Thrive here,
then everywhere

If you’re eager to get into the back-to-school groove, take a peek at the New Student and Parent Orientation Schedule here or the Returning Student and Parent Orientation Schedule here. You can see all the arrival dates and times (pre-season athletes, student leaders, etc.) on the main School Calendar here. We also have a handy Back to School Guide here, with lots of helpful information to make sure you have the smoothest start to 2025-26.

Questions? Just reach out to Admissions Office Manager Marsha Brooks at (603) 569-7200.

By Suzanne Morrissey

Bill Ward arrived at Brewster in 2023 with extensive experience in teaching, admissions, college placement, dorm life, and coaching. A hockey coach for more than 25 years at the prep, junior, and collegiate levels, he has helped develop and place dozens of players in NCAA Division I and III programs, with several advancing to National Teams and Olympic competition. Notably, four of his former players have competed in the Winter Olympics, including Thomas Vanek (Austria, 2014), Kali Flanagan (USA gold, 2018), Denisa Krizova (Czech Republic, 2022), and Savannah Harmon (USA silver, 2022). Many former players have gone on to coach, play professionally, or thrive in other fields. Mr. Ward is a Community Living Parent in Vaughan Dorm, and we caught up with this plant- and animal-loving dad of five mid-summer.

Q. Where were you born and raised?
A. Born in Ohio, but grew up in Belvidere, Illinois.

Q. You graduated from Iowa State and won accolades as the captain of the hockey team there, being named the 1994 ACHA National Player of the Year and helping your team win the ACHA Division 1 National Championship in 1992…and even being inducted into the Iowa State University Hockey Hall of Fame! What are your best memories of going to school in Iowa and being a part of that team? 
A. Some of my best memories of playing hockey at Iowa State were definitely winning that National Championship in 1992, getting the chance to play against the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL in Hilton Coliseum, and being named to the All-Tournament Team at a tournament in Harbin, China.

Q. As a member of the mathematics faculty here at Brewster, how do you help spark or encourage a student who says “I’m really bad at math”? 
A. I typically respond with “I can understand and appreciate why you feel that way and I hope you are able to develop a positive outlook with a growth mindset.” As a math teacher and hockey coach, I encourage students and players to make mistakes. I strongly believe we all become more successful by making mistakes. We just need to learn from them.

Q. What has made you most proud or happy in your work? 
A. I have loved seeing students who, after initially struggling and having little confidence in math, begin to shine and even work at an accelerated level within the first few months of joining Brewster. I also like to point out and show students there are multiple ways to solve problems. I encourage students to show the class their preferred methods, especially if we didn’t demonstrate it.

Q. Let’s talk ice hockey! You’re heading into your third year as the Head Coach of the Girls’ Varsity Hockey Team. When did you first love the sport?
A. I started playing hockey at the age of 4 and have been in love with the sport ever since. The sport has allowed me to travel much of the United States and Canada as well as Europe and Asia.

Q. What is your philosophy of coaching the Girls’ Varsity team and what skills are you working to improve?
A. At Brewster, we are fortunate to be competing in NEPSAC, one of the strongest leagues for female hockey players of this age in the world. Our focus is on player development, learning to play the game with speed, preparing our players for what they are going to see in college, and helping to find the best fit for our players to play hockey in college. If the players have more than three priorities, then they have no priorities. We want our players to think family first, education second, and hockey third. Three things that prevent growth are fear, fatigue, and boredom. We want to create an environment where players feel safe and have no fear. We want our players to be in the best possible shape with up tempo practices and productive and efficient off-ice workouts and we know, with the structure established at Brewster, students will not be bored. As a coach, don’t chastise players for misplays based on skills, smarts, or sense, but certainly for a lack of effort. We are going to work hard but we are also going to have fun.

Q. You’re a dad to five kids, including Greeley, who is currently a senior. What is your best dad advice to new fathers?
A. Treat people better than you expect to be treated. Be a role model for your children. Actions are much more important than words. Based on how I treat my wife and their mother, our daughters should see a positive example of what they are looking for in a relationship. The boys should also see an example of how to treat people in their own relationships. Expect the unexpected.

Q. What do you like to do in your free time? 
A. My wife Katy and I love to travel and we have started to hike again. So far this summer, we visited Moab, Utah and Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. We also hiked to Arethusa Falls in New Hampshire, did a sunrise hike to Cadillac Mountain and rode E-Bikes on the carriage roads in Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor Maine. We are also planning multiple hikes in the Lake Placid area in August.

