Philips Academy

10/20/2026

We’re so proud of Bridges students James and Tisbe, who are currently participating in CVS’ Workforce Development Program! As part of their Employability Skills, they are both interning at a local CVS where they stock shelves, check expiration dates, and face products.

They are gaining valuable hands-on retail experience at their assigned stores twice a week while working toward increasingly independent shifts.

We’re excited to begin this partnership with CVS, which also donated supplies to our Vocational Lab, so more students can practice skills that can lead to future employment opportunities with CVS and within the retail industry.

10/13/2026

Thanks to community partner The Changing Lives Together Foundation (CLT Foundation), a group of students interested in jewelry making had the opportunity to visit local jewelry studio Erin McDermott Jewelry for a hands-on lesson in jewelry design.

During the visit, students got creative making bracelets for themselves, their friends, and their teachers. They even crafted pieces that will be sold as donations to the CLT Foundation!

The students also had the chance to chat with Erin, the business owner. They asked questions about her journey and learned what it takes to build a successful business. One of our students, London, even shared details about her own business, Neon Cuties, and Erin offered valuable tips and encouragement.

It was such a fun morning where our students could create, connect, and learn about being future business owners! Thanks again to CLT Foundation and Erin McDermott Jewelry for your partnership and dedication to creating opportunities for our students!

10/08/2026

It’s October, and that means that it's Homecoming month at Philips Academy! Homecoming is our annual student fundraiser and celebration of school spirit and community.

We invite you to celebrate with us by supporting our student fundraising efforts. This month, we're aiming to raise $40,000 for enrichment programs. If you ask our students about the highlight of their week, you’ll likely hear about Zumba, Ryze Above, music, or art therapy. These programs help our students build confidence, make friendships, try new things, and discover just how much they’re capable of.

Help our students reach their goal and make this the best Homecoming yet! Give today: giving.veracross.com/philipsacademy/give/Homecoming -amount-step

10/06/2026

What’s better than a beautiful sunny afternoon filled with frozen treats, games, and fun?

Recently, students and staff welcomed Treats with Friends from Rainbow Express Ministries to campus and enjoyed some delicious sweet treats together. We were especially excited to see alum Ethan, who now works there, serving up the treats!

A huge thank-you to alum parents Pat and Nina Sheehan for making this fun-filled afternoon possible!

10/01/2026

Wondering what’s next? Our Transition Fair helped families explore the possibilities! Families connected with service providers and organizations to gather information, resources, and ideas to support their young adults as they navigate the transition to adulthood.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the event a success, including our vendors and Allied Health, who gave a special presentation about the services they provide to support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

A special thanks to Ms. Ross for organizing this event and to Ms. Foster’s and Ms. Wendelberger’s crews for pitching in to help with setup!

09/16/2026

Wondering What's Next? Drop by our Transition Fair on Wednesday, September 23, from 3-6 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. This free community event brings together organizations and service providers that support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Come and explore resources related to employment, continuing education, independent living, recreation, community involvement, and more. The event will also feature a presentation from Alliance Health at 4 p.m.

Whether you're planning the next step or looking ahead, this is a great opportunity to connect with organizations that can help you navigate the transition journey.

09/11/2026

09/09/2026

This past weekend, we had another incredible race day at the Around The Crown 10k! We loved teaming up with The Ability Experience for the third straight year for this fun event. It was all smiles as students, alums, and volunteers took on the race course together.

The fun started even before race day with everyone getting together for lunch and a sign-making party. From start to finish, this weekend was a blast!

Huge thanks to the amazing volunteers, the AbEx team, the sidewalk cheerleaders, and everyone who helped make the weekend special. We’re so grateful for The Ability Experience’s commitment to creating inclusive experiences and for their continued support of our school. Looking forward to next year!

08/28/2026

It’s great to be back! We had a fantastic first week at both of our campuses! Students have done an amazing job getting back into the swing of things, settling into new homerooms, learning new routines, and connecting with friends and teachers.

We’re off a great start and are ready to take on the year ahead!

08/25/2026

From reconnecting with familiar faces to welcoming new students and families, it was great to see everyone at our Back-to-School Open House!

We’re so excited to kick off the 2026-2027 school year, especially as we begin classes at our Davidson Campus.

We know this year will be a great one—full of opportunities, amazing experiences, and incredible accomplishments! See you tomorrow for the first day!