Myth Busters

FALSE.

While Phillips Academy, along with Phillips Exeter Academy and St. Paul's School, are our founding charter schools, SYA incorporated in 1975 as an independent nonprofit organization in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. While our offices remained on Andover’s campus, our operations were separated. SYA officially moved in 1995, and now the “home office” is located in a business complex in North Andover, MA. 

FALSE.

The first alumni and development director was not hired until 1995 – 30 years after SYA got its start! A formal fundraising program did not begin until early 2000 and the SYA Fund did not reach $1 million until 2014. SYA has successfully completed capital campaigns to purchase its campuses in Rennes and Zaragoza, and in 2021 completed its first-ever comprehensive capital campaign, The Campaign for SYA, surpassing its goal of $18 million.

FALSE.

In an average year, tuition only covers approximately 85% of expenses. We rely on the generosity of the SYA community provide the remaining funds needed to run our campuses.

FALSE.

While your high school partnered with SYA in order for you to be able to attend, SYA is its own organization with its own budget and fundraising operations. Philanthropic dollars do not funnel from the high schools that send us students. (We wish they did!) 

TRUE.

SYA currently operates in the U.S. dollar and Euro (France, Italy, Spain) and exchange rates are part of our operating expenses. Approximately 40% of the operating budget is denominated in Euros. In order to minimize sudden impacts of currency fluctuations, SYA purchases currency contracts up to 18 months into the future.  Historically, SYA has also operated in RMB (China), dong (Vietnam), rupee (India), yen (Japan) and mark (Germany).

FALSE.

Giving to SYA directly benefits our students, teachers, and host families abroad, and does not go back to our charter schools. While we remain grateful to our charter schools for launching SYA in the 1960s, we have been an independent organization since 1975 and support our own budget and fundraising efforts.  

FALSE.

Approximately 50% of SYA students receive financial aid, and the average grant is 50% of tuition. Students can receive a full scholarship, dependent upon financial need. SYA applicants include students from public high schools, private high schools and students who are home schooled. 

Meet some of the students who were supported in the 2022-2023 academic year through the SYA Fund. 

FALSE.

While SYA alumni often love their experience, only 12% choose to support SYA with a financial gift each year. SYA competes with the high schools, colleges and graduate schools of our alumni and parents for philanthropic dollars, and because we are only one year long, often get forgotten! Each year, our Advancement Office works hard to engage even more alumni and parents in our fundraising efforts.

TRUE.

Every gift directly benefits students, faculty and host families abroad, regardless of the amount. Collectively, all gifts add up – even yours!