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Article Summary
Phillips Academy Andover and Phillips Exeter Academy are two of the most prestigious boarding schools in the United States, each offering rigorous academics, diverse extracurricular opportunities, and distinctive campus cultures.
This article explores the differences between the schools, from Andover’s flexible, interdisciplinary approach to Exeter’s discussion-based Harkness Method. It dives deeper into each school’s curricula, residential life, campus environment, arts, athletics, student support, and admissions requirements to help you understand what to consider when choosing the right fit for your child.
Andover vs. Exeter At a Glance
Phillips Academy Andover is located in Andover, Massachusetts, and was founded in 1778. On the other hand, Phillips Exeter Academy is located in Exeter, New Hampshire, and was founded in 1781.
Both schools have relatively large student bodies; students and families often label the two as rivals in academics and sports.
This table shows the similarities and differences of each school:
| Andover | Exeter | |
| Location: | Andover, Massachusetts | Exeter, New Hampshire |
| Teaching Styles: | Liberal approach | Harkness philosophy |
| Academics: | More than 300 course options | More than 450 course options |
| Dorm and Residential Organization: | Dorm clusters; community-centered | Dorm houses; nearly integrated with academic facilities |
| Campus Setting: | Near downtown; near major urban hubs | Can access local shops; may need to travel to access modern hubs |
| Arts | Music, Art, and Theatre and Dance; Addison Gallery of American Art | Visual Arts, Performing Arts and Theatre, Music, and Dance; Lamont Gallery |
| Athletics | 23 sports; highly competitive | 22 sports; highly competitive with almost 70% of the student population competing in at least one sport |
1. Teaching Styles
Phillips Academy Andover
Andover’s teaching style is a liberal education that uses an interdisciplinary approach to learn with understanding, responsibility, and freedom. These student-centered methods across different fields make room for more interactive discussions, activities, and knowledge.
Teaching methods vary by course and subject, giving students opportunities to learn through discussion, experimentation, and other forms of active engagement.
Phillips Exeter Academy
Exeter is known for the Harkness Method, a collaborative approach in which 12 students and one teacher gather around an oval table to discuss ideas. The format emphasizes active participation, careful listening, and shared problem-solving.
Exeter’s teaching method is best for those who enjoy meaningful discourse, collaborative approaches, and high-level argumentation. In these cases, classroom participation and collective problem-solving are central experiences for students.
2. Academic Structure and Curriculum
Phillips Academy Andover
Andover follows a trimester system and offers more than 300 courses. Students take a combination of required and elective courses, with placement in subjects such as mathematics, science, world languages, and music based on demonstrated ability.
Each junior takes five or six courses. In turn, these courses are either required or placed according to demonstrated ability (to advance), which is determined by a placement test. For example, English 100 and History 100 are standard courses, while math, foreign language, etc. can be taken after passing the placement test.
Moreover, 9th graders may choose to take either one or two courses as their sixth course. For the specialized academic track, the school significantly focuses on STEM, but its other course offerings are equally competitive. Faculty advisors are happy to assist students’ academic paths to ensure more structured academic years.
Phillips Exeter Academy
Exeter’s academic curriculum follows a four-year program with over 450 courses to choose from. The school uses sequential course planning, where each student must take a placement test in math and language for their appropriate course levels. However, first-timers are not required to do so. Like Andover, Exeter is also a STEM-focused school, but with equally competitive programs in other disciplines.
Each year level has different diploma requirements. These may change yearly, so make sure to check the updated catalog. Exeter also uses placement processes and course-planning guidance from faculty to create an appropriate academic path for students.
3. School Size and Student Community
Between Andover and Exeter, Exeter’s campus size is generally larger, with 700 acres for its facilities, while Andover has 500 acres. Both schools enroll approximately 1,100 students, although their exact enrollment figures vary by academic year.
Andover organizes its community into five residential clusters, each comprising several dorms and supporting students through faculty advisors and student leaders. Exeter organizes residential life around dorms and houses where students from different grade levels live together.
These structures create different ways for students to build relationships, but families should visit both campuses to assess the atmosphere firsthand.
