portsmouth abbey news
Upcoming Transition from Academic Trimesters to Semesters Fall 2025
For decades, Portsmouth Abbey School’s academic calendar has followed a familiar rhythm: three trimesters, each setting the pace for coursework, exams, and student life. Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, however, the School will adopt a semester-based academic calendar—a meaningful shift designed to deepen intellectual engagement and create a more balanced school experience.
The decision, announced to families earlier this year, was the result of thoughtful deliberation by faculty and school leadership and has received the full support of the Head of School. Dean of Academics Nicholas Micheletti ’04 emphasized that the change is more than just a matter of logistics.
“The move to semesters is a pedagogical decision rooted in our Benedictine ethos,” Micheletti explained. “Longer academic terms allow for greater depth of study, more sustained reflection, and fewer interruptions due to frequent final exams. This shift will give students more time to engage meaningfully with their coursework while also reducing the number of cumulative exams they take over the course of the year.”
Under the new structure, there will be two exam periods: the first will occur in December at the end of the fall semester, and the second at the end of the school year in the spring, effectively replacing the current November and March exam blocks. Students will benefit from longer stretches of uninterrupted learning, and classes in December will serve as the natural culmination of the first term, rather than the beginning of a new one.
Importantly, while academics will move to a semester model, athletics and the arts will continue their current trimester schedules. This hybrid structure helps preserve the integrity of co-curricular programming and prevents students from having to navigate final exams during the height of athletic playoffs or major performances—a frequent challenge in the existing calendar.
Faculty members are already preparing for the change, reviewing syllabi and rethinking assessment strategies to take full advantage of longer teaching terms. Administrators note that while the fall and spring semesters will not be identical in length, careful planning will ensure continuity and consistency across courses. Looking ahead, the semester format may also support a broader range of elective offerings, giving students more opportunities to explore specific areas of interest.
Portsmouth Abbey’s Benedictine tradition encourages conversatio morum, a commitment to continuous growth and renewal. School leaders view this academic shift as an expression of that ideal—an opportunity to refine and strengthen the educational experience while preserving the community’s core values.
“We are confident that this change will better serve our students, both in their academic pursuits and in their formation as scholars and individuals,” Micheletti said. “We look forward to sharing more details in the months ahead and remain deeply grateful for the support of current families and our alumni community as we take this step forward.”
Alumni with questions or reflections on this transition are encouraged to reach out to the Office of Communications at communications@portsmouthabbey.org.