Admissions

Admissions at FA

Falmouth Academy seeks to enroll students who will thrive in an environment of high expectations. We look for students who have been successful in school, who are competent readers, and who appear ready to contribute to this community. As a reading and writing school, we need our students to be ready for the detailed analysis that will be central to their academic work. We believe that most motivated young people have the tools to learn to engage in that kind of analysis if they are willing to work hard and collaborate closely with their teachers. For that reason, motivation and a strong desire to be at Falmouth Academy are crucial to a student’s success here.

We are a small school by design, and our small size determines many of the personal qualities we seek in applicants to the school. It is important that our students understand and embrace the values of generosity and respect that are vital to a community like ours. Also, we seek candidates who will get involved in the life of the school, try new things, and take advantage of the opportunities for leadership that this small community provides.

The best time to apply to FA is for the 7th grade. Those students who are with us from the beginning adjust most smoothly to this challenging school.  We take great care in the 7th and 8th grades to teach skills which prepare students to be successful here later. While we strongly encourage families to consider applying to the 7th grade, every year we admit students at other grade levels, particularly grade 9. 

The school focuses on a core curriculum which stresses reading and writing. Seminar-style classes averaging 12 students allow active participation and individual attention. There are no back rows at Falmouth Academy.

FA students commute from an area roughly bounded by Duxbury, Halifax, Mattapoisett, Martha’s Vineyard, and Harwich. The school operates bus routes originating in Duxbury, Marion, and the mid-Cape, as well as a shuttle bus from the Steamship Authority terminal in Woods Hole.  For students living farther from the school, we can arrange a Falmouth Academy host family to house students from Monday night through Thursday night.  International students (from 23 countries so far) also live full-time with FA host families.

We invite you to visit the school at any time. To arrange a visit, or for information on admission or financial aid, please call the Admissions Office at 508-457-9696.  If you would like to be on the admissions mailing list, click here for our Info Request Form.

In its admissions and financial aid programs, hiring process, and in all other school programs, Falmouth Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or physical handicap.

Falmouth Academy is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and is determined to remain small—with approximately 215 students in grades 7-12—so that teachers and students can know each other well.