Q. What might surprise people about you?
A. I love to use poems and quotes and here are two I use frequently:

Attitude
Attributed to pastor and author Charles Swindoll, and given to Canadian hockey player Scotty Bowman by NHL Coach Toe Blake

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.  Attitude, to me, is more important than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think or say or do.  It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.  It will make or break a company…a church…a home…a team.  The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past…we cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have and that is our attitude.  I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.  And so it is with you…we are in charge of our attitudes.

The Man in the Glass
by Dale Wimbrow, American composer and writer

When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.

For it isn’t your father or mother or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass;
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.

You may be like Jack Horner and chisel a plum
And think you’re a wonderful guy.
But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum
If you can’t look him straight in the eye.

He’s the fellow to please-never mind all the rest,
For he’s with you right to the end.
And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass.
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

Proceeds from this event directly support student scholarships. The growth and success of more than one third of our students are made possible by this financial support. Scholarships provide educational opportunities and empower students who otherwise would not have the means to pursue their academic dreams at Brewster.

2025 Bobcat Open Tournament Schedule
Monday, September 22, 2025

Registration with Continental Breakfast: 7:30 a.m.

Shotgun Start: 8:30 a.m.

Reception and Awards: 1:30 p.m.

Tournament Reception will take place outdoors, so please watch the weather and dress accordingly.

By Suzanne Morrissey

As students wrapped up the academic year and left the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee for summer adventures, Brewster’s campus didn’t quiet down—in fact, it’s humming with activity throughout the summer season. From international scholars to spirited sports camps and community events, Brewster is bustling with energy all summer long. The campus plays gracious host to all kinds of community events, learning and sports camps, performances, and a new kind of open house that the school has never held in its 200+ year history.

The rhythm of summer kicked off with the arrival of the Royal Thai Scholars, who are making themselves at home in Toad Hall as they study in the Ac and become acclimated to American culture. Their presence continues Brewster’s longstanding tradition of hosting global learners and fostering international exchange.

Fields Full of Action

Just down on DeWolf Field, the nearby Carpenter Elementary School recently concluded its field games while the rest of campus continues to pivot and prepare for the next wave of visitors.

On the fields and courts, the action is just heating up. The Brasil Lacrosse camp brought a burst of international athleticism to Palazzo, Fry, and Clark Fields from June 12 to 15, with athletes staying in Sargent Hall. The Sua Sponte Lacrosse & Leadership Camp—a robust group that seems to take over nearly every corner of the campus, from the Boathouse to Anderson Hall, the Smith Center, and even the Dance Studio—arrived June 17 for a whirlwind leadership immersion.

More sports and educational camps will arrive as the weather gets even warmer, and many have built long relationships with Brewster, renting our facilities each year to give their campers the ultimate lakeside experience. This year, Brewster is offering three camps of its own for kids interested in mountain climbing and theater!

Our Own Summer Camps

Summer Ascents is a weeklong climbing camp offered three times in July. Aspiring rock climbers of varying abilities will gain the skills and confidence necessary to explore the vertical environments of the Lakes Region, White Mountains, and beyond. Campers will learn to belay, rappel, and climb on a variety of rock types while learning about the technical systems of sport, indoor, and traditional rock climbing disciplines. Under the guidance of a certified rock climbing instructor, they will be encouraged to develop individual responsibility and learn to work as a member of a team with shared goals and responsibilities—it’s an incredible experience! Campers will also discover the unique geology, landscapes, and ecology of New Hampshire's climbing areas.

Summer Ascents will take place in the Brewster Academy Climbing Barn and at developed outdoor crags throughout central and northern New Hampshire, and is open to young people ages 11-17. The cost is $500 per participant, and you can learn more here.

Then there are two theater camps! In Brewster’s Theatrical Design Summer Camp, students will explore the art and craft behind creating stage environments. Participants will learn the process of designing scenic elements for theater productions—from conceptualization and sketching to model-making and technical implementation. This hands-on, collaborative program is perfect for students interested in theater, visual arts, and design, and runs July 7-18 from 1 to 4 p.m. The fee is $550.00 per camper, and everyone ages 13-17 is encouraged to sign up! Read more about how the campers will spend their time here.

