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The Eight Schools Association (ESA) is a group of large private college-preparatory boarding schools in the Northeastern United States. It was formally established in 2006, but has existed in some form since the 1973–74 school year. Although several ESA schools no longer publish their endowment figures, in 2016 the ESA contained seven of the ten wealthiest traditional college-preparatory boarding schools in the United States, as measured by total size of endowment. All eight ESA members commit to provide financial aid equivalent to the full demonstrated need of the U.S. citizen students that they admit, as determined by the schools' respective financial aid departments.

Member schools

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School Location Established Enrollment
(2021-22) 		Net Assets (2022) Boarding
Tuition (2023-24) 		Source(s)
Choate Rosemary Hall (Choate) Wallingford, CT 1890 868 $689,816,205 $67,380 [1][2][3]
Deerfield Academy Deerfield, MA 1797 653 $1,071,112,277 $68,230 [4][5][6]
Hotchkiss School Lakeville, CT 1891 622 $665,518,120 $68,370 [7][8][9]
Lawrenceville School Lawrenceville, NJ 1810 818 $937,743,544 $76,080 [10][11][12]
Northfield Mount Hermon School (NMH) Gill, MA 1879 650 $212,391,685 $72,647 [13][14][15]
Phillips Academy (Andover) Andover, MA 1778 1,187 $1,659,942,001 $69,600 [16][17][18]
Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter) Exeter, NH 1781 1,064 $1,707,863,640 $64,789 [19][20][21]
St. Paul's School Concord, NH 1856 542 $854,514,890 $65,410 [22][23][24]

History

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1973–2006: Informal association

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During the 1973–74 school year, the heads of Andover, Choate, Deerfield, Exeter, Hotchkiss, Lawrenceville, and St. Paul's agreed to meet on a yearly, albeit informal, basis.[25] After the first meeting, Northfield Mount Hermon was invited to join.[26] According to Choate's website, the purpose of the ESA was "to show a connection between these [member] schools in academic philosophy, admissions standards, and athletic pursuits."[27]

In 1996, the ESA agreed to add a second annual meeting to its calendar, with one meeting for the heads of school and the other for representatives of each school's boards of trustees.[26]

The ESA will not expand unless the eight member schools unanimously agree, and no new members have been added since 1974.[28]

2006–present: Formalized group

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In April 2006, the ESA schools established a more formal administrative structure, appointing a president, vice president, and executive director.[29] These roles were staffed by administrators of the member schools (i.e., not full-time ESA employees), who would rotate every three years.[30] The ESA also adopted bylaws which state that the ESA's primary purpose is to "address critical educational issues in order to ensure the best educational experiences and outcomes for students, explore new research and trends in education, and develop collaborative programs."[29]

The ESA heads have continued their annual meetings since formalizing the ESA. Topics discussed at ESA meetings include economic difficulties in the private school industry, ways to improve boarding school affordability, and the economic feasibility of need-blind admissions.[28][31] Previous invitees and speakers at these meetings include Harvard Graduate School of Education professor James P. Honan,[31] former Dartmouth College president James Wright,[28] journalist Steven Brill, and education policy specialists.[32]

Financial resources

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Although several ESA schools no longer publish their endowment figures, in 2016 the ESA contained seven of the ten wealthiest traditional college-preparatory boarding schools in the United States, as measured by total size of endowment.[33] (In 2017, the endowments of Kamehameha Schools in Hawaii ($11.0 billion)[34] and the Milton Hershey School in Pennsylvania ($13.7 billion)[35] were each larger than that of all the ESA schools combined. However, those two schools focus on educating specific subsets of the American population: Native Hawaiians and low-income students.[36][37] Reflecting their different financial models, they also charge much lower tuition than the ESA schools—in Milton Hershey's case, none.[38][39])

Reflecting these financial resources, as of the 2023–24 school year, all eight ESA members commit to provide financial aid equivalent to the full demonstrated need of the U.S. citizen students that they admit.[40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47]

