Dear Andover families,
Phillips Academy is constantly rethinking what it means to be an excellent institution and the ways we guide students in their intellectual and personal growth. The academic program and student health and wellness remain at the center of this work. I am writing today to shine a light on health and wellness and our philosophy around nurturing students’ growth—a process that involves supporting them when they make mistakes.
We know that adolescents will make poor choices from time to time; this is not news to any parent or guardian. It is something that we take very seriously at Andover, and our latest thinking has caused us to revamp our approach to student conduct.
After two years of research, training, and discussion, we are adopting a new way to respond to student conduct that is designed to promote growth and accountability, where historically we have focused on punishments. Our reimagined approach incorporates greater support to help students become more self-aware, access the resources they need, hold themselves accountable, and ultimately, learn from their experiences. Of course, there also remain appropriate consequences for behaviors that are inconsistent with our standards. In every case, we are committed to supporting all students involved.
Last month you received an online copy of Core Blue, a booklet that highlights our school values and fundamental community expectations. This year’s Blue Book, which includes student conduct policies and is updated annually, is now available on The Hive. Sections that previously focused on negative behaviors now emphasize community standards. We will continue to review both documents, always looking for ways to improve our support of students.
Some of the most important work that we do as parents, guardians, and educators is to help our students learn to manage the pressures that are so palpable for adolescents today. The pandemic brought into sharp focus mental health issues that for some were just under the surface. They manifest in a range of ways, such as poor sleep habits, self-harm, alcohol and drug use. The Sykes Wellness Center has seen a significant increase in mental health visits since 2018. Given what our students have experienced because of the pandemic—isolation and loss, disruption in their education during the most formative years of their lives—I believe this generation will push us to fully integrate mental health as an essential component of how we define excellence at Andover.
How we teach students to learn and grow from their mistakes will not only result in healthier kids, it will give them strategies and skills that will serve them long after they graduate from Andover.
Thank you for your support and partnership.
Sincerely,
Raynard Kington, MD, PhD, P’24
Head of School