If you know an 11-17 year old who is eager to be on stage, check out Brewster’s Acting & Auditioning Skills Camp July 21-August 1. Whether preparing for high school drama productions, community theater, or summer theater programs, young actors will learn how to hone their craft in this camp. Fee is $550.00 per camper. Get all the juicy details here.

Community Events at the Boathouse

Meanwhile, the Pinckney Boathouse, one of Brewster’s most picturesque lakeside venues, plays host to multiple summer events. Meet-and-greets, weddings, celebrations of life, Chamber of Commerce and Garden Club meetings all take place in and around our waterfront. Brewster’s Summer Programs team also welcomes artists performing with Wolfeboro’s Great Waters Concert Series for intimate performances in Anderson Hall and occasionally the Grayson Student Center.

Leadership in Action

Starting June 20, Brewster welcomes staff from the New Hampshire Student Leadership Program (NHSLP), followed by student participants on June 22. The program will occupy Sargent Hall and utilize a wide swath of campus spaces, including Rogers, the Boathouse, and the waterfront.

“We say this often at Brewster, but it’s especially true in the summer—this campus never sleeps,” says Matt Butcher, Director of Summer Programs and Academic Dean. “Our facilities are alive with different voices, cultures, and missions every week. It’s an incredible time to be here.”

Public Welcome for Two Huge Free Events

This year, for the first time, Brewster is hosting a public open house called Passport to Brewster. On July 31 at 5:30 p.m., the school is welcoming anyone and everyone from the local community to join in some fun at the award-winning Grayson Student Center in the Rogers Building on campus. There, visitors will receive a “passport,” and learn about what Brewster is today from docents who can share details of our arts, academics, athletics, and community engagement. As visitors circulate through the various “provinces” of Brewster life, docents will stamp their passports, which can then be turned in for a sweet swag bag and drink tickets to enjoy at the main event, an appetizer and dessert buffet and a few words from Head of School Kristy Kerin. Stay tuned for details on how to RSVP for this first-of-its-kind (and free!) event. 

Brewster also hosts hundreds of neighbors for the grand Fourth of July fireworks display over Wolfeboro Bay. Our campus is truly the best vantage point for the show—and the family vibe seems to be more joyful and friendly each year!

Looking Ahead

Brewster’s summer programming underscores its commitment to being more than a school—it’s a dynamic community hub that thrives year-round. Whether it’s international scholars engaging in academic enrichment, athletes pushing their limits, or young leaders preparing to change the world, Brewster offers a stage for growth and connection.

As the calendar rolls forward, new events and groups will continue to bring their unique energy to the shores of Brewster. Keep your eyes on the weekly updates—because at Brewster Academy, summer is anything but slow.

Learn more about Summer Programs here. Need to reach the Summer Programs team? Call 603-569-7400 or email summer@brewsteracademy.org.

By Suzanne Morrissey

Dr. Bryan Gross will be joining the Brewster community as our new Dean of Enrollment Management and Marketing at the end of July. The role combines the responsibilities of leading the Admissions and Communications and Marketing teams.

“We first interviewed Bryan for our Admissions opening, and soon realized that his background in—and enthusiasm for—marketing and communications created an opportunity for a combined role that expertly fits our needs,” said Kristy Kerin, Head of School.

Gross’s professional journey reads like a roadmap of educational innovation, marked by a deep commitment to student success and global understanding. From international student recruitment to higher education senior administration, Gross has consistently been driven by a passion for transformative learning.

Gross comes to Brewster after serving as the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Athletics at Hartwick College, where he led strategic initiatives that strengthened enrollment and increased net tuition revenue. “My approach to enrollment management and student success is deeply rooted in data-driven strategy and cross-functional collaboration,” he says.

Our new dean holds his Ed.D. in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California, an M.Ed. in Counseling and Psychological Services/Athletic Counseling from Springfield College, and his undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State. He also has a certification in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace.

Gross’s career in higher education began at the University of Bridgeport. There, he was instrumental in growing and supporting  one of the largest per capita international student populations in the United States. This experience wasn’t just a job for him—it was a calling that would shape his professional philosophy.

Later, at St. John’s University as Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management, Gross experienced the excitement of division one athletics and large-scale educational operations. Later, he made a strategic move to Western New England University, where he spent eight and a half years as Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing.

