Gould Academy Photo #7 - With 11 Steinway pianos on campus, Gould holds the All Steinway School distinction, shared with other schools such as the Yale School of Music and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Through state-of-the-art technology, Gould also offers a distance learning program in partnership with the Manhattan School of Music.

Gould Academy

39 Church Street
Bethel, ME 04217
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Gould Academy Photo #1 - A rigorous academic curriculum is at the core of the Gould Academy experience. Our students are innovators, creators, risk-takers, and complex problem solvers.
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Gould Academy Photo #1 - A rigorous academic curriculum is at the core of the Gould Academy experience. Our students are innovators, creators, risk-takers, and complex problem solvers.
Gould Academy Photo #2 - Gould Academy offers the only Ski Patrol Program recognized by the National Ski Patrol. Once our students earn their 'jackets,' they are certified to work for the National Ski Patrol at any mountain in the U.S.
Gould Academy Photo #3 - Collaboration is a required and sought after skill in the 21st century work place. Our students graduate with a keen understanding of how to be independent thinkers within the context of teamwork. The result is powerful.
Gould Academy Photo #4 - The Gould Academy Competition Program (GACP) trains high level winter student-athletes in alpine, freestyle, Nordic, and snowboarding. Our student-athletes enjoy dedicated training facilities at Sunday River Ski Resort, six miles from campus. You'll find our GACP athletes competing all over the world.
Gould Academy Photo #5 - From mountain biking and lacrosse, to soccer and skateboarding, to equestrian and basketball. We offer a very diverse selection of competitive sports so that each student may discover or continue to develop their passion.
Gould Academy Photo #6 - Our beautiful 456 acre campus in the heart of the western Maine mountains is a gateway to outdoor experiential learning, research, and play. The Bethel, Maine downtown is a gem offering coffee shops, restaurants, and retailers all within walking distance of campus.
Gould Academy Photo #7 - Rock climbing, hiking, ice climbing canoeing and variety of other outdoor experiences abound in the White Mountains.
Gould Academy Photo #8 - With 11 Steinway pianos on campus, Gould holds the All Steinway School distinction, shared with other schools such as the Yale School of Music and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Through state-of-the-art technology, Gould also offers a distance learning program in partnership with the Manhattan School of Music.
Gould Academy Photo #9 - From painting to blacksmithing, Gould offers an incredible array of visual art courses. Continue your artistic passions or discover the artist within you that you never knew was there. Art students go on to study at the Savannah College of Art, Rhode Island School of Design and School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Gould Academy is not just a school.  It's a journey of self-discovery.
Nestled in the beautiful mountains of Maine, Gould fosters intellectual exploration and personal growth through a unique blend of rigorous academics and experiential learning.
Here, students challenge their assumptions in a safe, nurturing environment, whether it's through our renowned individual sports programs, cutting-edge Maker Space, or our one-of-a-kind experiential program.
At Gould, we don't just prepare students to earn a diploma-we prepare them for life.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 8-12, PG
  • Grades: (Day Students) 7-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 230 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $71,000
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $53,250
  • Acceptance rate: 97%
  • Average class size: 9 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Gould Academy ranks among the top 10 schools with 200-400 students (out of 107 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
Student Attention
School History

School Overview

Definition of Terms | 2025 School Data
Gould Academy
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)
8-12, PG
9-12
Grades Offered (Day)
7-12, PG
Pre-K-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Supports Learning Differences (LD)
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Neurodiversity
n/a
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1836
1909
Campus Size
456 acres
125 acres
Colors
White, Blue
School Calendar

Student Body

Enrollment
230 students
300 students
% Students of Color
4%
25%
% International Students
20%
20%
% Students Boarding
60%
70%
Average SAT Score
1220
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »View
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No

Academics and Faculty

Saturday Classes
Yes
No
Frequency of Saturday Classes
Less than once a month
Weekly
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Mountain casual
Casual
Average Class Size
9 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student-Teacher Ratio
6:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
11
17
ESL Courses Offered
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
73%
70%
Summer Program Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details

Tuition Cost

Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$71,000
$59,900
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$53,250
$33,500
Merit Scholarships Offered
No

Admissions

Application Deadline
Feb. 1 / rolling
Jan. 15
Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)
No
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Acceptance Rate
97%
58%
Director of Admissions
Kristen Kaschub
Application URL