4. Campus and Location
Campus location is often an important factor when considering which school to enroll at. Questions about accessibility, convenience, comfort, and the overall feel of the campus space can affect a student’s future.
Phillips Academy Andover
Andover is located in Andover, Massachusetts, only 20 miles from Boston. The school is strategically located near local town center shops and eateries, and it can even be accessed on foot. One major difference between the two campuses is that Andover has easier access to its downtown district, which is a major social hub for locals and students. There, they can access diverse fast food and restaurant options, shopping districts, and prominent retail spots. It has a typical urban design for convenience, comfort, and necessity.
Phillips Exeter Academy
Exeter is situated in Exeter, New Hampshire, a historic town near the seacoast. It has access to local town amenities and other services, only 50 minutes away from Boston. Surrounded by greenery, the school has woodlands and playing fields that stretch across the Exeter River. This location provides the perfect space for outdoor sports, learning environments, environmental projects and actions, and traditions.
5. Student Culture
Fitting in and adjusting well is an important aspect of boarding school life. Hence, it is important for students to understand the culture of the boarding school campus to know whether it is the right fit for them.
Phillips Academy Andover
Andover promotes curiosity, independence, and balance in a way that allows students to explore and be exposed to many things. Through residential clusters, they build community in a way that simulates a larger community and subdivisions. They generally encourage students to explore courses and disciplines across the hard sciences, social sciences, the arts, languages, philosophy, and more.
The school believes that “student activities are meant to develop thinkers and doers,” so students try many activities, student organizations, community engagement, and more.
Phillips Exeter Academy
Exeter’s student culture is deeply intertwined with the Harkness philosophy. The school emphasizes and strongly promotes the philosophy that Harkness extended far beyond the four academic walls. Hence, an integral part of student culture focuses on community. Camaraderie and community let students share and pursue their passions together.
The campus and student culture are rigorous and demanding, promoting collaboration and selflessness. Moreover, their clusters provide spaces for students with different preferences, such as student organizations, athletics, academics, community-based clusters, and other opportunities.
6. Dorm and Residential Life
Phillips Academy Andover
Andover has five residential neighborhoods. Each of these has dorms housing around 220 students, 40 faculty families, a dean, and student leaders. About 800 students live on campus, while the rest are day students.
Andover offers an all-gender housing option designed to foster connection, respect, and inclusivity. They also have the famous Paresky Commons, which is a socialization hub that marks the archetypal Andover experience. Advising and faculty support are also very strong and accessible. Their weekend activities are divided into competitive athletics, campus traditions, family weekends, and other outdoor activities.
Phillips Exeter Academy
Exeter has 26 dorms and houses; around 890 students live on campus, with students from different grade levels living together. Two of its houses are open to all genders, and 66 faculty members live alongside students in the residential community. The dorm room you stayed in on your first day will be your home for the rest of your stay. They house all the grade levels in the same dorms, regardless of your year level. This reflects the philosophy that older students must mentor the younger ones so that they can thrive.
Both schools treat residential life as an important part of the educational experience, while Exeter emphasizes continuity within dorm communities that bring together students from different grade levels. During the weekends, they also host clubs and recreational activities, including trips to local areas, dorm activities, exhibits, family weekends, and more.
7. Arts and Extracurricular Opportunities
Phillips Academy Andover
Arts and extracurricular opportunities are also abundant in the school. There are three departments that focus on the Arts: Music, Art, and Theatre and Dance. Students can participate in musical ensembles, theater and dance productions, visual arts courses, and other creative activities.
Students can visit, interact with, and experience the exhibits available at the Addison Gallery of American Art. At Andover, student leadership and publication activities are also strongly valued.
Phillips Exeter Academy
Exeter’s Arts program allows students to access state-of-the-art facilities for visual arts, performing arts and theatre, music, and dance. The Lamont Gallery is easily accessible to students, encouraging learning, inquiry, and inclusivity for innovative and thematic expressions. The gallery not only hosts formal events, but also student-led exhibitions.
Exeter offers nearly 200 student-led clubs and organizations covering a wide range of interests, including robotics, science, the arts, service, and outdoor activities.
