The Governor’s Academy
Overview
Bright bold and ambitious students in grades nine through twelve have been learning and growing at The Governor’s Academy the oldest boarding school in New England for over 250 years. Located in Byfield Massachusetts thirty-three miles north of Boston and five miles south of Newburyport our expansive 456-acre campus is bordered by the Parker River and the Great Marsh. More than 400 students from twenty-two states and nineteen countries create a vibrant community of day and boarding students. Govs is an open optimistic learning community filled with life-changing opportunities. Students learn and grow at Govs in our classrooms studios theaters fields and courts. Surrounded by friends and teachers our students discover and develop their passions across academics arts and athletics and achieve excellence.
Academics
Summary: Our rigorous college preparatory curriculum fosters intellectual and personal growth, fluency across disciplines, and a flexible, forward-thinking approach focused around sustainability. We make learning fascinating, challenging, and fun. At Govs, we know students learn best when they are reaching, stretching, and growing—when they are on the learning edge. Our approach to academics balances the opportunity to achieve with the courage to explore. Students here learn together with friends and faculty in small, interactive classes—typically about eleven students. Faculty here care deeply about their subjects and their students’ progress. As a community, we applaud and support students’ passionate commitment to develop their own areas of expertise, while encouraging them to explore other fields and discover other interests, too.
Department Director Elaine White
Student/Teacher Ratio: 5:1
Average Class Size: 11
Summer Programs: Not Offered
Full Time Teachers: 88
Number of AP Courses Offered: 28
Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 72%
Number of IB Courses Offered: 0