About Phillips Exeter Academy
Unite goodness and knowledge and inspire youth from every quarter to lead purposeful lives.
Phillips Exeter Academy is an independent, co-educational, college-preparatory school in Exeter, New Hampshire, established in 1781. It educates approximately 1,100 students in grades 9 through 12, as well as postgraduate students, and is renowned for its rigorous academics and commitment to diversity.
Core Values
Teaching Philosophy
At Exeter, Harkness is more than a way to learn. It’s a way of life. It starts in the classroom and extends to field, stage and common spaces. Discussions at the Harkness table foster an intellectual curiosity that extends well beyond the Exeter experience. The result is a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.
What Makes Phillips Exeter Academy Special
- Legendary prep school founded 1781
- Exceptional faculty
- Beautiful New England campus fostering
- Comprehensive programs in academics
- Arts and athletics with strong values of
Academics
Curriculum
Phillips Exeter Academy offers Traditional, AP, Classical, and Other curriculums, with specializations in STEM, Arts, and Leadership.
Academic Environment
Programs & Extracurriculars
Arts Programs
8 programsSports
10 programsClubs & Activities
4 programsCampus & Facilities
Phillips Exeter Academy sits on a 700 acres-acre campus with Science complex, Arts center, Athletic facilities, Dining hall, Library, Harkness dining hall, and Athletic centre.
Photo Gallery
Tuition & Financial Aid
$61,000
per year
Admissions
Requirements
- Application form
- Report cards
- Interview
- Reference letters
- Essay
- Other
Community & Culture
Phillips Exeter Academy cultivates a purposeful, intellectually engaged community centered on the Harkness table—a discussion-based learning model that extends beyond classrooms into dormitories, athletic fields, and common spaces. With 80% of students living on campus across 26 dormitories and a 700-acre setting, the school emphasizes residential life as integral to the experience. The community values both academic rigor and personal growth, with students encouraged to explore over 450 courses, participate in 35+ music ensembles, and engage in athletics and clubs. The school's mission to "unite goodness and knowledge" and inspire "purposeful lives" shapes a culture where intellectual curiosity, collaboration, and service to others are central.
Diversity & Inclusion
Phillips Exeter Academy is committed to building an intentionally diverse community. The school states it seeks to be "equally open to youth of requisite qualifications from every quarter" and emphasizes that Harkness pedagogy is grounded in the belief that students learn better when their ideas are tested by peers with different perspectives and identities. Currently, 56% of students self-identify as people of color. The school offers need-blind admissions and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need with grants, with 48% of students receiving financial aid. The website also references an Exeter Diversity Leadership Institute professional development program for educators, though it notes this program will not run in 2026.
Parent Involvement
Parent involvement details are not prominently featured on the school's website. The site mentions that Exeter Evenings are held off-campus as opportunities for prospective families to learn about the school from current students, parents, and alumni, but specific ongoing parent engagement structures, committees, or volunteer opportunities are not described.
Accreditations & Recognition
Contact Phillips Exeter Academy
Address
20 Main St, Exeter, New Hampshire, United States
Phone
(603) 772-4311
admit@exeter.edu
Website
Visit School Website
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Phillips Exeter Academy
Phillips Exeter Academy serves students in grades 9-12.
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