Phillips Exeter Academy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Phillips Exeter Academy |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Location | |
|
20 Main Street
03833
|
|
| Information | |
| Type |
|
| Motto | |
| Established | 1781 |
| Founder |
|
| CEEB code | 300185 |
| Principal | William K. Rawson |
| Faculty | 217 |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Enrollment |
|
| Average class size | 12 students |
| Student to teacher ratio | 6:1 |
| Campus size | 700 acres (280 ha) |
| Campus type | Suburban |
| Color(s) | Lively Maroon and Grey |
| Athletics |
|
| Athletics conference |
|
| Team name | Big Red |
| Rival | Phillips Academy (Andover) |
| Accreditation |
|
| Newspaper | The Exonian |
| Yearbook | PEAN |
| Endowment | $1.5 billion (June 30, 2023) |
| Annual tuition | $64,789 (boarding) $50,604 (day) |
| Affiliations |
|
| Alumni | Old Exonians |
Phillips Exeter Academy (often called Exeter or PEA) is a private school in Exeter, New Hampshire. It helps students get ready for college. The school is for students in grades 9 through 12, including those taking a postgraduate year. It welcomes both students who live at the school (boarding) and those who come for the day.
Exeter was started in 1781, making it the sixth-oldest boarding school in the United States. It has a large financial fund, which helps it offer special programs. For example, Exeter is one of only two high schools in the U.S. that offers "need-blind admission." This means they accept students based on their abilities, not on their family's income. They also provide financial help to cover 100% of a student's financial needs.
The school is famous for its unique teaching style called the Harkness system. In this system, a small group of students sits around an oval table with a teacher. They learn by discussing ideas and sharing information, with the teacher guiding them. Exeter was the first school to use this method, starting in the 1930s. Many well-known people have attended Exeter, including U.S. President Franklin Pierce and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.
Contents
History of Phillips Exeter Academy
How Exeter Started
Phillips Exeter Academy was founded in 1781 by Elizabeth and John Phillips in Exeter, New Hampshire. It is one of the oldest boarding schools in the country. John Phillips was a successful businessman who used his money to support education.
He also helped his nephew, Samuel Phillips Jr., start Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, three years earlier. Because of this family connection, the two schools have a strong and friendly rivalry. John Phillips wanted the school to be open to all qualified young people, no matter where they came from.
The school also received help from other donors, especially the Gilman family. They gave much of the land where the school stands today. The first school building was built in 1783.
John Phillips wrote the school's Deed of Gift. This important document explains that Exeter's main goal is to teach students both goodness and knowledge. He believed that knowledge without goodness could be dangerous.
Exeter in the 1800s
In the 1800s, Exeter became closely linked with Harvard University. Many Exeter graduates went on to study at Harvard. For a time, Exeter sent more students to Harvard than any other school.
Later in the 1800s, the school's focus shifted a bit. But then, leaders like Charles Everett Fish and Harlan Page Amen helped bring back strong academic standards. They made sure students were ready for college. Enrollment grew, and more students went on to top universities like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton.
From 1879 to 1881, Exeter also welcomed students from China. These students were part of the Chinese Educational Mission. They came to the United States to learn about Western technology.
The Harkness Gift and School Growth
Lewis Perry became the principal in 1914. He was very good at raising money for the school. During his time, Exeter's financial fund grew a lot. This allowed the school to improve student life and offer more scholarships. He wanted at least 20% of students to receive financial help.
A major gift came in 1930 from a wealthy person named Edward Harkness. He wanted to create a new way of teaching. He imagined a classroom where students and a teacher would sit around a table and talk together. This idea led to the "Harkness teaching" method.
Harkness gave Exeter a large sum of money to make this happen. This allowed the school to hire more teachers and keep their salaries stable, even during the Great Depression. Since 1930, most classes at Exeter have been taught using this discussion-based method around the Harkness table. Each class has no more than 12 students.
Recent History of Exeter
After World War II, Exeter continued to raise funds and maintain its strong ties to top universities. The school also helped start the Advanced Placement (AP) program, which allows high school students to take college-level courses.
To attract a wider range of students, Exeter made some big changes. In 1969, it stopped requiring students to attend weekly religious services. In 1970, it became a coeducational school, meaning both boys and girls could attend. Later, in 1987, the first female principal was appointed.
In 1996, a new Latin phrase was added to the main school building: Hic Quaerite Pueri Puellaeque Virtutem et Scientiam. This means "Here, boys and girls, seek goodness and knowledge." It shows the school's commitment to both genders.
In 2021, Principal William K. Rawson announced that Exeter would once again offer "need-blind admissions." This means the school accepts students based on their talent, not their family's ability to pay. They also provide full financial aid to those who need it.
Exeter's Reputation
Phillips Exeter Academy has always been known as a top school. It often appears high in national and international rankings of private schools. Many people see it as a "feeder school" for top universities like Harvard University and the Ivy League.
