Portsmouth Abbey School

Our child graduated this year, 2025, with excellent grades and was admitted to their desired university. We are extremely satisfied with our decision to choose PAS school initially. We appreciate the style of this church school, and based on our experience over these past few years, it has several advantages:
First, the school is very strict and conservative, yet its teaching style is not inflexible (for example, if you truly excel academically in a certain area, the school gives you a green light and is not rigid). In fact, a conservative style is very important in the current US environment, free from those chaotic "woke" progressive ideologies, which is especially crucial for teenagers.
Second, the curriculum is advantageous for a deeper understanding of Western culture. For instance, studying Latin is actually very helpful for understanding Western history and even the origins of science. From our observation, the requirements for literature and writing here are also very strict.
Third, the school is not large, which provides more opportunities for Chinese students from afar to interact with the school's teachers. I personally feel the kind and warm atmosphere here. Regarding the 2025 graduation, Chinese students generally achieved outstanding results.
Furthermore, the faculty here is very strong, with many teachers holding PhDs from prestigious universities (I haven't compared this, but perhaps this is common in American private high schools).
Finally, there is safety. Because the school is located in Rhode Island, the campus scenery is beautiful, and it's a distance from dense urban areas, making it quite reassuring in terms of safety.
(The photo was taken during Chinese New Year 2024, showing Chinese Spring Couplets posted on the school cafeteria entrance.)

The campus is definitely one of the most beautiful US high school campuses. The school is very large, the humanities courses are excellent, and the teachers are highly qualified; many of them are graduates of this school, and many couples also teach there. The school's ethos is very upright; drug use and theft lead to immediate expulsion. Chinese students' university placements are excellent, generally attending top 30 ranked universities. Academics here are quite rigorous, and students are relatively down-to-earth.

Portsmouth Abbey is a severely underestimated school, yet it is highly prestigious in the United States, especially considered the best school for upper-middle-class Catholic families. While its rankings on FS have declined for various reasons, the school places immense importance on Chinese families and, despite its low-key approach, also values the rankings that Chinese families care about. It has an excellent reputation among parents.
The school boasts a large campus and comprehensive facilities, comparable to top-tier American high schools. For children who enjoy sports, it's an excellent choice with numerous sports fields and many home games. The school advocates for a balanced education in both humanities and sciences; humanities are traditionally strong subjects. Religion is only taught in 9th grade. Religious requirements are quite flexible: support is offered to students interested in religious exploration, but it's not compulsory for those without such requirements. In terms of arts, the school offers many activities; surprisingly, many Chinese students are very active in drama, and Chinese students frequently achieve recognition in choir, instruments, performance, and painting. Regarding university placements, the vast majority of Chinese students matriculate into top 30 universities, with several students each year getting into top 10 and top 20 institutions. In the current highly competitive environment, these results are very solid. Many families mistakenly believe the school is lacking in STEM subjects, but this is not true. Students consistently win awards in Olympiads and receive research accolades.
In terms of climate, being near the bay means winters are not too extreme. Geographically, it's a convenient one-hour drive from Boston Airport, making it easily accessible for a boarding high school in the US. The scenery is exceptional, truly a gem among American high schools, offering a seven-star ocean view year-round. It's an excellent place to study, and safety is also guaranteed, ensuring parents' peace of mind while their children are at school.

(III) Besides the meticulous care for student life, what I want to underline more is that with Abbey’s remarkable management team and extraordinary teachers, as well as the mutual-help spirit of student parents, Abbey cultivates teenagers’ love of reading and sports, trains logical ability, develops critical thinking that transcends typecasting, and shapes them into young people who go beyond selves. I wish every current student have a fruitful year, our Abbey flourish, peace and joy to all.

(II)
My daughter is about to graduate. During the busy application season's summer break, she remarkably took the time to read five or six books, even forgetting one when she traveled out of town and asking me to mail it to her. At the same time, despite the scorching heat, she persistently participated in volleyball camp training, showing immense athletic passion. With either the mind or the body always on a journey, we parents feel immensely gratified by this.
The dry theological and philosophical readings, and the profound AP literature writing, once brought tears to my daughter's eyes. I believe many children have gone through such struggles, and all parents can empathize. All the children at Abbey who withstood immense pressure are truly remarkable! Today, as my daughter's writing demonstrates the depth of philosophical thought, my heart is filled with an uncontrollable surge of gratitude towards Abbey. Here, I particularly want to represent all parents in paying tribute to these brave and tenacious children, and in expressing our sincere thanks to all Abbey faculty and staff who worked tirelessly to build this supportive system.
Time flies, and my daughter is about to leave this campus. Let us meet on the Abbey lawn in May. I wish all the younger students a future worthy of their youth, and a fruitful journey ahead. I wish our shared alma mater, Abbey, prosperity and continuous growth. And I wish all friends peace and joy!
Thank you all!

