ACademic excellence
Academic Excellence
At the heart of our academic accolades lie two prestigious honors: Dean’s List and the Prize Day Awards.
Dean’s List
To earn a place on the Dean’s List, students must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher, with no grades lower than B in regular courses or B- in Honors/AP courses, while undertaking a course load of at least six classes. Computed at the culmination of each Fall and Winter term, the Dean’s List celebrates the academic excellence of our students, culminating in a final year-end recognition noted on their permanent transcripts. A current list may be found in the Parent Portal
Prize Day
Prize Day is a platform that celebrates excellence and extraordinary achievement across various domains including 1.) Athletics, 2.) Academics, 3.) Character, Service and Leadership and, 4.) Awards of Distinction, such as Head Boy and Head Girl. See a complete listing of Prize Day Awards Below
These accolades not only honor the many achievements of our students but also embody the values of integrity, leadership and service that define the Portsmouth Abbey community. Recipients are listed in commencement materials and the Parent Portal.
ATHLETICS AWARDS
| THE CROSS-COUNTRY COACH’S TROPHIES |
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The Cross-Country Coach’s Trophies are presented to a girl and a boy who best combine the highest levels of leadership, skill and commitment: Sean Brennan '24, Charlotte Hudson '23 |
| THE GIRLS’ FIELD HOCKEY TROPHY |
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A gift to Portsmouth Abbey by William and Patricia Hannaford, Jr., parents of William ’89 and Tara ’97, the Girls’ Field Hockey Trophy is presented each year to the player who best exhibits a strong desire to compete, a positive attitude and humility both on and off the field, thus making her a natural and dependable leader: Sara DeSousa '23 |
| THE JOHN M. HOGAN ’54 FOOTBALL TROPHY |
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The football trophy in memory of John M. Hogan ’54 goes to a member of the graduating class who has shown the kind of ability, initiative, dedication and team spirit that distinguished Jack Hogan as an athlete and an alumnus: Michael Abbate '23 |
| THE WILLIAM FRANKLIN SANDS MEMORIAL SOCCER TROPHY |
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| Given in memory of their father, William Franklin Sands, by James ’32, Robert ’33 and John Sands ’40, the trophy recognizes the boy who has shown the courtesy, courage and skill that has made him a dependable teammate and natural leader: Joseph Verderber '23 |
| THE GIRLS’ SOCCER TROPHY |
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| A gift to Portsmouth Abbey by Christopher and Carol Gontarz, parents of Andrew ’97 and Cara ’99, this trophy is awarded each year to the player who best combines the qualities of dependability, dedication and selflessness in uniting and leading her team: Ryon Black '23 |
| THE BOYS’ BASKETBALL TROPHY |
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| The Basketball trophy is presented to the player who best combines the highest level of leadership, skill and commitment: Bernard Dushie '23 |
| THE PFEFFER CUP |
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| This cup was established by the Pfeffer family - Jane, Jim ’69, Abby ’01 and Eliza ’01. The Pfeffer Cup recognizes a member of the girls’ basketball program whose strong character makes her emblematic of Portsmouth Abbey’s highest ideals. Through leadership, the love of and commitment to the game of basketball, and with a strong sense of teamwork, the recipient has been a force for excellence while a member of the Portsmouth Abbey girls’ basketball program: Sarah Edwards '23 |
| THE ANDREW M. HUNT AND CAROL MEEHAN HUNT HOCKEY TROPHIES |
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| These trophies are given in honor of Andrew M. Hunt and his wife, Carol Meehan Hunt, the parents of Kevin ’70, Peter ’71 and Jim ’83. The trophies recognize a boy and a girl from the hockey program who embody the leadership, character and devotion to their team and program that have made them valuable and dependable teammates: Jack Baird '23, Michael Patko '23 and Isabella DiReda '23 |
| THE CARLOS XAVIER ARAUJO '96 MEMORIAL SQUASH TROPHY |
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| This trophy is awarded in loving memory of Carlos Xavier Araujo ’96 to the squash player who best exemplifies Carlos's perseverance, sportsmanship, sense of humor and vitality: William Hurlbut '23 |
| THE GIRLS’ SQUASH COACH’S TROPHY |
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| The Squash Coach’s Trophy is presented to the player who best combines the highest levels of leadership, skill and commitment: Charlotte West '23 |
| THE GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL COACH'S TROPHY |
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| The Volleyball Coach’s Trophy is presented to the player who best combines the highest levels of leadership, skill and commitment. Merritt Coward '23 |
| THE WRESTLING COACH’S TROPHY |
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| The Wrestling Coach’s Trophy is presented to a wrestler who is admired for outstanding leadership, sportsmanship, positive attitude and commitment to the team. Garrett Roskelly '23 |
| THE BASEBALL COACH'S TROPHY |
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| The Baseball Coach’s Trophy is presented to the player who best combines the highest levels of leadership, skill and commitment: Matthew Parella '23 |