Exeter graduates go on to many different colleges. From 2015 to 2017, many students went to Columbia, Yale, Harvard, and MIT. The school no longer shares detailed college statistics, but many graduates still attend top universities.
Academics at Exeter
Courses and Grades
Exeter uses an 11-point grading system. An A is worth 11 points, and an E is 0 points. The school has a small student-teacher ratio of 6 students for every 1 teacher. Most of Exeter's teachers (93%) have advanced degrees.
Students who attend Exeter for four years must take classes in many subjects. These include arts, languages, computer science, English, history, math, religion, and science. Most students earn an English diploma. However, students who complete all Latin and Ancient Greek classes receive a Classical diploma.
Even though Exeter helped create the Advanced Placement (AP) program, it no longer offers AP courses. The school believes its own courses are often more advanced than the AP curriculum.
The Harkness Teaching Method
Most classes at Exeter are taught around special oval tables called Harkness tables. Classrooms do not have rows of chairs, and teachers rarely give long lectures. Students and teachers work together, sharing ideas and information. This method is now used in schools around the world.
Test Scores
The average combined SAT score for the Class of 2023 was 1434. Even though Exeter does not offer AP courses, students can still take AP exams if they want. In 2023, 94% of Exeter students passed their AP exams.
Notable Teachers
Many talented people have taught at Phillips Exeter Academy. Here are a few:
- Frederick Buechner, who started the Religion department, was a minister and author.
- Michael Golay, a history teacher, was also a historian and author.
- Todd Hearon, an English teacher, is a poet.
- Willie Perdomo, an English teacher, is a poet and children's book author.
- Zuming Feng, a math teacher, coached the U.S. International Mathematical Olympiad team for many years.
- Gwynneth Coogan, a math teacher, is an Olympic athlete.
- Marilinda Garcia, a music teacher, was a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives.
Off-Campus Study Programs
Exeter offers many programs where students can study away from campus. The Washington Intern Program allows students to work in a senator's or representative's office. Students can also study in a rural setting through the Milton Academy Mountain School program in Vermont.
The academy also sponsors study abroad programs in places like Grenoble, Tokyo, and Rome. These programs last for a trimester. There are also longer school-year abroad programs in Beijing and Rennes. Additionally, Exeter offers summer language programs in France, Japan, Spain, and Taiwan.
Student Life
Student Body Diversity
Exeter has a diverse student body. In the 2023–2024 school year, over half of the students identified as people of color. Many students (52%) joining in 2019–2020 came from U.S. public schools.
In September 2023, students came from 43 states, Washington D.C., Guam, and 38 different countries. About 8% of students are from other countries. Most Exeter students (79%) live in dorms on campus. The other 21% are day students who travel to school from nearby towns.
Admissions and Grade Levels
Exeter is a very selective school. It usually accepts about 14-16% of students who apply. Since 2021, Exeter has used a "need-blind" admissions policy. This means they do not consider a family's ability to pay when deciding whether to admit a student.
In the 2023–2024 school year, Exeter had 1,078 students. They are called "juniors" (freshmen), "lower middlers" (sophomores), "upper middlers" (juniors), and "seniors" (seniors and postgraduates).
Tuition and Financial Aid
For the 2023–2024 school year, boarding students paid $64,789, and day students paid $50,604. About 44% of Exeter students receive financial aid. This aid covers a large part of their costs.
Exeter and Andover are the only two co-educational prep schools in the U.S. that offer need-blind admission and cover 100% of a student's financial need. Exeter also guarantees free tuition for families earning under $75,000 per year.
Clubs and Activities
Exeter has over 100 clubs for students to join. The Exonian is the school's weekly newspaper. It is the oldest continuously running high school newspaper in the United States, started in 1878.
Other long-standing clubs include ESSO, which focuses on community service, and the PEAN, which is the school's yearbook. The Golden Branch, founded in 1818, is the oldest surviving secondary school society. It is now known as the Daniel Webster Debate Society and focuses on public speaking. Exeter's Model UN club and Mock Trial Association have also won many awards.
Dorm Life and Religious Life
Most students live in dormitories on campus. Each dorm has faculty members and older student leaders called proctors. There are specific check-in times for students in the evenings.
Religious life on campus is supported by Phillips Church. This building, originally a church, now has spaces for students of many different faiths. It includes a Hindu shrine, a Muslim prayer room, a kosher kitchen, and a meditation room. Students can attend various services and open forums. Before 1969, students had to attend a weekly religious service.
Campus Facilities
Academic Buildings
- The Academy Building was built in 1914 after a fire. It holds departments like History, Math, and Religion. It also has a small museum and the Assembly Hall. A bell in the tower rings to mark the end of classes and each hour.
- The Class of 1945 Library is a famous modern building designed by Louis Kahn. It is the largest high school library in the world, with space for 250,000 books.
- The Elizabeth Phillips Academy Center (EPAC) is the student center. It has a dining hall, post office, lounge, auditorium, and offices for student groups like The Exonian.
- The Goel Center for Theater and Dance opened in 2018. It is home to DRAMAT, the student drama club.
