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
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.

THE GIRLS’ FIELD HOCKEY TROPHY
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.

THE JOHN M. HOGAN ’54 FOOTBALL TROPHY
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.

THE WILLIAM FRANKLIN SANDS MEMORIAL SOCCER TROPHY
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.

THE GIRLS’ SOCCER TROPHY
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.

THE BOYS’ BASKETBALL TROPHY
The Basketball trophy is presented to the player who best combines the highest level of leadership, skill and commitment.

THE PFEFFER CUP
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.

THE PFEFFER CUP

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.

THE ANDREW M. HUNT AND CAROL MEEHAN HUNT HOCKEY TROPHIES
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.

THE CARLOS XAVIER ARAUJO '96 MEMORIAL SQUASH TROPHY
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.

THE GIRLS’ SQUASH COACH’S TROPHY
The Squash Coach’s Trophy is presented to the player who best combines the highest levels of leadership, skill and commitment.

THE GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL COACH'S TROPHY
The Volleyball Coach’s Trophy is presented to the player who best combines the highest levels of leadership, skill and commitment.

THE WRESTLING COACH’S TROPHY
The Wrestling Coach’s Trophy is presented to a wrestler who is admired for outstanding leadership, sportsmanship, positive attitude and commitment to the team.

THE BASEBALL COACH'S TROPHY
The Baseball Coach’s Trophy is presented to the player who best combines the highest levels of leadership, skill and commitment.

THE DORMENT GOLF TROPHY
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.

THE FROST FAMILY TROPHY
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.

THE HANNAFORD FAMILY TROPHY
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.

THE ROBERT PRICE ’71 SAILING TROPHY
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.

THE SOFTBALL COACH’S TROPHY
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.

THE TENNIS COACH’S TROPHIES
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.

THE TRACK COACH’S TROPHIES
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.

SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD
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.

THE PORTSMOUTH ABBEY ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
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.

ACADEMIC AWARDS

CLASS Of 2025 ELECTED TO MEMBERSHIP IN THE CUM LAUDE SOCIETY   

Nathan Heller, Bohan "Stephen" Li, Xingchuan "Ryan" Ma, Aidan Sainte, Jimin "Jennifer" Shon, Hanze "Hans" Yuan

THEOLOGY AWARDS
For general excellence over the entire course:  For excellence in Theology  Upper School                                      Lower School

ENGLISH AND HUMANITIES AWARDS
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.                                                 THE ALEXANDER A. PHILLIPS POETRY PRIZE In memory of Mr. Phillips, a poet and friend of the monastic community.                                                        THE REV. JOHN O'ROURKE ENGLISH COMPOSITION PRIZE In memory of Father O'Rourke, a friend of the monastic community.   THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER HUMANITIES/SOCIAL SCIENCES AWARD For outstanding achievement in the HUMANITIES and SOCIAL SCIENCES. For excellence in ENGLISH, Form III For excellence in HUMANITIES   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. THE PUBLIC SPEAKING AWARD  For excellence in public speaking.

ENGLISH AND HUMANITIES AWARDS

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.
                                               
THE ALEXANDER A. PHILLIPS POETRY PRIZE
In memory of Mr. Phillips, a poet and friend of the monastic community.
                                                      
THE REV. JOHN O'ROURKE ENGLISH COMPOSITION PRIZE
In memory of Father O'Rourke, a friend of the monastic community.
 
THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER HUMANITIES/SOCIAL SCIENCES AWARD
For outstanding achievement in the HUMANITIES and SOCIAL SCIENCES.
For excellence in ENGLISH, Form III
For excellence in HUMANITIES
 
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.

THE PUBLIC SPEAKING AWARD 
For excellence in public speaking.

CLASSICAL LANGUAGE AWARDS
For excellence in LATIN Upper Level Lower Level THE BISHOP ANSGAR AWARD  This award, in memory of Bishop Ansgar Nelson, is presented for excellence in LATIN and civic spirit. NATIONAL LATIN EXAM   Level I School Winner     Level II School Winner Level III, Poetry School Winner Level IV, Poetry School Winner                                                                        THE CLASSICAL STUDIES BOOK PRIZE Given in memory of Cecil J. (Jack) Acheson, who taught Classics at Portsmouth Abbey School for twenty-four years, and in memory of Peter H. E. Harris, who taught Greek for thirty-five years, this prize is awarded to the member of the graduating class who has shown, as a Fifth or Sixth Former, an appreciation for the Classics program of studies at Portsmouth Abbey School in either LATIN or GREEK, or both.

