Gould Academy Fall Family Weekend 2024

The Richard Blanco Reading Series together with the English Department are excited to welcome Portland Maine Poet Laureate Emeritus Maya Williams for an evening of poetry and community.

Parents are invited to sit in the balcony of Bingham Auditorium for the poetry reading.

Please join us for a dessert reception in the Student Center following Maya’s reading!

Maya’s books will be available for purchase and signing.

Please let us know you’re on campus and pick up information that will guide you through the weekend.

Instructions for signing up for conferences will be shared by the end of September.

Learn about what the DEIB Council is working on and thinking about for this year!

Welcome to Sunday River! Please head up to Sunday River, South Ridge Base Lodge to check out the view of the mountain and enjoy a reception at Sunday River Sports. Great time to see Gould’s winter home and shop for any items winter at Gould.

*A shuttle will be provided to bring students from Sunday River Sports back to campus so adults can attend the Family Reception at the Kailey Snow Sports Center at Barker Base Area.

Start the weekend by connecting with other parents and Gould faculty members for hearty apps, delicious desserts, and drinks at the newly renovated Kailey Snow Sports Center. This incredible center is part of the Gould Campus located at the base of beautiful Sunday River!

Get a sneak peak at the newly renovated Kailey Snow Sports Center a month before the grand opening. Hear from the Head of School Tao Smith, meet your student’s teachers and coaches, and enter to win Gould gear as door prizes! Adults only.

If you didn’t register on Friday, please let us know you’re on campus and pick up information that will guide you through the weekend.

This session is for new families of Snow Sports Competition participants to learn more about the season ahead.

Don’t be late to assembly! Join us to hear from the Head of School, student musicians, student speakers and see photos from the first part of the year. A celebration of all things Gould you won’t want to miss!

💻 Unable to join us on campus? A Recording will be made available

Choose your own adventure in the exploration of the college process. Families will have two 45 minute sessions to pick from depending on the needs of your family and your student.

Session One- 11:00-11:45; Session Two- 11:45-12:30

Sessions Include:

Expanding the Collegiate Landscape of Snow Sports - (both sessions)- If you pursuing Elite Comp, Competitive Clubs, Recreational Clubs, or just access to snow sport options, this session will demonstrate the many collegiate opportunities to continue “playing” or competing in your snow sport beyond Gould. Guest Speaker: Andrew Willihan, UMaine Farmington Snow Sports Director

Financial Aid - Beyond the Sticker Price - (both sessions)- With colleges approaching six-figure sticker prices, this session will provide an overview of what the real costs of college are, how to search for “affordable” colleges, and if, how, and when you should apply for Financial Aid. Guest Speaker: Jessica Whittier, College Access Counselor, Finance Authority of Maine (FAME)

Trends in College Admissions - (both sessions)- Getting into college isn’t what it used to be! In this session, we will look at the trends in college admissions over the last ten years, specifically regarding the impact of COVID. We will discuss trends in standardized testing and how different colleges are evaluating applicants.

Revolution Prep (11:45-12:30 only)- To prep or not to prep? Join our partners from Revolution Prep to learn if, when, and how to lean into preparing for and taking the SAT or ACT.

Gould College Counseling (both sessions)- Learn more about College Counseling programming from 9th through 12th grades. In this session, we will share our philosophy, approach, step-by-step support, and information about SCOIR (our college counseling/application platform). There will be time for questions.

All families are invited to join Gould’s community for dinner.

Meet with Gould’s administrators to discuss the newly launched Strategic Plan and learn about the exciting steps Gould is taking looking towards the future.

Join Chris Hayward, Director of Experiential Learning, to learn more about the trips and experiences included with Four Point programming this year. There will be a presentation, along with time for questions.