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Phillips Exeter Academy

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Phillips Exeter Academy
Location
Map
Exeter
,
NH

USA
Information
TypePrivate, Boarding
Religious affiliation(s)none
Established1781
PrincipalTyler C. Tingley
Faculty191
Enrollment1052 total
845 boarding
207 day
Average class size12 students
Student to teacher ratio5:1
CampusTownship, 471 acres (1.9 km²)
126 buildings
Color(s)Red/Maroon and White/Gray
Athletics21 Interscholastic Sports
62 Interscholastic Teams
MascotLion Rampant
Websitewww.exeter.edu

Phillips Exeter Academy (also called Exeter, Phillips Exeter, or PEA) is a co-educational independent boarding school for grades 9-12, located on 471.0 acres (1.9 km²) in Exeter, New Hampshire, USA, one hour north of Boston.

Exeter currently has the largest endowment of any secondary school in the United States at a market value of about $706,000,000 (as of June 30, 2005). This yields a per-student endowment of $660,000, higher than the per-student endowments at many universities. In the fall of 2004, Exeter announced a capital-raising program, the Exeter Initiatives, intended to raise $305,000,000.

A traditional, though informal, association exists between Exeter and Harvard University. However, similar to the relationship between Phillips Academy and Yale University, this traditional association has declined in recent years, and students now matriculate to a wide range of colleges and universities. Eighty percent of the students board, living in on-campus dormitories or houses, with the remaining twenty percent being day students from the surrounding communities. Phillips Exeter has been co-educational since 1970; in 1995 the Latin inscription over the main "Academy Building" was rephrased in gender-inclusive language to reflect the school's coeducational status.

School's origins and philosophy

Dr. John Phillips, the school's founder

The Academy was established in 1781 by merchant John Phillips and his wife Elizabeth. John Phillips was the uncle of Samuel Phillips, Jr., who had founded Phillips Academy Andover in 1778. As a result of this relationship, the schools share a rivalry; the football teams have met nearly every year since 1878, making Exeter/Andover one of the oldest high school rivalries in the country. Like Andover's, Exeter's seal features the symbols of bees, a beehive, and a sun. Also similar to Andover, the school's Latin mottoes are Finis Origine Pendet (meaning "the end depends upon the beginning,") and Non Sibi (meaning "Not for one's self"). Exeter has an additional motto: "xapiti theou" -- "by the grace of God" in Greek. Exeter's Deed of Gift, written by John Phillips at the founding of the school, warns that "Though goodness without knowledge is weak and feeble, yet knowledge without goodness is dangerous." The principal of the Academy usually speaks on this theme every year at the school's opening assembly.

Since a 1930 gift by the oil magnate and philanthropist Edward Harkness, the Academy's principal mode of instruction has been by discussion, "seminar style," around an oval table known as the "Harkness table". The completion of the Phelps Science Center in 2001 meant that all science classes, previously the only ones taught in a more conventional layout, could also be conducted around the same oval tables. Classes are small to encourage all students to participate. These "Harkness" classes feature heavily in both the school's identity and its day-to-day life.

The Academy's self-described international perspective is reflected in the student body and the numerous study abroad programs offered. Currently, 31 different countries and five continents are represented in the student body. In addition to the traditional year-long programs offered in China, Spain, Italy and France through the School Year Abroad program, the Academy sponsors semester-long programs in Stratford, England; Grenoble, France; Krasnodar, Russia; Göttingen, Germany; and Cuernavaca, Mexico.

The campus is known for its modern library, designed by Louis Kahn. As of 2005, the Class of 1945 Library houses 145,000 volumes and has a shelf capacity of 250,000 volumes. It is the largest secondary school library in the world.

Notable alumni

Books or movies with portrayals of Exeter alumni, students, or staff

Many fictional characters are indicated to have graduated from Exeter. This is usually because of the connotations associated with the prestige and affluence associated with the school and its alumni. Also, in many cases, the author or writer is himself an Alumnus.

