Guidance on Writing Short EssaysFirst written in 2012 for high school students in my courses at Andover, lightly edited in 2026 to share for no particular reason other than a student somewhere might find it here. The length I expect for the short papers is roughly a page or two. The sweet-spot is 750 words, … Read more
This weekend, the Andover community celebrates the thirtieth annual weekend gathering of the Gender-Sexuality Alliance (G.S.A.). This important milestone merits attention and reflection. The G.S.A. has played a central role in supporting students (and adults, for that matter) of all genders and sexualities on campus at Andover. This week also marks the publication by the … Read more
Richard T. Greener Quadrangle dedication September 29, 2018 John Palfrey, Head of School, Phillips Academy Welcome students and parents, faculty and staff, trustees and alumni to the Richard T. Greener Quadrangle. Thank you, Linda Carter Griffith, for blazing your own trail as the first Assistant Head of School for Equity, Inclusion and Wellness—not only at … Read more
John Palfrey Opening Remarks – Celebration of AfLatAm@50 April, 2018 Good evening. Let me please begin by thanking Emily Ndiokho, Class of 2018, for her leadership tonight in MC-ing this event and also for her leadership throughout her time at Andover. As president of AfLatAm this year — in fact, the 50th president of AfLatAm … Read more
Gun violence must be addressed urgently. I can think of no topic more worthy of our nation’s leaders’ time and focus. Today, I join with fellow heads of school comprising the Eight Schools Association in support of the following statement: We, the heads of independent secondary schools comprising the Eight Schools Association, stand in solidarity with our students and … Read more
Today, I wrote to the Andover community with an update on new and ongoing initiatives to ensure the safety and well-being of our students. My full message can be read online.
John Palfrey Remarks at Capital Campaign Launch Andover, MA September 2017 Thank you, Dana Delany, for your kind introduction and for everything you’ve done for Andover over the years. I also want to thank Peter Currie and the board of trustees for their leadership. Most of all, I am grateful to all of you. Thank … Read more
All-School Meeting John Palfrey, Head of School, Phillips Academy September 13, 2017 Good morning, Andover! I am psyched to see you all here. The main point of this All School Meeting is simply for us to gather, in one space, to celebrate the start of the year. It’s a great chance to acknowledge the special … Read more
Dear Phillips Academy students: That school-is-about-to-start feeling is upon us. There are a few summer days left to enjoy, Labor Day weekend still to look forward to, and all the excitement of early fall just around the corner. I write in part just to say that I’m thinking of all of you and excited to … Read more
Today, Board President Peter Currie ’74, P’03, and I wrote to the Andover community with an update regarding an independent investigation into matters of past sexual misconduct. As we’ve sought to understand and learn from these most troubling moments in our school’s history, we remain grateful to all who have shared information with us over … Read more