Portsmouth Abbey School

Posted: June 27, 2022

Here's the thing. You're only a kid once. You're only a teenager once. I got a strong education, don't get me wrong. At the same time, when I got to college and made friends with people who went to public high schools, I realized how abnormal my teenage years were. For context, I was a day student, but the sentiment would at least be as strong if I boarded. There's no work-life balance. None. Your entire life is taken up by school. And that seemed normal, at the time. But when I got to college, and I heard stories of, say, an entire friend group cramming into a car two-to-a-seat to go to the movies, I couldn't help but feel some sadness that I never had those experiences. Come summer time, everyone disperses back to their hometown, which is likely not even in the state. At a school like this, you often don't have people to hang out with in the summer. People either embrace the introvert life or pour themselves into a hobby or job to keep busy. I'll hear college friends talk about their teenage summer adventures and nod along like I know what they're talking about, but I don't. Going to this school made me a stranger in my hometown. Looking back, I feel like I studied my life away, and the lifestyle imposed upon you by going to this school makes you grow up way too fast. Four years of my life that I'm never going to get back.
And we were all told that it was going to be "worth it." But there's plenty of Abbey kids in college who are doing their best to get by like everyone else around them, who at 23 are in the same entry level jobs as everyone else. Many Abbey kids seem superficially mature, but deep down are very socially immature. Let yourself be a kid while you still are one. Because once your childhood is gone, it's gone.

Posted: January 17, 2018

Posted: January 17, 2018

Posted: January 17, 2018

Posted: January 17, 2018

Posted: January 17, 2018

Posted: January 17, 2018

Posted: January 17, 2018

One of the best Prep Schools in the country.

Posted: May 12, 2016

I graduated from Portsmouth Abbey in the late 70's. What an amazing school! Yes, the academic environment is extremely challenging and competitive; as one would expect from a top flight boarding school. The teachers are brilliant, dedicated and demand the best from their students. An idyllic campus, superb facilities, great sports, a diverse student body and a nurturing Catholic environment all combined to provide me with a lifetime of happy memories and a strong foundation for adulthood. Thank you Portsmouth Abbey.

Posted: May 12, 2016

Posted: May 12, 2016

Posted: May 12, 2016

Posted: September 26, 2014

If you're very self disciplined and can handle immense amounts of pressure, this is the school for you. If you want no free time other than Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons stuck on campus, this is the school for you. If you are sensitive and aren't a fan of pressure or very strict rules, this is absolutely not the school for you. When I found out I was accepted into the Abbey, I was so excited. I was tired of feeling sick in a small town and wanted to branch out and meet new people. I made some great friends during my year at the Abbey, but they were all freshman like myself at the time. All of the older grades are harsh to those younger than them. My freshman houseparent took away all of my electronics because I had a C on my report card. She would even call me names and make me feel badly about myself on many occasions. After the first 2 weeks I started getting very depressed. I realized the mess I got myself into choosing this school. I began isolating myself and my grades went down. I was lost and had no one to turn to because the school had zero support. I broke down and had to leave the school. Funny because besides Sunday mass, this school is far from religious.

Posted: May 14, 2014

Not what we were promised. Costly. Made our daughter withdraw out of fear of failure. Very stressful.

Posted: January 22, 2014

The Abbey provides a highly structured and morally steeped environment that is nurturing to some and ostracizing to others. Certain things are appropriate for discussion and debate, others are not. Knowing the difference between the two is a likely predictor as to how happy a student will feel. The community is not inherently warm and inviting. Students who do not conform to the majority demographic will likely have a more difficult time adapting. There are many teachers who have lived here for decades with little exposure to life outside. Consequently, out-of-the-ordinary ideas or alternative ways of living are not easily accepted or tolerated. The core education is strong but there is a notable lack of exposure to contemporary culture, specifically related to the visual arts, art history, music and (to a lesser degree) literature. The monastic community is the most academically rigorous and emotionally nurturing. Many of the lay faculty are overly concerned with catching students break rules, while the monks are more open minded and provide a comforting resource for questions relating to sex, drugs, personal identity and general well being. I will never send my kids here.

