"From an academic perspective, my son is really excelling in school this fall.  He has straight A's in every class and organizationally he typically stays a week ahead of his assignments.  He attributes a lot of that to his experience at the Abbey and has actually thanked me twice for encouraging him to attend the summer program.  I can attest to the personal and intellectual growth that he realized during his time there.  It couldn't have come at a better time for my son.  I know he looks forward to having the opportunity to return." 

- from a 2012 parent

DIVE IN!

This year's theme is "Dive In," which will serve as a unifying concept to all we do and to each student's experience.

We hope to convey this by several ideas: throwing yourself fully into whatever you are doing, having the courage to enter into something new, embracing our beautiful campus by the water and celebrating all that being on Narragansett Bay offers. We want our students to completely immerse themselves in all the opportunities available for them here at the Portsmouth Abbey Summer Program, and thereby to be changed by the experience. We want them to Dive In to their classes, Dive In to new friendships, and Dive In to the new experiences that await them. Our goal is for them to head back home with a desire to courageously explore new opportunities and give themselves totally to all their endeavors, academic and otherwise. It's going to be a great summer!

Since 1943 the Summer Program has introduced young students to the unique spirit of education that has always been a part of Portsmouth Abbey School.  The success of this program in helping young people reach their academic and personal goals (all while having a good measure of fun) is rooted in the celebration of learning, the nurturing of the moral sense that lies within us all, the awakening in each student of their sense of self through participation in enrichment activities, and the importance of athletics and physical activity in fostering a healthy sense of the body.  We know young people do best and learn the most when surrounded by caring adults in a safe environment.  Our goal is that all these elements will help our students on their paths toward wisdom, an appreciation of the fullness of experience, and greater success in school.

Our parents and students have been highly satisfied: after the 2012 program, 100% said the program met their expectations, 98% were very happy with their child's experience, and 87% were interested in having their child return. The top three elements of our program mentioned? Good teachers and preparation for the coming year, a high level of fun, and experience with peers from all over the world. 

As befits our Benedictine tradition, we seek to give our students a unified experience at a measured pace, while allowing for individual needs and interests.  We also seek for them to gain a deep understanding of this place, through multiple lenses (the study of marine ecology and landscape painting in our afternoon enrichment program), so they may gain an understanding of what it means to be grounded in your environment.

I want to return again next summer because it was so much fun.  I had a perfect summer vacation.  I really learned a lot from this valuable experience.  - from a 2012 student

The Summer Program is also interested in fostering spiritual growth.  Several times each week at the morning community meetings, students will hear brief talks on character, morality and spirituality.  Each evening in the dorms, check-in and the house meeting ends with a prayer lead either by the adult on duty, a prefect, or a student.  On weekends, students are required to attend either Mass at the school, or another service of their family's choosing.

I want to thank you and your team for an unforgettable summer.  She doesn't want to leave. She keeps telling us how kind and thoughtful everyone is and that she is having the best summer ever. - from a 2012 parent

Set on our beautiful campus on the shores of Narragansett Bay, the Portsmouth Abbey Summer Program brings together young people from all over the world for classes, activities, athletics and trips around New England.

For more information, choose from the left menu or download our 2013 Summer Program Information Bulletin.