Current Parents

Back to School

Back to School 2024

List of 1 items.

  • Welcome to the pack!

    The beginning of Gould's 189th school year

Greetings from the Head of School

Dear Gould Students and Families,

Hello from Gould!

I hope this message finds you well and enjoying quality time with your family, whether at home or on fun summer adventures. Our faculty, staff, and administration have been working diligently to ensure a smooth and seamless start to the school year this fall. I’m thrilled about the upcoming academic year and all the opportunities it holds. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us.

As we begin this new school year, I want to encourage every student to set high standards for themselves. This is a time for new beginnings and fresh starts, and we want to help you achieve your full potential. Remember, you are all capable of great things, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

Additionally, I want to emphasize the importance of community involvement. Our school is not just a place where you come to learn; it is also a community of individuals who share common values and goals. We encourage you to get involved in extracurricular activities, clubs, and volunteer opportunities that interest you. These experiences will not only enhance your personal growth but will also contribute to the overall well-being of our school community.

At Gould, we honor and uphold every individual's promise and potential, striving to create a welcoming climate and a culture of belonging. We celebrate and encourage curiosity as the inspiration for learning and a driver of a vibrant community, stimulate creativity to solve challenges, foster joy, and nurture courage to build confidence and integrity. Practicing kindness and empathy, we create a respectful and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, empowering students to explore the world, develop skills, solve problems, and grow to their greatest collective potential.

We look forward to welcoming you to campus, whether you're returning for a new year or at the beginning of your Gould journey. We wish you good health and spirit.
Sincerely,
 
Tao Smith ’90 P’23, ’28
Head of School

The Details You Need

This is where you'll always find the most up-to-date information about this exciting and important period, so check back often. Details will be updated as we approach the first week of school. We hope this website is useful as you plan for your student to join us on campus in September!

Community Guide

Gould Academy, like many educational institutions, has a Community Guide, Code of Conduct, and Network Acceptable Use Policy to establish guidelines, expectations, and rules for its students, families, faculty, and staff. These documents are essential for setting the tone, expectations, and rules within an educational institution. They play a vital role in maintaining a positive and productive learning and living environment while ensuring that all members of the community understand their roles and responsibilities.

Before Your Arrival

Starting the year strong: Sharing important information about your student
  • The registration forms include many important questions that we need responses about including housing preferences, arrival travel plans, trusted adult information, transcripts, co-curricular selection, health forms, and more. This is all information that our staff needs to have as early as possible to best prepare for the fall trimester and the year. Please submit forms by August 15, 2024.
  • The forms also include answers to frequently asked questions such as laundry services, summer reading assignments, paying your bill, buying insurance, new student orientation trip packing list, laptops, key cards, and more.
  • Parents and students both use MyGould to complete the registration forms.
  • Logging in: Please refer to these instructions, and reach out for help if you have trouble.  
  • As forms are completed, the notification at the top of the screen in MyGould will update and then disappear. The notification of the specific forms that need to be completed by both parents and students won’t disappear until both the parent(s) and student have electronically signed them.
  • If you have questions about the registration forms, please reach out to any staff member noted on the forms.
  • Use this link if you'd like to download a printable version of the health forms
Transcripts (New families)
Submit your student's final transcript if you haven't already done so. This will enable the registrar to reach out and schedule classes with you. The transcript can be emailed to registrar@gouldacademy.org 

Arrival Information

Fall Arrival Dates and Events by Student Group
August 23 (12 p.m.-5 p.m.): Student Leaders Arrive to Campus
August 24: All New International Students Arrive to Campus 
August 25: New International Student & Family Orientation
August 25: New Student & Family Reception* 
August 26: All New Students Arrive – Boarding 9 a.m.-11 a.m.; Day 10 a.m.-12 p.m.  Returning 9th Graders also arrive this day, and go on orientation trips. 
August 27-30: New Student Orientation  
August 31: Returning Students Arrive to Campus & Register – Boarding 9 a.m.-11 a.m.; Day 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Evening Family Reception*
September 1: All students Orientation and start of Co-Curriculars and Athletics (required)
September 2: Classes begin

When you arrive on campus, start at the registration area on Church Street. If you arrive at an unusual time, call the Administrator on Duty (AOD) at (207) 824-7778 for assistance.