CLASSICAL LANGUAGE AWARDS                          

For excellence in LATIN
Upper Level
Lower Level

THE BISHOP ANSGAR AWARD 
This award, in memory of Bishop Ansgar Nelson, is presented for excellence in LATIN and civic spirit.

NATIONAL LATIN EXAM  
Level I School Winner    
Level II School Winner
Level III, Poetry School Winner
Level IV, Poetry School Winner
                                                                      
THE CLASSICAL STUDIES BOOK PRIZE
Given in memory of Cecil J. (Jack) Acheson, who taught Classics at Portsmouth Abbey School for twenty-four years, and in memory of Peter H. E. Harris, who taught Greek for thirty-five years, this prize is awarded to the member of the graduating class who has shown, as a Fifth or Sixth Former, an appreciation for the Classics program of studies at Portsmouth Abbey School in either LATIN or GREEK, or both.

MODERN LANGUAGE AWARDS
For excellence in FRENCH                                  Upper Level Lower Level                                                                                            For excellence in SPANISH Upper Level                       Lower Level    For excellence in CHINESE Upper Level Lower Level

MODERN LANGUAGE AWARDS 

For excellence in FRENCH                                 
Upper Level
Lower Level
                                                                                          
For excellence in SPANISH
Upper Level                      
Lower Level
  
For excellence in CHINESE
Upper Level
Lower Level

HISTORY AWARDS
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         For excellence in RHODE ISLAND HISTORY SEMINAR For excellence in EUROPEAN HISTORY       For excellence in US Government & Politics                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      THE SENATOR HERBERT CLAIBORNE PELL MEDAL For excellence in UNITED STATES HISTORY

HISTORY AWARDS    

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        
For excellence in RHODE ISLAND HISTORY SEMINAR
For excellence in EUROPEAN HISTORY      
For excellence in US Government & Politics                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                           
THE SENATOR HERBERT CLAIBORNE PELL MEDAL
For excellence in UNITED STATES HISTORY

MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE AWARDS
AMERICAN MATHEMATICS COMPETITION Senior Division School Winner Junior Division School Winner                                                                                                          THE NORMAN MARCOUX PRIZE IN GEOMETRY This prize, given by his family, is given in honor of Norman Marcoux, valued colleague and respected teacher from 1951-1991 For excellence in ALGEBRA II/ANALYSIS                                                                                            For excellence in PRECALCULUS For excellence in STATISTICS For excellence in CALCULUS For excellence in COMPUTER SCIENCE For excellence in ECONOMICS THE AMERICAN MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY AWARD The AMS award is given to a student in the graduating class who has demonstrated outstanding success in MATHEMATICS THE RENSSELAER MEDAL Awarded to promising secondary school students who have distinguished themselves in MATHEMATICS and SCIENCE SOCIETY OF WOMEN ENGINEERS CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT Awarded to one female and one male in the Fifth Form to honor them for high achievement in MATHEMATICS and SCIENCE   THE GEORGE FRIES, II, MEDALS In memory of Mr. Fries, a long-time friend of Dom Andrew Jenks and benefactor of Portsmouth Abbey School.  For excellence in MATHEMATICS For excellence in CHEMISTRY   THE FRANCIS I. BRADY MEDAL For excellence in PHYSICS, in memory of Francis Brady, assistant headmaster from 1940-1955. For excellence in CONCEPTUAL PHYSICS For excellence in BIOLOGY For excellence in MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY For excellence in INFECTIOUS DISEASE

MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE AWARDS  

AMERICAN MATHEMATICS COMPETITION
Senior Division School Winner
Junior Division School Winner
                                                                                                        
THE NORMAN MARCOUX PRIZE IN GEOMETRY
This prize, given by his family, is given in honor of Norman Marcoux, valued colleague and respected teacher from 1951-1991
For excellence in ALGEBRA II/ANALYSIS                                                                                           
For excellence in PRECALCULUS
For excellence in STATISTICS
For excellence in CALCULUS
For excellence in COMPUTER SCIENCE
For excellence in ECONOMICS

