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Lawrence Academy (Groton, Massachusetts)

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Lawrence Academy at Groton

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Headmaster D. Scott Wiggins
Established 1793
School type Private
Publications Powderhouse Gazette, The Consortium, The Lacademy Sun
Location Groton, MA, USA
Enrollment Apx. 375
Faculty ~75
Campus Rural
Mascot Spartan
School colors Red (Main), Blue, White
Website lacademy.edu

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."

Lawrence Academy

History

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.

File:DSCN3949 grotonchurch e.jpg
The First Parish Church is a landmark on Main Street in Groton, set at the northern end of Lawrence Academy's campus.

Background

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, one of Lawrence's traditional athletic rivals. 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.

Enrollment

Each year Lawrence Academy enrolls approximately 375 students, (200 boarding students.) As of 2006, 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 2006-2007 academic year is $39,900 for boarders, $29,900 for day students. 30% of students receive financial aid to attend. Lawrence accepts approximately 40% of applicants.

Notable Programs

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.

Affiliations

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

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From Spaulding Hall: Gibbett Hill, site of The Castle.

School Photo Running

  • Each year it is tradition for multiple seniors to be "runners" for the school's panoramic photo. A runner is photographed at the front end of the panorama, and then, as the camera pans, certain seniors run to the other side of the group, so as to appear twice in the photograph. For decades, former-French teacher Dick Gagne "ran" as well.

Headmaster's Holiday

  • Headmaster Wiggins is proud to continue the strong tradition of Headmaster's Holiday. It is unclear what Mr. Wiggins will do to signify the holiday. In the past they have occurred each trimester, often before finals week. On these occasions, to the surprise of students and faculty, Lawrence Academy will cancel all classes and athletics. The previous Headmaster would don a bright orange blazer and walk across the Quad to signify the holiday.

Bos'n Ball

  • Bos'n Ball is a 2-on-2 soccer tournament, named after a faculty member, Rob Moore'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 defeated 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.

Downtown Runs

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

2-Li Run

  • The 2-Li Run tradition involves walking downtown to Cumby's, buying a 2-liter bottle of soda and drinking it communally with a group of friends.

Graduation Procession

  • 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.

Mountain Day

  • Mountain Day is a tradition held every year in the fall, when the entire school is bused up to Mount Monadnock in Jaffrey, NH on a school day in place of classes. While there, students and faculty hike up (or sit at the bottom of) the mountain's 2 mile long trails. When they arrive at the top, they check off their names on a list. The class with the most students to the top is recognized and receives some form of prize for their participation. Although no classes are held on Mountain Day, sports are required that afternoon.

Senior Beach Day

  • Senior Beach Day is a senior class tradition that takes place in the final week of every spring term. The entire senior class, along with selected faculty and the Headmaster, head to the beach for a day full of lounging, swimming and bonding before graduation. This is a tradition for Lawrence Academy seniors.

The Dick Gagne Elm Tree Classic

  • A charity golf tournament that brings together students, parents, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the school to raise money for the Winterim Scholarship Fund.

Notable Alumni

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