8. Athletics
Phillips Academy Andover
Athletics is also a prominent activity at Andover, particularly in promoting sportsmanship and in maintaining its rivalry with Exeter. The school has 67 interscholastic teams in 23 different sports and is highly competitive. They have separate sports categories for fall, winter, and spring, which are divided into girls and boys. They offer all-gender sports such as cycling and golf.
Phillips Exeter Academy
Exeter describes athletics as an opportunity for students to learn through experience, challenge themselves, and develop sportsmanship. Its athletic facilities support a range of interscholastic sports and recreational activities. They have 69 interscholastic teams across 22 sports on the field, the court, the rink, and the track.
Exeter has been on a winning streak in its football competitions for the last five years. The school also has nearly 70% of its students competing in at least one sport. Both schools are among the top schools for having notable rowing programs.
9. College Counseling and Academic Support
Phillips Academy Andover
Andover has two counseling services: a wellness center and a dedicated office for college counseling. They have multiple services for advising support, such as advisors, peer tutors, student accessibility services, and academic accommodations.
Phillips Exeter Academy
Exeter also has a dedicated Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office, as well as a dedicated College Counseling Office (CCO) for student support. They have an Academic Support Center accessible to students for coursework, social life, and even personal concerns.
10. Admissions and Interview Experience
Phillips Academy Andover
The application process for Fall 2027 requires completion of the Candidate Profile through the Gateway to Prep Schools website. Applicants should follow Andover’s current instructions for completing the Candidate Profile and arranging an interview. The interview can be an on-campus interview, a virtual interview, or an interview recording. It is highly encouraged to schedule an on-campus or even a virtual tour, if possible.
The school requires standardized testing scores from any of the following: SSAT (Upper Level), ISEE (Upper Level), PSAT, SAT, or ACT. For document submissions, follow the provided requirements in the school’s guidelines here.
Phillips Exeter Academy
For Exeter’s 2027 admission cycle, students must complete an online form through the Gateway to Prep Schools website. Then, an interview and/or a tour also follows. This can be on-campus, online, or a virtual recording.
Exeter’s standardized testing requirements depend on the grade to which a student is applying.
- Grade 9 applicants must submit either the Upper Level SSAT or the Upper Level ISEE.
- Grade 10 and 11 applicants may submit one of the following: SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, PreACT, or ACT.
- Grade 12 and postgraduate applicants must submit one of the following: PSAT, SAT, PreACT, or ACT.
Students should check Exeter’s official application requirements for current testing and submission instructions.
Here’s a comprehensive guide on standardized tests for boarding schools, particularly the SSAT and the ISEE.
Which Students May Prefer Andover vs. Exeter?
Andover may appeal to students who value:
- Specific academic flexibility
- Campus environment
- Particular extracurriculars
- Exploratory and experimental learning styles
- Residential clusters
- Better urban access
Exeter may appeal to students who value:
- Harkness-style learning
- Discussion-heavy classrooms
- Particular campus/community characteristics
- Lifestyles structured on academics
- Collaborative problem-solving
Questions Families Should Ask Before Deciding
It is natural to be unsure which school is a better fit for your child. You might want to ask the following questions before finalizing your decisions:
- Which teaching style fits my child?
- Which campus felt more comfortable?
- Which school better supports their strongest interests?
- Does my child prefer one community size or residential environment over the other?
Kickstart Your Journey With Ivy Talent Education
Choosing between Phillips Academy Andover and Phillips Exeter Academy involves more than comparing rankings or admissions requirements. Understanding each school’s academic approach, residential environment, and extracurricular opportunities can help your family decide which setting best matches your child’s interests and needs.
To see how we support students throughout their journeys, explore our student success stories:
- What Does It Take to Get Into Phillips Academy Andover? Daniel’s Real Story.
- How Emmanuel Got into Phillips Exeter Academy
At Ivy Talent Education, our admissions consultants help families evaluate boarding school options, prepare application materials, and navigate the admissions process with a personalized plan.
Explore our student success stories to learn more about students’ application journeys, or contact us to schedule a free consultation to discuss your family’s goals.
