NEW FAMILY GUIDE TO GOVS
KEY CONTACTS
HEAD OF SCHOOL
ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL
MAIN OFFICE
SECURITY
HEALTH CENTER
OVERNIGHT/WEEKEND DUTY
OFFICE
ACADEMIC OFFICE
AFTERNOON PROGRAMS AND ATHLETICS
BOOKSTORE AND STUDENT MAIL DELIVERY
Dr. Peter H. Quimby ’85, P’14
Mike Kinnealey
GOVS TIP Click names to send an email!
978.465.1763 or attendance@govsacademy.org
978.621.2784
978.499.3126 or health@govsacademy.org
978.499.3333
REASON TO CONTACT
POINT OF CONTACT
GOVS TIP All day on weekends and 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, please call the Overnight/ Weekend Duty Phone.
Course registration, academic concerns, transcripts Karen Gold Academic Dean
Afternoon program requirements, afternoon program offerings each season
Textbooks, course materials, Smartcards, student mail
COLLEGE COUNSELING College process questions, NCAA eligibility
COMMUNITY & BELONGING
Student affinity groups, Access Fund, belonging and inclusion support
DEAN OF STUDENTS Day student concerns, boarding student concerns, student activities, student discipline
DINING SERVICES Allergies
ENROLLMENT
Enrollment, student visas/I-20s
FINANCIAL AID Financial aid awards
HEALTH CENTER Health forms, physical health services, mental health services
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Parent Portal access, technology requirements
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS New international student orientation, travel to and from Govs
LEARNING CENTER
Academic support, accommodations, learning resources
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT On-campus events for families of Govs students (e.g., Fall Family Weekend), parent/guardian volunteer opportunities
STUDENT BILLING Tuition payments, payment plans, Smartcards balances
Claudia Barcomb Director of Afternoon Programs and Athletics
Chris Robinson Bookstore Manager
Heather Shows Director of College Counseling
Michelle de la Guardia Dean of Community & Belonging
Erin Davey Dean of Students
David Alonzi Director of Auxiliary Services
Mike Kinnealey
Assistant Head of School and Dean of Enrollment
Ray Long ’95 Director of Financial Aid
Kacie Fyrberg Director of Duncan Health Center
Aaron Mandel Director of IT
Jade Qian International Student Coordinator
Brigitta Allen Learning Specialist
Samantha Howson Director of Alumni and Family Engagement
Kerry Abenante Student Billing Manager 3
CALENDARS
SCHOOL CALENDAR 2025–2026
Saturday, August 30, 2025
Registration for new international students
Saturday, August 30–
Monday, September 1, 2025 New international student orientation
Monday, September 1, 2025
Registration for seniors and student leaders
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Registration for all other students (new and returning)
Tuesday, September 2–Wednesday, September 3, 2025 Orientation
Thursday, September 4, 2025 First day of Semester 1
Friday, September 5–Sunday, September 7, 2025 Community Weekend‡ Class Spirit Day (Saturday)
Friday, October 17–
Saturday, October 18, 2025 Fall Family Weekend
Monday, October 20–
Tuesday, October 21*, 2025 No classes
Friday, November 21†–
Monday, December 1*, 2025 Fall Break
Friday, December 5–Sunday, December 7, 2025 Community Weekend‡
Friday, December 12–
Sunday, December 14, 2025 Community Weekend‡
Friday, December 19†, 2025–
Sunday, January 4*, 2026 Winter Break
† Students leave for break midday on Friday.
* Boarding students return by 7:00 p.m.
Friday, January 9–
Sunday, January 11, 2026 Community Weekend‡
Thursday, January 15–Friday, January 23, 2026 Semester 1 exams
Monday, January 19, 2026 MLK Day Program
Friday, January 23, 2026 Last day of Semester 1
Monday, January 26–
Tuesday, January 27*, 2026 No classes
Wednesday, January 28, 2026 First day of Semester 2
Friday, February 13–
Saturday, February 14, 2026 Winter Family Weekend
Monday, February 16*, 2026 No classes
Friday, March 6†–
Monday, March 23*, 2026 March Break
Friday, March 27–Sunday, March 29, 2026 Community Weekend‡
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Last day of Semester 2 (for Seniors)
Friday, May 22–Sunday, May 24, 2026 Community Weekend‡ Commencement (Sunday)
Monday, May 25–
Thursday, May 28, 2026 Semester 2 exams (for underclass students)
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Last day of Semester 2 (for underclass students)
‡ Boarding students are not permitted to take an overnight.
CALENDAR QUICK LINKS
GOVS TIP Click the links to visit and bookmark them on your device!