AP / Advanced Courses

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
11
17
Courses
AB CalculusBC Calculus
BiologyChemistry
English LanguageEnglish Literature
Government ComparativeHonors Senior Math(topics include Calculus BC)
PhysicsStastistics
US History

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
14
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Global Student OrganizationGould Goes Green


Arts and Music Programs:


Recreational Athletic Programs:
Farm and ForestMaine Adaptive Ski Coaching
On-Snow Instructing ProgramRecreational Skiing

College Matriculation

10 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)
St. Lawrence University
13
University of Vermont
10
Boston University
9
Saint Michael's College
9
University of Colorado, Boulder
9
Drexel University
8
Suffolk University
8
University of Main
8
Bates
7
Hobart William Smith
7

School Notes

  • Private High School for Boys and Girls
  • Grades 9-12, Postgraduate and Winter Term for Grades 7-8
  • Boarding School in the Mountains of Maine
  • Founded in 1836 and located in the historic mountain village of Bethel, Maine, Gould celebrates winter through an unparalleled partnership with Sunday River Resort. Students experience the mountain by becoming ski patrollers and instructors, sliding on rails and racing through gates, or discovering a lifelong passion by simply learning to ski and ride. We flip our daily schedule in the winter and begin our days on snow to take advantage of the best conditions, returning to campus for academics in the afternoon. Sunday River is one of the largest ski and snowboard resorts in the Eastern United States, and we explore every acre of terrain.
  • Academics at Gould are both challenging and inspiring. Our innovative faculty offers unique and intentional experiential opportunities you won't find at other schools. Hand-build your own skis or snowboard. Pilot underwater robots in the Marlon Family IDEAS Center, Gould's maker space. Investigate the natural world surrounding campus in Environmental Science. Develop your artistic passions, hammering iron in the blacksmithing forge. Become a world traveler with your ninth-grade classmates, and go on a winter camping expedition in the White Mountains in our signature Four Point Program.
  • Gould Academy delivers an exceptional residential boarding school experience. The dorms are an extension of the classroom where students learn to live independently and engage with a vibrant community. At the heart of every Gould journey is a network of caring adults to mentor students and help shape their future. Advisors, coaches, teachers, and dorm parents become trusted adults that students can depend on.
  • We prepare students for the biggest test there is. Life. 
  • LD types supported: Neurodiversity
  • Gould Academy accreditations: TABS, NEASC, NAIS
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Lauren Jacobs ’03, PhD - Outdoor educator. Read more at https://www.gouldacademy.org/alumni/connect/an-outside-chance
    • Phil Coupe ’86 - Business owner. Read more at https://www.gouldacademy.org/alumni/connect/a-revolution-around-the-sun
    • Troy Murphy '10 - Olympian. Watch his commencement address with Donnie Pelletier at https://www.facebook.com/GouldAcademy/videos/2019-gould-academy-commencement-speeches/270561227086095/
  • School Motto: Gould Academy guides students to be creative, courageous and resilient and to lead lives of fulfillment and purpose.
  • School Mascot: Husky
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Gould Academy cost?
Gould Academy's tuition is approximately $71,000 for boarding students and $53,250 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of Gould Academy?
The acceptance rate of Gould Academy is 97%, which is higher than the boarding school average of 58%.
Who are famous alumni from Gould Academy?
Gould Academy famous alumni include: Lauren Jacobs ’03, PhD, Phil Coupe ’86 and Troy Murphy '10.
What sports does Gould Academy offer?
Gould Academy offers 16 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Cycling, Equestrian, Field Hockey, Freestyle Skiing, Golf, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Nordic Skiing, Rock Climbing, Snowboarding, Soccer and Tennis.
Does Gould Academy offer a summer program?
Yes, Gould Academy offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is Gould Academy's ranking?
Gould Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Small student body (number of students), Small average class sizes and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Gould Academy?
The application deadline for Gould Academy is Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review
Description

Class of 2003
5.00
University of Rhode Island
Gould Academy has an incredible history of experiential learning that continues on to the present. Learning happens in the classroom, but it also happens outside of it. From the 4 Point programs, most notably, to. . .

Class of 2011
5.00
Stetson University
Gould Academy's four-point program is what sets it apart from other schools. This program is defined by what each grade does during the weeks between 2nd trimester and Spring break. Grade 9 embarks on an. . .
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