Welcome to Concord Academy FAQ

W E L C O M E T O C A!

CONCORD AC ADEMY FAQ 2020

Advisors Why do I have an advisor?

Every student is paired with an advisor to be your advocate and help you navigate life at CA. Advisors are great resources to ask any questions you have about your academics, social life, or personal life!

What do I talk about with my advisor?

Every advising relationship is different, and there are no rules about what you should or should not talk about with your advisor. Depending on what you need, your conversations may vary! You know yourself best, so ask yourself what you need out of an advisor: someone to help with time management?

Academics? Social life? Just friendly conversation? You’ll figure it out when you meet your advisor!

Can I change my advisor?

At the end of every school year, Sally Zimmerli (the Dean of Students) sends out an advisor change form if you feel you want to switch your advisor.

Whether it is that you didn’t really click with your advisor, you found another adult at CA that you are more connected to, or your current advisor is leaving, you can switch advisors.

It is important to note that your advisor does not need to be the only adult you can talk to on campus! A very special thing about CA is the opportunity to form relationships with adults. Teachers welcome students to visit their offices to ask for help or sometimes just check in or chat. Just because you no longer have a class with a teacher does not mean you can’t talk to them anymore!

House faculty are also a great resource for an adult opinion or advice. If you have a question about something or are seeking expertise in a certain subject, it is super easy to send an email, schedule meetings, or introduce yourself to a teacher you may not be familiar with. Adults at CA are very friendly!

Academic Support Where can I go for academic support?

There are three main ways to get academic support: peer tutoring, teacher meetings, and the Academic Support Center (ASC).

What is peer tutoring?

Peer tutoring meets every night in the Great Room during study hall. Juniors and seniors who are knowledgeable within a certain subject are available to help you – whether that’s reviewing for a test, working through homework, or practicing material. Typical subjects include math (through calculus), biology, chemistry, physics, French, Spanish, Latin, and humanities. It’s a great, lowstress, and casual alternative to the ASC.

How do I schedule a meeting with my teacher?

Talk to your teacher after class or email them asking if you can meet. Then, schedule a meeting with your teacher using Google Calendar. You can view your teacher’s calendar and when you identify a mutual free time, label it, for example, “[Subject of class] meeting [your name] and [teacher’s name],” and send them an invite.

What is the ASC? The ASC stands for the Academic Support Center. There are many highly trained tutors in a breadth of subjects. Whether you need help in math, science, or writing, there are tutors that can help you. And there is no stigma attached! It is totally normal to go to the ASC for help, whether it’s a one-time meeting before a hard test or weekly tutoring. It should be noted that if you want weekly tutoring, sometimes you will need to pay additional costs. If you are on financial aid, your package covers tutoring costs.

Academic Support Who gets academic support?

Everyone! At some point during their CA career, every student will need to ask for help. Because CA has so many options for academic support, CA students usually choose one or more to receive extra help. But let’s be honest: despite CA’s accepting culture of getting help, it can still be hard to admit to yourself you need help. Trust that asking for help does not diminish your intelligence in any way, and in the long run, it is so worth it.

Acronyms ASC: Academic Support Center MAC: Math and Arts Center MSL: Main School Lobby P.A.C.: Performing Arts Center SHAC: Student Health and Athletic Center StuFac: Student-Faculty Center

Announcements What are announcements?

Announcements are where people are able to announce to the whole community what events are happening in clubs, sports teams, and more.

Announcements happen twice a week on Monday and Thursday mornings in the P.A.C.

Who gives announcements?

Students, faculty, everyone! Usually co-heads of clubs, student leadership, sports captains, and people in other leadership positions make announcements frequently. If you are starting a club, sending out a survey, or are part of a group announcement, you can make an announcement, too!

Are there any announcements traditions?

There are a few announcements traditions. One is that, unlike chapel, you are allowed to clap. Another is that a group of seniors sits on stage and shouts out “ANNOUNCEMENTS!” to mark the beginning of announcements and “ATTENDANCE!” at the end of announcements. After all announcements have been made, the attendance takers for each grade call out who is missing. If you actually are at announcements and they missed you, raise your hand. Then the seniors yell “GO TO SCHOOL!” to signal the end of announcements and attendance.

Boarding Life About the boarding houses There are six boarding house on campus: Wheeler, Bradford, Admadjaja, Haines, Hobson, and Phelps. There are three houses for students who identify as male (currently Wheeler, Bradford, and Admadjaja) and three houses for students who identify as female (currently Haines, Hobson, and Phelps). CA is working towards developing gender-neutral housing for those who identify as gender non-binary and allies.

