August 2024

This special issue of the Family Bulletin—for both new and returning families—has lots of important and timely information, all intended to help ensure that Opening of School goes smoothly for you and your student. Please read on.

Get Quick Answers Online: Be sure to visit the Family Engagement and Frequently Asked Questions sections of our website.  

The dates and times that students should arrive on campus and register are listed below. Students are expected to arrive on their scheduled registration date. Students may not arrive before their scheduled registration date—and are not allowed to move into their dorm until they register. 

If students have questions regarding their arrival, they should contact the appropriate person, such as their coach or club advisor, the international student coordinator, or the Dean of Students Office.  

Early Arrivals: If your student has been notified to arrive/register earlier, here are the details:  

For nearby parking and building locations, refer to the campus map.

For quick access to all the latest Opening of School information, be sure to download the Andover Event Guides app. Here’s how:  

Please be sure to “enable notifications” to allow the app to send you any last-minute information. Remember to check the app often, especially as we get closer to Opening of School.   

All registration requirements, including medical and insurance information, were due via The Hive on August 1. If you have questions specific to health and medical insurance information, please contact the Sykes Wellness Center team via email or call 978-749-4455.  

Your Hive login includes your username followed by @andover.edu (example: tsmith1234@andover.edu). If you have difficulty logging into The Hive, please contact the Help Desk via email or call 978-749-4357. 

Please note that the first week of the 2024–2025 school year is a “closed campus.” That means no day excuses, car permissions, or overnight excuses will be granted from a student's arrival date through Sunday, September 8. During this time, day and boarding students will engage in community-building activities to promote social connections and set the tone for the new school year. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 

Please email the Dean of Students Office with questions or for further information. 

Starting with the new school year, we will be replacing the BlueCard Stored Value system with a more versatile point of sale system that will accept credit cards, debit cards, and electronic payments like Apple Pay across the entire campus. Although students will continue to use a similar-looking ID card for building access, equipment and materials checkout, and other functions, it is important to note that the BlueCard’s stored value function will no longer be available. 

Why the Change? 

Next steps: Please be sure your student has access to a debit or credit card by the start of the school year. If they do not already have one, there is a local Bank of America branch within walking distance of campus along with a Bank of America ATM available near student mailboxes on the street level of George Washington Hall (on Chapel Avenue). Any existing balances on BlueCards will be refunded to student accounts. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we make this important transition to enhance the convenience, security, and efficiency of our campus payment systems. 

This September, Phillips Academy will welcome 202 new and returning international students to our community. We are currently seeking host families. This is a great opportunity for both our international students and their host families. Many families enjoy long-lasting friendships with their host student!  

If you are interested in serving as a host family, please complete this Host Family Volunteer Form. To learn more about the Host Family Program, you can view the recording of the Family Webinar Series segment here.   

Questions? Please email Gina Finocchiaro, international student coordinator.  

Cluster and housing information will be available the week of August 26. Students can view information by logging into BlueLink. They will see their cluster, assigned point person, and advisor. Boarders will also be able to view their housing assignment, house counselor(s), and roommate information. Parents/guardians can also view this information by logging into The Hive. As a reminder, each student has one adult to serve as their point person for the year. Families should always reach out to their student’s point person with questions and concerns. 

See a list of “What to Bring” and “What NOT to Bring” to campus.  

You can start shipping items for your student on Monday, August 19. Do not ship items before this date. Please review the Central Services Mailroom Policies for the correct shipping address and what items cannot be accepted.

For student transportation to Logan (Boston) and Manchester (N.H.) airports or Boston’s South Station, arrangements can be made with private taxi and limousine service providers. A list of service providers regularly used by members of the PA community, including information on greeter services for unaccompanied minors, is available here. 

Note regarding unaccompanied minors: Families are responsible for understanding the rules of various airlines regarding unaccompanied minors, knowing the age requirements, and making the necessary arrangements (departure and arrival points) if their child will be flying as an unaccompanied minor. Ages vary considerably from airline to airline. 

For school breaks between terms (Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break), Phillips Academy partners with C&J Bus Lines to provide transportation between campus and Darien, Connecticut, and New York City. Watch for information regarding the fall and winter buses in the Family Bulletin in early October.  

Students interested in private lessons are encouraged to complete the Private Lessons Agreement Form. Private lessons begin the week of September 15.  

To rent a musical instrument, students should complete the Instrument Request Form.  

If students need a locker space for musical instruments, they should complete the Locker Request Form before the start of the academic year.  

Questions? Please email the Department of Music.

On Wednesday, September 4, at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., there will be optional nutrition and allergy tours of Paresky Commons. Ellie Perry, Paresky’s dietitian, will take groups of students and parents/guardians around the dining hall to review offerings. She will focus on reading signage with allergy icons and show locations of certain items. Questions? Please email Ellie Perry. 

Parents and guardians of new students are cordially invited to a “meet and greet” reception on Wednesday, September 4, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the beautiful Abbot Circle, located a short walk from the main campus at 27 School Street (rain location is in Davis Hall, adjacent to the circle). If you are dropping off your student, we hope you will join us for this informal social event and enjoy light refreshments before you depart campus. To register, click here. For more information, email Katherine Solimini, associate director of Family Giving. 

We look forward to welcoming families back to campus for Family Weekend, Friday October 25, to Sunday, October 27. Note that students will not have classes on Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29.  

Family Weekend provides a special glimpse into your child’s daily life at Andover through classroom visits with your child’s teachers, student performances, and more. Highlights include:  

More information will be coming your way in the next few weeks, and registration will open soon. 

For a list of nearby lodging, click here. When making your reservation, be sure to mention that you are a guest of Phillips Academy, as the school has negotiated reduced rates with some hotels. 

2024–2025 Academic Calendar

Weekly Class Schedule

The Office of Family Engagement is here to support you now and throughout the school year! If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Director Jennifer Vasquez by email or call 978-749-4068. 

The next Family Bulletin will be emailed on Thursday, September 5, with issues sent weekly on Thursdays when classes are in session. Be sure to review each issue for important information, a quick glimpse of what’s happening on campus, and a selection of events of interest to parents, guardians, and other family members.  

Enjoy the rest of your summer!