Discover your passions

Governor’s

At A Glance

15%

identify as international students

33

miles north of Boston and 5 miles south of Newburyport

25

varsity sports teams

456

acre

campus bordered by the Parker River

415

students

60

Scholastic Art Awards in 2023

30%

of students receive financial aid

$5.9 M

financial aid awarded annually

11

student average class size

25

Scholastic Writing Awards in 2023

14

year average faculty tenure

18

states represented in our student body

Governor's

People

Dr. Emily Allen

I see teaching as a chance to connect with my students and for us to create a unique learning community. Together we don't just learn science, we create, we problem solve, we debate, and we compete - all as a way to push each other, support each other, and learn. For me, teaching a class is about curating a space that allows this community to thrive, to have fun, to be challenged, and to challenge each other. That's what a Govs education is all about.

Dr. Allen serves as the Science Department Chair and teaches physics. She coaches girls JV lacrosse and serves as the advisor to student affinity group SWAGA. Before Governor's, Emily taught at the collegiate level at Boston University and Babson College, and she also taught at The Pomfret School. When she’s not busy at Governor’s, she enjoys practicing yoga and hiking with her husband and very energetic puppy!

  • Science Department Chair
Alec '24

Being a student at Govs is so special. Arriving as a new junior was such a smooth transition because of how close-knit and welcoming the Govs community is. The faculty are always present on campus and eager to help their students that they care so much about. The connections I have made with my advisor, dorm parents, coaches, and teachers are genuine and deep. The connections I have made in Byfield will last a lifetime and always keep me coming back after I graduate.

Alec is a boarding student from Lafayette, Colorado who loves spending his afternoons and weekends at the hockey rink and on the golf course. In addition to his classes, he enjoys studying with friends in the library, movie nights in the dorm, and cheering on his friends in their athletic and artistic performances. He says there is nothing like striking up a conversation with his Economics teacher and his son over a meal in the dining hall or running into his advisor on the walk to practice in the afternoon. 

  • Lafayette, CO
Faith Kagwa

The first time I arrived on this campus it was evident how connected and caring this community is. We see this in the every day interactions between students to students, adults to adults, and students to adults. Our dorms are truly the homes away from home for our boarding students. It's the place they can rest, laugh, and rejuvenate for their days. I am thrilled to be able to help build intentional communities within all our dorms with the support of incredible student proctors and dedicated dorm parents. 

Faith oversees all aspects of the residential life program at Govs in her role as Associate Dean of Students & Director of Residential Life. In addition, she serves as an advisor and the junior and senior class deans. Faith lives on campus with her family.

  • Associate Dean of Students & Director of Residential Life
Will '25

Over the years, I have made countless connections, new friends and mentors and I hope in the next two years I can build on these and make even more. I have had the opportunity to play new sports, make new international friends, and connected with my peers through the music program. I would not want to be a part of any other community than the Govs community.

Day student Will '25 calls being a student at Governor's a "special experience". He plays basketball and lacrosse at Govs, and plays the violin in orchestra. Anatomy and physiology/sports medicine have been his favorite classes so far, and hopes to take a class in marine science next year. Will says his advisor and coaches have helped him gain knowledge, become a better person and become a leader in the Govs community. When he's not busy at school, Will loves boating, fishing, and being outdoors.

 

  • Ipswich, MA
Gracie '25

Govs has prepared me to embrace the future with confidence and determination. It's a place where I've not only discovered my passions but also found a supportive and nurturing environment to pursue them. Whether in academics or athletics, I've witnessed firsthand how the people at Govs go above and beyond to make it special. While playing sports, I've learned the importance of teamwork, dedication, and perseverance. The camaraderie I've formed on the field has shaped me into a better athlete and a stronger individual.

