Mountains & Mentors: The Gould Approach to Student Growth

Written by Mark Godomsky, Dean of Athletics

Last year, Gould Academy embarked on a strategic planning initiative. Within Strategic Initiative Two: Engaged and Active Lifestyles, the school identified the importance of both competitive and recreational snow programs—and set a goal to create exceptional athletic experiences for all students.

Just six miles from campus, Sunday River Resort is Gould’s largest and most essential partner. In a community where more than 90% of students head to the mountain each day, Sunday River truly serves as our backyard playground and the foundation for the diverse on-snow programs we offer.

At Gould, students can learn to ski or ride for the first time, explore the mountain through our All-Mountain Program, or pursue industry credentials such as PSIA-certified ski instructor or National Ski Patrol certification. How incredible is it that a Gould student can graduate from high school certified to work at ski resorts across the country? These are the kinds of unique, life-shaping opportunities that define the Gould experience.

For students driven by competition, Gould provides the opportunity to pursue their passion and chase dreams of competing on national or collegiate teams. The success of these programs lies in the people who create the daily student-athlete experience—our dedicated coaches.

Gould’s coaching staff is a team of full-time professionals with years of experience coaching, mentoring, and supporting athletes from the grassroots to the elite level. A true testament to the Gould experience is that more than 50% of the snow sports full-time staff are Gould Academy graduates. This connection provides our coaches with a deep understanding of the values, expectations, and commitment required to thrive at the Academy.

Our coaches are U.S. Ski & Snowboard–certified and share a singular focus: helping student-athletes achieve their goals while excelling academically and personally. They continually deepen their expertise through daily in-house collaboration and annual professional development opportunities.

These learning experiences extend beyond the slopes. This fall, the coaching staff partnered with educator Andy Davies to explore The Six Types of Working Genius framework. By identifying each team member’s natural gifts, coaches gained valuable insight into how their strengths contribute to team success. The goal was simple but powerful—to build stronger teams, strengthen our programs, and ultimately enhance the experience for every Gould student.