What is boarding council?

Boarding council is made up of a Head of Boarders, a Vice Head of Boarders, and eight Heads of Houses. The Head and Vice Head of Boarders are mainly there to oversee larger events happening within boarding life including house competitions, SHAC student centers, and various other activities for the boarding community to participate in. Heads of Houses are there to oversee each particular house, with at least one Head of House assigned to each house to do nightly check-ins and to make sure that the house is running smoothly.

Don’t hesitate to ask boarding council questions about boarding life, or questions about adjusting into the CA boarding community.

Your boarding family: House faculty are the friendly faculty members living with you (and often their own families, FYI, if you’re a babysitter!) They keep track of your whereabouts when you are beyond extended campus, inspect your rooms in the morning, offer support and advice, and cook something delicious for the whole house at 11:00 every Saturday night!

CARE (Concord Academy Residential Enrichment) families are local day-student families who act like surrogate families to long-distance boarders. They offer storage over breaks, provide occasional home-cooked meals, and may help transport you to/from campus.

Boarding Life What is Boardingware?

Boardingware is an online tool that helps us understand where boarding students are, typically outside of the academic day, and give permission for students to go beyond the extended campus. For example, it is used to check into study hall, keep track of where you are when you go out to dinner, to a day student’s house, to the house of your CARE (Concord Academy Residential Enrichment) family, or are spending the night at a friend’s house. Boardingware allows a boarder’s family to know when they are leaving campus and to give approval of the event.

Where is extended campus?

Extended campus is most simply Concord center. The extended campus officially stretches west to Thoreau Street, north to the Sudbury River behind campus, east to Monument Square and Rite Aid, and south to the Emerson fields and CVS. Extended campus does not encompass any portion of Nashawtuc Road.

When do I need to be out of the house in the morning?

On a usual day, you should be out of the house by 8:20 a.m. However, on days where there is no chapel, or on snow days, an email will be sent out detailing the specifics.

When do I have to be back in the house in the evening?

Students return to their houses by 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, by 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and by 9:30 p.m. on Sundays for house meetings.

Boarding Life What are room inspections?

Room inspections occur every weekday after you leave the house for school.

House faculty will check each room to make sure they are tidy. As long as you make your bed, turn off your lights, and have general cleanliness, room inspections aren’t difficult to pass. Room inspections don’t happen on snow days or weekends.

Who is allowed in the common room?

The common room is a communal space, so it should not be privately reserved for any particular friend groups for movie showings or other things. Each common room has comfortable seating, a large screen TV and is often adjacent to the full kitchen which each house has.

Can I hang out in a house as a Day Student?

Yes, as long as you are with a boarder who lives in that house. Don't go into a boarding house unless you are invited to come in by a boarder. Day students can stay on campus until 10:00 pm on school nights and until 11:00 pm on non-school nights unless they get permission to sleep over in a boarding house.

Boarding Life Where can I keep food?

There is always the option of keeping food in your own room or in the communal fridge in the house. There is also a cupboard of food for the house (ramen, candy, granola bars, cereal, chocolate) that you can buy using your chit book. Chit books can be purchased through House Managers and the amount is deducted from your bookstore account.

What are community dinners (Vespers)?

A couple times a year, typically before a major break, the boarding community will have a community dinner, commonly referred to as Vespers. It’s a formal dinner, but don’t feel pressured to buy a new outfit for it; there will always be someone in the house willing to lend clothes. It’s a fun way to get together with the boarding community in a formal setting, sometimes with entertainment after.

What are house competitions?

House competitions are fun ways for the boarding community to bond. They occur at various times during the year for houses to compete against each other for house points. Whichever house has the most house points by the end of the year wins free room inspections, a meal of their choosing, and bragging rights in front of the boarding community. These competitions vary, and some of the previous competitions have involved donut eating, newspaper fashion design, musical chairs, and lip syncing. They’re great ways to bond as a house and foster camaraderie within the boarding community.

Student Accounts What is a student bookstore/activities account?

Every Concord Academy student is equipped with a bookstore/student activities account which is funded (either by your parents or, for students on financial aid, as part of that program) at the start of the school year. Students can use money from their accounts to buy books, and, at Concord Academy, for food, clothing, tickets, and weekend trips.

What happens if I run out of money in my account?

If you run out of money, your parents will be charged for whatever amount you owe. Each month, you will receive an email with your bookstore/activities account balance and you can see any charges from the last month.

