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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.

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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i became who i am today thanks to the supportive community at groton.

My classmates are like siblings, and my teachers are like parents. If you are prepared to push your limits, you’ll have the opportunity to grow as a curious person and a learner. — N AT C H A Balanced her passion for STEM subjects with tennis, volleyball, music, theater, and dance.

coming from a public high school, I was a little wary about entering the private school bubble. Thankfully,

Groton expanded my worldview far beyond my greatest expectations. I doubt you’ll find a greater range of human perspectives anywhere else. — C E DA R Now has friends from Ghana, Canada, Australia, and southeast Asia; wrote a children’s book on bioluminescence.

groton is so diverse.

It’s like a mini version of the outside world— except that everyone is super nice. We get so much support from teachers to explore our passions that

we can’t help becoming well-rounded. I’m fully prepared for everything life has in store for me. —MANON Played JV everything (ice hockey, soccer, tennis, even one day of squash); focused on environmental science and the arts.

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.

when i became a prefect in third form,

I knew I was being passed the torch and bringing it full circle. My prefects always cared about how I was doing, and I knew I could return the favor by being a support and example to younger students. —A N D R É S Created Groton Law Review with two best friends; co-led faculty-student Speakers Committee focused on history; international students’ prefect.

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.

groton has a team spirit that extends well beyond sports. Academics, music, community engagement—you name it.

We all help each other get better at whatever we want to try, and teachers and coaches nourish the many aspects of talent in each of us. —SALIM Political science buff, saxophonist, champion sprinter; playing football and studying history at Harvard.

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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the passion groton teachers have for their subjects is infectious.

They expand our knowledge and worldviews by challenging our thinking and guiding respectful discussions. It’s no wonder we keep talking about the day’s topics in the dining hall or in our dorms. —STEPHANIE Embraced Groton’s multicultural environment and diverse perspectives; championed mental-health activities.

although i headed to emory university as a classics major,

I also brought the passion for research I discovered in my Groton ecology class. Thanks to Dr. Black and my other teachers, I know how to tackle any topic and develop my own conclusions. —A N A B E L L E Landed a summer public-health research internship at Montclair State; explored Italy on a Groton GEO (Global Educational Opportunity).

the music scene at groton

allowed me to see myself in completely new ways. I came in playing classical piano and electric bass. Here, I joined a jazz combo (playing upright bass) and added jazz piano to my repertoire.

Groton’s collaborative environment was so energizing. —SARA Joined Maqupellas in Fifth Form and headed open-mic nights; pursuing Ethics, Politics, and Economics major at Yale.

my teachers and classmates— not to mention the overall groton environment—

played a big role in the growth of my independence and self-respect. If you’re motivated and want to do something innovative, people will support you 100 percent. —JA K E Received regional Scholastic Art Award for Drawing and Illustration; continuing baseball career at Hamilton College.

as i grew into myself at groton,

I discovered many new interests. I came here to play ice hockey, but my classes inspired a deep love for learning. Despite a bit of initial shyness, I became one of four Spirit Committee leaders. That’s just what happens here. —MADDIE Channeled interests in science and math into a passion for environmental science; co-led Spirit Committee in Sixth Form.

i want to work with patients and conduct medical research,

so I dove deeply into science and math at Groton. But I also appreciated the four-year English requirement. It made me a better communicator and will help me be a better physician. — H U S AY N Shadowed an oncologist/researcher during Fourth Form; gained mental strength on tennis and cross-country teams.

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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groton will expose you to so many new ideas and pursuits.

At the same time, you can totally immerse yourself in your passion when you discover it. Not only did I find my calling in music, I learned there are many more paths to that life than I imagined. —EBUN Generated buzz at student open-mic nights; composed the first student-written carol to be sung at Groton’s Lessons and Carols service.

when i started a current-events conversation circle my first year at groton,

I didn’t feel super connected to global events. It became a space where I could learn from others and share what I knew. Along the way, I discovered how to lead in many contexts. —ELLA Organized community dialogues on global conflicts, feminism, and sustainability; spearheaded women’s health initiatives.

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’m a firm believer in the power of dialogue, and

Groton showed me how to create spaces that allow others to grow into their own sense of the world. Leading through relationships is a skill I’ll carry forward into the rest of my life. —GABRIELA Developed a passion for immigration advocacy, helped lead Young Democrats club; Second Form prefect.

groton’s motto—

those who serve, rule— really resonates with my faith. I was always taught to look out for those who are less fortunate. In the same vein, our teachers always remind us that this is the true purpose of our education. —SEBASTIAN Brought recognition to the Belgian Catholics of Tournai who protected his great-grandfather from the Holocaust; editor-in-chief, Groton Law Review.

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. 51

the fact that i had the opportunity to cofound an AI startup, play the tabla in a student jazz combo with close friends, and advocate for Sikh civil rights says a lot about Groton.

People here foster an environment that makes almost anything possible. —DILZAFER Won the Grand Prize in Fidelity Investments Young Artists Competition; led Groton’s Debating Society; named to BostInno’s 25 Under 25 list.

if you enter groton ready to grow and change,

you’ll leave it with invaluable experiences. I was into everything art when I started. Over time, I fell in love with history and English. I’ve also developed a deep passion for community engagement. —AVA Founded Hidden History club and led Groton Community Engagement; captained varsity basketball team.

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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whether it’s latin, cross-country running, or anything in between, Groton’s a place where more advanced students— along with coaches and teachers—

are eager to help beginners improve. I took up running when I came here, and it quickly became my favorite thing. — CHRISTOPHER Won the NEPSTA Division II cross-country championship in Sixth Form; pursuing English, Classics—and running—at Tufts.

i changed schools a few times growing up, always looking for a new challenge.

Groton was the first place that really pushed me. It definitely brought out the best in me, academically and otherwise. And Groton’s where I discovered that theater is my true passion. —T I O N B R E Starred as Billy Flynn in Groton’s production of Chicago; envisioning a multifaceted career in engineering, psychology, and acting.

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.

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.

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

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

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

Design: Stoltze Design Group

Photography: Tom Kates, Michael Barley, Adam Richins, Mitch Weiss, Bob Krist, Alyssa Mattei

Content: Thurston-Lighty

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