By Eric Austin, Head of Upper School and mathematics instructor

Providing the finest independent high school educational experience in southern Maine, North Yarmouth Academy (NYA) prides itself on offering the best academic program to its students. We are committed to emphasizing the importance of student growth, academic rigor, active participation, personal engagement, and self-advocacy. This wholistic approach is designed to inspire student development and success by pairing challenging experiences with an enormous level of support. Our students thrive within a framework of structured flexibility that is fundamental to the NYA experience. All Upper School courses are taught, at minimum, at the honors level, and our 18 Advanced Placement (AP) courses join dynamic academic electives and graduation requirements incorporating a depth of study across all departments. Our students have many choices, including AP classes, and are encouraged to stretch themselves.

In my roles as Head of the Upper School and mathematics instructor, I see first-hand the impact of our academic offerings that, by design, meet students where they are, while cultivating where they want to be. I often hear from our students and alumni that NYA is a community where discovering new things is not only accepted, but it is the norm. Our curriculum is deep and intentional. Our faculty, many of whom teach both AP and non-AP classes, support and encourage our students to be curious, to prioritize questioning, to engage closely with their peers in the learning process, and to be creative thinkers.

Like all NYA courses, NYA’s APs are taught in small classes by experienced faculty who know their students extremely well and who are dedicated to their success. For some schools, AP may be equated with excess rigor, a restricted focus on teaching to a test, or perhaps a limit of student discussion within a rigid curriculum. But that’s not how we do it. At NYA, rigor does not imply rigidity. Our faculty (several of whom in fact serve as national AP readers) educate our students in the advanced content of our intentionally chosen AP programs that provide beneficial student experiences true to NYA’s mission. As a multi-year member of the AP Program’s School Honor Roll with Platinum Distinction, NYA is recognized for its commitment to preparing students for college-level academics.

Our AP course offerings provide gateways for our students to further their development of analytical and creative thinking, sophistication in writing and speaking, and an appreciation for problem solving – all skills that are prioritized in NYA’s mission. The academic opportunities for students at NYA align with many of the finest and most reputable independent schools across the country. The AP program is internationally recognized and respected by colleges and universities for its pace and rigor and for the preparation it affords for success in higher education.

In my experience, students who are seeking exceptional educational opportunities in an academically focused independent school setting value academic rigor in many forms, including AP classes, with dedicated and talented teachers who challenge and support each student along the way. We also know that colleges and universities respect the AP program as part of a sound, inquiry-based, and challenging college preparatory academic program.

At NYA, our AP selections are part of a program that does not limit enrichment, but rather, opens doors and demonstrates a proven commitment to academic and intellectual opportunities that are highly regarded in the independent school and collegiate landscapes. Opening these academic doors, fostering curiosity, and creating the best opportunities for students – while employing structured flexibility and challenge through support – is what NYA does best.

In addition to AP classes, or in lieu of them, students may choose to enroll in one of seven specialized Diplomas with Distinction programs, or they may design faculty-supported independent studies allowing them to delve deeply into subjects of unique interest. The variety of curricular offerings for NYA students cumulatively helps develop character traits such as self-confidence and independence. Through a pedagogy offering a wealth of experiences extending beyond the traditional classroom and into the natural environment or real-world settings, NYA graduates students who are curious, engaged, collaborative, proficient, and lifelong learners – exactly as our school’s mission intends.