In short: Phillips Academy Andover in Andover, Massachusetts enrolls 1,169 students in grades 9-12 and PG, publishes an average class size of 13, charges $79,800 for boarding in 2026-27, closes applications on February 1, 2027, and admits need-blind.
Applying to Phillips Academy Andover?
SSAT or ISEE (PSAT/SAT/ACT also accepted) prepBook a school consultation- Location
- Andover, MA
- Founded
- 1778
- Official Website
- www.andover.edu
Application timelineper school website
- Application and financial aid materials dueDeadline
- Admission and financial aid decisions released
Overview
Phillips Academy Andover is a coeducational boarding school in Andover, Massachusetts, founded in 1778 and enrolling grades 9 through 12 plus a PG (post-graduate) year for students who want an additional year after high school. The school publishes an enrollment of 1,169 students, of whom 850 board. Eighteen percent are international, and the student body comes from 53 countries and 41 U.S. states and territories. The campus sits at 180 Main Street, about an hour’s drive north of Boston.
Academics
Andover publishes an average class size of 13 and a student-faculty ratio of 7:1. The course catalogue lists more than 300 courses, including 150 electives, across ten departments: art, English, history and social science, mathematics/statistics/computer science, music, natural sciences, philosophy and religious studies, physical education, theatre and dance, and world languages. The school describes its classes as small and discussion-driven, and frames the curriculum around breadth rather than early specialization. Course pages do not use Advanced Placement (AP) as a uniform labeling system, so families who care about AP alignment should raise it with the academic office during a visit.
Applying
Applicants submit a candidate profile, an interview (on campus, virtual or recorded), a graded writing sample, an essay, a short video response, a parent statement, current and previous transcripts, and four recommendations from a principal or counselor, an English teacher, a math teacher and a personal referee. Standardized testing is required, with the SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT or ACT all accepted. The application fee is $60, or $125 for international applicants. For fall 2027 entry, application and financial aid materials are due February 1, 2027, interviews run through January, and decisions are released March 10.
Cost and aid
Published 2026-27 rates are $79,800 for boarding and $63,840 for day students. That is the school’s posted figure for that year and does not cover books, flights or personal expenses; later years are published separately. Andover admits need-blind, meets full demonstrated need with grants, and states that international students may apply for aid.
What California families should plan for
The February 1 deadline falls two weeks later than at most peer boarding schools, which tempts families to start late. A workable sequence from Orange County is a first SSAT sitting in the spring of the year before applying, campus visits and interviews in the fall, and essays and recommendations in December and January. Be honest with yourselves about the rest: a 14-year-old living 3,000 miles away, a three-hour time gap, dorm routines nobody at home can supervise, and repeated cross-country travel. EDUBUS works with Irvine families on SSAT preparation and on the wider private school planning calendar, working backward from this school’s published dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tests does Phillips Academy Andover require?
Every applicant submits one of the SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test, Upper Level), the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam, Upper Level), the PSAT, the SAT or the ACT. Students attending schools outside the United States where English is not the language of instruction also submit an English proficiency test; the school's published guideline scores are 100 on the TOEFL iBT, 7.5 on the IELTS or 135 on the Duolingo English Test.
Does the school publish an acceptance rate?
No. Neither the admission pages nor the admission FAQ on andover.edu publishes an acceptance rate or an applicant count. Percentages circulating on ranking and review sites are third-party estimates, and EDUBUS does not quote them. Ask the admission office directly during a visit or interview if you want a sense of the current cycle.
Can international students apply for financial aid?
Yes. The admission FAQ states that international students are welcome to apply for financial aid. Phillips Academy Andover admits need-blind, meets 100 percent of demonstrated need with grants rather than loans, and reports that 47 percent of students receive aid. Financial aid materials share the February 1 application deadline.
What should an Irvine family weigh before sending a 14-year-old to Massachusetts?
Three practical things: a three-hour time difference that makes a fixed weekly call necessary; four or more long flights a year between Orange County and Boston, plus roughly an hour by car from the airport to campus; and guardianship, since even with a residential faculty system it helps to have an adult on the East Coast who can reach campus quickly.
How does EDUBUS work with families on this school?
EDUBUS is based in Irvine. We handle school selection, SSAT preparation, essay work and interview coaching, and we build the calendar backward from the school's published deadline. We do not promise admission outcomes.
