Gould Academy students experienced a life-changing adventure in Costa Rica. The trip, offered during the November Break, was filled with exploration, education, and cultural immersion.
Guided by long-term Gould partner Amazon Learning and faculty Tracey Wilkerson and Wyatt Gormsen, students ventured off the beaten path into some of Costa Rica’s most pristine wilderness. From the tropical forest and deserted beaches of the southern Pacific coast to the south-central mountains of the Coto Brus agricultural region, every moment offered new opportunities for experiential learning and growth.
Gould Academy's Bingham Auditorium was filled with holiday cheer as students and faculty showcased their musical talents during the annual winter concert. The event featured performances by small groups as well as individual vocalists and instrumentalists, delivering a festive repertoire that delighted the audience.
Gould Academy and Sunday River recently celebrated the Grand Re-Opening of the Kailey Snow Sports Center following significant renovations prompted by flood damage. The ceremony, attended by over 100 alumni, donors, GACP families, and community members, marked a rebirth for the building. The event highlighted the center’s renewed role in supporting all of Gould’s snow sports programs and strengthening the longstanding partnership between Gould and Sunday River.
Gould Academy’s recent Open House offered prospective families an opportunity to experience its programs and welcoming community. Set against the backdrop of a snowy campus, the event featured a student-led tour, interactive breakout sessions, and lunch with faculty and students.
Thank you for celebrating Gould’s core values. Your contribution to the Gould Fund supports the programs, traditions, and experiences that build the core values of a Gould Education: Curiosity, Kindness, Creativity, and Courage. If you couldn't participate, there’s still time to give. It's never too late to show your support for Gould. gouldacademy.org/give
ELITEAM, the leader in training programs designed to inspire and educate junior athletes, is excited to announce a new partnership with Gould Academy. Starting in July 2025, ELITEAM’s renowned Summer Camps will be held at Gould Academy’s campus in Bethel, Maine, offering young athletes access to cutting-edge facilities, an exceptional learning environment, and tons of fun!
“I am incredibly excited to team up with Head Alpine Coach Parker Gray and the entire Gould staff to offer junior athletes the continued opportunity to learn, push their limits, and boost their performance!” said Doug Lewis, founder of ELITEAM. “Gould Academy will be the new home of ELITEAM’s World Cup overnight camps, taking advantage of their extensive knowledge and incredible facilities to raise the levels of learning and fun
Gould Academy is thrilled to welcome a dynamic and talented group of middle school athletes for our Winter Term program this week. These students come from across the United States and beyond, representing six states and two countries, each bringing unique strengths, passions, and skills to our vibrant community.
The Gould Academy Mountain Bike Team earned second place in the Eastern Division of the Northern New England Mountain Bike Series. The Huskies showed their skills and determination, competing against teams from Maine and New Hampshire, including Chop Point, Kents Hill School, Camden Hills, Fryeburg Academy, Kennett High School, Southern Maine Syndicate, and Carrabassett Valley Academy.
"Our team came together in such an inspiring way this season," says Head Coach Cathy Fisher. "They each brought unique skills and strengths, and every single rider scored points for the team. That’s an incredible achievement. The energy was fantastic, right through the last week of the season. They were so eager to ride that they even wanted to stay out in the dark with lights on. Despite coming from different social circles on campus, they’ve built such a supportive, fun, and close-knit team. It’s been amazing to watch them connect and grow together as a truly cohesive group."
Gould’s corner of the natural world connects you to the wider world.
Gould welcomed guest speaker National Geographic Storytelling Fellow Ronan Donovan ’01 to Bingham Auditorium. Ronan shared his story of growing up in Norwich, Vermont, his time at Gould, his journey to becoming a National Geographic photographer and filmmaker, and how he became a champion for the reintroduction of wolves in North America, with a backdrop of his stunning and expressive photography and film work.
On November 5th, Fiona, a senior at Gould Academy, experienced the excitement of casting her first vote in Bethel. Originally from Virginia, Fiona planned ahead, making careful arrangements to ensure she could register and vote in Maine, where she’s been attending school since ninth grade. Voting here, she explained, was a way to connect more deeply with her Maine community and have a say in decisions that affect her everyday life.