- Phillips Hall houses the English and Modern Languages departments. Its classrooms were designed for the Harkness tables.
- The Phelps Science Center was built in 2001. It provides modern labs and classrooms for science classes.
- The Forrestal Bowld Music Center has the Music Department, rehearsal halls, and practice rooms.
- The Mayer Art Center is home to the Art Department and the Lamont Gallery. It has studios for ceramics, printmaking, drawing, painting, and 3-D design.
Sports Facilities
- The George H. Love Gymnasium was built in 1969. It has squash courts, a swimming pool, basketball courts, a weight room, and hockey rinks.
- The Thompson Gymnasium was built in 1918. It has a basketball court, a dance studio, and another swimming pool.
- The Thompson Fieldhouse opened in 2018. It is connected to the other gyms and has indoor tennis courts, batting cages, a wrestling room, and an indoor track.
- The Ralph Lovshin Track is an outdoor track for running.
- The Plimpton Playing Fields are used for various outdoor sports.
- Phelps Stadium is used for football, soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey.
- The William G. Saltonstall Boathouse is the center for crew (rowing) on the Squamscott River.
- The Amos Alonzo Stagg Baseball Diamond is named after a famous alumnus.
- The Downer Family Fitness Center opened in 2015 and has many resources for weightlifting and exercise.
- There are also 19 outdoor tennis courts and miles of cross-country trails.
Athletics
Exeter offers 65 interscholastic sports teams at different levels. All students are required to participate in sports. Many Exeter teams have won New England championships, including water polo, wrestling, swimming, and ice hockey.
Many Exeter graduates have become elite athletes. For example, Olympians in rowing include Anne Marden and Sabrina Kolker. Duncan Robinson plays for the Miami Heat in the National Basketball Association. Sam Fuld played in Major League Baseball.
Exeter's main rival is Phillips Academy Andover. The two schools have been competing in sports since 1878. The "Exeter-Andover weekend" is a big tradition at both schools. Exeter also competes against many other private schools in New England.
Emblems
Academy Symbols
Exeter has two main symbols: a seal and the Lion Rampant. The seal shows a river, sun, and a beehive. It also includes the school's mottos. The beehive often represents hard work and cooperation. The Lion Rampant comes from the Phillips family's coat of arms. It suggests that all alumni are part of the "Exonian family."
Exeter has three mottos on its seal:
- Non Sibi (Latin for 'Not for oneself'): This means living a life focused on community and duty.
- Finis origine pendet (Latin for 'The end depends on the beginning'): This shows that hard work now prepares you for a good future.
- Χάριτι Θεοῦ (Greek for 'By the grace of God'): This reflects the school's early religious background.
School Colors
Exeter's official school colors are lively maroon and gray. The school's athletic teams use a specific shade of maroon. The traditional school tie is burgundy red with diagonal silver stripes and silver lions.
Notable Alumni
Many famous people have graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy. Here are some examples:
- U.S. President Franklin Pierce (1820)
- U.S. Senator Daniel Webster (1796)
- Abraham Lincoln's son, Robert Lincoln (1860), who became Secretary of War
- Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg
- Author John Knowles, who wrote A Separate Peace, a novel set at a school similar to Exeter.
- Authors like Gore Vidal, John Irving, and Dan Brown.
- Businessman and presidential candidate Andrew Yang.
- Film director Howard Hawks.
- Musicians like Win Butler and William Butler from the band Arcade Fire.
- Basketball player Duncan Robinson.
- Economist Paul Romer, who won a Nobel Prize.
- Computer scientist Adam D'Angelo, co-founder of Quora.
_(cropped).jpg)
.jpg)
.png)
Other Academic Programs
Summer School
Each summer, Phillips Exeter hosts over 780 students for a five-week academic program. Students come from many different states and countries.
Exeter's summer school has two main programs:
- Upper School: For high school students entering grades 10-12 and postgraduates. It offers a wide variety of classes.
- Access Exeter: For students entering grades 8 and 9. This program offers faster-paced study in arts, sciences, and writing. It also introduces students to the school.
Some summer programs allow students to study outside of Exeter, including trips to Washington D.C. and abroad.
Workshops
The academy also offers workshops and conferences for teachers from other schools. These include institutes for math and humanities, and conferences on science, technology, and Shakespeare.
The "On Beyond Exeter" program offers one-week seminars for alumni. Most of these courses are held at the academy.
Historical Programs
In 1952, Exeter worked with other schools and universities to create a report. This report led to the development of the Advanced Placement Program. This program allows high school students to earn college credit.
In 1965, Exeter became one of the first schools to join the School Year Abroad program. This program allows students to live and study a foreign language in another country.
Images for kids
-
First Academy Building around 1910, where the school opened in 1783
-
1909 advertisement for the school
-
View from the tower of Phillips Church in 1911
-
Abbot Hall
-
Student body, Phillips Exeter Academy, around 1903
See also
In Spanish: Phillips Exeter Academy para niños
- Exeter point
