Kents Hill School
Overview

Located on a beautiful 400-acre campus in central Maine, Kents Hill School is an independent, coeducational boarding and day school grades 9-PG attracting 225 students from 25 states and 20 countries. For close to 200 years, Kents Hill has been dedicated to providing transformative experiences rooted in the power of community, character, and core values. Through a broad curriculum of academics, arts, athletics, and leadership development, our students make our school - and the world - a better place. At Kents Hill, a student’s success is not measured solely by test scores or college acceptances, but by the relationships that they build and the opportunities that they have to experience, develop, and live by a set of core values. Our college preparatory program focuses on the individual and supporting young people in reaching their fullest potential. Illustrative of this commitment is our robust Learning Skills Program, where teachers trained in academic coaching deliver personal, empathetic, and innovative learning experiences.



Academics
Summary: The Kents Hill School curriculum offers over 100 courses that challenge students to apply what they learn through critical thinking and problem-solving. Our small classes allow students to take initiative, think independently, and explore ideas with outstanding teachers who also serve as mentors, dorm parents, coaches, advisors, and friends. Classes are focused on collaborative, project-based learning where students may find themselves working on cutting-edge research with students leading colleges such as Bates, Bowdoin, and Colby, or earning college credit from the University of Maine at Farmington in physics, chemistry, or writing. Our academic program offers a wide range of Advanced Placement, College Level, Honors, and College Prep classes to ensure that students are able to customize their program to fit their needs, goals, and aspirations. With the introduction of the Academic Transformation Team in Spring 2018, we are taking steps to build a team of educators that will ensure that Kents Hill is on the leading edge of student-centered learning and teaching, while honoring the skills and values that have made us strong for nearly 200 years.
Department Director Ben Priest
Student/Teacher Ratio: 6:1
Average Class Size: 10
Summer Programs: Offered
Full Time Teachers: 46
Number of AP Courses Offered: 12
Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 50%
Number of IB Courses Offered: 0
Noteworthy Information:
Siemens Foundation Award for Advanced Placement in Science and Math - 2003 Harvard Singer Prize f
Learning Support
- Evening Study Assistance
- Learning Center
- Learning Differences Support
- Peer Tutoring
- Study Skills Assistance
- Subject Tutoring
- Technology Center
- ADD/ADHD Support
English
- Creative Writing
- Honors
- Literature
- Playwriting
- Poetry
History
- Classical History
- European History
- Honors
- Medieval History
- United States History
- World History
Foreign Languages
- Chinese-Mandarin
- French
- Spanish
Religion / Philosophy
- Ethics
- Faith
- Moral Philosophy
- Philosophy
- Religious Studies
- Social Justice
- World Religions
Humanities / Social Sciences
- Economics
- Psychology
- International Relations
Sciences
- Anatomy
- Astronomy
- Astrophysics
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Ecology
- Epidemiology
- Environmental Science
- Genetics
- Geology
- Health
- Physical Science
- Physics
- Zoology
Math
- Algebra
- Calculus
- Functions
- Geometry
- Honors Math
- Probability
- Statistics
- Trigonometry
Computer Studies
- Multimedia
- Web Design
Music
- Band
- Choral Music
- Composition
- Electronic Music
- Individual Instructions
- Music Theory
- Orchestra
- Songwriting
- Voice
Performing / Visual Arts
- Acting
- Animation
- Art History
- Ceramics
- Design
- Directing
- Drama
- Drawing
- Fashion Design
- Fiber Arts
- Graphic Design
- Painting
- Photography
- Portfolio
- Pottery
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
- Studio Art
- Theater Arts
- Woodworking
- 3-D Art
Special Programs
- Study Abroad
- Community Service
- Exchange Programs
- Independent Study
- Internships
- Leadership
- Outdoor Education
Distinctive or New Programs
New Buildings: Williams Woodworking Studio Reed Hall (girls Residence Hall) The Performing Arts Center At Newton Hall And The Alfond Athletics Turf Fields. New Programs: Forensics Criminology African History Biotechnology
Campus Life
Dorm Life
Number of Dorms: 5
Average Students Per Dorm: 20
Number of Girls Dorms: 2
Number of Boys Dorms: 3
Dorm Amenities
- Game Room
- Laundry Facilities
- Lounge
- Vending Machines
- Wireless Internet
Other Dorm Amenities
Student Life
On a beautiful 400-acre campus just three hours away from Boston and one hour away from Portland, Kents Hill School offers students an idyllic location, strong community, and many opportunities to play in a caring, supportive environment.