On November 1, Gould Academy’s competitive snow sports athletes, coaches, and employees enjoyed an exclusive snow day at Sunday River in a unique “First in the East” event. From 12 to 2 p.m., this dedicated group of skiers and riders took to the mountain to kick off their training season in unseasonably warm, spring-like conditions—complete with a little bit of everything on the terrain.
Dean of Academics Ben Kamilewicz and Department Chairs discussed how Gould Academics aligns with our new strategic initiatives. Additional sessions will be hosted in the future to cover community and athletics. Watch the recording here
Fall Family Weekend at Gould was a joyful, sun-soaked gathering that perfectly embodied the school’s core values of curiosity, creativity, courage, and kindness. Over four days, families, students, and faculty came together to share meaningful experiences, reflecting Gould’s belief that everything is built around connection.
We were honored to welcome Maya Williams (ey/em, they/them, she/her), Poet Laureate Emeritus of Portland, Maine, to Gould Academy for the Richard Blanco Reading Series.
Maya led writing workshops with students, exploring themes of mental health, grief, healing, and resilience. After formal dinner, Maya captivated the community with a moving reading, followed by a book signing in the Bingham Student Center. We’re grateful for the opportunity for our students to engage with powerful work that challenges their assumptions in a safe, nurturing environment.
On National Coming Out Day, we celebrated LGBTQIA+ icons who have courageously changed the world, inspiring students and faculty to live more authentically as themselves.
Members of Prism, the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA), presented at Assembly about historic LGBTQIA+ figures and their oppression. We acknowledged that the erasure of LGBTQIA+ people historically has shaped the importance of coming out today. Thank you to our student speakers, and club advisors, Soren Erwich ’18 and Bridget Fitzpatrick, for stepping up and educating the community.
Thank you to the reps from Atomic, Head, Fischer, Stockli, Nordica, Dynastar, Volkl, Rossignol, Lange, Sweet Protection, Wend Wax, and our coaches for helping athletes find the perfect equipment on Fit Day. From fun activities to expert guidance, our athletes are ready to hit the slopes!
Deep in the mountains and surrounded by nature, the outdoors and this land play an essential role in what we do at Gould. This morning, fellows Soren Erwich ’18 and Adrian Lyne began assembly with a land acknowledgment for Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The cherished location we call home is the ancestral land of the Abenaki people, members of the Wabanaki Confederacy. The challenging and thoughtful presentation that followed gave students a new perspective to consider while learning to become stewards of their environment.
The mountains were calling! Students were called to Bingham Auditorium in the morning for what appeared to be a fire drill, but it was a surprise announcement for Mountain Day, an annual tradition where the whole school takes a day off from classes and either goes canoeing or hiking together. View photos
From Adam Leff P’15,’17, Director of Civic Engagement and World Languages Department Chair:
Gould Academy celebrated International Peace Day with a variety of activities promoting peace and inclusion across the school community. The day featured a keynote by Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline, who shared Lewiston's success in fostering inclusion through community programs and services, and emphasized the global impact of local actions. Mayor Sheline also visited US History and Comparative Government classes, engaging students in discussions and encouraging them to get involved in community initiatives, volunteerism, and peacebuilding.
Gould students are on a journey of self-discovery and experience enormous personal growth, and Wellbeing Week provides foundational support for both.
Students stepped away from everyday academics and engaged in well-being activities like fly-tying, meditation, yoga, knitting, and teambuilding games to connect with peers outside the classroom. They also engaged with remarkable guest speakers and educators who introduced challenging topics like chemical dependence, relationships and consent, and social justice.
Thank you to Glenn Hall, Jamie Forbes, Jayde Bennett, and Toyin Augustus for sharing their time and expertise with our community.
We’re excited to recognize our Athletes of the Month for September, celebrating their dedication and the positive impact they have made on the Gould community.
Xander Gooding-Grandoit '28 from Enduro! Xander’s enthusiasm for riding bikes, learning new skills, and tackling challenges is contagious. He’s a team player, always asking insightful questions and giving it his all during practice. We’re eager to watch Xander grow as an athlete over the next four years!