Posted: November 19, 2013

I graduated from Portsmouth Abbey this May, and I've been missing it ever since. The Abbey is an amazing, unique place. The academics are rigorous and challenging, but small class sizes and wonderful, caring teachers make them manageable. The drama program - which is sinfully neglected in most descriptions of the school - is outstanding. It gave me some of the most enriching experiences of my high school career. And words cannot describe the incredible bonds I've forged with friends and teachers over the course of four years. I don't want to invalidate the experiences of other reviewers, but I never found anything but a wonderfully caring and accepting community at the Abbey. Every high school has its drama, but what little I experienced was nothing compared to the toxicity I've heard about from friends at other schools. I'm currently in my first semester at my top choice college and I'm extraordinarily well prepared. The Abbey has its faults - for example, I found the religious program to be stifling at times - but I will always be glad that I chose to go to that eccentric boarding school by the bay.

Posted: May 5, 2013

While no school is perfect, I believe The Abbey has offered my child an opportunity that we will be forever grateful for. It is difficult sending your child away at 14 years old, and you must be sure of your decision. Are the kids there all perfect? No way. Is my child 10 steps ahead of 99% of America's high school students? You bet! Lots of academic pressure, and even more support. I highly recommend for students who are independent, academically driven, and have a strong sense of wanting to be the best.

Posted: January 23, 2013

The most miserable environment. I could tell all the horrible things Ive been through, and witnessed there but it truly is unbelievable. I choice this school because it seemed friendly and a place i would feel comfortable in and be able to strive academically. Not the case. I'm leaving at the end of this year. The students are horrible to one another. There is no sense of community. The school has a very hush hush way of dealing with situations. Few faculty really care for the well being of the student, rather see them as possible liabilities. There are great schools out there, but this is certainly not one of them.

Posted: June 15, 2012

I graduated from Portsmouth Abbey 2 years ago and absolutely hated it and many of my classmates were unhappy also. There is way too much pressure being put on the students. I don't suggest sending your child here unless they are used to being put under extreme pressure. In fact, don't even consider coming to the Abbey unless you are "perfect."

Posted: May 27, 2012

I have been associated with Abbey for many years, first as a student in the 70's then as a faculty member in the 80's, and I rejoined the faculty 10 months ago. In the meanwhile I have worked at 3 other independent schools. My experience as a student ignited me as a thinker. Currently, the Abbey is a wonderful place, with very kind and accepting kids. The warmth and friendliness of the community is noteworthy among the schools I have worked at, and the education challenges young people. The school is Catholic, and believes and practices what it stands for, but welcomes students of all faiths or none.

Posted: May 6, 2012

I have worked here for 8 years (and counting!) and I have always been impressed with the students and faculty, alike. I am not Catholic, yet I feel welcome and very much part of the community. Perhaps that is because PAS values rigorous academics, stewardship, kindness and hard work--all values I also find important. I'm also impressed with the schools dedication to athletics and the arts. I know from chatting with many former students when they come back to visit that PAS prepared them well not only for college, but for challenges beyond the classroom.

Posted: May 6, 2012

I have worked at Portsmouth Abbey School for many years and believe that any negative review by a student is totally preposterous! In fact, visitors to the school often comment on how HAPPY our students are. All students are nurtured and cared for and treated fairly. Faculty give countless hours of their own time and energy to each of their students I am constantly in awe of how easily each student finds his or her own niche here and becomes his/her own person with a strong character and solid moral compass. Houseparents as well as coaches and faculty become "second families" to each student and many form lasting bonds. Rigorous academics, solid athletics and dedication to the arts, as well as a spiritual education offers students BALANCE - sorely needed in today's world.. In addition, Portsmouth Abbey School has one of the most friendly and warm campuses I have ever seen! You would be remiss if you did not consider and visit this fine school with your child.

Posted: May 6, 2012

I have worked at a number of boarding schools (and have done some evaluation work at a few others), and I must say that contrary to a few negative comments, I find the Abbey student body to be the nicest, warmest, and most welcoming student body I have encountered. The campus is lovely, there are plenty of activities, and the academics are rigorous. The faculty truly are available to help students 24/7. Most live on campus, and there are kids and dogs and tricycles and swings sets galore- a real "home" atmosphere! I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Abbey to any family.

Posted: May 6, 2012

We are parents of a tenth grade student at the Abbey. We were looking for a school that would provide him with the cornerstones of a high school experience- one that would prepare him for the college experience. He has found the academic program to be rigorous, the athletic opportunities to be competitive, the interaction with faculty to be rich in and outside the classroom, and the overall environment among his peers to be positive. He is very happy, confident, learning a heck of a lot and he loves it.

Posted: March 9, 2012

Principal meets every applicant, admission teachers are warm and nice, infotmative tour guide is very proud of school, everything is great!