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About
Phillips Academy Andover, commonly known as Andover, is a prestigious private, co-educational boarding and day school located in Andover, Massachusetts, near Boston. Founded in 1778 by Samuel Phillips Jr., it is the oldest incorporated academy in the United States and has a long history of academic excellence, intellectual rigor, and fostering leadership. The school enrolls approximately 1,150 students in grades 9 through 12, including postgraduate students, from 39 states and 45 countries. Guided by the motto 'non sibi'—meaning 'not for self'—Andover emphasizes a balance of intellectual curiosity, civic engagement, moral development, and service. It offers needs-blind admission and provides significant financial aid, totaling $21.8 million annually, making it accessible to a diverse student body.
Historically, Phillips Academy began as a male preparatory school in a historic mill town north of Boston. In 1808, it was joined by the Andover Theological Seminary to train Calvinist ministers, and in 1828 by Abbot Academy, which educated women until the two institutions merged in 1973 to become fully co-educational. Andover is a member of the Eight Schools Association and the Ten Schools Admission Organization, collaborating with other elite independent schools. The academy is renowned for producing influential figures in business, politics, and other fields, with a curriculum that challenges students academically while promoting global awareness and ethical leadership.
The school's campus reflects its rich heritage, with historic buildings and modern facilities supporting a wide range of extracurricular activities, including athletics, arts, and community service. Andover's commitment to diversity and inclusion has evolved over time, and it continues to be one of the most selective boarding schools in the country, known for its legacy of shaping future leaders.