Farley Ordway '27 from Girls Varsity Soccer! Farley’s team-centered attitude and supportive nature. Her dedication to the sport shows in everything from introducing a new drill, now a regular part of the team's warmup, to scoring a hat trick in Saturday’s game against Hebron!
These athletes are prime examples of what it means to explore and develop their passions here at Gould. Congratulations to both!
The DD Mountain Bike Pro Lander Airbag is one of the newest additions to the Gould campus. Thanks to a gift from the Grohman family (Marty ’85, P’24,’26, Amy P’24,’26, Hannah ’24, and Henry ’26), Gould mountain bikers will be able to take the next step in their freeride progression. Local trail systems are getting more advanced, with bigger jumps being built every day, so the airbag becomes an essential tool. Athletes will gradually gain advanced air awareness and grow their bag of tricks. See more photos on SmugMug
November 14-16: The Friday performance of the Fall Play ("A Christmas Carol") has been moved to Thursday. The second performance is still scheduled for Saturday. The school calendar has been updated to reflect this change.
Ninth-grade students visited Camp Kawanhee in Weld, Maine, for a day of team-building activities, including low and high ropes courses. These challenges gave them a chance to relax after a busy start to the year while learning about communication, teamwork, and building a positive class culture. Morning games focused on problem-solving, trust, and collaboration, while afternoon high ropes elements encouraged individual courage and peer support. Activities such as the Cable Walk, Spider Web, and Pamper Pole helped students bond, challenge themselves, and support one another in a fun, engaging environment.
Fall Family Weekend is a time for families to come together to connect and enjoy activities on the athletic fields, in the classrooms, and amidst the fall foliage in Maine. We hope you will join us! Please use this link to register and see the weekend schedule and details. October 17-20, 2024
As we approach the start of the new school year, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news about the future of Gould Academy. At the end of June 2024, our Board of Trustees approved a new and innovative Strategic Plan. This plan represents two years of thorough investigation, brainstorming, feedback, and design. It also builds upon our recently updated Mission, Vision, and Values, setting the stage for Gould to lead confidently into the next decade.
You can find a link to the new Strategic Plan and Portrait of a Graduate here.
This Strategic Plan is designed primarily as a roadmap, with clearly defined initiatives that will be supported by dedicated working groups and task forces. It acknowledges the ever-accelerating pace of change in today’s world and builds on Gould’s inherent strengths while fostering the curiosity and creativity necessary to adapt and incorporate new learning modalities. Our mission statement encapsulates our educational goals: “Gould Academy guides students to be creative, courageous, and resilient and to lead lives of fulfillment and purpose.”
In tandem with our recently completed Portrait of a Graduate, this plan will provide valuable resources and inspiration for our faculty and staff. We’ll be using both documents at the Opening of School meetings and throughout the year to guide our professional development and curricular design.
We are excited about the future and look forward to implementing these initiatives to continue preparing our students for the modern world.
Gould Academy is pleased to announce the renaming of the "Kailey Competition Center" to the "Kailey Snow Sports Center," effective immediately. This change reflects our commitment to inclusivity and recognizes the diverse range of snow-based activities in which our students participate at Sunday River.
The Kailey Snow Sports Center will continue to serve as a hub for all students engaged in snow sports, including alpine skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, and freestyle skiing. It will also continue to serve as the home of the Gould Academy Competition Program (GACP), a weekend program for advanced skiers and snowboarders ages 8 to 19.
The new name embraces the spirit of community and inclusivity, ensuring that all students feel welcome and represented, while helping them feel comfortable in a space that reflects the wide variety of snow sports experiences at Gould.
The Environmental Science Spring '24 class, guided by Jeremy Nellis P’25 and Sarah Kamilewicz, constructed a potting bench, which is now available for all gardening enthusiasts in the community. This initiative encourages seasoned gardeners and novices to engage in gardening activities on campus.