What happens to the money in my account at the end of each year?

Unused bookstore/activities money remains in your account for the next school year until you graduate. When a student graduates, their bookstore/activities account money is returned to the financial aid budget if the student is on financial aid or is returned to the student’s parents if they do not receive financial aid.

Chapel What is chapel?

Chapel is a very special time in the morning reserved for seniors to speak for 15 minutes about whatever they want to. Chapel at CA has no religious affiliation.

When is chapel?

Chapel begins at 8:40 a.m. and usually occurs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Depending on the week, there may also be a chapel on Mondays or Thursdays, or announcements may occur instead.

Whose chapel is it?

You can check whose chapel it is on Google Calendar or on the all-school email sent the night before.

What are chapel traditions?

The chapel is a unique place with special rules! Don’t worry, though, if you mess up a few times in the first couple of weeks: it’s new for you, and we understand!

The first rule of chapel is once you enter, there is NO TALKING allowed. The chapel is a space to put our full energy into honoring and listening to the senior that is speaking. Talk with friends in the StuFac before chapel, and don’t break this sacred space with chatter. The second rule of chapel is DON’T CLAP. No clapping before, during, or after chapel. Why is there no clapping?

Chapel is a wonderful way to celebrate EVERY senior, not a popularity contest, and we want to fully, attentively listen to everything a senior says. While lots of clapping and praise might feel great to some seniors, if some didn’t get many claps, it might make them feel bad and might discourage everyone from giving a chapel. Occasionally, a senior will perform on stage, and after a performance, we whistle as a way of applause. Those are the main two rules, but there are plenty of other traditions, too! If you know/are a friend of a senior, you are encouraged to hug and/or sit in their friend section (on the right side of the chapel near the podium). Best friends are chosen by the senior to sit behind them and they decorate the chapel. There are rules on how to decorate the chapel but you will learn those when you are on your first friend bench (usually not until junior or senior year).

Chapel Do I have to give a chapel?

No… but you are highly encouraged to do so! Chapels are a unique opportunity to talk about whatever you think is important. It is your time, so why not use it?

Alumnae/i often remark that giving a chapel is one of the most memorable and unique experiences at CA. Don’t worry if you are daunted by this or think “But I have nothing interesting to say.” By senior year, you will have something to say. Take a deep breath – you have time to think about this.

Clubs What clubs are there?

There is a complete list of clubs and organizations online, but you will also be introduced to all of the clubs and organizations at Club Expo on the second Friday night of the school year. We have over 70 different groups, and you can join anything from a cappella groups to affinity groups to mock trial and everything in between.

What are affinity groups? How are they different than other clubs or organizations?

Affinity groups are designated spaces for a marginalized group or community inside or outside of CA. Some affinity meetings are discussions on a certain issue that faces that particular community, or some can be just listening to music or eating food. Affinity spaces vary from other clubs in that only members from that particular community are allowed to attend meetings, unless specifically invited by the club co-heads.

How do I join a club?

Just show up! You can join a club at any point in the school year and trust me, they’d love to have you. Just show up to a club meeting with an open mind, and you’ll probably have a great time. If you don’t like it, don’t go back. Super low stakes here. At the beginning of the year, attend Club Expo where you can sign up to be a part of a bunch of different clubs.

Clubs How do clubs work?

Every club is different, however, most clubs are pretty relaxed and aim to have fun and learn something new. They’re led by about three students who are passionate about the subject and want to share that with others. Just show up! The only exception to the “just show up” rule (aside from affinity groups) are the acappella groups on campus. In order to join one of the acappella groups, you have to audition at the beginning of the year.

How do I start a club?

If you want to start a club of your own, all you need is a faculty advisor and a few friends that are interested in joining. You’ll need ten people to pledge their interest and a brief summary of the club’s goal and structure to hand in to Sally Zimmerli, the Dean of Students.

Common Trust What is common trust?

Common trust is one of our core values, but sometimes, it is hard to define. An easy example of common trust at CA is our ability to leave our bags around the school and explore extended campus during the day. Common trust is most simply a community commitment to making CA a safe, inviting space in order to keep the privilege of trust and respect between students and faculty.

As CA students, we must uphold common trust to set an example and to keep the amazing trusting relationship with the faculty and staff. Additionally, CA faculty and staff reward honest and trustworthy behavior with reciprocal respect. In the event of a misunderstanding, they work to help the student in a constructive manner to understand how their actions were detrimental to the community. We are continually refining the definition of common trust to make it as clear as possible so that everyone understands their responsibilities as a member of this community.