My daughter has been studying at Abbey for nearly 4 years, making great strides every single day. Recently, I made a speech at an Abbey gathering. Through this, I want to express a common parent's gratitude to PAS.
(I)
In my mind, Abbey is beautiful; it is a blue paradise outlined by a winding coastline. Abbey is warm; it is the flickering candle flame on a birthday cake in a dormitory for students far from home. Abbey is rigorous; it is the difficult humanities text that made my daughter cry. Yet, Abbey is also vibrant; it is the group of lively teenagers running on the sports field every day. If someone asks me, "What do you think of Abbey?" I would answer without hesitation: "I love Abbey!" If someone asks me, "Is it better for a child to grow up at Abbey than by their parents' side in their home country?" I would answer without hesitation, "YES!" In the past few years, all the teachers and students jointly experienced the difficult test of the sudden pandemic, and every child was properly accommodated. However, beyond this meticulous care for their food, clothing, housing, and transportation, what I want to express even more is that Abbey's excellent management team and outstanding teaching staff, along with the spirit of alumni mutual aid passed down through generations, have cultivated in the children good habits of loving reading and sports, trained their rigorous logical thinking skills, inspired their critical thinking spirit unconstrained by conventions, and shaped their broad minds to move beyond their own small selves.

I have visited this school before. Its facilities and environment are first-class, and it is very beautiful when visited in winter. The school boasts a world-class club golf course. In addition to offering challenging academic subjects, the school also has rich mathematics courses and humanities. The school is about an hour and a half's drive from Boston and about 4 hours from New York. School Advantages: 1. The school has newly built a technology center with the most advanced technological equipment. 2. It has more than 10 academic departments and offers a series of special courses and electives to stimulate every student's interest. 3. The school offers academic trips during the summer and after school hours. Additionally, students have the opportunity to apply for scholarships and internships. 4. The school's art tour is an 11-day, 10-night exploration of the rich cultural history of Ireland and England. 5. The school's musicals are excellent; performers present three productions annually in the auditorium, including two plays and one musical, with participation from the entire abbey community and the public. 6. The school offers 25 varsity sports and 43 sports teams. The school's athletes have earned All-League, All-State, All-New England, and All-America honors. Many abbey athletes continue as college-level student-athletes.

Data for Portsmouth Abbey School: 338 students, student-teacher ratio 1:5, 18% international students, 75% boarding rate, 45% of teachers hold advanced degrees. The school was founded in 1979 and is a member of the New England School Sailing Association (NESSA), representing the Interscholastic Sailing Association (ISSA) in the New England region. Portsmouth Abbey's competitors include nationally top-ranked teams such as St. George's School, Tabor Academy, Milton Academy, and Hotchkiss School, as well as many other private and public schools including Moses Brown, Bishop Hendricken, Barnstable High School, and Dartmouth High School.
The sailing team at Portsmouth Christian Academy encourages students to realize their potential both in the classroom and on the water. Members are trained to become better helmsmen, enhance their tactical knowledge, and learn how to sail as part of a team. Portsmouth Christian Academy (PCA), an excellent private school located in the educationally advanced New England region of the United States, is the largest independent Christian school. It boasts picturesque scenery and first-class facilities, and is also renowned as an 'Excellent Private School in the New England Region of the United States.' It enjoys a distinguished reputation for its outstanding education in the three neighboring states (New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine). Portsmouth Christian Academy is just a 1-hour drive from Boston city and its international airport, and close to universities like Harvard and UMass.

The school's mission is to revere heaven and love people, respect teachers and value their teachings, and foster mutual support and sharing in group activities.
The school operates on a trimester system, from early September each year to early June of the following year. Classes run from 8:15 AM to 2:50 PM. Wednesdays and Saturdays have shorter class hours due to outdoor education or sports competitions. Study hall is from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM.
School courses include: Creative Writing, English Literature, Religion, Computer Programming, Economics, Drama, French, Greek, Latin, Spanish, Band, 3D Art Creation, and SAT preparation courses. In addition to challenging academic subjects, the school also offers rich mathematics and science courses, as well as humanities. Sports activities include: Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Golf, Ice Hockey, Swimming, Equestrian, Squash, Sailing, and more.

In addition to formal courses, Portsmouth Abbey School also offers special activities such as health courses, sixth-grade specific programs, and private music lessons:
[Health Courses]: Provides students with information and discussion opportunities on health-related topics, including how to recognize and manage stress, sleep problems, illnesses, the use of over-the-counter and prescription medications, nutrition, tobacco, smokeless tobacco, cannabis, and alcohol. The school also arranges for the medical department and professional guest speakers to present on these topics.
[Sixth-Grade Specific Programs]: Sixth-grade students can choose a special program as part of their daily activities. These programs range from very formal academic activities (for which students can earn credits) to less formal projects. This activity allows students to pursue specific interests, and some programs even allow students to take short leaves.
[Private Music Lessons]: Allows students to easily learn instruments such as piano, guitar, drums, vocals, and standard orchestral instruments. Students can earn academic credit and receive a recommendation from the school's music director if they complete at least two years in these instrument courses.

