Go Far Together

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

408

students

49

Scholastic Art Awards in 2025

27%

of students receive financial aid

$6 .2 M

financial aid awarded annually

11

student average class size

25

Scholastic Writing Awards in 2024

14.1

year average faculty tenure

19

states represented in our student body

Governor's People

Emaad '28

When I first arrived at Govs, I was more reserved due to it being the first time away from my family for an extended period of time. However, through the opportunities this school has given me I have learned to become more confident in myself by becoming a part of the student council, joining clubs, and submitting my writing to competitions. I am looking forward to the rest of my years at Govs, and I am excited to see how it will continue to shape me.

Emaad '28 is a boarding student from Andover, Massachusetts. Emaad is an active member of the school community, serving on the Student Council and participating in both the Poetry Club and Philoso-Tea Club. He also takes part in the German Exchange Program. Emaad’s talent for writing earned him an honorary mention for the Murphy Mercer Award, Govs' prestigious writing contest.

  • Andover, MA
Shanna Fliegel

Each day I am grateful to step foot in my favorite space on campus: the kiln and glaze room. This studio invites experimentation, curiosity, and I dare even say a "serenity." With our hands in clay I get to work with bright young minds who are willing to play, fail, persist and innovate. It is truly a gift and I love teaching my expertise within the Govs community. Being a dorm parent, coach, gallery manager, and advisor in addition to faculty means my daily interaction goes beyond the artist and I am lucky to get to know the whole child for who they are and how they see the world.

Arts Department Chair Shanna is a passionate ceramics instructor who also coaches JV field hockey in the fall and leads a ceramics afternoon program during the winter. As a dorm parent in Peirce, she lives on campus with her family and their dog, Jersey. Shanna thrives on curating and organizing exhibitions and artist workshops, and she plays an integral role in managing the proctor program at the Kaiser Visual Arts Center. During the summer, Shanna travels extensively, participating in artist residencies and leading international ceramic workshops. In her free time, she enjoys running through the Great Salt Marsh in the mornings, capturing photos while backpacking, doodling in her sketchbook, and cooking alongside her two sons.

  • Arts Department Chair & Ceramics Teacher
Jay '26

Since ninth grade, Govs has brought me countless opportunities to pursue my interests in academics, athletics, and the performing arts-- from the tennis court to the stage in Wilkie. Being able to live with my friends in the dorm and hang out with them every day after school has been an incredibly enjoyable experience. The connections I have made have created long lasting bonds that I will treasure even beyond Govs.

Jay is a boarding student from Ningbo, China. He enjoys taking challenging courses, particularly in humanities and the sciences. Beyond the classroom, he actively engages in various activities at Govs, from playing violin in the orchestra to captaining the tennis team. Jay also serves as the co-leader for Latin Club and is a shadow for the International Student Alliance at Govs. In his free time, Jay enjoys going on walks at the nearby marsh with his friends.

  • Ningbo, China
Theo '26

I have always had a passion for student leadership. When I first arrived here, I was eager to make a difference in this community and Govs has given me the opportunity to do that. Whether in the dorms, classroom, or athletic fields, the Academy has allowed me to make my voice heard while also exposing me to incredible mentors who helped me grow as a student leader. Govs has given me the confidence and skills to work with teams to achieve common goals, something which will extend far beyond Byfield. 

Theo is a boarding student from Westminster, Massachusetts. He enjoys all of the challenges and opportunities for personal growth Govs has to offer. From engaging in history discussions, to planning events as Academy President and Peer Advisors, to working on his swing in the batting cages, Theo engages in the full range of opportunities Govs provides. When not engaging in academic or extracurricular activities, Theo enjoys being with friends in the Dining Hall or engaging in the various weekend events on campus.

 

  • Westminster, MA
Liz '26

My favorite part of Govs has been all the new experiences and meeting new people! Being able to connect with people outside my classes through athletic teams and in the dorm gives me the opportunity to make friends with people I would otherwise never see. I love being able to try new things and learn new skills that I can carry with me after high school. 

Liz is a boarding student from Framingham, Massachusetts. She is a tri sport varsity athlete who plays field hockey, ice hockey, and softball. Liz loves attending weekend activities and cheering on friends in their athletic and artistic performances when she's not on the field or ice herself!

  • Framingham, MA
Jake Falconer

Having recently finished fifteen years at Govs, I often find myself thinking about why I have chosen this life. There are countless enriching aspects to living in this community, but what consistently comes to the forefront of my mind is, simply, the students I have taught through the years. 

Jake teaches Spanish, is the head coach of varsity boys tennis in the spring, and teaches instructional tennis in the winter. In his over a decade of teaching at Governor’s, he has led several student trips including ones to Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Spain. He lives on campus with his wife, son (a Govs graduate), and daughter (current Govs student).

  • Spanish Teacher
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
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
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

Welcoming Newly Elected Members to The Governor's Academy Board of Trustees

“Our Board of Trustees plays a vital role in shaping the future of The Governor’s Academy,” said Head of School Peter H. Quimby, Ph.D. ’85, P’14. “We’re fortunate to welcome these remarkable individuals, whose leadership and perspectives reflect the strength and breadth of the Govs community. We’re excited for the energy, insight, and dedication they’ll bring as the Academy continues to prepare students for lives of purpose, leadership, excellence, and service."

Read More about Welcoming Newly Elected Members to The Governor's Academy Board of Trustees
Diana Stram ‘87: Casting Nets in Science and Service 

Diana Stram ‘87 is a senior scientist at North Pacific Fishery Management Council, where she analyzes scientific data to inform policy-making decisions impacting the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, and Aleutian Islands. A believer in the power of science to impact progress, her work on creating a climate change work plan has included requirements for groundfish and crab, and rebuilding plans for overfished stocks. Before launching her career in marine resource management, she served in the Peace Corps in Niger, West Africa and went on to be a Fulbright Scholar.

Read More about Diana Stram ‘87: Casting Nets in Science and Service 
First Exhibit of the Year Features Artists Jillian Demeri '82 and Michael Terrile '85

We are excited to exhibit the works of artists Michael Terrile '85 and Jillian Demeri in the Peter C. Remis Lobby of the Wilkie Center for the Performing Arts from October 10 through November 7.

This exhibition brings together the vibrant acrylic landscapes of the late Terrile and the fluid, minimalist watercolors of Demeri, highlighting the friendship and artistic dialogue the two shared over the course of decades.

Read More about First Exhibit of the Year Features Artists Jillian Demeri '82 and Michael Terrile '85


The Governor's Academy is a boarding and day school for students in grades 9 through 12, located in Byfield, Massachusetts. Governor's admits students of any race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Governor's does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.