From the Archives: 1960s
The 1960s were a decade of profound cultural, political, and technological change, marked by civil rights movements, the Space Race and global conflicts. The U.S. experienced pivotal moments like Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, the Civil Rights Act and rising activism against racial injustice and the Vietnam War. The counterculture movement flourished with Woodstock, the hippie era and groundbreaking music from The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Motown. Meanwhile, the Cold War escalated, with the Cuban Missile Crisis bringing the world to the brink of nuclear war and the assassinations of JFK, MLK and RFK shaking the nation.
Innovation defined the decade, from the Apollo 11 moon landing fulfilling JFK’s vision to the rise of television shaping public discourse. Feminism gained momentum with The Feminine Mystique and the founding of the National Organization for Women, while independence movements reshaped Africa and Asia.
Amid this era of transformation, Schoolboys Abroad launched in 1964, embracing the spirit of global engagement and experiential learning. It was a defining moment that shaped the next six decades, growing into School Year Abroad and giving generations of students the opportunity to immerse themselves in new cultures, develop a global perspective and become engaged world citizens. As innovation propelled humanity to the moon and activism reshaped societies, SYA set the foundation for a future where international education would be more vital than ever.
key moments
1964
- On September 9, 1964, 11 boys traveled aboard the MS Aurelia bound for Barcelona with math teacher Ted Hammond (Phillips Academy, Andover, MA). Founder and Resident Director Clark A. Vaughan and Co-Founder Daniel Olivier (English teacher) arrived early to welcome the group.
- The Instituto de Estudios Norteamericanos is the location of SYA's first school.
- Ángel Vilalta, a lawyer in Barcelona, becomes the first local hire for SYA Spain. He was the first host family coordinator and taught art history until his retirement in 1998.
1965
- In the summer, Olivier heads to Rennes, France, to meet with Adjunct Mayor Victor Janton, president of L’Institut Franco-Américain, and chooses the site for the next campus, SYA France.
- Phillips Exeter Academy (NH) becomes co-sponsor of Schoolboys Abroad.
- 17 boys sail to SYA Spain.
1966
- 37 boys sail to SYA Spain.
1967
- First campus-based secretaries are hired. Leila Perosky at SYA France and Edna Atkinson at SYA Spain.
- 34 boys to Spain and 42 to France.
1968
- St. Paul's School (NH) becomes Schoolboys Abroad's third sponsor.
- Clark Vaughan teaches Spanish at Phillips Academy.
- 33 boys Spain and 48 to France.
1969
- 29 boys to Spain and 51 boys to Rennes.
Leadership in the 1960s
Executive Director:
1964–1972 Colonel Edward Harris (Phillips Academy)
SYA Spain Resident Directors:
1964–1968 Clark A. Vaughan (Wilbraham Academy)
1968–1971 John Tomlinson (Phillips Academy)
SYA France Resident Director:
1967–1971 Harris Thomas (Phillips Exeter Academy)
Flashback to the 60s
Clark Vaughan, SYA founder and Resident Director of SYA Spain from 1964-1968.
The first marketing materials for Schoolboys Abroad.
Application photos of our first class, the Class of SYA Spain 1965.
SYA's first hire in Barcelona was Ángel Vilalta, whose tenure with SYA lasted from 1964-1998, when SYA Spain relocated to Zaragoza. Ellen Olivier, wife of co-founder Daniel, was an asset to SYA during the early years and helping to create the earliest newsletters and documenting the history of SYA's launch.
Members of the Class of SYA Spain 1965, our first class, all decked out enjoying a boat ride.
Members of the Class of SYA Spain 1965, our first class, on an excursion to Vienna.
In the summer of 1965 SYA's first Executive Director Ed Harris, who served from 1964-1972, and co-founder, former SYA Spain faculty and SYA France Resident Director Daniel Olivier meet with Adjunct Mayor Victor Janton, president of L’Institut Franco-Américain, and chooses Rennes for the next campus, SYA France.
Adjunct Mayor Jaunton, Daniel Olivier and André Vernet meeting to plan SYA's campus in Rennes, France. André later served as Resident Director of SYA France from 1986-1991.
Members of the Class of SYA Spain 1966 enjoying a meal together.
While 6 a.m. did seem awfully early to wake up, the Class of SYA Spain 1967 boys who participated in sailing and crew thought it was worth it.
The Class of SYA Spain 1967 boys' soccer team had an unblemished record, with nothing in the win column. Helping to round out the team of SYAers, the coach drafted students from a local American school ... but in the end, the SYA team demonstrated that high school soccer in Spain is for the locals.