Groton School

Focus

Character, scholarship and leadership

Day fees 2025/26

$48,100

Boarding fees 2025/26

$61,800

Ages

13-18

Pupil count

385

Spear’s Review

The motto of Groton School in Massachusetts, cui servire est regnare (for whom service is perfect freedom), reflects its mission to nurture character, scholarship, leadership and service in students.

Located 35 miles north-west of Boston in a scenic 480 acres, Groton takes pride in its tight-knit community and small class sizes – there are fewer than 400 students across grades 8 to 12. School founder Endicott Peabody outlined an ambition to prepare students for ‘the active work of life’, and many pupils go on to prestigious US universities, including Ivy League schools, and reach positions of influence.

Students who board can enjoy a home away from home experience: dorm prefects continue Peabody’s tradition of shaking hands and saying goodnight to each fellow dorm-mate in the evenings.

Academics

In 2025:

• 81 per cent of those who sat AP exams scored a 4 or 5
• Average SAT score was 1500
• Average ACT score was 34

Head teacher

Groton’s eighth headmaster in 130 years is Temba Maqubela. Maqubela, who grew up in apartheid-era South Africa, began his teaching career at a New York City high school. He spent 26 years at Phillips Academy before joining Groton – where he also teaches chemistry – in 2013.

University and college destinations

In the last five years, Groton graduates have matriculated at some of the world’s top universities, including all eight Ivy League schools, as well as the University of St Andrews in the UK.

Admissions

After completing an online candidate profile, applicants can schedule a tour and interview, and send additional documents such as academic records, essays and recommendations. Applicants are also required to submit standardised test results.

Notable alumni

Notable alumni include:

• Franklin D. Roosevelt (32nd US president) and a number of his heirs
• John B. Goodenough (Nobel Prize winner in chemistry)
• Henry Sturgis Morgan (Morgan Stanley co-founder)
  

Accessibility

Boston Logan International Airport: 1 hour

Location 

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