Community & Service

We are a community not only of scholars, but also of unique individuals with diverse talents and backgrounds.

Students and faculty come from over 40 local communities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Our students and faculty take the time to celebrate and nurture our strong and vibrant community in several ways, including:

All-School Meetings — School-wide meetings include a moment of reflection, celebrations of learning, and announcements.

Advisory Groups — Small and close-knit, advisory groups are composed of students and a dedicated faculty mentor. Advisory provides students with a dedicated source of academic and personal guidance daily. 

“House” Communities — Each student is “sorted” into a unique house at the start of the school year (yes, kind of like Harry Potter!)  Each house group includes students, faculty and staff. House meetings take place every other week and include team building opportunities and student-centered activities. Every house also completes a service-learning project during the year.

Inspirational Speakers — Each year, we invite a diverse group of women leaders to present and lead discussions for our entire school community. Past speakers have included UMass Amherst’s Dr. Whitney Battle-Baptiste, President of TD Garden Amy Latimer, and award-winning Filmmaker Mary Mazzio.

Service to those in need is woven into the fabric of our school.

Our program combines learning goals and community service in ways that can enhance both student growth and the common good. As a requirement for graduation, each student completes 25 hours of volunteer service each school year.

Students have volunteered on service trips to Haiti and New Orleans and Latvia. They have worked to ease hunger and homelessness, to help protect animals and the environment. Students are invited to discover what we hope will be a lifelong desire to work towards compassion, justice, and equality in the world around them.

Student Service Retreats

This year’s student retreats weave in the theme of Integrity, and are a time for each grade level to come together for bonding, fun, and reflection. Day-long retreats, which often include a service component, are held for each grade in the fall and the spring. The senior class embarks on an overnight retreat in the spring.

Students and the APH community building beds for service project.
Build-a-Bed service event at The Academy at Penguin Hall

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