunteer:
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- Sign up here to stay informed.
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Follow us on Facebook (@Parents of Students of Phillips Academy (Andover) and Instagram (@pspa_campuscloset).
- Subscribe to our newsletter for updates!
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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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