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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
For the 36th year, The Governor's Academy proudly hosted the Massachusetts Special Olympics Soccer Tournament on Sunday, November 5, on our campus in Byfield. The event was attended by over 800 athletes and coaches from 50 teams across Massachusetts.
The Bass Institute recently hosted its first visiting professional, Dr. Dennis Liu, VP of Education at the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation. During his three days at Govs, Liu visited classes, dined with students and teachers, met with the Environment Club, and stayed in the residential suite in the Bill ’67 and Peter ’71 Alfond Coastal Research Center—the first visiting professional to do so.
Before a crowd of families, coaches, teammates, classmates, teachers, and friends in the Peter Marshall French Student Center, ten members of The Governor’s Academy Class of 2024 celebrated their commitment to play NCAA Division I athletics next year. Representing six Governor’s athletic teams, these athletes demonstrate the strength of the Academy’s athletic program and we are proud of their accomplishments.
The Governor’s Academy recently partnered with Lowell's Boat Shop, America's oldest continuously operating boat shop in Amesbury, Massachusetts, to try a few hand-built dories for various experiences at the Alfond Coastal Research Center. “It was immediately clear there were some great opportunities for our students to engage in hands-on, local learning with the Lowell's Boat Shop.
Over the past weekend, Governor's Academy was pleased to host parents and guardians on campus for Fall Family Weekend. On Friday, our campus was at peak fall color with splendid autumn hues, and students enjoyed dressing up in their coziest PJs for the final day of Spirit Week.
Porter Field was the hub of student life on Friday, September 15, the first Friday night of the 2023-2024 school year. Day students and boarding students alike convened on the field ready to battle for the first annual Dummer Cup.
The Governor’s Academy is excited to feature our newest art exhibit, Home-Landing, featuring works by aspiring international student artists from diverse backgrounds.
I was unfamiliar with the Navajo Nation until my residency director suggested I go on a month-long rotation in New Mexico. I figured this would be an adventure, a chance to see a new part of the country—one I was unlikely to visit again. To my great surprise, I absolutely fell in love with the work, people, and area—I just knew that is where I wanted to start my career, even if it meant delaying the expected career path of joining a private practice.