Portsmouth Abbey School offers students various opportunities to enrich their academic knowledge outside of class. It provides academic trips during summer and school breaks, including Model United Nations, art tours in Ireland and England, scientific exploration in Costa Rica, and humanities projects in Rome, among others. Additionally, students have the chance to apply for scholarships and internships.

The school's environment is absolutely top-tier among US high schools, reportedly one of three US high schools with the most beautiful coastline. Its extra-large campus, student body of over 300, and the caliber of residents in Rhode Island make it particularly valuable in the era of the pandemic. The academic intensity and pressure are still somewhat high, especially in the humanities. The school has classes on Saturdays, which is exactly what our Chinese parents probably want. With only 6-8 Chinese students each year, their matriculation to US universities is remarkably excellent. Everyone is very low-key, unwilling to promote themselves much, or resort to humble tactics to manipulate rankings on FS. The school's true quality significantly surpasses its current perceived ranking.

The name "Abbey" indicates that this is a school with a religious background, founded in 1926 by the English Benedictine community. It started admitting female students in 1991, becoming a co-educational institution. Currently, the student population is maintained at around 360, with class sizes of 12-14 students, a teacher-student ratio of 1:7, and offering 84 courses, including 17 AP courses. The school is located on the coast of Narragansett Bay, allowing students to see the ocean every day, and even swim in it when the weather is good. Most private schools in the Northeast do not have physical education classes; instead, they have daily afternoon activity time. After school each day, students can freely choose activities, with most opting for sports such as soccer, squash, lacrosse, and so on. With an 80% faculty residency rate, even domestic students whose homes are a bit further away choose 7-day boarding, so the school has an excellent boarding atmosphere, ensuring that weekends aren't just international students in the dorms. Chinese students at the school feel it's easy to integrate, like a big family, and they have all found and stuck with their favorite sports programs at PAS.

The school is located in Rhode Island. I once visited this school for an inspection, and its facilities and environment are first-class; it was exceptionally beautiful when visited in winter. The school boasts a world-class club golf course. The school not only offers challenging academic subjects but also has a rich curriculum in mathematics and humanities. The school is about an hour and a half drive from Boston and approximately 4 hours from New York. The school also features a library with 36,000 volumes, private study rooms, an art center, a computer center, seminar rooms, a gym, 8 state-of-the-art squash courts, an indoor ice hockey rink, tennis courts, and more.

School Advantages:

1. The school has newly completed a technology center equipped with the most advanced technological facilities.

2. It has over 10 academic departments and offers a range of special courses and electives that can spark every student's interest.

3. The school provides academic trips during the summer and after school hours. Additionally, students have the opportunity to apply for scholarships and internships.

4. The school's art tour is an 11-day, 10-night exploration of the rich cultural history of Ireland and England.

5. The school's musical productions are excellent. Performers stage three works annually in the auditorium, including two plays and one musical, with participation from the entire abbey community and the public.

6. The school offers 25 varsity sports and 43 athletic teams. Its athletes have earned All-League, All-State, All-New England, and All-American honors. Many abbey athletes continue as student-athletes at the collegiate level.

Tradition
• The school has an annual Headmaster’s Run, where everyone in the school runs through the campus, and the fastest student is selected. This event has been held for nearly 20 years.
• At the same time, the Headmaster’s Run also marks the beginning of another school tradition — the Raven Cup. The Raven Cup is a year-long competition between student dormitories, scoring different dormitories based on aspects like sports, dormitory spirit, and participation. This implicitly fosters students' cooperation, competitive spirit, and love for the school.
Academics
• Academic pressure in ninth grade is manageable, but study pressure becomes significantly higher after tenth grade; additionally, ninth-grade students have many literature course requirements, for example, religion, Latin, and Western history are all compulsory courses.
• The school offers a series of honors, accelerated, and AP core courses and electives. The academic year is divided into three terms: Fall, Winter, and Spring. Each term concludes with a formal exam period, which accounts for 25% of the term grade.
• In addition to traditional subjects, the school offers elective courses including fine arts and classical and modern languages.
• The school provides students with 6 overseas study tour programs annually to enrich their knowledge and experiences.

Portsmouth Abbey School, founded by a British monastery in 1926, is located on the picturesque shores of Rhode Island's Sakonnet River, boasting 1.24 miles of coastline and approximately an hour's drive from Boston.

The school is a premier Catholic co-educational boarding school in the United States. In addition to its unique British Benedictine tradition, the school offers a highly challenging academic curriculum built upon humanities courses, including rich mathematics and science content.

The school's educational philosophy inherits the Western intellectual tradition, spanning from ancient Greece and Rome to the present century. Its classical curriculum places a balanced emphasis on spirituality, athletics, arts, and enjoyment.

The school values traditional education. 9th-grade students study subjects such as basic mathematics, introduction to literature, Latin, ancient history, and mathematics. 10th-grade students complete courses like Christian doctrine, English, and European history.