| THE DORMENT GOLF TROPHY |
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| A gift from Chris ’63 and Rosemary Dorment in honor of their daughter Camilla ’06. This trophy recognizes a member of the girls’ golf team who best exhibits leadership, skill, humility and a passion for golf: Carly Costaregni '23 |
| THE FROST FAMILY TROPHY |
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| This trophy has been given to Portsmouth Abbey by former coach John W. Frost to recognize a boys' lacrosse player who has contributed in significant ways to the School's lacrosse program and whose passion for the game is best exemplified by his leadership, fair play, and gentlemanly conduct: Jack Lucey '23 |
| THE HANNAFORD FAMILY TROPHY |
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| A gift to Portsmouth Abbey by William and Patricia Hannaford Jr., parents of William ’89 and Tara ’97, this award recognizes a member of the girls’ lacrosse team who best exhibits a strong desire to compete, a positive attitude, and humility both on and off the field, thus making her a natural and dependable leader: Alexis Dahlberg '23 |
| THE ROBERT PRICE ’71 SAILING TROPHY |
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| This trophy given in memory of Robert Price ’71 by his family, is awarded to the sailor whose skill, leadership, and love of sailing have been of the greatest value to the members of the team: Liam Barry '23 |
| THE SOFTBALL COACH’S TROPHY |
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| The Softball Coach’s Trophy is presented to a player who is admired for her outstanding leadership, sportsmanship, positive attitude and commitment to the team: Sarah Edwards '23 |
| THE TENNIS COACH’S TROPHIES |
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| The Tennis Coach’s Trophies are presented to a boy and a girl who best combine the highest levels of leadership, skill and commitment to their teams: William Hurlbut '23 and Alessandra Cristiani '24 |
| THE TRACK COACH’S TROPHIES |
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| The Track Coach’s Trophies are presented to a boy and a girl who best combine the highest levels of leadership, skill and commitment to their teams: Obi Onwudiwe '23 and Odunayo Adelaiye '25 |
| SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD |
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| The Scholar-Athlete Award recognizes a boy and a girl in the Sixth Form who, during the course of the school year, earned three varsity letters while demonstrating the highest academic achievement: Elena Cristiani '23 and Quinn Brighton '23 |
| THE PORTSMOUTH ABBEY ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION |
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| Selected by the varsity coaching staff and the Athletic Director, this award is presented each year to members of the Sixth Form who exhibit outstanding playing ability, sportsmanship, leadership, effort, and dedication in each of the three seasons of athletics: Ashtyn Bringardner '23, Isabella DiReda '23, Bernard Dushie '23, Sarah Edwards '23, Jack Lucey '23 and Joseph Verderber '23 |
ACADEMIC AWARDS
CLASS Of 2023 ELECTED TO MEMBERSHIP IN THE CUM LAUDE SOCIETY
Liam Barry, Quinn Brighton, Hannah Gallagher, Cheonjung (Kent) Kim, Caroline McLaughlin and Rose Yu
| THEOLOGY AWARDS |
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For general excellence over the entire course: Cheonjung (Kent) Kim '23 |
| ENGLISH AND HUMANITIES AWARDS |
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| THE WILLIAM FORCE STEAD PRIZE FOR CREATIVE WRITINNG Given in memory of Dom Julian Stead’s ’43 father, William Force Stead, this award was established by James M. Osborn, Professor of English at Yale University. William Force Stead was an author and fellow of Worcester College, Oxford, whose letters from W.B. Yeats, T.S. Eliot and others were presented to Yale by Portsmouth Abbey School: Sara DeSousa '23 THE ALEXANDER A. PHILLIPS POETRY PRIZE In memory of Mr. Phillips, a poet and friend of the monastic community: Erin McGinley '23 THE REV. JOHN O'ROURKE ENGLISH COMPOSITION PRIZE In memory of Father O'Rourke, a friend of the monastic community: Liam Barry '23 THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER HUMANITIES/SOCIAL SCIENCES AWARD For outstanding achievement in the HUMANITIES and SOCIAL SCIENCES: Nessa McDermott '24 For excellence in ENGLISH, Form III: Whitaker Williams '26 For excellence in HUMANITIES: Aidan Sainte '25, Allison Miller '25 and Nate Heller '25 THE MAURA B. AND ROBERT W. MOREY PRIZE Established in honor of Maura and Bob Morey, parents of Edward Morey ’94, for their dedication to Portsmouth Abbey School’s students and teachers, the Morey Prize is presented to the outstanding Fifth Form English student in recognition of superior performance, and with particular attention to proficiency in written expression: Nate Lee '24 THE PUBLIC SPEAKING AWARD For excellence in public speaking: Jimin (Jennifer) Shon '25 |
| CLASSICAL LANGUAGE AWARDS |
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For excellence in LATIN THE BISHOP ANSGAR AWARD NATIONAL LATIN EXAM |
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MODERN LANGUAGE AWARDS |
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| For excellence in FRENCH Upper Level: Nessa McDermott '24 Lower Level: Sophie Green '23 For excellence in SPANISH Upper Level: Erin McGinley '23 Lower Level: Allison Miller '25 For excellence in CHINESE Upper Level: Nathan Lee '24 Lower Level: Jonathan Mammen '24 |
