Concord Academy

Academics

Concord Academy ranks in the top 15 of U.S. boarding schools for student SAT scores, and SSAT scores. To foster love of learning and a non-competitive environment, the school does not compute class rank and awards no academic, arts, athletic, or community awards during the school year or at graduation.

The school eliminated all AP courses several years ago due to the lack of depth in their curricula. They were replaced by advanced courses designed by teachers, though the school still offers AP exams. Eighty percent of the students taking an AP exam score a 4 or 5.

Demographics

The demographic breakdown of the 378 students registered for the 2013-2014 school year was:

Athletics

Concord Academy students play on twenty-eight teams in twenty-three sports; about 75 percent of students play on at least one team each year. Teams compete in the Eastern Independent League (EIL).

Student Life

The dress code at Concord Academy is casual. The student body consists of 40% boarding students and 60% day students. Boarding students live in three girls houses and three boys houses, each holding an average of 25 students. A little more than a third of the day students commute to school via the MBTA Commuter Rail.

Students participate in a variety of clubs, performing arts groups, and other activities. The campus is a short walk from restaurants and shops in Concord and students have easy access to Cambridge and Boston via the MBTA Commuter Rail.

Campus

Concord Academy's primary campus is located on 39 acres (160,000 m²) between Main Street and the Sudbury River in the center of Concord, Massachusetts. Concord Academy’s campus includes eleven historic houses on Main Street, all built as family homes between 1780 and 1830. The campus is a three-minute walk from the center of Concord and a five-minute walk from the MBTA Commuter Rail stop in Concord.

The campus includes multiple buildings, such as the PAC (Performing Arts Center) and the MAC (Math and Arts Center). The Elizabeth B. Hall Chapel is a 19th-century meetinghouse that was transported to Concord from Barnstead, New Hampshire in 1956. It serves as a meeting place three times per week for the entire Concord Academy community.

The new thirteen acre Moriarty Athletic campus, a mile from the main campus, includes six tennis courts, a baseball field, a field hockey field, and two soccer/lacrosse fields. A field house contains changing rooms, a training room, and a common room with fireplace. These new facilities freed up space on the main campus for expansion of academic and arts facilities.

School mascot

Concord Academy's mascot is the chameleon, chosen for the adaptability it implies.

Publications

History

Concord Academy was established as a school for girls in September 1922. Enrollment grew gradually from three in 1924 to twenty in 1948. The school's headmistress for the first 15 years was Elsie Garland Hobson, followed by Valerie Knapp (1937–40) and Josephine Tucker (1940–49). Tucker imposed the advisor system and ended the giving of prizes at commencement. Under Elizabeth Hall (1949–63), student population increased.

1981—Thomas E. Wilcox named headmaster

1984—Elizabeth B. Hall Chapel dedicated

1987-J. Josephine Tucker Library dedicated

2000—Jacob A. Dresden named head of school

2004-05—Renovation and expansion of Elizabeth B. Hall Chapel

2007—Purchase of additional 13.6-acre (55,000 m²) property near main campus

2009—Richard Hardy named head of school; began July 1, 2009

2012—Completion of the Moriarty Athletic Campus, located 1 mile from main campus

Notable alumni

Notable teachers