TOOLS AND RESOURCES
PARENT PORTAL
The Parent Portal is where you will access information about your student(s) and our program, including course registration, personalized calendars, report cards, and more. Also on the Parent Portal are student and faculty/staff directories, so you can put faces to
GOVS ONLINE
Family Page
Access important information to support your student’s experience. From academic calendars and school policies to event details and volunteer opportunities, you’ll find essential resources to help families navigate life at Govs.
The Governor’s Call
Our digital family newsletter is your source for what’s happening at Governor’s. It is emailed to families every Thursday during the school year and biweekly during the summer, so be sure to read it and complete the necessary action items every week.
Magnus Health
This personal health record (PHR) system collects student health information for the Duncan Health Center. Families receive access in May and must complete all necessary health forms by July 15. SmugMug
View and download photos of school events, arts performances, and athletic contests!
HANDBOOKS, POLICIES, AND GUIDES
STUDENT HANDBOOK
The student handbook serves as a guide for expectations, policies, and community values at Govs. It helps ensure that all students understand their rights, responsibilities, and the standards that contribute to a positive and respectful school environment. It also provides clarity on important topics like academics, attendance, physical and mental health support, residential life, discipline, and student leadership opportunities. It is available on the Parent Portal.
CURRICULUM GUIDE
We begin course registration in April with current students and in late spring with newly enrolled students. The Academic Office will host a webinar to answer your questions about course registration in late April. It is available on the Parent Portal.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Attendance and participation in the academic and afternoon programs, as well as the community service and humanities programs, are essential to satisfactory fulfillment of the Academy’s annual advancement and graduation requirements. A significant accumulation of absences—even if excused—may result in a student not receiving credit for a course or afternoon commitment. If your day student will be absent for the academic day, including for medical appointments, please email attendance@govsacademy.org for the attendance policy. It is in the Student Handbook available on the Parent Portal.
GOVS TIP All handbooks, policies, and guidebooks are available on the Parent Portal
COMMUNITY SERVICE REQUIREMENT
Governor’s students are required to complete 100 hours of community service over four years. To accomplish this requirement, students should take part both in community service opportunities offered through Govs, as well as independent service work for nonprofit organizations in their local communities over breaks or weekends.
COLLEGE COUNSELING GUIDEBOOK
The Govs College Counseling Guidebook offers a comprehensive overview of the college search process. Topics include the college counseling philosophy and curriculum timeline, crafting a balanced college list, admission to visual and performing arts programs, and the athletic recruitment process. It is available on the Parent Portal.
GOVS 101
ACADEMICS
New students should complete their mathematics, biology, and language placement tests by June 1. New students in the tenth and eleventh grades will meet via Zoom with the Academic Office to explore academic options and transfer credits. All students’ academic schedules are released in mid-July. Once students receive their schedules, they will receive information from our Bookstore Manager Chris Robinson about ordering their textbooks. Governor’s offers a broad range of academic support, including extra help from teachers, the Learning Center, and Peer Tutors.
ACCESS FUND
As part of the Academy’s commitment to a welcoming and inclusive community, the Access Fund helps ensure that all students can fully participate in Academy life. Overseen by the Dean of Community & Belonging, this fund provides financial support to families receiving aid, helping to offset non-tuition costs associated with social, cultural, academic, athletic, and residential life. By reducing financial barriers, the Access Fund fosters a more inclusive and equitable community where all students can engage and thrive.
ADVISORS
Each student is assigned an advisor—a faculty member who is their “point person” in the community. Families should also see this adult as the first person in the community to whom they can address questions or concerns. Advisory groups vary in size—typically six students— and meet once a week on Thursday mornings. Students may request to change their advisor before the start of a new academic year.
GOVS 101
AFFINITY SPACES
Govs offers a variety of affinity groups that provide students with safe and supportive spaces to connect over shared identities and experiences. Groups like the Black Latinx Association (BLA), International Student Alliance (ISA), Asian and Asian American Affinity Group (4A), LGBTQ+ Group (SPECTRUM), and Strong Women at Govs (SWAGA) foster meaningful discussions, celebrate cultural traditions, and promote advocacy and awareness within our community. These student-led spaces help create an environment where all students can feel a sense of belonging.
AFTERNOON PROGRAM
Governor’s requires every student to participate in the afternoon program for three seasons. There are a variety of options, including interscholastic sports, community service, arts, and recreational sports. Afternoon program requirements and offerings vary by grade level and season. In the fall and spring seasons, afternoon programs typically wrap up between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. In the winter, when teams are sharing ice and court time, afternoon program times may be in the early morning (hockey) or in the evening (hockey and basketball).