| HISTORY AWARDS |
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| THE FRANK E. LALLY HISTORY BOOK AWARDS These awards are given in memory of Dr. Lally, member of the Faculty and head of the History Department from 1933-1965. For excellence in ANCIENT HISTORY: Michael Giuliano-Reich '26 For excellence in RHODE ISLAND HISTORY SEMINAR: Zoey Bartley '23 For excellence in EUROPEAN HISTORY: Sofia Aragonés '23 For excellence in US Government & Politics: Georgia Sones '23 THE SENATOR HERBERT CLAIBORNE PELL MEDAL For excellence in UNITED STATES HISTORY: Austin Zhao '24 |
| MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE AWARDS |
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AMERICAN MATHEMATICS COMPETITION THE AMERICAN MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY AWARD THE RENSSELAER MEDAL SOCIETY OF WOMEN ENGINEERS CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT |
| ART AWARDS |
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For excellence in STUDIO ART: Fiona Yang '24 THE RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN BOOK AWARD DOM AMBROSE WOLVERTON DRAMA AWARD |
| MUSIC AWARDS |
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| THE MUSIC PRIZE Given in memory of Milton and Fern Miller Wolverton, parents of Dom Ambrose, this prize is awarded to members of the School community who have made a significant contribution to the music program: Katherine Choi '23 NATIONAL CHOIR AWARD - Jonathan Kamdani '23 QUINCY JONES MUSICIANSHIP AWARD - Hannah Gallagher '23 NATIONAL SCHOOL ORCHESTRA AWARD - Katherine Choi '23 |
Academic Advising
Educating the whole person also means advising them wholly. A multi-pronged approach to academic advising combines world-class instructors passionate about their subjects with a specialized program designed to foster connections through graduation. The Dean of Academics oversees each student's educational goals, working directly with faculty to identify factors needed to foster success while engaging with students to promote ownership of their academic experience.
At the start of their journey, students are grouped with others in their Form as an advisory cohort. This group remains together through graduation, building trust and cohesion. Sometimes academic, sometimes therapeutic, and sometimes just gathering for fun, advisory groups meet twice weekly with their faculty advisor, who also serves as an advocate, mentor, and primary contact with parents.
Study Skills
You’ve Got This
Balancing academics, activities, athletics, and the social aspects of high school can be daunting. In a smaller classroom there is no slipping through the cracks, no escaping from participation or expectations of performance. Conference periods provide a block of time three days per week where students can meet with faculty for assistance and academic support. Additionally, peer tutors and a dedicated study skills specialist are on hand to help students develop sound strategies to support time management, organization, and stronger habits to master learning and living independently. Time is also built into the evening schedule for studying and homework allowing students to stay on top of classes. And because it is never too early to prepare for life after high school, College Counseling programs also offer ways to strengthen study skills at each form level.
SUMMER READING
As we relish the summer break, we cannot allow our hard-earned intellectual vigor to wane amidst the sun-soaked days of June to August. Embracing the tradition of “summer reading” in secondary schools, we invite students to dive into fiction that will keep minds sharp and engaged.
Below is a curated selection of summer reads for 2023, carefully selected from a diverse array of contemporary authors. These novels promise to captivate the imagination while resonating with themes that align closely with each Raven’s academic FORMation at the Abbey. In a world dominated by touchscreens, we urge a full immersion in the reading experience: embrace the tactile sensation of a physical book, carve out distraction-free moments and indulge in thoughtful, empathetic reading.
In the fall, there will be opportunities to share insights and reflections on the assigned books, fostering enriching discussions among peers. This summer, don’t just take a break. Take some time for your intellectual exploration and growth as well.
Summer Form Readers 2023-24 School Year
Form III: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein
Form IV: The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis
Form V: Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
Form VI: Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
St. Thomas More Library
The St. Thomas More Library serves the students, faculty, staff, and monastic community at Portsmouth Abbey School. Its collection of books, periodicals, non-print materials, and on-line resources supports the curriculum of the School and offers recreational reading opportunities for all members of the community.
It is our goal to promote reading and research for knowledge and pleasure as well as to teach the necessary information-gathering skills which students will need to become lifelong learners. The library is open every day when the School is in regular session. It is an attractive and spacious campus location for quiet study, research, and pleasure reading.
Although the library is not open to the public, special arrangements to use or borrow an item from our collection can be made with the Library Director.