New Families FAQs - Phillips Exeter Academy

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Academics

What is the day-to-day schedule like at Exeter?

The daily schedule at Exeter includes classes, assemblies, athletics and more. There is time built in for meals and snacks, getting homework done and club meetings. You will receive a complete schedule closer to the start of school.

Which classes do I need to take?

In general, students take five academic classes and a physical education class each term, for a total of six classes. New students are also required to take health in the fall term. Please review the course planning guide for your grade level for more information about course requests.

Why didn’t I get a placement test?

All new students are required to take placement tests in math and language. To receive a placement test, you must first complete the New Student Questionnaire.

If you are studying a language for the first time, you will not receive a placement test and you will be registered for the introductory (100-level) course sequence.

When will I get the results of my placement test?

After your placement test is graded, the Registrar’s Office will automatically register you for the appropriate courses. In July, you will be asked to review your courses and there will be a short add/drop window in which you can make changes to some courses.

Is there a summer reading list?

There is required reading for incoming 9th graders only. Click here for more information or reach out to Brandon Thomas (bthomas@exeter.edu), 9th Grade Program Coordinator.

Do I need a laptop?

All students are required to bring a laptop to school. Click here for more information.

What about standardized testing like the PSAT, SAT and AP exams?

Studies show that students have a greater fund of classroom knowledge and who engage in test prep over time receive higher scores on standardized tests. As such, the College Counseling Office encourages students to sit for standardized tests during the middle to end of 11th grade and provides a testing schedule for general guidance. If you are seeking to transfer accommodations for standardized testing (e.g., SAT, ACT, or Advanced Placement Exams), please complete this form.

How do I get involved in music at Exeter?

For information about the music department at Exeter, you should attend the Town Hall meeting or listen to the recording. You’ll learn about private lessons, ensembles, auditions, rehearsals, lockers and instrument loans. Click here to access the Music Department FAQs. Please also complete the New Student Performing Arts Questionnaire.

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Campus Life

How can I add or change my nickname?

We recognize that people may use names other than their legal name to identify themselves. Students can use a preferred first name (nickname), chosen first name, or their legal name on campus. Click here for more information.

What is there to do in my free time?

There is so much to do on campus outside of the classroom! We have over 200 clubs, service groups, dorm life and class activities to fill your free time. Take a look here.

Is there a dress code?

Exeter does not have a formal dress code. Students are entrusted to make decisions about their own dress that maximizes their learning, allows for full participation in the activities of the day, and promotes their personal style.

How do I try out for sports or dance or theater?

Tryouts for fall sports take place in September at the start of the term and schedules are adjusted accordingly; tryouts for winter and spring sports take place at the end of the preceding term and schedules are designed according to the final rosters. Dance technique classes and theater performance earn physical education credit, whereas dance ensembles (such as DAN010 Pointe) earn partial-credit toward the performing arts requirement.

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Housing

Where do boarding students live?

Exeter houses its boarding students in 26 dormitories: 18 are large buildings accommodating 30 – 60 students each and eight are smaller houses accommodating 7 – 26 students each.

Dorms are identified as either for boys, girls, or all genders. Depending on the size, each dorm has one to five resident faculty members. All dorms work to create a deep sense of community that is inclusive of both boarding students and day student affiliates.

Are there separate dorms for the four different grades?

No, Exeter uses a vertical housing approach, meaning all dorms have a mixture of all grade levels. Students generally remain in the dorm that they are originally assigned to with leadership opportunities available there in their Upper or Senior year.

How are dorm assignments or dorm affiliations decided?

Students are assigned to a traditional boys or girls dorm (as a resident or an affiliate) based upon their gender identity. We also have two all-gender dormitories; students of all genders can apply to live in these gender-neutral settings. We use the Housing and Affiliation Questionnaire responses as well as information collected in the admission process to make the best matches by class.

When do we find out our dorm assignment or affiliation?

Dorm assignments are published at the end of August on myExeter.

What if I don’t like my dorm?

Most students remain in the dorm they are originally assigned. If a student does not feel that their dorm assignment is a good fit they have the opportunity to request a change in the spring term for the following year.

What should I pack?

Click here for packing tips.

Can I ship items to school prior to arriving?

Click here for shipping information.

Is there storage available over the summer?

Yes, each student is provided two 50-gallon totes to store items. Anything that does not fit in the totes must be brought home for the summer. Bicycles that are registered with campus safety may be stored in the dorm bike room, but it must be locked.

If I’m living in the same room next year, can I leave everything in my room?

Since the dorms are used for teacher conferences and Exeter Summer, students must leave their rooms empty when departing for the summer. At the end of spring term, returning students are given two 50-gallon storage bins to store their belongings on campus. Students must bring or send home all other belongings, or may arrange to have them stored by our shipping partner, Rateliner.

What is provided in my room?

Rooms are furnished with a bed, mattress, bureau, desk, desk chair and a desk lamp. Each student is provided with 2 sets of sheets, pillowcases and towels. A pillow and woolen blankets are available upon request.

How do I clean my clothes?

There are free washers and dryers in each dorm. In addition, we partner with E&R Laundry Service who provide personal laundry service plans for purchase. The school supplied sheets and towels may be sent to E&R each week for laundering free of charge.

How do I get to campus?

The Academy provides free transportation to: Boston, Massachusetts (Logan Airport), Manchester, New Hampshire (Manchester Airport) and New York City for departing and returning to campus from vacation breaks. PEA bus service for the opening of school is offered only from Boston’s Logan Airport and the Manchester Airport.

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Day Students

How do day students fully participate in campus life?

Day students make up about 20 percent of the student population and are very much a part of everyday life at the Academy. They, like all students, are equal participants in classroom, athletic and extracurricular endeavors.

The aim of our rules governing day students is to enable them to share in as much of the boarding experience as possible while recognizing their status as students who live at home. Each day student is affiliated with a dormitory on campus where they may come and go as they please until check-in time. In addition, the day student lounge in the Elizabeth Phillips Academy Center is open every day, and many day students sign up for designated library carrels.

What are the day student arrival and departure times and when can they be dropped off on campus?

Day students are encouraged to follow a program of check-in and study hours similar to that of students living in the dorms. Day students are expected to depart from campus by the check-in time of their class, except when they have academic appointments.

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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

What is religious life like at Exeter?

Phillips Church and Multifaith Center is the home for established religious and spiritual groups, and a gathering place for many other groups of Exonians.

For those who identify with a particular religious tradition, we also work to coordinate attendance at local congregations if possible. For traditions without local houses of worship, we strive to host special observances in the building.

What is the Equitable Exeter Experience Program?

The Equitable Exeter Experience (E3) is a program for students who identify as students of color, students who are first in their families to attend college, students who have high financial need, and/or students who are members of the LGBTQAI+ community. E3 participants arrive on campus for a few days before other new students so that they have the opportunity to meet other students and teachers, gain familiarity with the campus, and begin building community. For more information, contact: Stephanie Bramlett (sbramlett@exeter.edu).

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