THE AMERICAN MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY AWARD
The AMS award is given to a student in the graduating class who has demonstrated outstanding success in MATHEMATICS

THE RENSSELAER MEDAL
Awarded to promising secondary school students who have distinguished themselves in MATHEMATICS and SCIENCE

SOCIETY OF WOMEN ENGINEERS CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT
Awarded to one female and one male in the Fifth Form to honor them for high achievement in MATHEMATICS and SCIENCE
 
THE GEORGE FRIES, II, MEDALS
In memory of Mr. Fries, a long-time friend of Dom Andrew Jenks and benefactor of Portsmouth Abbey School. 
For excellence in MATHEMATICS
For excellence in CHEMISTRY
 
THE FRANCIS I. BRADY MEDAL
For excellence in PHYSICS, in memory of Francis Brady, assistant headmaster from 1940-1955.
For excellence in CONCEPTUAL PHYSICS
For excellence in BIOLOGY
For excellence in MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY
For excellence in INFECTIOUS DISEASE

ART AWARDS
For excellence in STUDIO ART  For excellence in ART HISTORY For excellence in PHOTOGRAPHY For excellence in CERAMICS For excellence in DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCTION   THE MCGUIRE ART MEDAL Given by Donald McGuire, Jr.,‘74, and James McGuire‘78, in memory of their father, Donald T. McGuire, who taught art from 1971-1986, the McGuire Art Medal is awarded to a student in the graduating class who has demonstrated, by tangible expression in the area of the visual arts, a special quality of imagination and creativity. THE RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN BOOK AWARD Presented to a graduating Sixth Former who has exhibited commendable talent and energy in the visual arts. DOM AMBROSE WOLVERTON DRAMA AWARD A gift to the School by the family of Patrick O'Neill ’00 in honor of Dom Ambrose Wolverton for his many years of service to the performing arts, the award is presented annually to the Abbey Player whose talent, leadership, and passion for theater have been of the greatest value to the Portsmouth Abbey community. In addition to recognizing artistic excellence, this award honors the recipient’s humility both on and off the stage.

ART AWARDS

For excellence in STUDIO ART 
For excellence in ART HISTORY
For excellence in PHOTOGRAPHY
For excellence in CERAMICS
For excellence in DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCTION
 
THE MCGUIRE ART MEDAL
Given by Donald McGuire, Jr.,‘74, and James McGuire‘78, in memory of their father, Donald T. McGuire, who taught art from 1971-1986, the McGuire Art Medal is awarded to a student in the graduating class who has demonstrated, by tangible expression in the area of the visual arts, a special quality of imagination and creativity.

THE RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN BOOK AWARD
Presented to a graduating Sixth Former who has exhibited commendable talent and energy in the visual arts.

DOM AMBROSE WOLVERTON DRAMA AWARD
A gift to the School by the family of Patrick O'Neill ’00 in honor of Dom Ambrose Wolverton for his many years of service to the performing arts, the award is presented annually to the Abbey Player whose talent, leadership, and passion for theater have been of the greatest value to the Portsmouth Abbey community. In addition to recognizing artistic excellence, this award honors the recipient’s humility both on and off the stage.

MUSIC AWARDS
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. NATIONAL CHOIR AWARD. QUINCY JONES MUSICIANSHIP AWARD  NATIONAL SCHOOL ORCHESTRA AWARD

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

Good books are at the center of academic life at the Abbey. In English and Humanities classes, teachers read and discuss challenging works that invite you to inquire into yourselves and world around you. The goal of the Summer Form Readers is to help your intellect and spirit stay in shape while you are away from school. We have chosen works that are more recent than those read in the classroom, but hopefully you will find them just as thought-provoking.

Books are assigned by form. Be ready to talk and write about the book you read during the first week of classes. Happy reading!

Summer Form Readers 2025-26 School Year

Form III: "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien

Form IV: "The Screwtape Letters" by C. S. Lewis

Form V: "Lincoln in the Bardo" by George Saunders

Form VI: "Chronicles, Vol. 1" by Bob Dylan

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.

St. Thomas More Library Website

Academic Excellence | Portsmouth Abbey School, Rhode Island