Lawrence Academy

Groton

Massachusetts

United States

Overview

Lawrence Academy embraces an individualized approach to learning in a highly collaborative community of 400 boarding and day students. LA features a balanced academic program of intellectual development, self-discovery, wellness, and a desire to serve the greater good. Our curriculum is supported by LA`s advisory program; daily meetings between adults and a group of 4-8 students. In the classroom, faculty teach students how to think, not what to think, and commit to recognizing, inspiring, supporting, and empowering students as learners and as people. For students seeking additional support, LA offers a Learning Support program to help students acquire the skills necessary to succeed in the LA classroom. Co-curricular activities are key to the LA experience. In our arts program, our Dance students are mainstays at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, while the LA Singers frequently grace the stage at Carnegie Hall. Young performers have a variety of music-focused courses, several vocal and instrumental performance groups and lessons available to them at Lawrence Academy. In addition to these on-campus offerings, Spartans are also encouraged to venture off campus for instrumental music studies at the nearby Groton Hill Music Center. Athletically, LA Spartans compete in the Independent School League and our student-athletes often move on to compete on NCAA squads. Clubs, diversity groups, and leadership roles of nearly every ilk also encourage students to develop in confidence and character. Winterim, LA`s two-week experiential education program, takes students outside the classroom. Science excursions to the Galapagos Islands, volunteering at a refugee camp in Greece, or exploring the legal system in Boston and Washington, D.C., are just a few of Winterim`s opportunities.

Academics

Summary: Through its academic program, LA lives its mission to recognize students for who they are and inspire them to take responsibility for who they want to become. That student-centered, individualized approach to teaching and learning is an essential part of an LA education. Lawrence Academy’s faculty teach students how to think, not what to think: they’re focused on helping students develop essential skills that will help them be successful, both in learning and in life. To help each and every student be successful, teachers are constantly assessing students’ interests and needs, and adapting to them, creating exceptional connections in the process. At Lawrence Academy, students are not only asked to learn facts and retain knowledge, they’re also encouraged to do the work of artists, historians, linguists, mathematicians, and scientists. Throughout their time at LA, students study the traditional high school subjects — art, English, foreign language, history, math, and science — and will graduate having picked up important skills and with knowledge of key tenants within each subject. However, under the guidance of faculty, how they learn those skills and tenants is largely up to them. Lawrence Academy teachers get to know their students’ learning styles to understand how to best teach them, and learning is a collaborative process. Within LA’s classrooms, students are often using hands-on, research-based methods to master material. The faculty at Lawrence Academy design curriculum and implement pedagogy with the intent of helping students mature into confident, self-aware problem solvers who experience education as a means for realizing their individual potential as responsible citizens with the capacity to positively impact others and the environment.

Department Director Peter Hess

Student/Teacher Ratio: 6:1

Average Class Size: 13

Summer Programs: Not Offered

Full Time Teachers: 64

Number of AP Courses Offered: 0

Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 65%

Number of IB Courses Offered: 0

Learning Support

Evening Study Assistance
Learning Center
Learning Differences Support
Study Skills Assistance
Subject Tutoring
Technology Center
Writing Center
ADD/ADHD Support

English

Creative Writing
Playwriting
Poetry
Composition
American Literature

History

European History
Honors
Medieval History
United States History
World History

Foreign Languages

Chinese-Mandarin
French
Latin
Spanish

Humanities / Social Sciences

Psychology
Sociology
Human Geography
World Issues

Sciences

Anatomy
Animal Behavior
Astronomy
Biology
Chemistry
Earth Science
Ecology
Environmental Science
Genetics
Geology
Marine Biology
Oceanography
Ornithology
Physical Science
Physics
Physiology
Computer Science

Math

Algebra
Calculus
Functions
Geometry
Honors Math
Probability
Statistics
Trigonometry
Pre-Calculus

Computer Studies

Multimedia
Computer Programming
Computer Science

Music

Band
Choral Music
Composition
Individual Instructions
Music History
Music Theory
Voice
A Cappella