Directed by Tamara Poddubnaya, The Music Without Borders Piano Festival returns to the Gould Academy campus for its 18th season, July 7-August 3, 2024. The first public recital will be at 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 9, 2024, in the air-conditioned McLaughlin Science Building Auditorium, and every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after that, through August 3! This year, we are joined by student pianists from the U.S., Canada, and Europe. 🎹
For additional information and special program announcements, visit musicwoborders.com
At Gould Academy, students are travelers, not tourists, because they deeply engage with the communities they visit. They don't just observe; they participate, learn, and contribute. Through community service projects, living with host families, and learning from local experts, they build genuine connections and gain a deeper understanding of the places they explore. This immersive approach fosters empathy, cultural awareness, and personal growth. More photos here
What an amazing day under the tent on Alumni Field! Words can’t express how proud we are of this group of Gould seniors. You entered during Covid and came out stronger on the other side. You had victories on the sports fields and at the mountain; you transformed yourselves in the classrooms and on adventures with your classmates. You explored the outdoors and became stewards of the environment. Gould played a role, but you were more than up for the challenge.
The relationships you built over the last four years will last the rest of your lifetime. Don’t forget to nurture them as you move forward. And remember, you will always have a home at Gould Academy. Congratulations Huskies! More photos here
What a beautiful Baccalaureate Ceremony at Gould Academy this year! Heartfelt speeches, moving music performances, and a strong sense of community marked the evening. Congratulations to the Class of 2024! Here's to new beginnings and exciting futures. More photos here
Gould held its annual Senior Gala at the UMaine 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond. Games, activities, camaraderie, food, and fun in a stunning spot made for a fantastic evening, and the seniors learned what it means to be a Gould Alumni. Thank you, Gould Alumni! More photos here
In celebration of AAPI Month, we're grateful to faculty members Soren Erwich ’18 and Ajay Zutshi for voicing their personal experiences during assembly. Soren's story of his family's journey from Indonesia to the Netherlands highlighted the importance of knowing our roots. Ajay shared his experience of growing up feeling underrepresented and what it means to feel American while growing up in an Indian family in Massachusetts. Their stories remind us that representation matters and the importance of sharing our stories.
Everyone knows that marshmallows taste better when they're toasted over the embers of rejection letters!
The annual Senior Bonfire tradition College Counseling hosts is about much more than burning rejection letters. It’s a chance for seniors to slow down, tell stories, and enjoy the company of their classmates as Commencement draws near. More photos here
"We honor the life of the mind—a journey that fosters curiosity, creativity, courage, and above all, kindness. Tonight, we recognize the accomplishments of students who have earned accolades through their hard work, diligence, and determination." - Ben Kamilewicz ’95, Dean of Academics
We sincerely thank our Underclass Awards keynote speaker, Laura Wilson '20, for sharing her journey from Gould to Dartmouth and inspiring us with her achievements in glaciology research.
The Spring Athletic Awards are a chance to reflect on the past season, recognize individual and team accomplishments, and celebrate the way our students represent themselves and Gould in the world. It's awesome to witness the strong bonds that are built within our teams. View the full photo album
The Class of 2024 is nearing the end of their time at Gould, and we’re excited to highlight their outcomes. Fifty-four students submitted 470 applications to 223 colleges. Next year, they will be scattered across 19 states and five countries. Seven students were accepted to their early decision schools, six are committed collegiate athletes, and four received full-ride scholarships. Among them are a National Merit Scholar, a member of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team, four jacketed ski patrollers, and one certified EMT. These achievements reflect the hard work and diverse talents of the group.
Gould recently returned to Hurricane Island for the first time since 2019. It was previously a yearly tradition cherished by tenth- and twelfth-grade students. This year was a great opportunity to reestablish the partnership between Gould and The Hurricane Island Foundation for Science and Leadership. Seventeen students and three faculty members spent two nights and three action-packed days exploring the enchanting island.
Every year, Gould twelfth graders complete a Senior Four Point project that culminates their learning at Gould. Students find creative ways to express themselves, travel the world, and complete service projects as part of this work. Discovering that they are capable of great things is at the heart of every step of the Four Point Program, and this special capstone project is no exception. Learning to collaborate with others, overcome obstacles, and see a project through to completion are all part of the assignment.
