Elevate your education at Gould Academy, nestled in the picturesque mountain village of Bethel, Maine, since 1836.
Our remarkable On-Snow program, in partnership with Sunday River Resort, is unparalleled.
Students embrace the slopes as ski patrollers, instructors, enthusiasts, and competitive athletes taking advantage of Sunday River's expansive terrain.
Academics are equally extraordinary, with innovative faculty providing experiential learning like hand-building skis and snowboards and investigating the natural world surrounding campus in environmental science.
The Four Point Program delivers a holistic education, featuring world travel and cultural immersion as ninth-graders and a transformative winter camping expedition in eleventh grade.
Gould fosters independence in our exceptional residential environment. Dorm life extends the classroom, shaping students into self-reliant individuals within a vibrant community.
With a network of caring mentors guiding every Gould journey, students reach their peak potential.
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- Grades: 9-12, PG
- Enrollment: 210 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $71,000
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $53,250
- Acceptance rate: 97%
- Average class size: 9 students
- Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
School News
- Gould Alum Peyton Meader ’22 on MIT All-Indigenous Rocket Launch Team - 11/17/2023Peyton Meader '22 is a member of Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) first all-Indigenous Rocket Team in Cambridge, MA, where she is a second-year chemical engineering student. The team, Doya, ...morerecently placed second in the First Nations Launch international student competition with a blast that reached a height of 1,290 meters. Peyton was featured prominently in an article for the MIT News and on the MIT website, and the story was reported locally by The Bethel Citizen. We're following Peyton's career closely and are among her biggest fans. Congrats, Peyton! hide
- Gould Mountain Biking Takes Second Place at New England Championships, First in Eastern Division - 11/02/2023The Gould Mountain Bike team had an exceptional season this fall, finishing in second place overall last week at the Northern New England Mountain Bike (NNEMTB) Championships and first place ...morein the Eastern Division. Thirty-two teams from three divisions and almost 500 racers competed on the challenging, singletrack-heavy course at Holderness School. Lucie Jezkova '25 was the top Junior Girl racer in the league, a fantastic feat considering she is in her first season. Parker Nellis '25 took the second spot for Junior Boys. hide
Top Rankings
Gould Academy ranks among the top 10 schools with 200-400 students (out of 98 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Student Attention
Offering Breadth
School History
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Learning Difference Programs
ADHD / Dyslexia / Language-based or Mild Learning Differences
n/a
Year Founded
1836
1906
Campus Size
456 acres
125 acres
Student Body
Enrollment
210 students
315 students
% Students of Color
4%
26%
% International Students
23%
20%
% Students Boarding
70%
70%
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
Yes
No
Frequency of Saturday Classes
Less than once a month
Weekly
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
11
18
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
73%
71%
Summer Program Details
Tuition Cost
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$71,000
$66,250
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$53,250
$35,600
Acceptance Rate
Application Deadline
Feb. 1 / rolling
Jan. 15
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Acceptance Rate
97%
60%
Director of Admissions
Kristen Kaschub
AP / Advanced Courses
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
11
18
Courses
AB Calculus, BC Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, English Language, English Literature, Government Comparative, Honors Senior Math(topics include Calculus BC), Physics, Stastistics, US History
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
23
16
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
14
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Blue Key, Community Service Club, Global Student Organization, Gould Goes Green, Math Team, Model UN, Yearbook
Arts and Music Programs:
Band, Chorus, Drama Club
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Farm and Forest, Maine Adaptive Ski Coaching, On-Snow Instructing Program, Recreational Skiing
Blue Key, Community Service Club, Global Student Organization, Gould Goes Green, Math Team, Model UN, Yearbook
Arts and Music Programs:
Band, Chorus, Drama Club
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Farm and Forest, Maine Adaptive Ski Coaching, On-Snow Instructing Program, Recreational Skiing
College Matriculation
Year: 2013 - 2018
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
St. Lawrence University
13
University of Vermont
10
Boston University
9
Saint Michael's College
9
University of Colorado, Boulder
9
Drexel University
8
Suffolk University
8
University of Main
8
Bates
7
Hobart William Smith
7
School Notes
- Private High School for Boys and Girls
- Grades 9-12, Postgraduate and Winter Term for Grades 7-8
- Boarding School in the Mountains of Maine
- Founded in 1836 and located in the historic mountain village of Bethel, Maine, Gould celebrates winter through an unparalleled partnership with Sunday River Resort. Students experience the mountain by becoming ski patrollers and instructors, sliding on rails and racing through gates, or discovering a lifelong passion by simply learning to ski and ride. We flip our daily schedule in the winter and begin our days on snow to take advantage of the best conditions, returning to campus for academics in the afternoon. Sunday River is one of the largest ski and snowboard resorts in the Eastern United States, and we explore every acre of terrain.
- Academics at Gould are both challenging and inspiring. Our innovative faculty offers unique and intentional experiential opportunities you won't find at other schools. Hand-build your own skis or snowboard. Pilot underwater robots in the Marlon Family IDEAS Center, Gould's maker space. Investigate the natural world surrounding campus in Environmental Science. Develop your artistic passions, hammering iron in the blacksmithing forge. Become a world traveler with your ninth-grade classmates, and go on a winter camping expedition in the White Mountains in our signature Four Point Program.
- Gould Academy delivers an exceptional residential boarding school experience. The dorms are an extension of the classroom where students learn to live independently and engage with a vibrant community. At the heart of every Gould journey is a network of caring adults to mentor students and help shape their future. Advisors, coaches, teachers, and dorm parents become trusted adults that students can depend on.
- Elevate your expectations - reach your peak potential.
- LD types supported: ADHD / Dyslexia / Language-based or Mild Learning Differences
- Gould Academy accreditations: TABS, NEASC, NAIS
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Lauren Jacobs ’03, PhD - Outdoor educator. Read more at https://www.gouldacademy.org/alumni/connect/an-outside-chance
- Phil Coupe ’86 - Business owner. Read more at https://www.gouldacademy.org/alumni/connect/a-revolution-around-the-sun
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Gould Academy cost?
Gould Academy's tuition is approximately $71,000 for boarding students and $53,250 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of Gould Academy?
The acceptance rate of Gould Academy is 97%, which is higher than the boarding school average of 60%.
Who are famous alumni from Gould Academy?
Gould Academy famous alumni include: Lauren Jacobs ’03, PhD and Phil Coupe ’86.
What sports does Gould Academy offer?
Gould Academy offers 23 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Cycling, Equestrian, Field Hockey, Freestyle Skiing, Golf, Kayaking, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Nordic Skiing, Orienteering, Riding, Rock Climbing, Snowboarding, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Track and Field. Gould Academy is ranked as one of the top boarding schools for most sports offered.
Does Gould Academy offer a summer program?
Yes, Gould Academy offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is Gould Academy's ranking?
Gould Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Small student body (number of students), Small average class sizes, Most sports offered and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Gould Academy?
The application deadline for Gould Academy is Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
Gould Academy has an incredible history of experiential learning that continues on to the present. Learning happens in the classroom, but it also happens outside of it. From the 4 Point programs, most notably, to. . .
Gould Academy's four-point program is what sets it apart from other schools. This program is defined by what each grade does during the weeks between 2nd trimester and Spring break. Grade 9 embarks on an. . .
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