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Only You Can Defeat Me: Top Private Schools – Philips Andover vs. Philips Exeter
Phillips Academy Andover and Phillips Exeter Academy, renowned as “sister schools,” were established by individuals of the same family. These two prestigious educational institutions, situated within a one-hour drive from Boston, stand at the forefront of American private schools across all domains. They share a steadfast belief that they can only be challenged by one another. In this analysis, we will embark on a comprehensive comparative examination of Phillips Andover and Phillips Exeter, delving into five crucial dimensions.
Important Conclusions
- Faculty Situation: Both Andover and Exeter have comparable class sizes and student-teacher ratios. However, there is a slight difference in the student-counselor ratio between the two schools. Notably, Exeter has a higher number of college counselors with extensive experience in college admissions at renowned institutions.
- Academic Scores: Students at Andover demonstrate exceptional proficiency across a range of standardized tests, including the SAT, ACT, and AP exams. It is worth noting that they consistently achieve higher scores in all three assessments in comparison to their peers at Exeter.
- College Matriculation: Given the contrasting approaches to presenting college matriculation data by Andover and Exeter, a direct comparison of their matriculation rates in the same year is not viable. However, both schools have a track record of sending a substantial number of students to prestigious institutions including Ivy League schools, MIT, Stanford, UC Berkeley, and UCLA for years.
- Extracurricular Activities: Both Andover and Exeter have earned acclaim for their excellence in sports. While they may specialize in different areas, both schools consistently perform at the highest level among East Coast educational institutions. Additionally, both Andover and Exeter demonstrate a strong commitment to nurturing extracurricular activities by investing significant resources in developing over 100 student organizations and clubs.
- Tuition and Other Fees: Andover’s tuition fees are higher than Exeter’s, regardless of whether it is for boarding or day school. Exeter manages to keep its costs lower by controlling tuition growth and supplementing funds through fundraising and endowment revenues.
School Overview
- Phillips Academy Andover: In its 1778 constitution, Phillips Academy is charged with the mission of ensuring its students learn “the great end and real business of living.” Inspired by this charge, the school aims to cultivate in their students the capacities of analytical rigor, imaginative thought, and nuanced skepticism necessary to identify and attain an excellent and worthy end: human flourishing.
- Phillips Exeter Academy: Co-founded by John and Elizabeth Phillips in 1781, Phillips Exeter Academy believed every student should have access to the very best education — one that embraces the ideals of both goodness and knowledge. The school places significant emphasis on the cultivation of knowledge intertwined with moral integrity, the relentless pursuit of academic excellence, treasuring the time of youth, and the fostering of a non-sibi (not for oneself) ethos to contribute to the establishment of a sustainable society.
Comparison Across 5 Key Dimensions
1. Faculty Situation
| | Class size | Percentage of Instructors with Advanced Degrees | Student-Teacher Ratio | Student-Counselor Ratio | Faculty situation | | | ------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------- | ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Phillips Academy Andover | 12 | / | 6:1 | 19:1 | The Dean of College Counseling, Mr. Logan used to work in admission for Harvard and Stanford Universities and Occidental College. | | Phillips Exeter Academy | 12 | 233 Faculty 23% Holding Doctorate, 66% with Master’s Degrees | 6:1 | 20:1 | In the Exeter college counseling team, many faculty have experience working for college admissions at Tufts University, Rice University, George Washington University, and Boston University. |
Source: Phillips Academy Andover 2022-2023 School Profile; Phillips Exeter Academy 2022-2023 profile for colleges
Andover and Exeter boast the same class sizes and student-teacher ratios. While the student-counselor ratio differs slightly between the two schools, with Andover at 19 to 1 and Exeter at 20 to 1, a closer examination of the counselors’ backgrounds reveals an advantage within the Exeter college counseling team. The team comprises a greater number of faculty members who possess extensive experience as former college admission directors at prestigious institutions such as Tufts University, Rice University, and George Washington University, among others. This wealth of expertise equips Exeter seniors with a unique insight into the preferences of these renowned institutions, enabling them to distinguish themselves from other applicants.
2. Academic Scores
| | Mean EBRW/Math Scores | ACT | Number of AP Courses | AP Scores of 4 and 5 | | | ------------------------ | -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------- | --- | | Phillips Academy Andover | EBRW: 730; Math: 740 | Math: 32; Reading: 33; English: 33; Science: 32 | 70 | 89% | | Phillips Exeter Academy | EBRW: 715; Math: 731 | Math: 31; Reading: 32; English: 33; Science: 31 | It doesn’t offer AP courses. | 78% |
Source: Phillips Academy Andover Niche; Phillips Exeter Academy 2022-2023 profile for colleges
- An analysis of academic performance indicators reveals that students from Andover exhibit remarkable aptitude across various standardized tests, including the SAT, ACT, and AP examinations. Notably, they consistently achieve higher scores in all three assessments compared to their counterparts at Exeter.
- In terms of SAT scores, Andover students excel particularly in the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) section, surpassing Exeter students by 15 scores. While the performance gap in Math is relatively narrower, Andover students still demonstrate commendable proficiency. Similarly, in the ACT, Andover students consistently outperform their Exeter counterparts across all four subject areas, achieving scores that are one point higher on average. This consistent advantage underscores the academic strength of Andover students. Furthermore, Andover students exhibit a notable advantage in AP tests, with a 9% higher proportion of students earning scores of 4 or 5.
