Skip To Main Content

Back to School

Gould boarding students and student prefects move into the Gehring Hall dorm on reguistration day.

from the Head of School

Dear Gould Families,

Greetings from Bethel!

I hope this message finds you well and that you are soaking up the precious weeks of summer with your family. Our campus is beautiful right now, but it only truly comes alive when our students arrive. Working with your children is a profound gift, and our faculty, staff, and administration have spent the beginning of summer preparing for a vibrant and seamless start to the upcoming school year.

To our new families, welcome to the start of an incredible journey. We are thrilled to have you join us and are committed to ensuring you feel a sense of belonging from the moment you arrive on campus. To our returning families, welcome back. You are the lifeblood of this community, and we are eager to see how your students continue to build upon the strong foundations they have created here. Our strategic focus remains anchored in what we call “Purpose and a Champion.” Our promise is that every student will find purpose and meaning here, supported by trusted adults who know them and believe in them deeply.

At Gould, our commitment to belonging is rooted in our core values. We rely on curiosity to spark great questions in our learning, and kindness to foster an empathetic, inclusive community where everyone can thrive. We champion creativity to solve challenges with joy, and we cultivate courage so that our students can develop the confidence to persevere and live as their authentic selves. I challenge both our new and returning students to lean into these four guiding principles every day. In the classrooms, on the athletic fields, and with each other on campus, and in the dorms. They are all capable of remarkable things.

We have an exciting year ahead of us, and we are honored to be partnering with you on this journey. Thank you for your continued trust in Gould Academy. We cannot wait to welcome you all home to campus in just a few short weeks.

Warm regards,
Tao Smith ’90, P’23, ’28
Head of School

Tao floats the Androscoggin River in a canoe on a student trip

 

Back-to-School Arrival • Dates & Times

DAte Event
Saturday, August 22 Dorms open for New International Students
Sunday, August 23 New International Student & Family Orientation begins
Sunday, August 23 New International Student & Family Welcome Dinner | 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 23 New Family Dessert Reception for all Students & Families | 6:30 p.m. 
Monday, August 24 New Domestic Boarding Students should arrive between 9 and 10 a.m.
Monday, August 24 New Day Students should arrive between 10 and 11 a.m.
August 26-29

Student Orientation Trips 
Saturday, August 29 Returning Students Dorm Move-In | Noon - 2 p.m.
Saturday, August 29 Returning Boarding Student Registration | 2 - 3 p.m.
Saturday, August 29 Returning Day Student Registration | 3 - 4 p.m.
Saturday, August 29 Convocation (Families Invited) | 5 p.m.
Monday, August 31

First Day of Classes
New England Boarding School Traditional Campus during Peak Fall Foliage

 

Gould’s 2026-27 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.

Download the Community Guide

 

 

 

Your Back-to-School Checklist & Frequently Asked Questions

We know there's a lot to think about before the school year begins, so we’ve gathered answers to common questions to help you and your student feel ready for the year ahead. Click on each topic below to learn more about what to pack, how to manage travel, where to find class schedules, and more.

Two student leaders welcome new families to Gould Academy, a boarding school in New England

Fall Family Weekend: October 16-17

Mark your calendar—Fall Family Weekend is a chance to be part of campus life, catch up with your student, and enjoy the best of Gould in the fall. From the classroom to the turf field to the trails, there’s a lot to look forward to. More details coming soon.

 

A gould family with students in front of Hanscom Hall on Fall Family Weekend during peak foliage