What is the purpose of a Groton Education? Groton's founding Headmaster, Endicott Peabody, answered that question late in the 19th century by declaring, "to prepare for the active work of life." Early in the School's history, Endicott Peabody stated, "From the first, we rejected the idea of its being regarded as a preparatory school, which implies a scholastic standard simply adequate to the preparation for college...the training of the mind aimed at should be such as was described by the graduate of the French lycée who found himself able to take up successfully any subject owing to his early training."

The Groton Curriculum is designed to prepare students for "the active work of life" by encouraging breadth of intellectual exposure and depth of study. Beginning in the II and III Forms, with their prescribed curricula, and continuing on through the IV, V, and VI Forms, the curriculum as a whole introduces students to a wide variety of courses in the belief that this broad exposure will challenge and engage interests and capabilities that might otherwise lie dormant. The curriculum also fosters the development of critical and disciplined thinking, precise communication and scientific analysis, creative problem solving, careful and logical thinking, and empathetic understanding of the social, scientific, and political background of Western and Non-Western Civilization. This curriculum plan has been and continues to be in a constant state of evolution. We feel it will enable our students to address the challenges of the 21st century with confidence, compassion and sound judgment.

A complete listing of courses offered by each department, can be found on each department's landing page.

Summer Reading Recommendations For 2009