  • A Separate Peace - This novel by John Knowles is set at "Devon," a thinly-veiled fictionalization of Exeter, in the summer of 1943.
  • Tea and Sympathy - This play by Robert Anderson (later a movie as well) treats the inner struggles of an Exeter student.
  • Trading Places - Stockbroker Louis Winthorpe III, played by Dan Aykroyd, is mentioned to be an Exeter alumnus.
  • American Psycho - In the book by Bret Easton Ellis, Patrick Bateman, the main character, is mentioned to be an Exeter alumnus.
  • The Birdcage - Calista Flockhart plays an Exeter alumnus.
  • Bringing Down the House - Kevin Lewis, the main character is mentioned to be an Exeter alumnus.
  • A Widow for One Year - In this novel by John Irving, the two main characters are Exeter alumni. Part of this book was later adapted for the movie The Door in the Floor.
  • A Prayer for Owen Meany - In this novel by John Irving, the protagonist/narrator, John Wheelwright, and his best friend, Owen Meany, are both day students at Gravesend Academy, modeled after Exeter. Owen writes a popular column in The Grave (modeled after The Exonian) called "The Voice," which is critical of the school administration and the Vietnam war, among other topics. Part of this book was later adapted for the movie Simon Birch, though none of the Exeter parts made it into the film.
  • The World According to Garp - In this novel by John Irving, the protagonist/narrator, T.S. Garp, is the illegitimate, only child of Jenny Fields, the school nurse at "Steering School," Irving's fictionalized name for Exeter. Young Garp grows up in Steering's infirmary, eventually attending the school and joining its wrestling team. The book was adapted into a screenplay for the film of the same name, starring Robin Williams and Glenn Close, and featuring a cameo by the author as a wrestling referee.
  • A Beautiful Mind - John Nash's roommate jokingly asks the future Nobel Laureate if he had not been fortunate enough to go to Exeter or Andover.
  • The Skulls - Two of the main characters at Yale University are mentioned to have met while at Exeter.
  • The Emperor's Club - The school mottos of Exeter (and Andover) are used during the opening assembly.
  • The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons - Both the author, Dan Brown, and the fictional protagonist, Robert Langdon, are Exeter alumni.
  • Soul Man - The movie features a shot of Jeremiah Smith Hall, intended to be a part of Harvard University campus.
  • Six Degrees of Separation - Characters in the movie described as having attended Exeter and Andover.
  • Smallville - Lex Luthor in the WB television series Smallville was noted as attending "Excelsior", a fictional school perhaps alluding to Exeter. Also, a headmaster from Exelsior suspiciously transfers to be the Principal of Smallville High, a step down in both pay and prestige.
  • The Rule of Four - one of the main four friends is an Exeter student.
  • Dharma and Greg - Greg is said to be an Exeter alum in this sitcom.
  • Cheaper By the Dozen 2 - One of Eugene Levy's character's ("Jimmy Martaugh") children is said to be "at Exeter" in this holiday film.

