Lawrence Academy at Groton

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Lawrence Academy at Groton, (occasionally called LA,) is a co-educational preparatory school located in Groton, Massachusetts, in the United States. Founded by Samuel Lawrence in 1793 as Groton Academy, and chartered by Governor John Hancock, Lawrence was the ninth private academy in the United States, and the third in Massachusetts, following Governor Dummer Academy (1763) and Phillips Academy at Andover (1778). Lawrence's first headmaster was Samuel Adams Holyoke, a renowned musician. The phrase on Lawrence Academy's seal is "Omnibus Lucet": in Latin, "Let light shine upon all."

In 1845, Groton Academy changed its name to honor Amos, Abbott, and William Lawrence, famed alumni, and major benefactors during that era. At the time, Lawrence Academy was considered a feeder school for America's leading colleges, particularly Dartmouth and Williams Colleges. In 1868, during a Fourth of July celebration, an errantly tossed firecracker burned Lawrence Academy to the ground. In 1956, amidst commencement exercises, fire once again destroyed Lawrence Academy's academic and administrative buildings. Following both fires, Lawrence Academy rebuilt; however, because of these incidents, it encountered financial difficulties through parts of the twentieth century, until the late 1970s. Lawrence was co-educational until 1898, when it switched to a boys only student body. It remained single sex until 1971.

The First Parish Church is a landmark on Main Street in Groton, set at the northern end of Lawrence Academy's campus.

Lawrence Academy's notable programs include Winterim, a two-week adventure term, and Independent Immersion, a year-long program in which a student focuses on a single endeavor, as though at a conservatory.

Lawrence Academy is seated upon 100 acres (405,000 m²) of rolling countryside, in Groton, Massachusetts, 31 miles northwest of Boston, 8 miles south of New Hampshire. At the bequest of James Lawrence, a Lawrence family descendent, it shares the meadows and mansion along Peabody Road and Farmer's Row with another renowned preparatory school, the Groton School, Lawrence's traditional athletic rival. Architecturally, Lawrence's campus features a mix of historic Federalist-Era houses and Neo-Georgian academic buildings. Architect John Wilkie designed Lawrence's original academy. From Lawrence's central quadrangle, one can see the outline of Mount Wachusett to the west, the pastures of Gibbet Hill Farm, (the site of colonial gallows and The Castle), to the north, and the fairways of the Groton Country Club to the east.

Each year Lawrence Academy enrolls approximately 375 students, (200 boarding students.) As of 2005, students hail from 18 U.S. States, and 16 countries. The student-to-teacher ratio at Lawrence is approximately 7:1, with an average class size of 14 students. Tuition for the 2005-2006 academic year is $36,900 for boarders, $28,100 for day students. 30% of students receive financial aid to attend.

Lawrence Academy is directed by a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees. It is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council. Athletic teams compete in the Independent School League. Lawrence Academy has over 3,600 active alumni.

Traditions

• A Headmaster's Holiday occurs each trimester, often before finals week. On this day, to the surprise of students and faculty, Lawrence Academy cancels all classes and athletics. To signify the holiday, Lawrence's headmaster dons a bright orange blazer and walks across the Quad. NOTE: This tradition has been lost over the years. Now "Head's Holidays" are labeled on the academic calendar. Generally, the Headmaster schedules them on holidays or days that should otherwise be taken off.

• Bos'n Ball is a 2-on-2 soccer tournament, named after a faculty member's dog (Bos'n,) who was struck by a car and killed in 1985, the night before the Brooks soccer game. The boys' varsity squad, mourning the loss of their team mascot, went out the next day and beat the top-ranked Brooks squad at Brooks during their parents' weekend. To honor the dog, the team started this tournament, which still runs today. Participants parade in elaborate costumes before playing. A trophy is awarded to the victors.

• Students often make runs Downtown to Main Street. Generally, students patronize Cumberland Farms, ("Cumby's,") Dunkin Donuts, GROHOS, a bank, and a few other small shops. Usually, these runs take about 15 minutes.

• During commencement in June, Lawrence Academy faculty members form a line, and then slowly process past a stationary line of graduating seniors, shaking each of their hands.

Notable Alumni

• Laurie Baker, athlete; Olympic gold medalist.
• Jonah Bayliss, athlete, MLB.
• Karyn Bryant, television personality; MTV VJ.
• Donald L. Harlow, Chief Master Sergeant of the United States Air Force.
• Steve Heinze, athlete; Olympic gold medalist.
• Amos Kendall, "engine of the Andrew Jackson administration;" founder of Gallaudet College for the deaf.
• Abbott Lawrence, politician; Minister to Great Britain; founder of Harvard University's Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
• Amos Lawrence, industrialist; philanthropist.
• Amos Adams Lawrence, abolitionist; politician; founder of the University of Kansas, Lawrence University, and co-founder of the Groton School.
• Page McConnell, musician; Phish.
• Ether Shepley, politician; Senator from Maine.
• Huntley N. Spaulding, philanthropist; Governor of New Hampshire.
• Fritz Wetherbee, Emmy award-winning television personality.
• Antoine Wright, athlete; NBA.

External links

• [Lawrence Academy]
• [Lawrence Academy] admissions video at SchoolFair.tv
• [Lawrence Academy] profile at Petersons.
• [Gibbet Hill] history.

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