Dear Andover families,

A hearty hello from Andover Hill. In just over two weeks, classes start and teachers will commence on a journey of discovery with their students; every journey, and every group, will be a unique adventure this year aided by rivers of electrons and a sea of electromagnetic waves as we embrace remote-first education.

Given the significant challenges due to the pandemic, and the horrific racist events in our country, teachers have prepared diligently this summer to design and build an engaging online environment for each of our classes and academic departments are convening to address and plan for enhanced anti-racist education within our programs.

Please review our Academic Experience and Key Dates posted on the Andover website, as well as the following information that will assist with the academic portion of pre-trip preparations. While some of this information may not apply to your student(s) this fall, it may be relevant at some point in the upcoming academic year. This communication includes numerous reminders, updates, and details. Please read it carefully and keep it as a reference.

Below you will find information regarding:

Thank you for giving us the pleasure of teaching and learning with you; even in these troubled times, it is a deeply satisfying opportunity for us to prepare our youth to better serve our complex world in meaningful ways. Wishing you and your family health and safety in these tumultuous times.

Sincerely,
Clyfe

Clyfe Beckwith, P’15,’17
Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning

We are located in George Washington Hall; you can contact us at registrar@andover.edu.

Meet the Dean of Studies/Registrar Office Team! Top row from left: Cynthia B. Stewart, Office Manager/ Book Coordinator; Catherine D. Tousignant, Assistant Dean of Studies for Advising and English Instructor; Julie Powers, Office Administrator. Middle row: Raj R. Mundra, Dean of Studies and Biology Instructor; Clyfe G. Beckwith, P’15,’17, Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning and Physics Instructor; Kenneth M. Shows, Assistant Dean of Studies for Scheduling. Bottom: John P. Wilson, Director of Student Information and Registrar

This year, because so many boarding students are learning remotely off campus and because boarding status (including dormitory assignments) may change from term to term, we have revised our adult support structure to mirror the one in place for day students.

Each student, boarding and day, will have a single adult serve as advisor and point person for the entire year, independent of residency changes. The Advisor Point Person will oversee a student’s academic progress, including course selections and multi-year planning, adding and dropping courses at the start of term, reaching out for help and connecting with support services, strategies for managing their own learning, and building essential skills around our community values. The Advisor Point Person will serve as the family’s main contact at school, and together with the cluster dean forms the student’s core team, providing steady support and guidance—both personal and academic—and a consistent connection throughout the entire year.

Students will meet with their Advisor Point Person every week and families can expect some routine communication every two weeks. We will let students know of their advisor assignments on or around August 28, via email.

A detailed Opening of School (OOS) Schedule will be available on PANet Blackboard and included in the Canvas Orientation course released September 1. Here is a brief summary:

All families: Please visit The Hive and make sure that all your registration requirements have been completed. If your registration requirements have not been completed by September 1, you will not be a registered student for the fall term. If you have difficulty accessing The Hive with your parent credentials, please contact the Academy Helpdesk for assistance.

The Hive is the Academy’s online resource for parents. It keeps you informed of school events and provides personalized information about your child(ren), including end-of-term grades. The Hive also provides links to campus support services, Academy publications, and videos of All-School Meetings. Be sure to download and install the smartphone app “The Hive by Phillips Academy” from the  Google Play store or the Apple App store. Having trouble accessing the Hive? Please contact the help desk at helpdesk@andover.edu

Students: If you have not uploaded a photo for the BlueCard, please email Ms. Scofield now so she can send you a personalized link.

Families coming to campus September 10–13: Please be sure to arrive at the time you signed up for on the registration survey. If your arrival time will be outside of the 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration hours, please email deanofstudentsoffice@andover.edu ASAP with details.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we need to limit the number of people traveling to and spending time on campus. Students, we ask that you do not bring more than one family member or friend with you to register and move in. If you plan to come to campus alone, please let us know by emailing deanofstudentsoffice@andover.edu.

When you arrive for on-campus registration, please be sure to wear a mask or a face covering. Your first stop will be the Rebecca M. Sykes Wellness Center for your COVID-19 test (parking is available in the Gelb lot). Once you receive a negative result, you will receive your BlueCard and room key so that you can enter your dormitory. If you are being dropped off, you will be expected to keep your luggage with you throughout the registration process.

Driving: Please come directly to the Gelb Parking Lot on Salem Street.

Ride Share: Please come directly to the Day Student Drop Off on Salem Street.

New students will receive their course lists on or around September 7. They will consult with their Advisor Point Person about any changes they wish to make, and department chairs will be available for consultation in case there are changes necessary. New students will submit their final course requests to the Assistant Dean of Studies for Scheduling Ken Shows by September 9.

All students will receive their schedules on Saturday, September 12. Students with incomplete schedules should email Ken Shows immediately (e.g., four or fewer classes when there should have been five, no math when the plan was to continue in the sequence, two sections of the same course, or the need for a level change as directed by the department chair). Students may request changes to their schedule during the Add-Drop period September 14–19. As per usual, not all requests can or will be accommodated.

The Academy currently purchases course materials in bulk for all classes. These materials—physical books, information for access to electronic resources, and course packs—will be mailed or emailed to all students at the address where they reside at the beginning of the term. Those students that are on campus will receive physical books in their dorms.

To cover the cost of the books and other course materials, the Academy will include a Course Materials Charge of $600 on the first student tuition invoice. This yearly $600 charge will be placed in a separate Course Materials Account; as appropriate, the account will also be used to cover art fees, PSATs, and Advanced Placement Exams. At the end of the course Add-Drop Period, each student’s account will be charged for all course materials for their classes.

Students whose schedules change as a result of requests made during the Add-Drop Period (September 14–19) will be required to pay for return shipping of physical books to campus on or after September 20. Students should not ship back any books before September 20. Any balance in a student’s Course Materials Account will be refunded upon the student’s departure from the Academy. If you have any questions, email Cindy Stewart at cstewart@andover.edu.

The updated 2020-2021 Course of Study is now available. It is posted on PANet Blackboard (under Academic Resource, General Academic Information, Publications) as a resource for students when they meet with their Advisor Point Person for four-year planning purposes.