Exeter slang and jargon

  • 333 - The title of the American history course required of all uppers, and also the name of the paper required by the said course. It is commonly mentioned that "the 333 equals half of the devil (666)."
  • 7s - Nickname for punishment that requires the recipient to check-in at the dormitory at 7:00 p.m. instead of the usual later check-in. "My proctor caught me up without late lights, and he put me on 7s for a week."
  • 10s - Jargon for the top decile of grade point average, which runs from 0.0 to 11.0. On the Exeter scale, A=11.0, A-minus=10.0, B-plus=9.0, ...C=5.0, and so on. A GPA of 10.0 or higher ("in the 10s") is roughly equivalent to one of 3.66 or higher on a traditional GPA scale. "In order to apply to that college, I hear you have to get 10s."
  • A-U-Med Sleep-In - On Thursday mornings, the two class blocks of A and U, combined with the weekly Meditation given in Phillips Church, make for a rather welcome additional hour and a half (roughly) of sleep for those fortunates who have no classes during those blocks.
  • Bridge Jumping - The act of jumping off Hill Bridge into the Exeter river. Best done naked and in the cold.
  • Bubble - The semi-circular glass enclosure on the North side (facing Webster Hall) of Wentworth Hall. Can also refer to the "Exeter Bubble" whereby everyone within the Exeter Academy community is utterly disconnected with any semblance of the outside world - whether it be popular culture or world news.
  • College suck - The cynical term for those clubs, activities, and leadership positions that one acquires, not because of genuine interest, but in order to pad one's resume for college applications.
  • D-Hall - Either one of the Wetherell or Elm Street dining halls.
  • Dick - A verb form of dickey, meaning both the act of a student missing a class and the act of a teacher turning in an absence slip, as in, "I dicked that class," and, "I just got dicked." The term dates back to the 1930s when Wells Kerr served as the Dean of Students (actually Mr. Kerr served in that position from 1930 to 1953). The students of the time viewed Mr. Kerr as being very honest and fair-minded. They made a connection between Mr. Kerr and Dickey Kerr, the one honest starting player employed by the White Sox during the scandalous 1919 World Series and so began calling Mr. Kerr, "Dickey." Notes received from Mr. Kerr (which were often about attendance) were eventually referred to as "dickeys," and the rest evolved from there.
  • Dickey - An absence slip. (See Dick.)
  • Dickey - Alternative usage: A turtleneck sweater cut below the collar for use instead of wearing a tie.
  • Discipline Committee - Also known by its initials, D.C., a committee composed of faculty and non-voting students who convene to determine the disciplinary response to a rule violation after hearing from the student(s) involved.
  • D.H.M. - A term used by students to describe their quest to understand a text--that is, to uncover or discover the Deep Hidden Meaning of a text. One of the hallmarks of the English Department.
  • E.P. aka "Evening Prayer;" A non-denominational service, held weekly (Tuesday evenings, 9:30pm) in Phillips Church. Typically quiet and candlelit, this service usually involves performances by student musicians or readings from various traditions. Very popular with students, perhaps because of the inspiration found in a typical service, perhaps because underclassmen can check-out of their dormitories for it, or perhaps because it is known as a nice way to spend some time with someone you like very much or on a first date.
  • Fac-Brat - A term used to refer to the sons and daughters of faculty, usually those who live on campus.
  • Fac-Proc - A regular meeting of the faculty and proctors of a dormitory. Here the well-being of individual students as well as general dorm issues are discussed.
  • Fat Block - Class meeting of 1 hour and 15 minutes, each format has one of these per week, used for labs, extended classes, or testing.
  • Fishbowl - Windowed dining room in Wetherell Dining Hall.
  • Grill - Snack bar found in the basement of the art building. Traditionally, Exonians omit the article “the” when referring to it, as in: “Let’s go to Grill.”
  • Harkness Society - An unofficial 'society' of students who have engaged in illicit activity involving one of the school's many Harkness tables; considered a very elite and very dangerous designation.
  • Harkness Warrior - Cynical nickname for student who dominates discussion around the Harkness table. The Harkness Warrior is the first person to interrupt another student, disagree simply for the sake of disagreeing, and speak endlessly with no discernible point in order to boost his or her participation grade.
  • Illegal V’s - Visitations (see definition under “V’s” in this lexicon) that do not enjoy faculty permission and may be outside the allowed times for visiting. In simple terms, having someone of the opposite sex in one's room without permission.
  • JSmith - Short for Jeremiah Smith Hall, which houses the PO, College Advising office, the offices of the Deans and Principal Instructor, and the offices of Personnel, Bursars/Registrar.