- This outcome indicates that Andover likely cultivates a more rigorous academic environment, fosters a heightened sense of competition among students, and attains superior levels of academic excellence.
3. College Matriculation
College matriculation statistics at Phillips Academy Andover in 2022:
| College Name | Class of 2022 Matriculation Number |
|---|---|
| Brown University | 7 |
| Columbia University | 6 |
| Cornell University | 12 |
| Dartmouth College | 3 |
| Harvard University | 12 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 8 |
| Princeton University | 9 |
| Stanford University | 5 |
| University of California, Berkeley | 2 |
| University of California, Los Angeles | 3 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 5 |
| Yale University | 14 |
Senior size: 348 | Source: Phillips Academy Andover 2022-2023 School Profile
College matriculation statistics at Phillips Exeter Academy from 2020 to 2022:
| College Name | Matriculation Number 2020 – 2022 |
|---|---|
| Brown University | 10+ |
| Columbia University | 10+ |
| Cornell University | 10+ |
| Dartmouth College | 10+ |
| Harvard University | 10+ |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 10+ |
| Princeton University | 10+ |
| Stanford University | <10 |
| University of California, Berkeley | 10+ |
| University of California, Los Angeles | <10 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 10+ |
| Yale University | 10+ |
Senior size: roughly 303/yr | Source: Phillips Exeter Academy 2022-2023 profile for colleges
Due to the disparity in the presentation of college matriculation data between Andover and Exeter, a direct comparison of their matriculation rates for specific institutions in the same year, such as the Ivy League schools, MIT, Stanford, UC Berkeley, and UCLA, is not feasible. Andover provides precise numbers for the college matriculation of the class of 2022, whereas Exeter only offers approximate matriculation statistics spanning 2020 to 2022. However, based on data sourced from the University of California, we find that Exeter had three students enrolled in UC Berkeley in 2022, resulting in a matriculation rate of 0.9%, slightly higher than Andover’s matriculation rate of 0.57%.
4. Extracurricular Activities
- Philips Academy Andover boasts a rich and diverse extracurricular landscape, with 67 interscholastic teams in 21 different sports and over 125 clubs throughout the school. It has the oldest high school newspaper called “The Phillipian” founded in 1857, where students can actively contribute as editors, digital editors, commentators, and more. Also, Andover’s ice hockey teams are very competitive with multiple players who have played in the National Hockey League (NHL). The boys’ ice hockey team is also a member of the New England Preparatory School Ice Hockey Association (NEPSIHA). Andover’s girls’ ice hockey team is also one of the earliest high school girls’ ice hockey teams in the United States. As a team competing at the top level in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC), the girls’ ice hockey team made it to the Final Four in last year’s New England Elite 8 playoffs in the region.
- Phillips Exeter Academy proudly offers an extensive athletic program, featuring an impressive lineup of 60 athletic teams across 23 different sports. Additionally, Exeter fosters a thriving student community, with over 100 student organizations and clubs available to students. Notably, nearly 70% of the student body at Exeter actively participates in at least one sports team, underscoring the widespread engagement in athletic pursuits. Among Exeter’s athletic teams, the swimming team stands out as a formidable force, boasting a strong track record of capturing the New England championships and showcasing their exceptional skills and competitive spirit. Furthermore, Exeter’s dedication to athletic excellence has been recognized by the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC). Several sports teams and individual athletes from Exeter have received honors from NEPSAC for their exceptional contributions during the 2023 spring season.
5. Tuition and Other Fees
2023-2024 Andover Tuition:
Source: Andover Tuition and Financial Aid
2023-2024 Exeter Tuition:
Source: Exeter Tuition & Payment Options
Phillips Academy Andover indeed carries a higher tuition fee compared to Phillips Exeter Academy, whether for boarding or day school options. At Andover, the cumulative expense for Grades 9 to 12 is estimated at $278,400 for boarding school and $215,300 for day school. On the other hand, Exeter’s boarding fees for four high school years amount to approximately $262,756, with day school fees totaling around $206,016. Exeter has managed to keep its tuition relatively lower than its peer institutions like Andover, by implementing measures such as controlling tuition growth and supplementing tuition funds with annual fundraising efforts and revenues from the endowment.
Recommended Readings
- Ten Great Private Schools for Ivy League Admission
- 5 Big Findings About 10 Top Private High Schools
- Harker vs. Nueva: An In-depth Comparison Across 5 Key Aspects
Final Words
Comparing Phillips Academy Andover and Phillips Exeter highlights how demanding elite academic environments can be. Beyond admissions statistics and school culture, students who thrive at this level tend to share one common foundation: strong, well-paced math skills that support advanced coursework, discussion-based classes, and sustained academic pressure.
Before aiming for schools with this level of rigor, families benefit from understanding where a student currently stands—and whether their math trajectory aligns with the expectations of top-tier boarding and day schools.
A Think Academy Free Math Evaluation helps clarify this by identifying a student’s current level, strengths, and gaps, and offering guidance on the most appropriate math track moving forward.
If you’re not ready for an evaluation and simply want consistent practice materials, Think Academy also offers free, downloadable math worksheets for PreK through Grade 10. These grade-aligned worksheets support independent practice, reinforce core skills, and help students build confidence alongside any school pathway.
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