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cushing academy
39 School Street Ashburnham, MA 01430
Tel: 978-827-7000
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New Students

New Students

New Students

We can't wait to welcome you onto campus and into our community as the newest member of #PenguinNation.

Welcome to the Waddle

We want to make your transition into the Waddle as easy as possible. This page contains helpful resources, important dates, and essential information.

Our Admissions team is eager to hear from you and help your family in any way we can, so don't hesitate to reach out! You can contact us at [email protected] or (978) 827-7300.

 

 

Mark Your Calendars!

To help you schedule arrivals, departures, and campus visits, please review our 2025-26 Academic Calendar. The calendar has complete details for the school year, including winter and spring breaks, Super Saturdays, Free Weekends, and Fall Family Weekend. 

Winter/Spring Breaks: Extended periods where Cushing Academy closes for break. Students must leave campus during Winter and Spring Breaks. 

Super Saturdays: Saturdays with required morning programming for all students (day and residential). Students may not sign out on these weekends until after Super Saturday programming has concluded.

Free Weekends/Days: Extended weekends or days when no classes are scheduled at Cushing. Many students travel or go home for Free Weekends. For students staying on campus, special programming is available.

Fall Family Weekend
Friday-Saturday, October 17-18
A special weekend opportunity for families to visit campus, sit-in on classes, and meet with teachers and advisors at the height of fall foliage. Following Fall Family Weekend, Cushing has two Free Days on the schedule. Many families who are visiting will sign their children out and return them on Tuesday, October 21. As with other open weekends, there is programming available for students who remain on campus.

 

 

 

Arrival Day + Orientation Information

ARRIVAL DAY: Wednesday, September 3, 2025

NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS* AND PRESEASON ATHLETES
New international students and students who are trying out for varsity fall athletics (cross country, field hockey, soccer, or volleyball) arrive and move in on Wednesday, September 3, a few days earlier than the rest of the student body. Please note: If you are arriving on September 3, you will move in and begin living at Cushing on that day. (If you are a day student, you will coordinate with your fall coach about staying in the dorms during pre-season.)

*International Student Orientation is for students traveling from outside the US who require math and English placement. Students who are native English-speakers are not required to participate in International Student Orientation. If you have a question about whether you should arrive on September 3, please email [email protected].

ARRIVAL DAY: Saturday, September 6, 2025

ALL OTHER NEW AND RETURNING STUDENTS
Most students — both new and returning — arrive at Cushing and move into their dorms on Saturday, September 6. Preseason and International orientation will conclude in the morning, and all students on campus will begin formal orientation in the afternoon on Saturday.

 

ARRIVAL DAY NOTES

  • On your Arrival Day, you should plan to get to campus before 12:00 noon. In August, you will be asked to register in advance for a 15-minute arrival window on your Arrival Day. Arrival slots are available from 8 am to 12 noon.

  • Student programming on Arrival Day begins in the early afternoon. Complete Arrival Day schedules will be available closer to each Arrival Day, but parents who are in attendance should expect to say their goodbyes sometime before 3:00 pm. Following student goodbyes, parents and family members are invited to a Head of School Reception and Parent Social. It's a great opportunity to mingle with other parents and celebrate the start of our new year. 
  • For students flying to Logan Airport (BOS) alone, bus transportation is available for $40. The Cushing bus leaves from Logan Airport at 11:00 am on both arrival days. You will sign up for bus service on the Fall Registration Sign Up Form in August.

    On Arrival Day, Cushing's bus service is one way, and is only available for students. If your family needs transportation to and from Logan or another airport, you will need to arrange that privately. For your convenience, the following is a list of some transportation companies in the area:

If you have any questions about Arrival Day — or which Arrival Day is appropriate for your family — or transportation to campus, please do not hesitate to contact our Admissions Office at [email protected] or (978) 827-7300.

 

Summer Timeline

Below is a helpful timeline of events, recommendations, forms, and responsibilities leading up to your arrival at Cushing this fall:

 

In the month of MAY...

  • Complete your current school year in strong academic standing.
  • Schedule a physical/medical exam. You will need a current exam — completed within one year of the first day of school — in order to complete your Cushing health forms in July. If your child's most recent physical/medical exam is from before September 8, 2024, please schedule a physical with your child's primary care physician as soon as possible.
  • Begin Enrollment Forms in MyCushing. In mid-May, new students will gain access to their @cushing.org email address and parents will receive login information for the SNAP Health Portal. At the same time, enrollment forms will become available — including course selection, roommate questionnaire, SNAP Health Portal forms, and other administrative forms. Enrollment forms are due June 15, except for SNAP Health Portal forms, which are due July 15.
  • Schedule a June appointment with your Academic Advisor. You will receive a communication from our Academic Office in late-May with information about signing up for an initial meeting with your Academic Advisor in June.
  • Prior to that meeting, you should review the 2025-26 Course Catalog and submit your top choices on the course selection form in MyCushing. In June, you and your advisor will discuss your choices, assess proper class placement, and consult on building the best possible schedule for 2025-26.

 

In the month of JUNE...