Performing / Visual Arts

Acting
Animation
Art History
Ceramics
Choreography
Dance
Debate
Design
Directing
Drama
Drawing
Fashion Design
Film and Video
Graphic Design
Journalism
Lighting Design
Painting
Photography
Portfolio
Pottery
Printmaking
Production
Publications
Public Speaking
Screenwriting
Sculpture
Studio Art
Theater Arts
Theater Design
Woodworking
Modern Dance
Jazz Band
Digital Imaging
Multimedia
Illustration

Special Programs

Study Abroad
Community Service
Personal Finance
Independent Study
Internships
Leadership
Learning at Sea Programs
Outdoor Education
Semester/Year Off-Campus
Scuba
Public Speaking
Student Council
Science Research

Distinctive or New Programs

Research and Immersive Learning, Winterim Program, Learning Support Program

Campus Life

Dorm Life

Number of Dorms: 9

Average Students Per Dorm: 25

Number of Girls Dorms: 6

Number of Boys Dorms: 3

Dorm Amenities

Laundry Facilities
Lounge
Wireless Internet

Other Dorm Amenities

Microwave; TV in Common Room

Facilities

Baseball Field
Basketball Court
Fitness Center
Football Field
Indoor Basketball Court
Pool
Technology Center
Volleyball Court

Other Facilities

Tennis Courts; Turf Field; Ice Rink; Softball Field; Soccer Field(s); Dance Studio; Weight Room; Fitness Room; Athletic Training Suite; Nashoba Valley Ski Area (skiing); Groton Country Club (golf)

Clubs & Organizations

Amnesty International
Community Service
Debate Club
Diversity Club
Dorm Proctors
Environmental Club
Food Council
Foreign Language Clubs
Honor Council
International Club
Jewish Student Organization
Literary Magazine
Newspaper
Outing Club
Peer Counseling
Peer Tutoring
SADD
Student Activities
Student Government
Student Publications
Theater Club
Yearbook
Yoga Club
Young Democrats
Young Republicans

Arts & Athletics

Summary: We are passionate about the arts at Lawrence Academy. Wherever you turn, you will find a welcoming, inclusive, and fertile environment to foster your curiosity and creativity. Whether you pursue a broad exploration of several artistic disciplines, or an in-depth study of one, emphasis is placed on both the creative skills you need to express yourself, and the technical skills needed to communicate your vision effectively. Athletics are also highly valued at Lawrence Academy. We believe that athletics help students understand the rewards that come with hard work and play, as well as the importance of working with teammates to find both group and individual success.

Arts Department Director: Dina Mordeno

Athletics Department Director: Kevin Potter

Notable Achievements: NEPSAC Girls' Volleyball Champions NEPSAC Boys' Hockey Champions NEPSAC Football Champions

Arts

Acting
Animation
Art History
Ceramics
Choreography
Dance
Debate
Design
Directing
Drama
Drawing
Fashion Design
Film and Video
Graphic Design
Journalism
Lighting Design
Painting
Photography
Portfolio
Pottery
Printmaking
Production
Publications
Public Speaking
Screenwriting
Sculpture
Studio Art
Theater Arts
Theater Design
Woodworking
Modern Dance
Jazz Band
Digital Imaging
Multimedia
Illustration

Interscholastic Sports

Alpine Skiing
Baseball
Basketball
Crew
Cross Country Running
Field Hockey
Football
Golf
Ice Climbing
Lacrosse
Mountain Biking
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball
Wrestling

Recreational Sports

Aerobics
Alpine Skiing
Alpine Ski Racing
Baseball
Basketball
Camping
Canoeing
Dance
Golf
Hiking
Kayaking
Mountain Biking
Outdoor Education
Snowboarding
Track and Field
Weight Lifting

Graduates

Summary: The College Counseling Office’s approach to college counseling adheres well to the school’s student-centered philosophy. Our experienced team of college counselors works to help each student identify colleges that fit his or her individual academic, extracurricular and personal needs.

