Our Story
Our Story: The Legacy Behind Summer at Brooks
Founded in 1926 in the scenic town of North Andover, Brooks School has long been known for its coeducational, college-preparatory experience and its remarkable 270-acre campus overlooking Lake Cochichewick. With small classes and strong student-faculty relationships, Brooks fosters a community built on trust, curiosity, and connection — values that extend far beyond the academic year.
In 1971, that same spirit inspired the creation of the Office of Summer Programs, offering local families a high-quality summer experience grounded in the values of Brooks School.
A Summer Rooted in Purpose
The original Brooks School Day Camp reflected the same principles that have defined Brooks for nearly a century: meaningful relationships, purposeful programming, and a deep belief in the potential of every child. What began as a single camp has since grown into a diverse collection of experiences that continue to serve families from across the Merrimack Valley, Boston’s North Shore, and Southern New Hampshire.
Nestled within our lakeside campus, participants enjoy access to exceptional facilities — from athletic fields and waterfronts to arts spaces and academic classrooms — creating an environment where learning and laughter thrive side by side.
Over time, our programs have expanded to include a variety of arts, sports, and enrichment opportunities. The introduction of the Counselors-in-Training Program, later transformed into the Leaders-in-Training (LIT) Program in 2014, reflects our ongoing commitment to personal growth and leadership development that reaches beyond camp and into every facet of life.
Expanding the Brooks Experience
Drawing on Brooks School’s academic reputation — including a rigorous curriculum offering more than twenty Advanced Placement courses — the Summer Term was launched to bring meaningful learning into the summer months. This two-week program emphasizes collaboration, depth, and intellectual curiosity, helping students strengthen skills and explore new academic interests in a supportive, engaging environment.
In 2018, the opening of the $28 million Center for the Arts marked another exciting chapter. The facility inspired the creation of Stages & Studios, a program dedicated to the visual and performing arts. Whether on stage, behind the camera, or at the drafting table, participants discover creative expression through professional-quality spaces designed to inspire imagination and confidence.
Carrying Forward a Tradition of Excellence
Now known collectively as Summer at Brooks, our programs reflect more than fifty years of thoughtful growth. Each season continues Brooks School’s legacy of combining structure with spontaneity, tradition with innovation, and learning with joy.
Rooted in the values of Brooks School and strengthened by decades of experience, Summer at Brooks remains a trusted leader in youth programming — a place where every participant is seen, supported, and inspired to grow.
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.