His entrepreneurial spirit then led him to a unique consulting role, where he worked with 22 campuses, helping college presidents develop strategic plans and analyze revenue projections. Yet, despite the professional success, Gross missed the daily pulse of campus life—and made the move to Hartwick College. He has worked a hybrid schedule there, splitting his time between the campus Oneonta, N.Y. and his home in Longmeadow, Mass.

At Hartwick he has helped create a more sustainable financial aid model, strengthened admissions standards, boosted retention rates, and succeeded with an innovative market initiative. A huge sports fan, he also expanded athletic offerings at the liberal arts college of about 1,200 full-time students.

Brewster connected with Gross through the educational search firm, DovetailEd Talent Sourcing. For the new dean, his wife Kim (a doctor of occupational therapy), and their three children—Rayna, and twins Kendall and Bailey—the move to Brewster is a homecoming of sorts. They have deep ties to Wolfeboro. The family has vacationed in the area for decades, and they have close relatives nearby. They haven’t missed a vacation at Tuftonboro’s Sunset Lodges in almost 25 years, and an ice cream at Bailey’s Bubble or crepes at Seven Suns are some of their favorite treats. Brewster Class of 2005 valedictorian, Weston Sager, is Gross’s cousin—so there’s a Bobcat connection as well!

What truly captivated Gross about Brewster was its unique educational approach. During his campus tour, he was struck by the school’s commitment to meeting students where they are. The diverse curriculum represents more than just course offerings. To Gross, it represents a genuine opportunity for students to explore their interests and discover their passions. “I really felt that the curriculum is lined up to help students lead a life of purpose,” Gross said. This philosophy aligns perfectly with his own professional mission of supporting student growth.

As he prepares to start as Dean of Enrollment and Marketing, Gross is not just changing jobs, he’s embracing a new chapter of educational leadership. He’s also looking to be a Brewster dad. His twin daughters are applying as 9th graders at Brewster.

What about taking on this newly formed double role? “As time and technology have evolved, there is less and less of a line between recruitment and marketing,” Gross said. “And I think the most successful recruiters also understand their role as marketers and how those two roles are connected. That relationship is critical from a marketing and communications perspective, of course,” adding that he’ll be learning important cultural nuances at Brewster as he shapes his perspective in the new role.

“Throughout my career in higher education, I have worked at mission-driven institutions committed to student-centered growth, and I believe deeply that the foundations for lifelong success are built during the critical high school years,” he shared. “I am eager to bring my collaborative leadership style and positive energy to Brewster’s exceptional school community.”

By Suzanne Morrissey

Students aren’t the only people learning at Brewster. Science faculty member Justin Connell attended the Independent Schools Experiential Education Network (ISEEN) Summer Teaching Institute in Colorado earlier this summer, building on his almost 25 years of teaching and educational leadership experience. “I was very grateful to have the opportunity to attend this conference, as I was able to collaborate with colleagues from around the country in both science-focused groups and with educators from other disciplines,” the veteran teacher said.

The ISEEN Summer Teacher Institute combines rigorous academic disciplines with deep thinking about the cognitive learning process. Teachers delve deeper into experiential education and reflective teaching practices while immersed in experiential and place-based learning activities themselves: The group explored the history and geography of their location, the “front range” of Colorado in Lafayette (near Boulder). Place-based learning (or “PBL”) is an important and growing aspect of a Brewster education.

ISEEN offers a Winter Institute for administrators to dive into current thinking on experiential education practices and trends, but the Summer Institute brings experiential education to the classroom in a practical, curriculum-based, and supportive environment led by master teacher facilitators from schools around North America. Mr. Connell (lower left in photo) was part of a cohort of science teachers from across the country.

“Although I was most excited to bring what I have learned back to my physics classroom, specifically to support struggling learners, I found that experiential education is far more broad, and has applications all over campus, from classrooms to dorm and community life. I can’t wait to share what I learned with my colleagues!” said Mr. Connell, who holds Masters of Education degrees in Educational Leadership and Curriculum and Instruction. For the 2025-26 school year, Mr. Connell is teaching physics and coaching JV Boys’ Soccer in the fall and JV Boys’ Lacrosse in the spring.

The ISEEN Summer Institute is the premier and founding experiential education professional development for teachers that focuses on elements of place, skills and knowledge development, curriculum design, assessment, and building community and belonging while reflecting and connecting with other attendees. The facilitators often hear from participants that it is truly a transformative and restorative experience.