College Information

Precentage of graduates who attend college: 100%

Middle Percentile of SAT Scores	Reading	Math	Writing
25th percentile
75th percentile

Interested in Lawrence Academy?

Vital Information

Student Body Type: Coed

Total Boarding: 173

Total Day: 243

Total Enrollment: 416

Boys: 230

Girls: 186

Boarding Grades Offered: 9-12

Day Grades Offered: 9-12

School Type: High School

Dress Code: Casual

Applications Accepted: SAO, Gateway to Prep

Application Deadline: January 15th

Tuition & Financial Aid

7-Day Boarding: $70,760

5-Day Boarding: N/A

Day Tuition Fee: $56,795

Need-Based Aid: Offered

Payment Plans: Offered

Students Receiving Aid: 32%

Average Awarded: $42,653

School Finances

Merit Scholarships: Not Offered

Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: %

Average Merit Scholarship: $

Current Endowment Amount: $34,977,777

Contact

26 Powderhouse Road Box 992

Groton, Massachusetts United States

978 448 1530

Director of Admissions: Mike Polsonetti

Admissions Phone: 978 448 1530

Fax: 978 448 1519

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.lacademy.edu

Nearby Schools

Groton School - 2mi / 3 km
Middlesex School - 13mi / 20 km
Hillside School - 18mi / 28 km
Cushing Academy - 18mi / 29 km
St. Mark’s School - 20mi / 33 km
Fay School - 21mi / 33 km

School Events

Zoom In On LA: The Parent Experience:

Thursday Jan 26 2023 - Thursday Jan 26 2023

07:00:00pm - 07:30:00pm

Learn all about what it’s like to be a parent of a student at Lawrence Academy. You will hear from faculty about communication with parents and parent involvement on campus and from a panel of current parents about their experiences with Lawrence Academy.

Zoom In On LA: Signature Programs:

Thursday Jan 19 2023 - Thursday Jan 19 2023

07:00:00pm - 07:45:00pm

Hear from Lawrence Academy faculty and students as they dive deeper into Lawrence Academy’s signature programs, including Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Advisory; Winterim; and the Groton Hill Music Center partnership.

Zoom In On LA: Academics:

Thursday Jan 12 2023 - Thursday Jan 12 2023

07:00:00pm - 07:45:00pm

Hear from our academic leadership as they provide an overview of our individualized, supportive, and student-centered educational program at Lawrence Academy. Each department head will look deeper into the LA programs: Language, Math, Science, History, English, Art, Learning Support, and College Counseling. Finally, you can join department-specific breakout rooms to speak directly to faculty members and current students.

Time to Apply Virtual Event:

Wednesday Dec 14 2022 - Wednesday Dec 14 2022

07:00:00pm - 07:30:00pm

Hear from Lawrence Academy’s admissions team, current students, and current parents about the process of applying to Lawrence Academy. We will overview the application process, provide some tips, and answer any questions that you have before submitting your application on January 15, 2023! This session should last no longer than 30 minutes. We hope you can join us! Register at: https://www.lacademy.edu/admissions/events-fairs.

Lawrence Academy Admissions Fall Open House:

Saturday Oct 29 2022 - Saturday Oct 29 2022

08:30:00am - 12:00:00pm

Please join the Lawrence Academy community for an open house overviewing our educational program. The event will include a welcome from our head of school, academic and community life panels, the opportunity to meet LA faculty, and the chance to explore our signature programs and afternoon activity offerings. Optional campus tours will be available at 8:30 AM and 11:30 AM.

Lawrence Academy Admissions Athletics & Arts Reception:

Saturday Oct 08 2022 - Saturday Oct 08 2022

01:00:00pm - 03:00:00pm

Please join the Lawrence Academy community for an athletics and arts reception. The program will include a welcome from our head of school, a student panel, an opportunity to speak with program leads in the arts and athletics, and the chance to enjoy an afternoon of games on campus.