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Thursday, December 18: Last day of classes/beginning of Winter Break. Students may leave for Winter Break after their final class. All students must be off campus by noon on Friday, December 19.
- Sunday, January 4: Dorms reopen at 8 a.m. Boarding students must return by 8 p.m.
- Monday, January 5: Term 2 classes resume.
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Monday, January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day. A reminder to families: MLK Day is a day “on” for students. There are special programs for all grades, and attendance is mandatory.
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Holiday Gift Policy Reminder |
As we enter the holiday season, we want to remind families of the Academy’s gift policy. School employees may not accept gifts of significant value from students or families. Modest gestures of appreciation, such as coffee/tea or light refreshments, are permissible. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us uphold this policy.
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Lost and found items from across campus are being collected, sorted, and organized. Members of the PA community can visit the Dean of Students Office (lower level of George Washington Hall) from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, December 15, through Thursday, December 18, to look for missing possessions. We have lots of stuff and no place to store it! Unclaimed items (except those labeled with a student’s name) will be donated to a local charity over the break.
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Register for Practice Exams for 10th Graders |
See below for details on two practice exams offered to PA lowers (10th graders):
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Practice ACT Exam: A practice ACT exam will be offered on Saturday, January 17. It previews the ACT, testing the same skills and knowledge, and can be a predictor of how one would score if they took the ACT. This test will be administered by Compass Education Group. It does not count in the admissions process, and scores are only sent to students. Registration is open now until noon on Wednesday, December 17. Students received an email on December 3 with registration details.
- Practice PSAT Exam: A practice PSAT with be offered on Saturday, February 21. This is a preview of the official College Board PSAT that students take in 11th grade. It is managed by Compass Education Group and will simulate the digital PSAT. This test does not count in the admissions process, and scores are only sent to students. Registration will take place at the beginning of January.
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The results of these two exams can be a guide toward the standardized testing a student pursues in the college admissions process. For more testing information, go to the Standardized Testing webpage.
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Winter Warm-Up Family Social |
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Celebrate the season and mark the start of Winter Break with us! Hosted by the Office of Family Engagement, this festive afternoon is all about connection and community. Stop by the cozy lobby of the Andover Inn on Thursday, December 18, between 3 and 5 p.m. for festive treats and conversation as we kick off the holiday season.
Click here to let us know you’ll be there!
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| Family Webinar Series: Term 2 Lineup |
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| Families, please join us for these winter term webinars.
Just click the link to register.
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Term 2 Private Music Lessons |
The Term 2 music lesson ADD/DROP deadline is Friday, December 19, at 5 p.m. If your student did not sign up for lessons, submit a request here. To drop lessons, students must contact their instructor or the music office. Questions? Email Ms. Allie Ross.
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Travel Options for Winter Break |
Bus to New York: Limited spots remain! PA offers Winter Break transportation to and from New York City—with a stop in Darien, Connecticut. Buses depart campus at 4 p.m. on Thursday, December 18, and return to campus Sunday, January 4, departing NYC at 11 a.m. Details and forms are available in the Winter Break Travel FAQ.
Private and Shared Car Services: For transportation to nearby airports or bus stations, click here and/or visit 2025–2026 Information for Families.
Questions? Email Claudia Scofield or call 978-749-4124.
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Monday Deadline! Yearbook Family Tributes: Celebrate your senior with a tribute page in Pot Pourri! Submit by Monday, December 15. Details and instructions are in the Class of 2026 Info Flyer.
Senior Yearbook Portraits Due January 7: If taken by the campus photographer, portrait will be submitted automatically. To send your own photo, email it to us with the file named as FirstLastPortrait.jpg (example: ChrisCapanoPortrait.jpg). Note: If no portrait is submitted, the yearbook will use your student’s BlueCard photo.
Class Rings: Order through Herff Jones. Questions? Please email Mike McCann.
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Order the 2026 Pot Pourri Yearbook |
Order here (school code 3591 if prompted). Yearbooks will be delivered to campus in May.
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Faculty & Staff Appreciation Event
We will be hosting an appreciation event for faculty and staff on Friday, December 12, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Underwood Room. We’re excited to offer our beloved PA adults an array of sweet treats to show our appreciation. Thank you to all the volunteers who filled every spot within two days! For last minute changes, use this link.
Campus Closet
There is never a better time to shop for family and friends and bring your holiday cheer home. Shop PA gear this Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. (a full array of merchandise is displayed 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 a December shift.
Get Involved with the PSPA
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- Sign up here to be notified about the many opportunities to volunteer.
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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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Read the latest headlines and happenings from campus at Andover Today.
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Catch the Latest in the Athletics Newsletter |
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| Enjoy photos of student-athletes and fans, team news, and player and event highlights in Andover Athletics News.
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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).
- 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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4:30 p.m.—Lessons & Carols Service: See details below.
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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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Join us for Lessons & Carols on Sunday, December 14 at 4:30 p.m. in Cochran Chapel for the Academy’s annual candlelit service of music, scripture, and poetry in the season of Advent anticipating Christmas. This beautiful event is free and open to the public. Families are also invited to a pre-service reception at Phelps House at 3 p.m.
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Keep an eye on the Academy’s Events Calendar for more campus and regional gatherings.
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Join the Andover Family Directory |
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The Office of Family Engagement is here to help. 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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