Phillips Exeter Academy

Phillips Exeter Academy. It is a highly selective independent Boarding school for grades 9 through 12, located in the town of Exeter, New Hampshire. Founded in 1781 by John Phillips and his wife Elizabeth, the institution was endowed by the merchant Samuel Phillips Jr., a nephew of the founder. The academy is renowned for its distinctive Harkness method of instruction and its historic, expansive campus.

History

The school was chartered in 1781, with significant early support from Samuel Phillips Jr., who also helped found the Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. Its establishment was influenced by the educational ideals of the American Enlightenment and the Revolutionary period. A pivotal moment in its history was the 1930 gift from Edward Harkness, a member of the Standard Oil fortune and an alumnus of Yale University, which established the transformative Harkness method. Throughout the 20th century, it evolved from a traditional New England preparatory school, formally becoming coeducational in 1970, a move that followed similar transitions at peer institutions like the Groton School and Milton Academy.

Campus

The 671-acre campus is centered in the downtown area of Exeter, New Hampshire, featuring a blend of historic and modern architecture. Its most iconic structure is the Louis Kahn-designed Library, a monumental building of brick and concrete completed in 1972. Other significant facilities include the Frederick R. Mayer Art Center, the Forrestal-Bowld Music Center, and the George H. Love Gymnasium. The grounds also encompass the Exeter River, extensive athletic fields, and the Elijah Kellogg Church, contributing to a self-contained, residential environment.

Academics

The academic program is defined by the Harkness method, a student-centered, discussion-based pedagogical approach conducted around oval Harkness tables. The curriculum offers over 450 courses across disciplines including advanced studies in STEM fields, extensive offerings in the humanities, and renowned programs in creative writing and philosophy. Students regularly achieve top honors in competitions like the Intel Science Talent Search and the National Merit Scholarship Program. The school maintains a longstanding affiliation with Harvard University and other members of the Ivy League, while its graduates also attend leading institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University.

Student life

Residential life is organized around a system of dormitories, each fostering a close-knit community under the guidance of faculty members. Students participate in a broad array of over 100 student-led organizations, including debate teams that compete in the National Speech & Debate Association, publications like *The Exonian*, and numerous cultural clubs. A required athletics program offers competition in the Independent School League against rivals such as the Phillips Academy Andover and St. Paul's School. Traditions include Exeter/Andover, the annual rivalry weekend with Phillips Academy, and events like Principal's Day.

Notable alumni

Its alumni, known as Exonians, have achieved prominence in numerous fields. In government and public service, notable figures include U.S. President Franklin Pierce, Senator John Kerry, and Supreme Court Justice David Souter. The literary world counts authors like John Irving, Dan Brown, and Gore Vidal among its graduates. Leaders in business and technology include founders like Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook and Pete Cashmore of Mashable. Other distinguished alumni range from the explorer Robert Peary and journalist Booth Tarkington to actors such as Michael C. Hall.

Category:Educational institutions established in 1781 Category:Boarding schools in New Hampshire