Our Story
Brooks School Summer Program’s History
Founded in 1926 in the picturesque town of North Andover, Brooks School offers a co-educational, college preparatory experience on our stunning 270-acre campus, overlooking the serene Lake Cochichewick.
Throughout the academic year, our intimate class sizes create an environment that fosters close relationships between students and teachers, forming the foundation of our warm, tight-knit community. We are committed to delivering a personalized education that sets us apart.
In 1971, recognizing the need for a local, high-quality summer camp, we established the Office of Summer Programs.
The Brooks School Day Camp, an extension of our core values, mirrors the principles that define our school’s success. Just as in our academic programs, the day camp prioritizes meaningful relationships and the enduring impact of purposeful programming for the children in our community.
Nestled within our pastoral campus, the day camp takes full advantage of Brooks School’s facilities, athletic fields, and lakefront, offering a diverse range of activities that cater to various interests. Over the years, our camp schedule has expanded to include many arts, sports, and enrichment-based activities.
In line with our commitment to personal growth, we introduced the Counselors-In-Training Program, originally focused on training future camp counselors, ensuring they possess the skills for success. In 2014, the CIT program transformed into the Leaders-In-Training (LIT) program, extending its focus beyond camp counseling to instill qualities and skills that reach into participants’ social, professional, and academic lives.
Building upon Brooks School’s reputation as an academic leader with a challenging curriculum featuring 20 advanced placement courses, we introduced the Summer Term. This transformative two-week educational program, available throughout the summer season, emphasizes depth over breadth, aligning with our mission to provide profoundly impactful learning experiences. Summer Term fosters a closer collaboration between students and faculty, creating an environment that transcends the traditional academic setting. Offering a diverse range of both traditional and advanced courses, Brooks Summer Term allows us to craft a customized academic experience tailored to your child’s needs.
In 2018, with the inauguration of the $28 million Center for the Arts, we seized the opportunity to create a high-quality camp centered on creativity, welcoming both newcomers and seasoned performers. Introducing Stages & Studios, our newest camp. Whether your child aspires to explore the visual and performing arts or dreams of working behind the scenes in the exciting realm of production, our diverse programs are designed to ignite their passions. This program unites the visual, musical, and performing arts and showcases them at the heart of our campus.
At Brooks School, we take pride in our rich history, viewing it as a source of strength. We are dedicated to upholding the traditions and values that have been the bedrock of our success over the years. While the world evolves, Brooks School Summer Programs remains steadfast in its commitment to providing timeless and relevant programming for today’s children. This unwavering dedication is why Brooks School has retained its reputation as New England’s leader in summer programs. Join us in our tradition of excellence and embrace the future of learning at Brooks School.
The School’s History
Brooks School was founded by the Rev. Endicott Peabody, headmaster of Groton School. Associated with him were Richard Russell, who gave the land and original buildings and who served for many years as secretary-treasurer of the board of trustees; the Reverend Sherrard Billings, senior master at Groton; James Jackson, a Groton graduate and trustee; Roger B. Merriman, also a Groton trustee and parent; and the Right Reverend Charles L. Slattery, a former Groton teacher and trustee. Mr. Peabody believed that there was a need for another small boarding school built on the Groton model. The school was to be named after Phillips Brooks, the rector of Boston’s Trinity Church, and the teaching was to be that of the Episcopal faith.
Frank D. Ashburn, a graduate of Groton and Yale, was appointed the school’s first headmaster. Brooks School opened September 29, 1927, with 14 boys in the first and second forms and two masters, a headmaster and a headmistress. Thereafter, one form was added each year until the school included all six forms. The first class graduated in 1932.
After 46 years as headmaster, Frank D. Ashburn retired in 1973. H. Peter Aitken, who served as headmaster from 1973 to 1986, succeeded Mr. Ashburn. Lawrence W. Becker was the school’s third headmaster from 1986 until his retirement in 2008. John R. Packard was appointed head of school in 2008, making him the fourth leader in the school’s history.