• Falmouth Academy
    An independent, college-preparatory day school serving grades 7 through 12.
Student Life

Life at FA

Student Life at FA

Embracing small school values while offering big school opportunities, Falmouth Academy is dedicated to preparing students for the challenges of their time. We value not only academic success but also curiosity, creativity, integrity, and balance. We create a learning environment where it is safe to be yourself, take risks, try new things, and engage with the world in meaningful and impactful ways.

Our size fosters a strong sense of community. Students are known well by their teachers and their peers. We're a school where it's cool to get excited about learning, where motivated peers collaborate to help each other succeed, where our varsity athletes also sing in the chorus or play in the jazz ensemble, and where students and teachers take environmental stewardship and social justice seriously.

We like to say we have one rule: Know where you are. We understand that our actions are a reflection of our character. 

Life outside the classroom is robust with opportunities for athletic, scholarly, artistic, social, and community engagement. Students find themselves on the stage, in the studios, on the field, and in the community. They also participate in co-curricular activities such as Model UN, international service-learning, social justice, modern-language exchanges, science internships, studio art and writing competitions, math club, and student publications.

While middle school students acquire new skills and build confidence that fosters respect for themselves and others, upper school students cultivate mastery and leadership. At the end of the day, we come together as an open and inclusive community.
   
 

A Typical Day

8:15 AM
FA’s daily schedule was designed thoughtfully with the goals of maximizing learning, providing needed downtime, and bringing variety to our days. Most students arrive around 8:00 AM so that they can catch up with friends and prepare themselves for their first-period class, which begins at 8:15 AM (in keeping with adolescent sleep research, almost a full hour later than area public schools). Each of our academic classes meets five times over a six-day cycle. Four of those class periods are for 45-minutes and one is 65-minutes, allowing for longer activities like science labs or in-depth collaborative work.
 
9:55-11:00 AM and 11:30 AM -12:35 PM
This block is where the longer academic classes meet once per cycle, and it is also where electives meet (the earlier block is for middle school electives and the latter one is for upper school electives.) Electives are non-academic classes that allow us to switch gears midday and use other parts of our brains and bodies. We have a huge and rich range of electives including studio arts and performing arts, music, debate, math team, beekeeping, forensic science, hiking, mock trial, and yoga, just to name a few.
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
All-School Meeting is a cherished FA tradition. Every day, the entire school community gathers in Morse Hall to socialize and have a snack, before Head of School Matt Green starts the meeting and announcements are made. Students and teachers stand up to inform the group about upcoming events, congratulate one another on achievements, recognize birthdays and thank others for services they’ve done for the community. 
 
12:35 PM - 1:00 PM
At this time, we break for lunch and students can eat inside or outside, weather permitting. Some bring their lunches while others order school lunches. Fridays are pizza day and the Student Council sells slices as a fundraiser. 
 
2:35 PM - 4:30 PM
After the last class ends at  2:35 PM, there is time for students to meet with teachers or get extra help, as needed. Then most students head off to athletic practices or games, play rehearsal or stagecraft, which runs until 4:30 PM.  Students who are not involved in drama or athletics are welcome to stay on campus to study in the library or relax in one of our community spaces. With the permission of their parents/guardians, upper school students may walk off campus to nearby shops for some snacks. 
4:45 PM
Buses depart.

List of 8 items.

  • Activities

    Most students are some combination of scholar, athlete, artist, actor, techie, or musician. Students are encouraged to be involved in the life of the school both during the day and after school. 

  • Advisory

    Each week, we devote the time to group advisory meetings, individual meetings with advisors, meetings for student clubs and organizations, and extra help from teachers.
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  • Falmouth Academy Merchandise

    Visit our online store here.

  • Internships and Mentorships

    Situated near world-class scientific research centers, our students engage in significant independent research opportunities through internships and mentorships both during the school year and through the summer.

  • Lunch

    Pre-ordered lunches are available for students and staff. To set up your account, contact Leslie Walters by email or at 508-457-9696 ext. 222 to request that a MealManage invitation be mailed to you.

  • Student Council

    Every class has two elected representatives and the whole school elects the offices of president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary. The student council meets during the fourth period and has a faculty mentor.

  • Student Organizations

    Student organizations and clubs at Falmouth Academy are often student-led initiatives and are sustained by student interest with faculty oversight. Examples include WISE (Women in Science and Engineering), GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliance), Student Tour Guides, The Chandlery (FA's student newspaper), and many more.

  • Wellness

    We recognize that the physical, social, and emotional well-being of our students, faculty, and parent body are crucial elements of a student's academic success and lifelong health and wellness. Falmouth Academy offers wellness classes, affinity groups, and a peer mentor program where upper school students partner with middle school students.

A Student's Guide to FA

7 Highfield Drive, Falmouth, MA 02540
Phone: 508 457 9696
Email: info@falmouthacademy.org
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