Attempts at closer collaboration

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Athletics

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Although the ESA schools are geographically dispersed, making it somewhat impractical to schedule consistent sports matchups, several ESA schools have sought to schedule each other in out-of-conference play. The ESA held wrestling and basketball tournaments in 2007 and 2009.[29][27] In 2015–16, the six ESA members closest to Boston (that is, all except Hotchkiss and Lawrenceville) announced their intention to start a new athletic conference.[48] However, the schools did not register their conference with the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council,[49] and as of 2024, several of these schools remain affiliated with other conferences.[50][51]

Student and faculty cooperation

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After formalizing the ESA, the schools identified several possible ideas for future cooperation, such as "a debate invitational, a joint literary publication, athletic play days, [] a musical group jamboree," and "collaborating on critical issues like pandemic preparedness."[52]

In the years immediately following the establishment of the ESA, the group conducted several joint projects:

  • Faculty conferences. The schools have occasionally scheduled faculty conferences, such as the 2007 arts conference,[53] the 2010 science conference, the 2010 language/cultural conference,[29][54] and the 2012 and 2013 education technology conferences.[54][55]
  • Student publications. In August 2007, Deerfield published 8 × 8: Writings from the Eight School Association,[56][57] a collection of student writing curated by teachers and student editors at the ESA schools.[58] In the preface, Deerfield's head wrote that she hoped future editions of the collection would "fost[er] intellectual relationships among its members."[57] In 2019, Andover's student newspaper attempted to survey the student bodies of all eight ESA schools, but for various reasons, four of the eight schools did not participate.[59]
  • Arts festivals. ESA schools have also hosted a jazz festival (April 2008)[60] and drama festivals (April 2010).[29]
  • Student competitions. As of 2010, ESA administrators were planning a "green campus" competition to encourage students to participate in environmental initiatives.[61]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Search for Private Schools - School Detail for CHOATE ROSEMARY HALL". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  2. ^ "Choate Rosemary Hall Foundation Incorporated - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. 2013-05-09. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  3. ^ "Tuition and Financial Aid". Choate Rosemary Hall. Archived from the original on 2023-04-02. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  4. ^ "2023-24 School Profile" (PDF). Deerfield Academy. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  5. ^ "Trustees Of Deerfield Academy - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. 2013-05-09. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  6. ^ "Financial Aid". Deerfield Academy. Archived from the original on 2023-10-23. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  7. ^ "Search for Private Schools - School Detail for THE HOTCHKISS SCHOOL". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  8. ^ "Hotchkiss School - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. 2013-05-09. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  9. ^ "Tuition and Payment Plans". Hotchkiss School. Archived from the original on 2023-12-07. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  10. ^ "Search for Private Schools - School Detail for THE LAWRENCEVILLE SCHOOL". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  11. ^ "Trustees Of The Lawrenceville School - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. 2013-05-09. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  12. ^ "Tuition and Affordability". Lawrenceville School. Archived from the original on 2023-12-02. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  13. ^ "About Us | Private Co-Ed Boarding High School | NMH". www.nmhschool.org. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  14. ^ "Northfield Mount Hermon School - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. 2013-05-09. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  15. ^ "Tuition, Fees, and Expenses". Northfield Mount Hermon School. Archived from the original on 2024-01-05. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  16. ^ "Search for Private Schools - School Detail for PHILLIPS ACADEMY". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  17. ^ "Trustees Of Phillips Academy - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. 2013-05-09. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  18. ^ "Tuition and Financial Aid". Phillips Academy. Archived from the original on 2024-01-20. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  19. ^ "Search for Private Schools - School Detail for PHILLIPS EXETER ACADEMY". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  20. ^ "Phillips Exeter Academy - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. 2013-05-09. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  21. ^ "Tuition & Payment Options". Phillips Exeter Academy. Archived from the original on 2023-12-19. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  22. ^ "Search for Private Schools - School Detail for ST PAUL'S SCHOOL". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  23. ^ "St Pauls School - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. 2013-05-09. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  24. ^ "Tuition & Financial Aid". St. Paul's School. Archived from the original on 2023-11-19. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  25. ^ Smith, Taylor (2008-02-14). "History of the Association". The Phillipian. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  26. ^ a b The News (Choate), December 15, 2006