BOOKSTORE/GRILLE/SMARTCARD
Our Bookstore is the hub of many of our students’ lives—a stop for grabbing an afternoon snack, picking up packages, withdrawing money from student accounts, or adding to a student’s Govs gear collection. The Grille serves egg sandwiches, burgers, chicken fingers, fries, and milkshakes and is open on weekdays and weekend afternoons and evenings. Smartcards—Govs Student IDs—act as a debit card at the Bookstore and Grille.
GOVS 101
CAMPUS MAP
Governor’s sits on a beautiful 456-acre campus bordered by the Parker River and the Great Marsh. Our campus map will guide you through our campus and the facilities where our students learn, live, eat, compete, and perform.
ALFOND FAMILY DINING HALL
Our dining hall, which is a Certified 4 Star Green Restaurant® by the Green Restaurant Association (GRA), prepares healthy food for all appetites, including vegetarian, vegan, low-fat, plant-based, and gluten-free options. Our dining hall serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner on weekdays and continental breakfast, brunch, and dinner on weekends to all students— and snacks are always available between meals. Dining Services makes every effort to provide helpful information to our campus community by labeling common allergens at the point of service. A weekly menu is available on our website.
DRESS CODE
Classroom dress should be neat, clean, and presentable. Clothing should not be torn, no undergarments or torso should be showing, and pajamas are not permitted. Footwear must be worn at all times. Hats may not be worn in academic buildings during the academic day.
On specific days throughout the school year, including the first day of school, formal dress is required. Formal dress is a skirt with a formal top, dress pants or khaki pants with a dress shirt, blazer and tie, or a dress. Dress shoes, dress sandals, or dress sneakers are required. Casual sneakers, flip flops, and hats are not permitted.
Campus Map
BOARDING STUDENTS
All mail, including packages, is delivered to the bookstore in the French Student Center where students can pick it up. Please wait to ship any boxes to school until mid-August. A student’s mailing address is:
FIRST NAME LAST NAME
The Governor’s Academy 1 Elm Street Byfield, MA 01922
REACH BOARDING
Reach Boarding is our system for managing boarding students’ off-campus leave requests. Boarding students submit overnight or short absence leave requests through the Reach app and parents/guardians are prompted to approve or decline their student’s requests through email before final approval from the Dean of Students Office. Weekend overnight requests are due each week by 10:00 p.m. on Thursday.
CAMPUS LAUNDRY SERVICE
Governor’s partners with E&R–The Campus Laundry to provide laundry services to interested students. Please visit the E&R website, or call 800.243.7789 by August 15 if you wish to register your student.
TRANSPORTATION
Our campus is a 45-minute drive from Boston Logan International Airport and Boston South Station (train and bus) and a 10-minute drive from the Newburyport MBTA station (train). For each major break—Fall Break, Winter Break, and March Break—bus transportation is available from campus to Boston Logan International Airport and South Station.
WHEELS
Students are permitted to have nonmotorized bikes, scooters, and skateboards on campus. Boarding students may not have cars on campus.
RESIDENTIAL LIFE
Our residential life program is designed to foster a supportive and inclusive residential environment that promotes personal growth, community building, and active engagement. Dorm room assignments will be shared in early August with new students. Students assigned doubles will receive an introductory email with their roommate. Dorm Proctors— senior residential life leaders—will reach out to students with helpful packing information and are available to answer new students’ questions as they prepare to join the Govs community. Please review this dorm room packing list
As part of the residential life program, all dorms have dedicated study hours Sunday through Thursday from 7:30–9:45 p.m. A faculty member is present to help foster a conducive studying environment and offer academic support to students. During the first two weeks of the school year, dorms are not open to visitors, so residents can establish community and connection. After that, dorm common rooms in all dorms— and student rooms in upperclass dorms are open to visitors— day and boarding students alike during specific hours with a sign-in and sign-out process. Boarding students can receive food deliveries before study hall on weekdays and before dorm check-in on weekends. All food must be delivered to the Student Center for students to pick up there.
GOVS TIP Newburyport is a coastal New England city that is a short 15-minute drive from campus and has many shops and restaurants to enjoy.
DAY STUDENTS
LOCKERS
Every day student is assigned a locker in the Student Center. Students will receive their locker number and combination during orientation.
DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP
Day students must be dropped off and picked up in the Whiston•Bragdon Arena parking lot along the sidewalk that runs parallel to the French Student Center. For their safety, day students may NOT be dropped off on Middle Road in front of the Frost Building or French Student Center, or on Old Elm Street near the Phillips Building or Pescosolido Library.
DORM VISITATION
During the first two weeks of school, dorms are not open to visitors, so residents can establish community and connection. After that, common rooms in all dorms—and student rooms in upperclass dorms—are open to visitors, day, and boarding students alike during specific hours with a sign-in and sign-out process.
