Groton School Viewbook

Dynamic equilibrium, a term frequently used in science.

Maybe it’s not a school credo you’ve come across before, but it’s authentically Groton. Our dynamic equilibrium balances vibrancy and harmony, collaboration and selfreflection, tradition and innovation, rigor and creativity, deliberation and velocity—with a liberal dose of joy. We offer our students an intellectual, social, spiritual, and cultural adventure. And we support them as robustly as we challenge them. We never forget that we are nurturing the very individuals who will lead families, institutions—

dy na mic equilibr ium

perhaps even nations.

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On these pages, you will meet some of the students who make Groton extraordinary. Scientists and scholars, artists and athletes—they are the architects of our future world.

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Groton models itself on the family unit, creating a dynamic equilibrium between individuals who nurture and strengthen our community and a community that nurtures and strengthens each individual. The result: a diverse and inclusive family that prioritizes accountability, respect, kindness, and mentorship between older and younger students. A unified group of individuals unafraid to push through self-imposed boundaries.

And a community that has staying power beyond graduation.

Groton alumni are in book groups with their former teachers.

They share articles and meals. In the words of one alumnus, “I feel a genuine sense of love and comfort in checking in with the people who helped me grow.�

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Groton is phenomenal,

a very welcoming community.

I feel comfortable confiding in my support system of

teachers, friends, and mentors. —T S I O N Discovered a second family far from her home in Ethiopia

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i consider my groton friends and teachers to be family.

There’s an unbreakable understanding that comes with Groton friendships— friendships that only continue to grow deeper.

—J U L I E N Captivated audiences onstage (six major roles, from Cabaret to Equus) and made weekends fun as Student Activities Committee co-head

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there is an unspoken care

between all of us at groton

that makes returning to campus from a holiday break feel like returning home.

My Groton family—students and teachers— have helped me grow and mature and become someone I am proud to be. —ELIZA Played both soccer and marimba; planned those fun student activities as committee co-head with Julien

When they reach Sixth Form, all Groton students assume the role of prefect. Having grown up through the Groton family, they understand that the younger students will look up to them for advice and mentorship, and they are well prepared for the responsibility. After Groton students graduate, many look back on their prefect experience as a pivotal lesson in leadership.

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at groton, prefects aren’t just figures of authority or some abstract idea of support but

genuinely caring, ever-present big brothers and sisters who give us sage advice. — P. K .

Elected form officer three times; track and field captain, team motivator; became the kind of wise prefect he had admired

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Most weekdays begin with chapel, which often includes a talk by a Sixth Former that bursts with ideas, experiences, and individuality. Chapel gives the Groton family a chance to bond in an inclusive environment, where students of all cultures and faiths are affirmed.

It is also an opportunity for peace and reflection before classes begin.

the 14-year-old who arrived on campus back in 2015 could not have become the young man I am now

without the Groton community shaping and guiding me.

I always knew these people had my back

when I needed them. —CALEB A three-sport standout and respected role model; his seven touchdowns in one game caught the attention of Boston media.

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In academics, our dynamic equilibrium is manifested through collaborative experiences and personal learning journeys, engrossing group projects and intensive one-on-one tutorials. Students grow to be adept at computer coding and lab experiments, at translating Latin verse and dissecting philosophical principles.

We give our students the tools, knowledge, and validation to surprise themselves with their own achievements—and to build their confidence to take on once-unimagined challenges. We coax them out of any pre-conceived boxes they have built around themselves. The top athlete who becomes a talented actor. The STEM whiz kid who is compelled to study ethics. The visual artist with a penchant for political science.

Groton students take these cross-disciplinary skills out into all corners of the world. Alumni include a Nobel laureate in chemistry, a best-selling novelist, a decorated marine pilot, a Hollywood star, and a president of the United States (Franklin D. Roosevelt). Our inspiring academic experience coupled with our focus on character development leads many

the academic adventur e

graduates to dedicate their careers to serving others.

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it’s hard not to love a class when

your teacher shows up every day with such enthusiasm.

Curiosity is always encouraged and welcomed.

At Groton you’ll learn new things every day— academically, and about yourself as a learner.

—ERIN A dedicated scientist—took an advanced tutorial in organometallics; Debate Society president, skilled at turning opponents’ perspectives to her advantage

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my curiosity is far-reaching. i am always seeking knowledge

that will help me better understand the world and how it affects me.

Groton has really transformed me into an articulate global citizen by providing me with all I sought to learn and more. —OBINNA A wellspring of academic curiosity; seriously pursuing interests in computer science, Spanish, history, and entrepreneurship; football captain

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as an avid bass player and novice music producer,

I love the opportunities for musicians at Groton.

Working one-on-one with music teachers, playing in the orchestra, spending Sunday mornings locked away in the music tech lab—

I always feel free to express myself through music. —JA S M I N E Plays double-bass and electric bass, taking advantage of music’s place within the academic curriculum

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i feel grateful for the opportunity

to study with inspiring teachers.

I excelled because of their encouragement— and not just in academics.

I was able to pursue other interests too, like art, stagecraft, and the iconography of national flags. i founded the vexillology club to study flags and national symbols. —J O H N An ambitious academic and avid swimmer who, after joining Groton in Fourth Form, continued to develop his abundant painting talent

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my groton experience was

a true adventure. I made friends from several continents, took classes in everything from Latin to wood shop, and tried sports I never knew existed.

And my teachers taught me as much about life as about building furniture or conjugations. — K AT I E A quiet leader, soccer star, and Classics scholar from Indiana (above, with her Latin 5 class); sought challenge and inspiration at Groton—and found them

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i vividly remember

late nights spent on physics problem sets or preparing for Mr. Maqubela’s organic chemistry quizzes

(my favorite subjects at Groton)

and especially the friends—family, really— who pushed me through and kept me going.

