Brewster Academy

Brewster Academy is a co-educational independent boarding school located on 80 acres (32 ha) in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, United States. It occupies 0.5 miles (800 m) of shoreline along Lake Winnipesaukee. With around 350 students, it serves grades nine through twelve and post-graduates. The 2026-2027 full boarding tuition is $80,800. The current Head of School is Kristy Kerin. History The school was founded in 1820 by local citizens as a "building for higher education". Originally called the "Wolfeboro & Tuftonboro Academy", in 1887 it was renamed "Brewster Free Academy" in honor of benefactor John Brewster. For sixty years it charged no tuition fee to local residents, and, from its inception until 1964, the school served as the only high school in Wolfeboro, as well as serving day students from neighboring towns. In 1946, the academy begin to charge a small tuition, and Wolfeboro at its town meeting in March 1947 voted to pay local students' tuition fees. During the immediate postwar years, it was a popular school with military veterans seeking to improve their credentials for a university education under the G.I. Bill. In 1963 the graduating class consisted of 60 local students, with 30 additional post-graduate students who boarded on campus. Many were there to increase their athletic prowess, and some, including Milt Morin who played in the NFL, had successful college and pro sports careers. The local students were then moved to Kingswood Regional High School in town and Brewster became a private boarding school. In 1985, Digital Equipment Corporation co-founder Ken Olsen donated a number of Digital personal computers to Brewster. The computers were part of a new lab dedicated to Grace Murray Hopper, whose family had a summer house in Wolfeboro. The lab is called the Grace Murray Hopper Center for Computer Learning. Brewster has hosted the Great Waters Music Festival since 1995. This summer festival promotes live musical performances including choral, symphonic, folk, pops, jazz, Broadway, dance, and renowned vocal and instrumental artists. Celebrity performers have included Wynton Marsalis, Dave Brubeck, Arlo Guthrie, Chuck Mangione, and the Glenn Miller Orchestra. In 2020, Brewster's prep basketball team won their 7th National Prep Basketball Championship (2010; 2012; 2014; 2015; 2017; 2019; 2020). Twenty-seven alumni have played in the NBA, including 14 who have been selected in the NBA draft since 2010. All alumni played under long-time, legendary coach, Jason Smith, who departed for Masters Academy International in spring of 2026. On July 1, 2021, Kristy Kerin became the 13th Head of School in Brewster's over 200-year history. Notably, she is the first female to hold the position. Athletics Brewster Academy provides various afternoon sport programs, such as soccer, basketball, lacrosse, field hockey, ice hockey, or tennis, with members of faculty coaching them. Brewster has a diverse selection of interscholastic sports along with recreational, intramural and instructional sports during the fall, winter and spring seasons. Among the interscholastic sports, Brewster fields varsity, junior varsity and co-ed teams, as well as eight- and four-person shells on the crew teams. Games are typically played on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with a half day of classes on Wednesdays to accommodate games schedules. During games and during regular practices, an athletic trainer is available to help students. The teams are coached by members of faculty at all levels. Brewster competes in the following interscholastic sports: alpine skiing, baseball, basketball, cross country running, cross-country skiing, field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse, crew, softball, sailing, snowboarding, soccer, and tennis. Intramural, recreational and instructional offerings include advanced strength training, dance, equestrianism, golf, outdoor skills, snow sports, tennis, ultimate Frisbee, x-fitness, and yoga. Athletic facilities include a 50,000-square-foot (4,600 m2) athletics and wellness center featuring a convertible turf floor, a four-lane 200-meter indoor track, and a fitness center; six playing fields; nine tennis courts; a boathouse for dry land training for the sailing and crew teams; an indoor rowing tank; and a climbing wall. Arts In the performing arts, Brewster has an award-winning chorus, HOWL, which has performed at Carnegie Hall and a drama group that produces musicals, operas and plays throughout the year. There is a chamber orchestra, a chorale, a wind ensemble and a jazz band, and dance instruction is available. An art center is home to ceramics, printmaking, drawing and painting classes. Multimedia and desktop publishing centers feature the latest computers, industry standard software, and video and digital equipment. The newly renovated Anderson Hall, designed by Scott Simons Architects, features a proscenium theater, new lobby and green room. Scott Simons Architects received the AIA NH Honor Award for the design in 2015. Notable alumni References External links Brewster Academy official website Historical Sketch, Brewster Free Academy (1919) The Association of Boarding Schools profile Archived September 24, 2015, at the Wayback Machine