Gracie '25 is a boarding student at Govs. A very talented tri-season athlete, she plays on the varsity soccer, basketball, and lacrosse teams. When Gracie arrived at Govs, she was very interested in the sciences and through thought-provoking discussions, challenging experiments, and engaging projects, teachers here have nurtured her passion for scientific exploration. After she took a photography class, that blossomed into a newfound interest for her. She is involved in a variety of clubs, noting that it’s a great way to learn about different subjects and interests with like-minded people.

 

  • Wilmington, MA
Mike Delay P'23, '25

In my past twenty-two years at Governors, one thing has remained central to my Academy experience; supporting, knowing, and guiding students. Building relationships with students in all areas of school life allows many important positive core values to be instilled...and permeate beyond graduation. These relationships are not limited to just the faculty/student relationship, but they extend also to faculty families and staff. There are so many people rooting for and cheering on the academic and personal growth of our students.

Mike teaches history, coaches JV football in the fall, and is the assistant coach of varsity boys ice hockey in the winter. He spent years as the Assistant Dean of Students in the Dean's Office before returning full time to the classroom. He is the dorm associate in Farmhouse and he lives on campus with his wife, two daughters (both Govs students), and black lab "Buddy". In addition to enjoying time with students in the classroom, dorm, and athletic fields/rink, he loves to keep up with former students and athletes' accomplishments post-Byfield. Mike calls working with a student during their very first year at Governor’s and then reconnecting during their college years, at their wedding, and meeting their own children is unique and quite special to the Governor's community. When he's not on campus coaching, teaching, or in the dorm, he enjoys golfing, fishing, running, and spending time with his family.

 

 

  • History Teacher
Jana '23

Music has always been my passion and an integral aspect of my life. In practicing the viola, I’ve learned to organize my ever-busy mind and focus, finding ways to express myself to the fullest beyond what words could possibly describe. For years, however, these notes didn’t travel far. But at Govs, given the opportunities and surrounded by those who are always willing to support me, I’ve learned to willingly step outside of my comfortable practice room to share my music with others — with the world.

Jana ’23 is a boarding student at Govs. From struggling to translate the works of Roman historian Suetonius to playing Settlers of Catan, she enjoys all the opportunities and challenges that the school offers both in and out of the academic setting. Among other things she is involved in, she is a co-leader of Philoso-tea, the school’s very own philosophy club, and the International Student Alliance. Through her involvement in the school community, she wishes to welcome and support others.

  • Seoul, South Korea
Emmett '23

When I first arrived at Govs in ninth grade, music was an interest of mine, but I never anticipated how much that interest would grow during my time here. I began as just a saxophone player, but I soon expanded, performing in our concerts as both an instrumentalist and a singer, as well as taking my music education to the classroom, with our AP music theory course. Govs has given me the resources and the tools to broaden my interests and try new things, learning skills that will stay with me for life.

Emmett is a junior day student from New Hampshire who has discovered many different areas of interest since arriving at Govs. In addition to his classes, Emmett enjoys spending time with his friends, playing basketball, hanging out in the Student Center, and participating in the various weekend events.

  • Kingston, New Hampshire
Callie '23

Being an athlete at Govs is so special. Not only have I learned to be a part of a team and play for something bigger than myself, but I have developed leadership skills that I can use beyond my years at Govs and friendships that I know will last a lifetime. Being the daughter of two alums has shown me how lucky I am to be a part of such a loving and caring community like Govs! 

For day student Callie, Govs is a family affair. Not only do her siblings also attend Govs, she is also the daughter of two alums! She is eager to get back on the lacrosse field this year to continue to develop her leadership skills.

  • Newburyport, Massachusetts
Amy Block '06

It was the inspirational teachers and coaches that I had as a student at Govs that sparked my interest to return to Byfield as a teacher. Interacting with the dedicated faculty in the classroom and on the athletic field helped them to know me not as one of many students but as an individual. Now as a teacher, coach, and dorm parent I recognize that these relationships are what continue to make the Governor's community so special.