If you're flying or taking public transportation and need assistance arranging transportation to campus, please contact the Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Students Office at 207-824-7705 or email Abbey Quinn.

Family Events

*Families: You are warmly invited to attend one or both of the family receptions hosted by the Gould Parents Association while you're in town. We hope you'll find these events a fantastic opportunity to connect with other parents, faculty, and staff and gain insights into the exciting year ahead.
  • August 25th—Reception for new families. *Note: This is the night before new student registration day, students may not move into the dorms until the next day. Reception for New Families RSVP here.
  • August 31st—Reception for returning families. Join other parents to celebrate the beginning of a new school year while students play carnival games on the turf field. Reception for Returning Families RSVP here.
These are casual events outside on the patio of the Head of School's house. Desserts will be served, and all family members are invited. Both events will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Any questions may be directed to Kathleen Willis.

New International Students

The arrival and orientation schedule for new international students is linked here

Additional Resources to Help Achieve a Smooth Transition

List of 15 items.

  • Summer Reading and Learning Assignments

    The summer reading and learning assignments can be found here

    Reading allows us to explore new ideas, to view new perspectives, to imagine the experiences of others, and to recognize and appreciate our shared humanity. Gould believes that summer reading should be welcoming, purposeful, and connected. Grade-level book titles are selected because of accessibility and diversity. Readings are purposefully connected to the ideas and themes of the course and explored throughout the fall term.

    While textbooks for the school year will be billed to your student account, families do need to purchase their own books for the summer reading and learning assignments. 

  • Orientation Trip Packing List for New Students

    Back Pack *
    Sleeping Bag *
    Hiking Boots (well broken in or sturdy running shoes)
    Swim sandals or shoes that will stay on feet and can get wet while swimming
    Cup and Dish with lids (unbreakable)
    Fork and/or spoon
    Hat
    2 Pair Pants (wind pants/warm-ups/fleece pants/wool/running tights)  (non-cotton)
    1 Pair of Shorts
    Rain Gear Shirts: 1 long sleeve (polypro/wool/fleece preferable), 1 short sleeve (non-cotton)
    Socks: 2 or 3 pairs (non-cotton)
    Sweater (wool/fleece)
    Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste
    Swimsuit
    Towel
    Underwear
    Water Bottle
    Sunglasses
    Sunscreen
    Bug Spray
    Headlamp or Flashlight
    Optional: camera (no phones)
    Optional: camp chair

    *If students do not have a backpack or a sleeping bag, Gould can provide one for them*

  • Should I bring my snow sports gear in August?

    Snow sports equipment can be brought to campus at any time and stored in the Lieblein Performance Center.  Coaches will be available at registration to assist you.

  • What's in a dorm room? And what shouldn't I bring?

    What will be provided in my dorm room?
    Each room has a closet, dresser, desk and chair, and a bed.

    What should I bring to school for my dorm room?
    Here are a few things to start thinking of as you get ready to come to Gould:
    • Twin mattress cover
    • Twin sheets (2 sets)
    • Pillows
    • Blankets/quilt
    • A desk light
    • A power strip, or two
    • Alarm clock
    • Towels
    • Laundry bag/basket
    • Shower caddy (to keep shower items together)
    Here are a few suggested items to help you stay organized at school
    • Hangers
    • Plastic containers designed for under-bed storage
    • Small sets of plastic drawers make great bedside tables/organizers
    • Multi-pocketed shoe holders to hang over a door are great, too
    What should I not bring to school?
    • Your own computer
    • Gaming devices/consoles i.e. Xbox
    • Refrigerators
    • Microwaves
    • Heating appliances, i.e. hot pots, crockpots, rice cookers
    • Electric blankets
    • Subwoofers
    • Decorative lights (Christmas string/icicle lights, spotlights, LED strip lights)
    • Nails and thumbtacks are not allowed in the walls
    • Candles

  • Packing & Shipping

    Students may have packages shipped directly to Gould after August 1, 2024.  If shipping before August 1 is required or if sending multiple large boxes, please contact admissions so that storage arrangements can be made. 