Community Weekend What is a community weekend?

A community weekend is a weekend where everyone is required to engage in the community by attending one of many events! The weekend includes events happening on Friday nights, so if you are a day student who lives far away, there is no need to commute an extra day if you stay for Friday night!

There are usually six or seven community weekends, and it will be announced when there is one.

Why do we have community weekends?

Community weekends are implemented to bring everyone together outside of the academic day. We often have them during big events, like mainstage productions, sports tournaments, or dances. Not a big event person? That’s okay! Lots of other smaller events will occur over the weekend that you can go to for credit, too.

How do I get community weekend credit?

Go to any event happening that weekend! At each event during a community weekend, there will be teachers checking off names on a list. Check in with one of those teachers to make sure we know you showed up!

When are community weekends?

Community weekends usually occur during the beginning of the year, as well as when there is a big event happening (i.e. sports tournament, mainstage production, dance, special show, etc.). They will always be announced ahead of time!

Council What is student council?

Council is a group of people elected by the entire school who discuss current school situations and plan school events. Although all of the members have specific roles in supporting some aspect of the school or their grade, council often functions as a team, with all members giving input on all topics, and every member chipping in helping to plan all school events. Council is overseen by Dean of Students, Sally Zimmerli, and the Director of the Health Center, Jeff Desjarlais.

Who is on council?

As mentioned earlier, everyone on council has a specific role that focuses on a certain aspect of the CA community. Those positions are: Head of School, Vice Head of School, Head of Boarding Students, Vice Head of Boarding Students, Head of Day Students, Community and Equity Co-heads (two), Entertainment Representatives (two), Community Action Representatives (two), and Environmental Co-heads (six). In addition to these positions, each grade level has a designated class president, class representative, and entertainment representatives (two).

When does council meet?

Council meets every Tuesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Members of council may arrive early to school-wide events help setup. While most, if not all, meetings are open to the entire school, sometimes particular meetings are announced to the entire school when council is discussing particularly important or pressing topics.

If I’m not an elected council member, can I attend council meetings?

Yes! Council meetings are open to the entire school. If you have issues you want to bring up to the administration and student government or if you are interested in being in student government in the future and want to know what council is like, feel free to attend a meeting!

Events When are school events?

School events happen all the time and typically are on Friday or Saturday nights. There are a lot of school events in the beginning of the year that are particularly fun to attend! Each week a list of weekend activities will be sent out on All School FYI, so you can take a look at what is happening on campus.

What is the First Weekend Festival?

First Weekend Festival is the first big event of the year! It is Friday night of the first week of school, and it is a great way to meet new people or catch up with old friends. Since it is usually still warm, the pool is open to swim, and there is a ton of carnival food like burgers, hotdogs, fried dough, mozzarella sticks, fries, and more! The food is served outside the SHAC, but people often spread out and go sit on the quad. There are a bunch of games on the quad, too, such as volleyball, can jam, corn hole, and spike ball. Stay for as little or as long as you want, but it’s a really fun time and a great way to meet people during the first week of school.

More on Club Expo!

Club Expo is one of the most exhilarating events of the year! At Club Expo, you can sign up to join some of the amazing clubs we have. Each club usually sells food or clothing that you can buy using the money in your bookstore/activities account (no need to bring cash, they just take down your name and charge your account). Sign up for all of the clubs you are interested in! Signing up is not a commitment; it just demonstrates interest and often puts you on an emailing list. If you are interested in joining an acappella group, it is important to check out their table at Club Expo since they have the sign ups for audition slots. Didn’t sign up for a club at Club Expo that now you’re interested in? No worries! Just show up to a meeting.

Health Center Where is the health center?

The health center is spread across three floors of the SHAC. The first/ground floor is where you go if you are sick or need to rest. The second/upper floor houses the counseling center, where you can schedule an appointment with a licensed counselor if you need someone to talk to. The basement/lower floor has the trainer’s office to treat any sports injuries that arise.

Who can I talk to in the health center?

Eve Fraser-Corps and Karina Early are the registered nurses who staff the health center along with several part-time nurses. They are available in the health center from 8am until 7pm, and one of them is always on call 24 hours a day when school is in session. They are always there for you if you are not feeling well, and they are very friendly and caring.

The full time counselors in the counseling center are Jeff Desjarlais, Elise Hoblitzelle, and Aimee Lim-Miller. They are great resources to talk to about anything, no matter how big or small. Part-time counselors who come to CA include David Gleason and Carlos Hoyt. Also, if you wish to speak with an outside counselor, the counseling center can arrange that for you.

