News

Please join us in celebrating two remarkable scholars whose hard work, curiosity, and love of learning have earned them top honors.

👏 Valedictorian: Nahom Abatenah
👏 Salutatorian: Lucas Barstow

Ben Kamilewicz, Dean of Academics, shared:
"These achievements are not won in the moment, but represent a steadfast commitment day after day, year after year to the pursuit of knowledge and academic excellence. And to do this, these two have had to be grounded in and motivated by the joy of learning and all the wonder it brings."

From early mornings in class to late nights filled with ideas and determination, Nahom and Lucas have shown what’s possible when learning is fueled by joy. Here’s to big dreams, bold steps, and bright futures ahead!

On April 18th, as the early-morning sun began to rise over the pine trees, a spirited group of students and faculty gathered along the Songo Pond shore in Bethel — dressed in swimsuits, board shorts & water shoes — to revive one of Gould's most beloved spring traditions: the Polar Bears Club.

 

Led by Gould's energetic and passionate Director of Experiential Learning, Chris Hayward, a group of 54 students and faculty laughed as they marched into the frigid 38°F lake water and dunked their heads, meeting the requirement of the experience, and then returned to campus in time to get dressed and head to all-school assembly.

 

The first of several polar plunges, Gould's "Coolest Club" will visit new lakes, rivers, and streams twice each week until the end of the year, with only those who complete the entire journey earning the coveted "Ice Cube" accolade at the end-of-year awards ceremony.

 

It’s cold. It’s early. And it’s one of the most unforgettable ways the Gould community comes together each spring, forming a special bond both our students, faculty — and their families — will cherish forever. Check out the video on Instagram

After seven years in college admissions—including the last three at Colby College—Drew Goodwin is switching sides of the desk to help students navigate their own college journeys.

 

You may recognize Drew from his visits to Gould as a Colby rep. Now, he’s here for good—and trading the road for the mountain trails. 

 

Drew holds a B.A. in International/Global Studies from Juniata College and M.Ed. in Higher Education at Penn State. He’s also a proud pet parent to Sulli, a very sweet dachshund who is already making himself at home on campus. 

 

Welcome to the Gould community, Drew—we’re so glad you’re here!

Olivia Stracuzzi ’25 has been skateboarding since she was seven. She knew about Olympic skateboarder Amelia Brodka and all about Exposure Skate, the world’s largest women’s skate competition, but didn’t know the connection between the two and Gould. When she set out to plan her Senior Four Point project, she discovered how powerful the Gould network can be.

A 2008 graduate of Gould, Amelia started the Exposure skate event and her non-profit of the same name in 2012, aimed at empowering female, trans, and nonbinary skateboarders and introducing others to the sport. The event has grown exponentially over the last decade, attracting support from skate legends like Tony Hawk and Steve Caballero while raising funds and awareness for survivors of domestic violence.

Gould Academy is proud to congratulate nine student-athletes who have been invited to compete in the U.S. Freestyle Junior National Championships, held at Utah Olympic Park in Park City, Utah, from March 17-23, 2025. This prestigious event brings together the top junior freestyle skiers from across the country to compete at the highest level in their age groups.  

One of Gould Academy’s Ninth Grade Four Point groups is in Tanzania for a weeklong journey of cultural exchange, service, and self-discovery. Their visit to Tumaini Senior Secondary (TSS) in Makuyuni took an unforgettable turn when four zebras casually wandered through campus, a remarkable welcome to their new environment.  

Students were warmly greeted by their hosts and given a campus tour by Gould alumni Given Malyango ’24, offering a first glimpse into life at TSS. Embracing the opportunity to connect, they quickly engaged with their Tanzanian peers. A game of Uno, led by Zoe, sparked laughter and conversation, adding to the sense of camaraderie and adventure on their journey.

According to trip leaders Brett Shifrin and Beth Garfield, the students are ready to embrace each experience as they learn about a new culture and broaden their view of the world. 

Gould Academy's Wellness Week kicked off with Winter Carnival on Monday, celebrating the season and our place in the world. The faculty pumped everyone up with an inflatable costume parade to kick things off and despite the brutal cold, Advisory “Notch” Groups embraced the spirit of the day with fat bike races, sledding, soccer, and a good old-fashioned tug-of-war. There were plenty of opportunities to warm up with snacks and hot chocolate, and the fun continued into the night with a student-organized Rail Jam for freestyle skiers and snowboarders. Thanks to Max Hanson ’25 and Coach Damian Dryjas ’11, for organizing such a successful event.

Dear Gould families,

 

The second semester is in full swing, and we are looking forward to the Winter Carnival, Snow Ball, snow sports competitions, and March Four Point adventures. Before you know it, it will be spring, and we will be planning end-of-year celebrations. Students will be wrapping up another unforgettable year at Gould and making plans to depart the mountains of Maine for home. 

 

Please take a moment to review our end-of-year schedule and campus departure dates and procedures. 

 

Each Gould boarding student and their family is encouraged to work with their advisor to develop an end-of-year departure plan. If you have any questions, please contact our Travel Coordinator, Abbey Quinn. 

 

At Gould, we have many end-of-year traditions that are both rites of passage and a way for faculty and students to celebrate their time together as it draws to a close. We hope to share many of these celebrations and events with Gould's parents. Please review this list of events that are available for Gould's parents and many are also available on Gould's YouTube page if you are not able to be here in person.

 

Warmly,

Dr. Clarke, Assistant Head of School 

At Gould, what makes you unique is what brings us all together.

Today, the Gould community came together to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. with a day of reflection and learning. A highlight of the day was an assembly led by DEIB Coordinator and Academic Skills teacher Julia Tatsch and Director of Admissions Elisa Lellios, who spoke about the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the possibilities of his dream. They invited the community to reflect on how the actions of those who came before us influence our lives today and how we, in turn, can shape a more just and equitable future here at Gould and beyond.

Gould Academy students Richard Chen ’26 and Bruce Qiu ’27 have achieved a significant milestone in high school mathematics by qualifying for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME). This places them among the top high school math students in the country and reflects their dedication to learning beyond the classroom.

The path to qualifying for the AIME begins with the American Mathematics Competition (AMC), a highly challenging test designed for advanced math students. Achieving a top score on the AMC and qualifying for the AIME is rare. Ajay Zutshi, their math teacher and advisor, likened the accomplishment to scoring a perfect 1600 on the SAT in terms of its rarity and prestige.