—A N D R E W An organic chemistry wunderkind and sought-after peer tutor

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The dynamic equilibrium of the scholarly and the artistic, the athletic and the cerebral, the collaborative and the personal contributes to the growth of productive, empowered young citizens. At Groton, 360-degree learning means that students build knowledge in the classroom and through myriad other interactions—including the shared experiences of other students. All leave the Groton Circle with wisdom and character that provide a springboard to a life full of meaning.

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it is not our optics but our stories that make us diverse.

I want a young Black girl to see me and know that she can be queer and that she still will be loved by her friends and caring faculty, because it is true. —MARIE A scholar, athlete, and musician; a filmmaker dedicated to innovative storytelling

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i arrived on campus a naïve ninth-grader

who only truly identified as an athlete.

I soon discovered that I loved my time in STEM and history classes—and acting in campus productions— as much as my time on the soccer and lacrosse fields.

— PAT R I C K Fully immersed in life on campus—like all Groton day students— even though his home is around the corner

GloMonCho

groton was the only school where I could see myself

living, growing, laughing, crying, learning about the world—and myself— with the fervor that fills all Groton students.

— M O N TA N N A Equally passionate about chemistry and cello; collaborated with friends to form the musical group GloMonCho

i feel like i grew and matured more in the five years I spent at Groton than I will in any other five years of my life.

Groton challenged me in all ways and shaped me, not only intellectually, but also in character.

—SOPHIE Musician, athlete, actor, writer, editor, and photographer; active in peer counseling and the Diversity and Inclusion group

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at groton, we come from all around the world.

I would love to travel

to every corner of the earth and immerse myself in my friends’ cultures. — M AG N U S Applied data analysis to 50 eyewitness accounts provided by the United Nations for a paper on the Rwandan genocide

Groton’s global presence begins with Headmaster Temba Maqubela, who fought apartheid in South Africa and became a leading educator in the United States. He inspires a community of individuals dedicated to justice, equality, and inclusion. Groton is diverse—in our geography and backgrounds, in our ethnicities, cultural influences, and points of view. Enduring lessons come from living alongside such a varied group of peers. But diversity alone is not enough: Groton strives to ensure that everyone knows they belong. To increase understanding even further, students can travel to various global destinations, where they immerse themselves in the culture and the challenges of worlds vastly different

for all the wor ld from their own.

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Groton’s Global Education Opportunities (GEOs) bring students out into the world to understand firsthand the cultural, socioeconomic, and political realities in countries such as Tanzania, China, Peru, Italy, and India. Music GEOs offer students the chance to perform in prestigious venues, attend master classes, and learn about non-Western music. Groton students have played in Hiroshima, Japan; in remote corners of rural China; and with jazz artists in Cuba.

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i became fascinated with brazil in my world and the west class.

We learned about the colonization and emerging economy of Brazil over centuries.

Now I want to visit Brazil and see its culture, geography, and natural environment for myself. —ROBIN Geography Club founder, leads research on one country per week, from Bolivia to Brunei; loves the outdoors, especially canoeing

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It’s not the Amazon, but it’s great to have

the Nashua River bordering our campus.

—ROBIN

groton has exceeded all my expectations when it comes to high school sports,

but I also look forward to Diversity and Inclusion meetings because they give me a chance to learn about the different backgrounds and cultures at Groton and help strengthen our sense of community. —CALIE A basketball sharpshooter; helped her team win a New England championship as a Third Former

The well-rounded student, emboldened to try new things, has been part of Groton’s DNA since 1884.

We believe that every student should take a chance on being a beginner at something, but also have the opportunity to hone skills they’ve been building for years. At every point on this spectrum, we honor our students’ commitment to fun, teamwork, grit, and the sheer joy of self-expression—on the field, in the studio, in front of or behind the camera, in the knitting circle, on the debate stage, or anywhere else their drive may take them. The dynamism of our campus can be attributed, in great part, to this vibrant

ventur ing beyond the classroom amalgam of interests.

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the cross-country team at groton

is unlike any other team I have been a part of.

Our runs are filled with lively conversation, fabled stories, and the occasional group song.

During workouts, we motivate one another to push harder. —JAC K Groton’s top runner, even as a Third Former, and one of the best in the Independent School League

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the theater director

held a series of creative workshops instead of traditional auditions for Antigone.

We learned the show inside and out . . . and I was lucky enough to be cast as Antigone!

Now, I’m trying to decide between film and biology as a career.

—TA I An avid biologist, gifted actor, and Cultural Alliance co-head; completed a Faculty-Sponsored Activity (FSA) in film

the theater quickly became

my second home on campus.

The stagecraft program here is so advanced, you’d never know the sets were built by high school students. —Y U E N N I N G Lives in Shanghai but spends summers in Tibet, where she produces documentaries about the thangka art form and other traditions

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i’ve formed bonds that i know will last forever—

in my classes, my dorms, and on the ice. The hockey team is the most close-knit group of guys I’ve ever been around.

—A I DA N A California native, proving that not all hockey stars come from cold climates

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a commitment of one to another, and of each to the whole

creates a powerful sense of belonging for the students of Groton School.

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Education provides hope in an uncertain world. It can be a source of opportunity, dignity, and joy. Groton strives to teach critical thinking, meaningful knowledge, and compassion.

We send graduates into the world with bridge-building skills of empathy and understanding.

Reach out to us, and we’ll set up a time for you to experience more closely the dynamic equilibrium of Groton.

join the circle: make a differ ence

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