Then, Now, Next

 

Looking Back, Moving Forward

The academic year 2023-2024 was a yearlong celebration marking 50 years of Abbot Academy and Phillips Academy becoming a singular institution. Recognizing the historic and current importance of Abbot, Andover offered a series of events, programs, discussions, celebratory materials, and community reflections.

Students at Abbot Bazaar
Alumni
A year to remember Recap of Abbot & Andover at 50   

Andover team captains celebrate the 50th anniversary of National Girls and Women in Sports Day on February 7, 2024.

Abbot banners
Campus Life
New banners commemorate Abbot Academy Community celebrates school and historic campus   
Jennifer Cecere '69
Alumni
Art commemorates anniversary Two new art installations created by Jennifer Cecere ’69 will be installed on campus this spring.   
John Briggs ’77
Magazine
The return of the Abbot Telescope John Briggs ’77 and the Abbot Academy Fund bring the iconic instrument home   
Abbot Hall
Alumni
Opening doors for gender equality Research offers insight into changing perspectives   
dancers at Pan
Alumni
Abbot’s legacy today Abbot educators strengthened Andover for future generations   
Secret Garden circa 1950
Alumni
The secrets of Abbot’s garden Created shortly after WWI, the Abbot Secret Garden is a hidden gem on the Andover campus   
Andover and Abbot at 50
Alumni
Abbot & Andover: A Golden Milestone “Abbot & Andover at 50: Then, Now, Next” launches yearlong celebration   
50 cover design
Alumni
Abbot & Andover at 50: Then, Now, Next Since 1973, Abbot Academy has been a catalyst for diversity and bold innovation in education at PA   
Saving Abbot illustration by Eleanor Shakespeare
Alumni
Saving Abbot How love, perseverance, and strong women protected a legacy for future generations   
Beth Chandler and Sheryl Wormley
Alumni
Chandler-Wormley Vista honors Abbot Academy’s first Black Alumnae Dedication ceremony planned May 5   
Amy Falls '82
Leadership
Legacy of leadership Amy Falls ’82, P’19, ’21, talks about her latest role and the many women who have helped pave the way   
Student Athletes
Alumni
Game On! Saluting 50 years of Title IX and women in sports   

Through The Years

1 8

Studying in the Garver Room, Oliver Wendell Holmes Library, 1974. Photograph by Richard Graber.

Building a Community

Over the past 50 years, Abbot’s legacy has helped transform education and innovation at Andover.

  1. 1968

    Donald Gordon ’52: The Abbot Academy trustees committed to some form of coeducation when they hired a PA alumnus to be the first and last male head of Abbot.

    Don Gordon with Abbot Students
  2. Abbot Academy Fund

    1973

    Abbot Academy Association: Thanks to the quick thinking of Abbot alumnae and PA alumni on the Abbot Board of Trustees, the AAA—now known as the Abbot Academy Fund—was created to keep Abbot alive and well as a funding agent within the new Andover. It has since awarded more than $15 million in grants toward a wide range of scholarship and community and capital projects.

  3. 1974

    Andover graduates its first coed class. Caitlin Cofer ’74 received the Sarah Abbot Award from Head of School Ted Sizer. Sizer served from 1972 to 1981 and was vital in supporting the merger.

    Caitlin Cofer Commencement

Share Your Reflections

Send us 50 words for 50 years. We're looking to capture diverse and myriad experiences from the community after the Academy went coeducational. Email us with your reflection. Please note that we will not publish any reflections without permission.

The Girls of Abbot: A film written, produced, and directed by Charles Stuart '62.

ABBOT@ANDOVER Alumni Council COMMITTEE

As an association committee of the Alumni Council, Abbot@Andover celebrates and facilitates interaction among Abbot Alumnae and perpetuates Abbot's spirit within the Andover Community. Committee Objectives: IDENTIFY Academy Commitment. ENHANCE Communication. INSPIRE Connectivity.

Read the committee's latest newsletter.

In 1973, Abbot Academy (a school for girls) and Phillips Academy (for boys) merged to form a coeducational school. The Abbot Academy Fund was founded at that time to honor the legacy of the girls’ school.
Support Abbot & Andover @ 50
Learn More about Abbot Academy

Browse the Archives

Learn more about the history of Abbot and Andover by visiting the Phillips Academy Archives & Special Collections website, which includes the Abbot Academy Digital Collections, and the Abbot Academy collection, 1812-2014 (bulk: 1915-1973).

Women Celebrated

Andover is committed to recognizing and celebrating the achievements of women graduates. View a list of alumnae who have received various honors.

    Upcoming Events

    Stay tuned throughout the year for event announcements and opportunities to celebrate this milestone.

    The McNemars and the Sizers at the banquet celebrating ten years of coeducation, 1984.