  • Finish enrollment forms in MyCushing. All enrollment forms — except for SNAP Health Portal forms — are due by June 15, 2025.
  • Attend SNAP Health Forms Webinar. On Tuesday, June 10, at 10 am Director of Health + Wellness Jessica Patria is hosting a webinar to answer questions about the SNAP Health Portal, as well as any general questions you have about Health Services at Cushing. Register here.
  • Attend Office of Student Affairs (OSA) Webinar. On Thursday, June 12, at 10 am Director of Student Affairs Sarah Catlin is hosting a webinar to answer any additional questions you might have about registration forms, the start of the new school year, or student life in general. Register here.
  • Have an initial meeting with your Academic Advisor.
  • Send final transcripts to the Academic Office.
  • Receive information on fall varsity sports tryouts and summer training from the Athletic Office. In your MyCushing enrollment forms, if you indicated interest in one of our fall varsity sports (cross country, field hockey, soccer, or volleyball), you will receive information about training and preseason from the Athletics Department.
  • Procure the 2025 Summer Read book Callings: The Purpose and Passion of Work by Dave Isay. Traditional paper versions, digital texts, and audiobooks are all great options. To help kick off your Intellectual Journey this year at Cushing, one of your first activities during orientation will be breaking into small groups to discuss Callings — so you'll want to make sure to have read the book before coming to campus in September. 

 

In the month of JULY...

  • Complete SNAP Health Portal forms. Health forms are due July 15. You will need documentation of a current exam — completed within one year of the first day of school — in order to complete your SNAP Health Portal forms. 
  • Review What to Bring and start dorm shopping.
  • Make travel arrangements to arrive at Cushing on your Arrival Day.

 

In the month of AUGUST...

  • Complete Fall Activity Form in MyCushing. A full listing of fall activities will be circulated in July, in conjunction with the availability of the Fall Activity Form. This form is due Friday, August 8.
  • Complete Fall Arrival Day Sign Up Form. At the beginning of the month, you will be asked to register in advance for a 15-minute arrival window on your Arrival Day. Arrival slots are available from 8 am to 12 noon. The form is due Friday, August 15. 
  • Review the 2025-26 Community Handbook. The 2025-26 Community Handbook becomes available in August. Parents will need to submit an acknowledgement form that they have reviewed and familiarized themselves with the Community Handbook. Students will review and acknowledge the Handbook during orientation. (Here is a link to the 2024-25 Community Handbook.)
  • Share your Cushing Address with friends and family. Make sure friends and family have your new school address:
    [Your Name]
    39 School Street
    Ashburnham, MA 01430
  • Ship dorm items to Cushing Academy. After August 15, you may ship dorm items to Cushing and you will be able to retrieve them upon your arrival.
  • Day Student Barbecue on August 26. Day student families are invited to kick-off the new year and build connections within our day community at our annual Day Student Barbecue. Look for invites and details in mid-August.

 

In the month of SEPTEMBER...

  • Re-review the Insider's Guide. If you are feeling at all anxious about the coming year, we recommend giving our Insider's Guide a review to familiarize yourself with campus traditions, friendly faces, and a general understanding of how Cushing works.
  • Arrive with a smile! You'll be greeted warmly when you arrive on campus — and we'll make sure you feel connected every step of the way. Welcome to the Waddle!
     

 

Note About Dorm Assignments

Residential students learn their dorm room assignments on Arrival Day when they arrive on campus. Cushing has a long-standing policy of not releasing dorm assignments until students arrive. It may seem like knowing your housing in advance would ease arrival anxiety, but what we have found is that the early release of information — particularly with the advent of social media — can actually increase anxiety as students jockey to see who is located where and worry about things in the abstract that they cannot control.
 
We place students in housing with great care and thoughtfulness. Our goal is for each student to be provided a second home. You will find out where that second home is on Arrival Day. 
 

 

 

Meet the Leaders of Our Waddle

 

New Student Resources

Departmental Contact Information

 

Fall Promo: Don't Miss Fall Family Weekend!

October 17-18, 2025

At the height of fall foliage, we invite parents and family of Cushing students to campus to get a first-hand sense of the Cushing experience at Fall Family Weekend. The weekend includes in-class visits, meetings with teachers and advisors, arts showcases, athletic events, and a parent reception with our Head of School. You won't want to miss this event, so be sure to put it on your family calendar!

Please note: Following Fall Family Weekend, Cushing has two free days on the schedule. Many families who are visiting will sign their children out and return them on Tuesday, October 21. As with other open weekends, there is programming available for students who remain on campus.

 

Still Have Questions? We're Here to Help!

Our Admissions team is eager to hear from you and help your family in any way we can. If you have any questions or concerns about the upcoming school year — from when to arrive, what to pack, how to complete a form, or anything else — please don't hesitate to reach out! You can contact us at [email protected] or (978) 827-7300.

We can't wait to see you this fall!

 

 

cushing academy
39 School Street Ashburnham, MA 01430
Tel: 978-827-7000
directions
Join our #PenguinNation
inquire visit us apply