  • Late-lights - Preps and lowers who have not completed their work by 10:30 may ask faculty on duty to extend their bedtime (varies from dorm to dorm).
  • Meditation - Thursday mornings, Phillips Church, speakers from Academy community talk for 20-25 minutes about something important to them, more or less a reflection on life. Each year during the spring, a handful of seniors is chosen to read their own meditations, which they wrote for their last required English class the term before. Attendance is not required, but certainly recommended.
  • Lower or Lower-Middler - A 10th grader, sophomore.
  • Opt - Sports option. An upper or senior can choose not to participate in a physical education activity or sport for one term each year. Doing so is referred to as “opting.” Also, Music Opt; a reduction in class load given for attendance at private music lessons.
  • Out-of-Towns - Written permission required for students to leave the Academy for a day trip out of the Exeter area or for an overnight visit somewhere. Out-of-towns are not required for any of the Academy-sponsored trips to Shaw's, Fox Run Mall, etc.
  • Package Slip - A notification placed in a student's mailbox that he/she has received a package; always an exciting event for boarders.
  • Party On - A popular farewell, used by students parting ways. Especially popular with current pricipal Ty Tingley.
  • PEAN - The yearbook. Greek "pæan" is a "song of praise"; a pun on the name of the school.
  • Petition - If a student needs to miss a required Academy appointment (class, sport commitment, Assembly, dormitory check-in, etc.) for any reason, she should complete a petition form as early as possible. The Deans consider these requests during their regular meetings.
  • P.O. - The Academy Post Office. When Exonians refer to it, they omit the article “the.” For example: “Are you going to P.O.?”
  • PG - A post graduate student. A student that has already graduated from another high school and is doing an additional year of high school.
  • Probes - Academic Probation, the highest rung on the school-wide disciplinary ladder, short of requirement to withdraw. Probation is meted out for a variety of infractions, usually lasts for a period of eight weeks, and ends only upon review by the Discipline Committee.
  • Proctor - Student leader and mentor within the dormitory, usually a senior. Proctors are chosen by the faculty, based upon a proven level of responsibility, and are generally well-respected by the other students in the dorm. Once a week, they have the task of managing the dormitory in lieu of the faculty, coordinating check-ins and lights out. Perks of the job include first pick in the room selection lottery.
  • Prep or Junior - A 9th grader, freshman.
  • Principal's Day - Since the school's snow removal budget exceeds that of most southern cities, there is no such thing as a snow day at Exeter (although there was a day off due to flooding during the '96-'97 school year). The only surprise day off is chosen once a year at the discretion of the Principal and proclaimed the day before in an inventive way. Most recently, Tyler Tingley had a message written on the local theater's board showtime board. One year, Principal Day was announced from a marquee pulled by a plane over Exeter.
  • R.A.L. - Reporter-at-large paper written by uppers for their English class.
  • Red Bandits - Students (usually seniors) who aim to ignite school spirit at athletic contests, particularly the Exeter/Andover contests. Accompanied by the stuffed red lion mascot, the Red Bandits often cover themselves in red body paint, scream, and bang on trash cans.
  • Spaz - a.k.a. prep-spaz or Prep Program. A fond nickname for the ninth-grade physical education program required of all preps not playing a varsity or JV sport in a given term.
  • Stricts - The nickname for "Restrictions," the lowest rung on the scale of school-wide punishments, also the most common. Nicknamed stricts, the punishment requires students to check-in at their dormitories at 8:00 p.m. every evening for two weeks, including Saturdays. The most common infraction committed by students on stricts is missing four required appointments in one trimester, or getting four Dickeys. ("Do you want to go to Grill?" / "I can't. I'm on stricts!")
  • Study Card - A restriction placed upon underperforming students, requiring them to stay in their room during study hours with no distractions from others. Like Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter, the card itself is the size of an index card, taped to the outside of the student's door, warning would-be callers to move on.
  • Upper or Upper-Middler - An 11th grader, junior.
  • Visitations or V's - Visitation privileges required to have a member of the opposite sex in one's dorm room. An unauthorized visitation is called an Illegal V, and can result in disciplinary action.
  • Wentworth Ho - Every year, the night after the first snow, the men of Wentworth Hall streak around the neighboring girls dorm, Amen Hall.
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