Lawrence Academy

Founded in 1793, Lawrence Academy, spanning 140 acres, offers a college preparatory curriculum to approximately 400 students in grades 9 through 12. The school is conveniently located in Groton, 35 miles north of Boston, less than an hour's drive from the city. As one of America's oldest independent schools, it maintains traditional educational values while adopting a student-centered teaching approach to better achieve its educational mission. Teacher Shi has visited this school multiple times.
School Advantages:
1. Prime Location: Located in the heart of Groton, Massachusetts, only a 45-minute drive from Boston.
2. Comprehensive Facilities: Extensive facilities in arts and sports ensure a rich student experience.
3. Distinctive Arts Program: The school's arts program is highly distinctive, offering abundant opportunities for artistic performances and exhibitions.
4. Strong Sports Program: The school boasts outstanding achievements in soccer and volleyball, with a well-established range of sports programs.
5. Extracurricular Activities: The school offers 15 extracurricular activities, including academic clubs, recreational clubs, and community service clubs.
6. Special Programs: Includes a unique annual Visiting Scholars Program and a partnership with the Groton Hill Music Center.
7. College Placement: 92% of Lawrence Academy students gain admission to one of their top three college choices.

Lawrence Academy is a non-denominational co-educational independent boarding school located in the heart of Groton, Massachusetts. Founded in 1793, it boasts a 230-year history, ranking tenth among the oldest boarding schools nationwide and third in Massachusetts. Adhering to the mission of "understanding, inspiring, supporting, and elevating students," and based on the core values of "diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging," the school helps students better understand and improve themselves, and achieve their aspirations. The school encourages students to plan their own education, make relevant choices, and bear corresponding risks, rather than blindly following others' plans. This helps students realize earlier that they need to be responsible for their own future, and also enables them to adapt to more independent learning and living before entering university.

In terms of teaching, the school encourages students not just to learn knowledge as a student, but to immerse themselves in professional roles such as artists, historians, linguists, scientists, and so on, for deeper learning and research. The school offers systematic and rich courses in six major areas: arts, English, foreign languages, history, mathematics, and science. Beyond this traditional teaching model, Winterim, a distinctive experiential education program of the school, perfectly complements students' learning needs outside the classroom. Each year, over 40 immersive and enriching Winterim projects provide students with opportunities for exploratory learning experiences that are difficult to access in daily life.

Lawrence Academy data: Student enrollment 418, student-teacher ratio 1:5, international students 10%, boarding rate 45%, teachers with advanced degrees 65%, advanced and honors courses 40+. Lawrence Academy is one of the oldest schools in the United States, founded in 1793, originally named Groton Academy. It was established by a church organization in Massachusetts with the aim of cultivating young people to become leaders in moral, political, academic, and religious aspects. In 1810, the school was renamed Lawrence Academy in honor of Vice Provost Samuel Lawrence, the church's main benefactor. In the mid-19th century, the school gradually developed into a true private boarding school and decided to focus its education on the humanities. In the 20th century, the school adjusted and improved its curriculum, introducing modern science and technology majors, providing students with diverse and comprehensive knowledge and skills. As a historically significant school, Lawrence Academy boasts excellent teaching facilities. The school covers an area of 1360 acres and has multiple academic buildings, laboratories, libraries, and an art center. The campus environment is elegant, with lush woodlands, spacious lawns, and lakes, offering students a beautiful environment for learning and living. The school also has multiple sports venues and fitness centers, providing students with places and conditions for sports and physical fitness.

Students in Lawrence Middle School's English classes are required to participate annually, where they will experiment with monologues, speeches, and poetry, and discuss their work in small groups with peers. Some English courses are conducted via broadcast. At Lawrence Middle School, students participate in NPR's 'This I Believe' project and the Judith French Poetry Recitation Contest in Los Angeles. In both projects, students have the opportunity to explore the essence of literature and various forms of writing. The school's English department reported that the Los Angeles activities enhanced students' recognition and inclusivity.