 

Amy is passionate about creating engaging lessons that help students strengthen their problem-solving skills in mathematics. At the same time, she recognizes that some of the most important lessons a student learns happen outside of the classroom. Amy, who played soccer, lacrosse, and ran indoor track at the collegiate level, is a dedicated coach who helps students discover the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, and working together to achieve common goals. She enjoys running, playing tennis and golf, and baking sweet treats. She is the head dorm parent in Peirce and often brings baked goods for the residents to Sunday night dorm meetings. Amy values the time she spends with students in the classroom, on the athletic field, and in the dormitory, and believes strongly that character develops in all areas of boarding school life. 

  • Math Department Chair & Girls Varsity Soccer Coach
Gary Satow

Living in our dorms reinforces the most important values in the Governor’s community.  It is here where our students learn to exercise their independence, generate meaningful and lasting relationships, maintain their own spaces, develop their unique process of studying, and learn the most valuable lessons about community living, from the mundane tasks of dorm jobs to the most important lessons about trust, empathy, and respect.

 

Mr. Satow has been a dorm parent since the very first day of his career as an educator. He is dedicated to using the dormitories and the Residential Life Program at Governor’s as a method of developing adolescents into young adults. Mr. Satow can be found monitoring a study hall, hosting a meal in the dorm common room on a weekend, or organizing the Farmhouse reunion barbecue every spring.   

  • Associate Dean of Academics & History Teacher

Governor's

Events & News

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Wilkie Center - Bergmann Theater
Gene Morrissey '64 Leads With a Healing Mission

Gene Morrissey '64 remembers the day in 1966 when he received his draft letter from the U.S. Army in the mail. It wasn’t unexpected — the Vietnam War was in its eleventh year, and Morrissey had taken time off as a student from Stanford University — but that didn’t soften his reaction. 

“It’s the dreaded letter,” he says, pausing for a moment. “I knew that by losing my student status, I opted to let myself be drafted. But when the note shows up, you sort of get a lump in your throat because now it’s real.”

Read More about Gene Morrissey '64 Leads With a Healing Mission
Meet Xavia Banigan '24

Xavia Banigan '24 from North Reading, Massachusetts, recently achieved a "Govs first," being the first female wrestler to bring home the New England title in wrestling with her three-time Prep National All-American ranking at the National Prep Wrestling Championships in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. A true scholar-athlete, Xavia has a rigorous academic schedule with four AP courses. 

Xavia took time from her busy schedule to share more about her life at Govs and plans for the future.

Read More about Meet Xavia Banigan '24
A Powerful Collaboration

English teacher Monica Kirschmann believes in the power of collaboration and the value of incorporating diverse perspectives and expertise into her curriculum. She recently designed an interdisciplinary project for her AP Junior English class with fellow Govs English teacher and entertainment industry veteran David Brooks P'23.

“We also asked students to work collaboratively and present their work to professionals in the communications field,” said Kirschmann. “I wanted my students to collaborate, see adults collaborate, and create work for an authentic audience.”

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The Governor's Academy Exhibits "Sum of My Parts", An exhibit of the Photography of David Hilliard

The Governor’s Academy is proud to feature Sum of My Parts, an exhibition by photographer David Hilliard. Sum of My Parts is a cross-section of his photographic works, made over the course of decades. Images included in the exhibition touch upon themes of family, diversity, gender/identity, rites of passage, nuances of masculinity, queerness, faith, love, and desire.

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Alex Sinden '24 Chapel Talk

Our community gathers each Wednesday morning in the Moseley Chapel for quiet reflection and a Chapel Talk by a community member about something important to them. Alex ’24 from London, England recently shared his experience studying in the U.S. through his introduction to the sport of wrestling.

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Find Your People

Senior Amy Ge '24 recently shared her words of wisdom in a Chapel Talk; her first piece of advice: Pick your people. "...surround yourself with those who uplift and care, those who respect and admire you, and those who can teach you something valuable about yourself."

Read More about Find Your People