CARS
Day students who have received their driver’s license may drive themselves to campus. Students must complete a contract with the Academy, and provide details about the vehicle they will be driving to campus. Student drivers are then assigned a numbered parking space in the Whiston•Bragdon Arena parking lot and will be provided a parking sticker from the Dean of Students Office.
MEALS
Day students are welcome to eat all meals in the dining hall— breakfast, lunch, and dinner on weekdays and continental breakfast, brunch, and dinner on weekends.
WEEKEND AND EVENING ACTIVITIES
Day students are encouraged to participate in weekend activities such as Mansion House, recreational sports tournaments, and arts nights. In addition, day students are welcome to stay on campus in the evening for club meetings, extra help in the Learning Center, or studying in the library (permission from their advisor is needed for ninth and tenth graders).
FAMILY INVOLVEMENT
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Govs partners with our families, near and far, to support events and school initiatives on and off campus. Family participation is very much appreciated and welcomed. Throughout the year, there are many ways for families to get involved:
• Admission ambassador program (on-campus and offcampus)
• Community events for students (on-campus)
• Hosting an event at or near your home (off-campus)
• Guest speaking (on-campus)
• Fundraising (The Governor’s Fund)
• Family DEI Committee
GIVING
We invite our families to partner with us in supporting Govs with their time, energy, and financial contributions. We are stronger as a community because of our families’ involvement and participation. Families are encouraged to support Govs through giving to our annual fund, The Governor’s Fund, at whatever level is right for their family.
OPENING OF SCHOOL
Saturday, August 30, 2025
Saturday, August 30, 2025
Registration for new international students
Registration for new international students
Saturday, August 30–
Saturday, August 30 - Monday, September 1, 2025
Monday, September 1, 2025
New International Student Orientation
New International Student Orientation
Monday, September 1, 2025
Monday, September 1, 2025
Registration for seniors and student leaders
Registration for seniors and student leaders
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Registration for all other (new and returning) students
Registration for all other (new and returning) students
Tuesday, September 2 - Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Tuesday, September 2–
Orientation
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Orientation
Thursday, September 4, 2025
Non Sibi Day (Wednesday)
First day of Semester 1
Thursday, September 4, 2025
First day of Semester 1
Saturday, September 6, 2025
Class Spirit Day
Saturday, September 6, 2025
Class Spirit Day
A detailed schedule for the opening of school will be sent to families in The Governor’s Call in late July.
GOVS TIP A detailed schedule for the opening of school will be sent to families in The Governor’s Call in late July.
GOVS LINGO
LINGO
AOD
THE BARN
PA
CCO
COUCHLAND
DEFINITION
Administrator on Duty: A Senior Administrative Team member who supports the Faculty-in-Charge team throughout the weekend
Home to a laundry room and storage for tennis rackets, pickleball paddles, and balls; located between the lower tennis courts, and the Nannie B. Phillips, (Evans) Cottage, Farmhouse, and Doggett residence halls
Performing Arts block: dedicated time in our academic schedule on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday when instrumental and choral music groups practice
College Counseling Office: located on the third floor of the Phillips building
An area on the second floor of the Wilkie Center for Performing Arts where students hang out
DHALL Alfond Family Dining Hall: a place where students not only enjoy delicious food, but can also study, meet with their advisor or teachers, and socialize with friends
DUMPLING DAY
FIC
GLASS ROOM
THE HIVE
MANSION HOUSE
SAGER BOWL
SILENT
STU
TWILIGHT
Arguably the favorite lunchtime meal of the year
Faculty-in-Charge: faculty member who leads a team of other faculty members responsible for the school community from Friday afternoon through dorm check-in on Sunday night
A group study area on the first floor of the library that overlooks the athletic fields; arguably one of the most loved spaces on campus
Nannie B. Philips: the ninth-grade residence hall for girls. Each year girls paint a bee, along with their name, on the wall of the common room because of the hall’s motto, “That which is good for the hive is good for the bee.”
Home to our Head of School and his wife, Dr. Laurie Quimby. On Friday nights, the Quimbys open up their home to all students to enjoy food and conversation, play chess, ping-pong, and pool, and watch Boston sports.
Bowl-shaped football field located between Alumni Gymnasium and the Frost Building
Quiet study area on the second floor of the library with individual study carrels
Peter Marshall French Student Center: the heart of all things student life at Govs, including (history) classrooms, the Bookstore, the Grille, and hangout spaces
Twilight Softball: a spring-time tradition for all ages and abilities held on the Alfond Class of 1967 Turf Field; the perfect combination of smiles and sunshine
1 ELM STREET BYFIELD, MA 01922
978.499.3120
ADMISSION@GOVSACADEMY.ORG