A Rare Opportunity to Speak with the Fessenden Team – In Person
Event Date: Friday, June 27, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Foundation Global Education (FGE) Shanghai Office
Guest Speakers:
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Christopher Young, Director of Admissions, The Fessenden School
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Tim Murphy, Director of Secondary School Placement, The Fessenden School
Host: Margaret, K–12 Admissions Director, Foundation Global Education
Foundation Global Education (FGE) is proud to be one of the few trusted international partners of The Fessenden School, a prestigious all-boys junior boarding school in Massachusetts, USA. As a long-time collaborator, FGE has consistently helped talented students gain admission to Fessenden—and onward to the best U.S. boarding schools—through deep understanding of the school’s culture, values, and admissions preferences.
To launch the 2026 Fall application season, FGE’s North America Director Ashmita and Junior Boarding Director Zion were specially invited to Fessenden for a high-level campus visit and admissions roundtable. Now, for the first time, the Fessenden leadership team is coming to meet with families in Shanghai, bringing exclusive updates, personalized insights, and admissions strategies tailored to international applicants.
This is a private, invitation-only event—don’t miss the chance to speak directly with Fessenden’s decision-makers. Please click here to register your interest.
About The Fessenden School
Location: Newton, Massachusetts (just 10 miles from Boston Logan International Airport)
Grades: Pre-K to Grade 9 (boarding from Grades 5–9)
Student Body: 540 students, including both day and boarding students
Faculty: 1:6 teacher-student ratio, average class size of 12, 74% hold advanced degrees
International Students: Diverse, carefully balanced population; competitive admission for Chinese applicants
Founded in 1903, The Fessenden School is one of the oldest and most respected boys’ junior boarding schools in the United States. The school’s proximity to Boston provides unique access to cultural, academic, and extracurricular opportunities—yet its 41-acre suburban campus offers a quiet, safe, and spacious environment for boys to grow and thrive.
Fessenden is organized into three divisions:
Fessenden’s Unique Educational Philosophy
At its core, Fessenden aims to nurture every boy’s full potential—intellectually, physically, and ethically—in an environment that values joyful learning, inclusion, and character development.
Project-Based Learning & Innovation
The school emphasizes project-based learning (PBL) to spark curiosity, creativity, and deep understanding. This hands-on approach encourages collaboration and cross-disciplinary thinking. A highlight of this philosophy is the state-of-the-art Innovation Lab, featuring:
Fessenden also incorporates ethical AI education, guiding students to use AI tools responsibly in coding, design, and research projects. Each school division has its own innovation coach to ensure students receive age-appropriate support and mentorship.
Whole-Person Development
Beyond academics, teachers serve as coaches, dorm parents, and advisors—ensuring students are supported in every dimension of their growth. Even the Head of School is directly involved in student life and teaching.
Daily Life and Student Experience
Daily Schedule (Grades 6–9):
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Morning Meeting: Community gathering
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Classes: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
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Sports: 3:10 PM – 4:15 PM
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Clubs & Enrichment: 4:15 PM – 5:00 PM
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Dinner: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
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Study Hall: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
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Free Time/Extended Hours: Until 9:30 PM (Grade 9), 9:45 PM (Grades 6–8)
Dormitory Life
Dorm floors are age-separated and supervised by at least one teacher per floor, offering structure and consistency. The 9th-grade dorm allows older students to experience more independence while remaining under guidance.
Dining & Community
The campus dining hall, built in 1908, offers:
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Family-style meals for boarders
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Buffet lunches for day students
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Rotating seating arrangements to encourage cross-grade relationships
A new dining facility is under construction and will open soon, with the existing hall being converted into a boarding student activity center.
Secondary School Placement Success
Fessenden students benefit from two full-time secondary school counselors, who provide:
In 2024, 74% of Fessenden’s 9th-grade graduates were accepted to top-tier U.S. boarding high schools.
Support for International Students
Fessenden actively manages its international enrollment to ensure diversity and adaptability. For Chinese students:
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Extra flexibility is built into the application process to account for visa delays and international disruptions
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Social media use is closely monitored and guided with age-appropriate safety training
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English language and executive functioning support is available to help students adjust quickly
Co-Curriculars: Sports, Arts, Music & More
Fessenden requires every student to participate in a sport each trimester, encouraging new discoveries and skills. Sports range from competitive team options to beginner-friendly offerings.
The performing arts and visual arts programs are equally robust:
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Jazz Band, Concert Band, Orchestra
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Choral opportunities and music composition
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Private music rooms, professional instruction
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Studio Art, Ceramics, Oil Painting, Sketching, and Digital Arts
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Photography, Film Production, and Electronic Music
Annual events like Field Day bring the whole school together in formal dress for team-based games and celebrations.
Why Attend the June 27th Admissions Event?
This in-person event at FGE’s Shanghai office gives families a rare, personalized experience to:
✔️ Speak directly with Fessenden admissions decision-makers
✔️ Receive real-time feedback on student readiness and fit
✔️ Understand 2026 admissions trends and application priorities
✔️ Learn how Fessenden students are prepared for top boarding school admissions
Spots are limited—early RSVP is highly recommended!
The Path to a U.S. Boarding School Starts Here
Success in elite U.S. boarding school admissions begins with accurate insights, early planning, and strong institutional connections. This special visit by the Fessenden leadership team marks the beginning of the 2026 cycle—and an unmissable opportunity for families with boys interested in applying.