Kevin O’Rourke and Reid Young are our athletic trainers; they are both great and usually split their time between the training room in the SHAC and the Moriarty athletic campus.

Mailboxes What are mailboxes used for?

Mailboxes are used to receive mail (mainly for boarders), candy and notes from friends, tests and other graded assignments, school newspapers, and more. While you don't always receive mail, it is a good habit to check what’s there every once in a while because people can't put more stuff in your mailbox if it is full. You may miss something important!

Where are the student mailboxes?

Student mailboxes are located in the basement of Main Building. You can access the mailboxes coming from many directions: from Labs, the Club hallway, the Creative Computing lab, and an outside entrance. The main school lost and found, and the vending machines are also located nearby.

What is the package room?

The package room is a place where both boarding students and on-campus faculty go to pick up packages. Many students from the CA community also receive their academic books from the package room in the first few weeks of school.

Sports Teams What is preseason?

Preseason occurs right before school starts and leads into tryouts, which occur during the first week of school for those trying out for sports teams.

How do I join a sports team?

You can join a sports team by signing up on your athletic form. Already submitted your athletic form and didn’t sign up for the team sport you want to sign up for?

No worries! Just show up to preseason, and the coaches will put your name down.

Superstitions and Traditions The Seal You may see some students making awkward maneuvers in the middle of the main school lobby (MSL). Do not be alarmed! Technically, there’s a superstition that says you won’t graduate if you step on the seal sitting in the middle of this space.

Cutting the Quad At CA, we have a tradition of not cutting across the quad when trying to get to class or to the houses. If you're in the MAC and trying to get to Main School, you'll have to walk around the quad. This tradition exists mainly as a joke but also in order to keep the grass in good condition. Don't be surprised if you get yelled at for cutting the quad!

Using the Senior Steps There are a set of steps leading onto the Chapel lawn called the senior steps.

Students who use these steps before their senior year are rumored not to graduate from CA.

Are there traditions you're not telling us about?

Of course! But don't worry, you'll discover them throughout your first year... ;)

General Advice What the seniors wish they had known!

“The best advice I can give is to just be yourself - that’s kind of what CA is all about. You’re going to be with these people for four years, so they’re going to get to know you sooner or later (might as well be sooner).”

“Going into a new school can be scary, and attending big social events can be even scarier. Despite how you may feel about big events, GO TO ALL OF THE EVENTS IN THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR! (This includes First Weekend Festival and Club Expo). Going to events is a great way to meet people and socialize. Trust me – every new student is nervous, it’s not just you! These big events are meant to bring the community together and decrease your stress! If you're especially nervous about attending these events, talk to your advisor or peer advisor. It’s okay to only stay for a little while, but they're worth checking out!”

“Get to know the Ops team, cleaning staff, and especially the kitchen staff. They're the unsung heroes of Concord Academy who keep the whole place running. They work hard every single day to ensure that we have the best experience we can, and they're all incredible human beings. At the very least, never forget to give them big smiles and thank you’s!”

“If it all gets too overwhelming, it's totally okay to take some you-time. It's hard starting somewhere new, and with so many new faces around you, it can be tiring.

Spending time alone when you need it is encouraged.”

General Advice What the seniors wish they had known!

“Get help! As a freshman I heard all the time that there is ‘no stigma attached’ around going to seek help. While that statement is completely true, I had judgements of myself and refused to admit when I needed help. Whether it was academic support or emotional support, I thought I was weak for needing any help at all. I wish I could have told my freshman self how much better things would be when I finally sought help. I wish I had done it sooner, so to anyone feeling like they need help for any reason, go get it! Trust me, it is never better to suffer alone.”

“Take advantage of the Concord Public Library (CPL), Overdrive, and the Minuteman Library card that they give you in Freshman Seminar! People at CA don’t nearly hype it up enough because most students have lived around Massachusetts their whole lives and are used to the abundance of amazing libraries and books, but it is really such a huge privilege that we have to have access to them. I didn’t start really using it until junior year, and I’m so glad I did.

The CPL is right in front of Wheeler and makes for a great quiet study space and has tons of books for research or leisure, and you can borrow as many as you want for free! It’s nice and cool in there, and there are tons of desks and comfy chairs in many rooms.”

“Be the best person you can be. Coming to a new school is an opportunity to reinvent yourself and become the best version of yourself. We don’t know you yet, but we are so excited to get to know you: whether that person is similar to their middle school self or not!”