Facilities
- Baseball Field
- Basketball Court
- Fitness Center
- Football Field
- Indoor Basketball Court
- Indoor Climbing Wall
- Technology Center
Other Facilities
Private Skiing and Snowboarding Hill; Ice Hockey Rink; Visual Arts Center; Performing Arts Center
Clubs & Organizations
- Community Service
- Computer Club
- Diversity Club
- Dorm Proctors
- Drama Club
- Environmental Club
- Food Council
- Foreign Language Clubs
- International Club
- Literary Magazine
- Math Club
- Model UN
- National Honor Society
- Newspaper
- Outing Club
- Peer Counseling
- Photography Club
- Snowboarding Club
- Student Activities
- Student Government
- Student Publications
- Theater Club
- Woodworking Club
- Yearbook
- Yoga Club
Arts & Athletics
Summary: The Kents Hill School athletics program offers athletes teams in 19 plus sports and a full range of opportunities for practice and competition. Students participate in a team sport or afternoon activity each trimester. Our coaches have extensive experience competing as college and professional athletes. Kents Hill School is known for strong teams in alpine skiing, ice hockey, cross country running, and fencing. Our facilities feature the largest contiguous complex of turf fields in New England and state-of-the-art Alfond Athletics Center which features an NHL-size ice hockey rink, gymnasium complex, and fitness center. The Joanne & Dick O’Connor Alpine Training Center is one of the most unique features of our athletics program. Just steps from central campus, the Center provides private skiing and snowboarding terrain and two on-surface lifts. It's the center of coaching and training for our USSA and MAISAD alpine racing teams, the Division I Colby College alpine racing team, and local public schools. We provide a rich program in the visual arts, music, and theater that gives every student the opportunity to practice and perform. Students may choose from a range of arts electives and extracurricular activities. Students are required to take four trimesters of courses in the arts, but most go beyond the requirement with a full two years or more of arts courses. Visiting artists-in-residence spend the year on campus and teach classes in their specialities in visual arts, music, and performing arts. They are an inspiring presence on campus and a resource for students and teachers. In the visual arts, we offer an average of 15 elective courses per trimester.
Arts Department Director: Dylan Gifford
Athletics Department Director: Nan Hambrose
Arts
- Acting
- Animation
- Art History
- Ceramics
- Design
- Directing
- Drama
- Drawing
- Fashion Design
- Fiber Arts
- Graphic Design
- Painting
- Photography
- Portfolio
- Pottery
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
- Studio Art
- Theater Arts
- Woodworking
- 3-D Art
Interscholastic Sports
- Alpine Skiing
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country Running
- Equestrian
- Fencing
- Field Hockey
- Football
- Freestyle Skiing
- Golf
- Ice Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Mountain Biking
- Snowboarding
- Soccer
- Softball
- Tennis
Recreational Sports
- Alpine Skiing
- Basketball
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Equestrian
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
- Nordic Skiing
- Outdoor Education
- Snowboarding
- Tennis
- Yoga
Graduates
Summary: Finding the right college or university that fits a student's goals and interests is a core element of the Kents Hill School experience. Our college counseling program is individualized, with counselors who develop personal relationships with students and guide them in selecting colleges that are an appropriate match. Our experienced college counseling staff, with specific expertise in extended time testing, international applicants, NCAA, scholarships, financial aid, UCAS and other foreign applications, and postgraduate/gap year programs, become strong, informed advisors and advocates for our students and their families. Students receive help with every step of the process, from deciding where to apply to completing the necessary forms. At the same time, we stress the importance of students taking responsibility in the process and learning about decision-making. In preparing students for the next steps after graduation, we focus on their ability to think independently, advocate for themselves, and work in a collaborative spirit with others. Kents Hill graduates enroll in a wide range of outstanding colleges and universities. Visit bit.ly/KHcolleges to view a full list of college acceptances and matricultions. In April 2018, Kents Hill School appointed Gretchen Bergill as the Director of College Counseling. Gretchen joins Kents Hill from Phillips Exeter Academy where she has served as Associate Director of College Counseling since 2005.
College Information
Precentage of graduates who attend college: 99%
Middle Percentile of SAT Scores | Reading | Math | Writing |
---|---|---|---|
25th percentile | |||
75th percentile |
Notable Alumni
L.L. Bean
Class of
Entrepeneur Founder of L.L. Bean
Alden J. Blethen
Class of
Co-owner and editor-in-chief of Seattle Daily Times
Charles Collins
Class of
President of Dickinson College
Joseph Cummings
Class of
President of Syracuse University Wesleyan University and Northwestern University
Charles Deering
Class of
American businessman and philanthropist
Ray Eliot
Class of
American football and baseball player former football coach of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
John Huard
Class of
National Football League player and Canadian Football League coach
Elihu B. Washburne
Class of
United States Representative from Illinois Secretary of State under Ulysses S. Grant and Minister to France
Stephanie Welsh
Class of
1996 Pulitzer Prize winner in Feature Photography
Merit
Merit Scholarships: Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 6%
Average Merit Scholarship: 9,036
Current Endowment Amount: $25,000,000
Vital Information
Student Body Type: Coed
Total Boarding: 172
Total Day: 61
Total Enrollment: 233
Boys: 144
Girls: 89
Boarding Grades Offered: 9-12
Day Grades Offered: 9-12
School Type: High School, Post-grad
Dress Code: Formal
Applications Accepted: SAO, Gateway to Prep
Application Deadline: Rolling
Tuition & Financial Aid
7-Day Boarding: $60,750
5-Day Boarding: N/A
Day Tuition Fee: $32,000
Need-Based Aid: Offered
Payment Plans: Offered
Students Receiving Aid: 51%
Average Awarded: $34,693
School Finances
Merit Scholarships: Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 6%
Average Merit Scholarship: $9,036
Current Endowment Amount: $25,000,000
Contact
Director of Admissions: Matthew Crane
Admissions Phone: 207 685 1606
Fax: 207 685 9529
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.kentshill.org
Nearby Schools
- Hebron Academy - 25mi / 40 km
- Gould Academy - 39mi / 63 km
- John Bapst Memorial High School - 67mi / 107 km
- Wolfeboro Camp School (The Summer Boarding School) - 82mi / 132 km
- Holderness School - 94mi / 152 km
- New Hampton School - 99mi / 159 km