  27. ^ a b "Choate to Host Eight Schools Boys Basketball Holiday Tournament". Choate Rosemary Hall. 2011-07-27. Archived from the original on 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  28. ^ a b c Pasiliao, Allyn (15 May 2009). "Shanahan Joins Trustees to Review Financial Woes at Eight Schools' Association Meeting in Exeter". The News. Archived from the original on 30 January 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2012.[dead link‍]
  29. ^ a b c d e Kim, Josh (14 May 2010). "The Eight Schools Association: Who? What? When? Where? Why?". The News. Archived from the original on 21 July 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  30. ^ Matt Miller, "Eight Schools Association," The Lawrence (Lawrenceville), January 19, 2007; Taylor Smith, "History of the Association," The Phillipian (Andover), February 15, 2008, p. A7
  31. ^ a b Tim Ghosh and Charles Shoener, "Eight Schools Association Convenes At PA," The Phillipian (Andover), April 24, 2008, p. A1
  32. ^ "Deerfield Hosts the ESA". Deerfield Academy. Archived from the original on 2012-04-26. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  33. ^ Martin, Emmie; Loudenback, Tanza (2016-02-21). "The 20 richest boarding schools in America". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 2023-05-07. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  34. ^ "KS AR 2004-PDF prep 01.indd" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 26, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
  35. ^ "IRS Form 990 Milton Hershey School and School Trust" (PDF). Foundation Center. July 31, 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 14, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  36. ^ Jim Dooley (8 February 2008). "Kamehameha Schools settled lawsuit for $7M". The Honolulu Advertiser. Archived from the original on 2021-03-05. Retrieved 2010-03-10.
  37. ^ "Admissions Criteria | Admissions Information | MHS". Milton Hershey School. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  38. ^ "Apply". Kamehameha Schools. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  39. ^ "Milton Hershey School Facts | About Us". Milton Hershey School. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  40. ^ "Tuition and Financial Aid". Phillips Academy. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  41. ^ "Am I Eligible for Financial Aid?". Phillips Exeter Academy. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  42. ^ "Tuition and Financial Aid". Choate Rosemary Hall. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  43. ^ "Financial Aid". Deerfield Academy. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  44. ^ "Financial Aid". Hotchkiss School. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  45. ^ "Tuition and Affordability". Lawrenceville School. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  46. ^ "Admission - Need-based Scholarships". Northfield Mount Hermon School. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  47. ^ "Tuition & Financial Aid". St. Paul's School. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  48. ^ Brown, Jana (2016-04-21). "St. Paul's to Play Full ISL Schedule Next Year". St. Paul's School. Archived from the original on 2020-05-03. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
  49. ^ "NEPSAC Leagues & Conferences". New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (MA). Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  50. ^ "St. Paul's Athletics | St. Paul's School". www.sps.edu. 2024-02-13. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  51. ^ "Football - Choate Rosemary Hall | Private Boarding & Day School". www.choate.edu. 2023-09-08. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  52. ^ "Association of Eight Peer Schools » OWHL Staff Communication Blog". noblenet.org. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
  53. ^ Edward Shanahan, "Message from the Headmaster," Choate Rosemary Hall Bulletin, Spring 2008, p. 9
  54. ^ a b Gremillion, Diane (29 April 2011). "Annual ESA Meeting Held at Choate". The News. Archived from the original on 14 December 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  55. ^ "Announcement of TL 2013," The Andover Gazette, Feb. 15, 2013, p. 10; tli2012.wordpress.com/attendee-list
  56. ^ 8 × 8: Writings from the Eight School Association. Northhampton, MA: Tiger Press. 2007. ISBN 9780975575864.
  57. ^ a b Margarita Curtis, "8 × 8: An Eight-School Collaboration," 8 × 8: Writings from the Eight School Association [sic] (Deerfield, Mass.: Deerfield Academy Press, 2007), p. 7
  58. ^ Vivian Brodie, "The Lit and Eight Schools Association Write to Unite," The News (Choate), February 23, 2007
  59. ^ "The State of the Eight Schools Association". The Phillipian. 2019-01-25. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  60. ^ Choate Rosemary Hall Bulletin, Fall 2007, p. 3
  61. ^ Andrew Rindlaub, "Andover Green Initiatives Continue: PA Works with Eight Schools Association to Raise Student Participation," The Phillipian (Andover), March 4, 2010
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