    Due to limited time during orientation, and the distance to stores, we strongly recommend you try to purchase your clothing and items for your room ahead of time and pack what you can, or order online and have your items shipped to Gould Academy at the following address:
     
    Shipping Address:
    (Student name)
    Gould Academy
    39 Church Street P.O. Box 860
    Bethel, ME 04217-0860

  • Student Class Schedules

    Individual student class schedules will be available in MyGould soon.

  • Do I need a cell phone?

    Cell phones are required. It is important that school administrators have a means of communicating directly and immediately with students in the event of an emergency or for other school purposes.  To read more about cell phones, go to the Community Guide.

  • Is on-site laundry available?

    Washers and dryers are available in each dormitory for students to do their own laundry at no cost.  Students do need to provide their own laundry soap.

    Laundry and dry-cleaning services are also available to students through E&R Cleaners. Students will have an opportunity to sign up for this service during New Student Registration.

  • Dress Code, Classroom Dress and Formal Attire

    Dress Code

    Gould’s dress code is intended to promote an inclusive and respectful learning environment. We believe we have a responsibility to teach students how to dress for different occasions, some requiring more formal (or informal) dress than Gould’s classroom dress code.  The dress code applies equally to all students, with the exception of accommodations based on cultural and religious observances and approved health-related needs.  

    See page 41 of the Community Guide for more details  

  • School Calendar

  • Virtual Connection Opportunities for Parents

    If you'd like to connect virtually, please consider joining these groups online:
     
    The Gould Academy Parents Association Forum is a Facebook group designed to help current parents connect and communicate with each other while supporting and enriching our students' Gould experiences.
     
    Parents are also invited to help us to unlock the full potential of our community by becoming a member of the Gould Husky Alumni Network. Whether you need assistance, are willing to offer help, or simply want to give back to a community that you and your student hold dear, the Gould Husky Alumni Network is the perfect place to connect. Registration is free and easy. Join the Gould Husky Alumni Network now!

  • Travel Information and General Weekends Away

    Gould Academy is pleased to partner with DMC Livery to support your student with transportation needs for all major school breaks. Students may depart campus for all breaks after their last commitment (class or sport/co-curricular) and must return on the designated travel days no later than 7:30 PM.

    Students may choose to stay with a friend or a relative, or they may travel with another student or adult for any or all breaks. In any of these cases, parent permission is needed, both for the student visiting someone who is not their guardian and the student/individual inviting the student to join them. Use the Reach platform for these arrangements. Abbey Quinn can also offer assistance.

  • Tuition Payments via Blackbaud Tuition

    A guide to help families understand how to use Blackbaud Tuition, Gould's payment system. The guide can be found here

  • Make sure you're receiving emails from Gould

    Add these email addresses to your contacts list to make sure you receive future messages and notifications:

  • How do I let the school know my day student will be absent, late, or leaving early from school?

    To let the school know that your day student will be absent, late, or leaving early from school, please call 207-824-7705 or email attendance@gouldacademy.org.

Fall Family Weekend: October 17-20


Save the date! We hope you’ll join us on campus for Fall Family Weekend. It’s an annual tradition with time for connection and celebration on the athletic fields, in the classrooms, and outdoors among the beautiful fall foliage in Maine. More details will be published on the Gould website as they're available. 
39 Church Street P.O. Box 860 Bethel, Maine 04217  |  Phone: 207-824-7777
Independent High School for Boys and Girls | Grades 9-12, Postgraduate and Winter Term for Grades 7-8 | Boarding School in the Mountains of Maine

Gould Academy guides students to be creative, courageous and resilient and to lead lives of fulfillment and purpose.