Congrats to the State Champion Gould Math Team! The Gould team won the Maine State Math Meet (Class D) this week in Augusta, Maine. Special shout outs to Zach Johnson ’24 who placed fifth at the meet among all seniors, Artur Savchii ’24 who was seventh overall during the regular season, and Jason Deng ’28 for placing ninth at the meet among all ninth graders in the state, though he’s only in eighth grade!
Congratulations to Hanna Percy ’25, Olivia Stracuzzi ’25, Brianna Schnorrbusch ’24, Nathan Pare ’23, and Tyler Hamel ’22 on qualifying for the Junior World Championship for snowboard cross in Gudauri, Georgia. Both Bri and Nate qualified but won't be competing at the event. Here’s what Coach Anna Yoshie Yamada had to say about the two current Gould athletes who are competing:
Congrats to Camden Lewis ’27, who will be representing Gould and the United States skiing moguls at this year’s FIS Junior World Championships at Chiesa in Valmalenco, Italy, April 3-6. Gould Moguls Coach Sean Ennis, who will be joining the U.S. coaching squad for the event, had this to say about Cam:
“Cam had a strong finish to his 2022-23 season, securing him a spot for 2023 U.S. Selections, where he had a fifth-place finish. Cam won several Eastern Divisional meets, earning him the USSS Eastern Division MVP of the year. Beyond this, Cam earned a top-ten finish in the Nor-Am finals, which has positioned him to be invited to the 2024 FIS Junior Worlds. This event brings together the top junior athletes from all over the world to compete for the title of Junior World Champion. We are excited to watch Cam perform in Valmalenco, Italy!”
“Seeing how other people engage in the arts is fascinating. The way Andre interacts with his audience is so unique. I loved having him here. His writing workshop was filled with great tips, and I got to observe how others write.” - Toby ’27
Gould's Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA) recently traveled to Portland's Equality Community Center for a GSA meetup! Gould was one of eight schools that attended the event, where queer youth met up, socialized, had a pizza party, played games, and watched "A Guide to Pronouns," a student film from the Cape Elizabeth GSA sharing the importance of asking and respecting peoples pronouns.
This past Tuesday night, the Gould community gathered on the upper field after a formal dinner to witness the spectacle and glory of a rail jam. Over thirty freeskiers, snowboarders (and even a couple of Nordic and alpine athletes) participated in the contest, with all entry fees benefitting the local Mahoosuc Kids Association in the form of the highly coveted Zipfy Sleds.
Gould Academy’s full-year Grade 8 program will end on June 1, 2024.
The origin of the full-year Grade 8 program is closely tied to Gould's winter term program and dates back to the fall of 2019. During this time, a group of parents, whose children were enrolled at Gould, expressed a desire to extend the winter term to a full year for their younger siblings.
The Moxie Award, presented by Head of School Tao Smith, celebrates Gould students who demonstrate an act of creativity, courage, or kindness, three of our school’s four core values.
“This day serves as a commemoration of Dr. King's tireless efforts in the fight against racial inequality in his advocacy for justice, equality, and peace, so on Martin Luther King Day, we come together to celebrate the principles of unity, service, and social justice that Dr. King championed throughout his life. It is not just a day off but rather a day on. It's a day to engage in meaningful service activities that contribute to the betterment of society.”
- Adam Leff P’15,’17, Coordinator of Civic Engagement & Clubs and World Languages Department Chair
Artur Savchii ’24 has done something unprecedented at Gould. He qualified for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) based on his score on the American Mathematics Contest 12 (AMC 12). In this next phase of testing, Artur can qualify for The United States of America Mathematical Olympiad, which precedes the International Mathematics Olympiad. To put this in perspective, currently, Artur is one of the top 3,000 math students in the country, and that's just the beginning of his accomplishments.
Nathan Pare ’23 is at the highest level of Snowboard Cross (SBX), competing in the World Cup SBX Tour this season as a member of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team.
You can support him on his quest to reach the Winter Olympics at his fundraiser on Saturday, January 6 at The Bethel Resort & Suites. Check out this link for more details. Let's go, Nate!