Five Cases of Sexual Misconduct by Phillips Andover Faculty: School Investigation

ANDOVER, MA — An investigation commissioned by the school has revealed five former Phillips Academy faculty members allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct with students, cases that date to the 1970s and '80s, but have been brought to light due to recent reports on New England prep schools.

"The aim of this process is to acknowledge our past, support those who have been harmed, and ensure that we are taking all measures to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for all students entrusted to our care," Head of School John Palfrey wrote in a letter shared publicly with the school community. "The Trustees and I will discuss the findings, and their implications, with the investigators."

In all cases identified, Palfrey wrote, the school has notified the relevant state officials. However, action by the state is limited and unlikely, due to Massachusetts' statute of limitations. Additionally, one of the faculty members named is now deceased.

Phillips Andover was one of several new England prep schools named in an investigative series by The Boston Globe. As a result, the school had asked anyone with information about abuses there to come forward. Phillips hired Sanghavi Law Office to independently investigate those claims, according to Palfrey's letter.

Of the five cases, Palfrey wrote, three merit public disclosure, based on a threshold determined by the school and detailed in the letter. Those include, according to findings by Sanghavi Law Office:

H. Schuyler Royce

"While a Phillips Academy faculty member, he engaged in multiple incidents of sexual misconduct toward a student in the 1980s. During this investigative process, the school became aware of additional concerns related to Mr. Royce’s behavior toward students. Mr. Royce passed away in 1991."

Alexander Theroux

"The former writer-in-residence engaged in sexual misconduct toward a student in the 1970s. During this investigative process, the school received multiple concerns related to Mr. Theroux’s behavior toward students. Mr. Theroux has denied these allegations. In accordance with school policy, Mr. Theroux has been barred from campus and from Andover events."

Stephen Wicks

"While a Phillips Academy faculty member, he engaged in sexual misconduct toward a student in the 1980s. In accordance with school policy, Mr. Wicks has been barred from campus and Andover events, and his emeritus status has been removed."

Additionally, Palfrey wrote, there were “a small number of cases, each dating from the 1980s, in which Phillips Andover previously learned of sexual misconduct or boundary violations by faculty members.”

"For those who have suffered past abuse, the Trustees and I hope that this process provides, at the very least, acknowledgement of, and apology for, the harm they have endured. We also hope that all who have shared concerns feel heard by the school. Everything we have learned over these past several months will help inform our policies and practices for years to come," Palfrey wrote. "We remain committed to a full examination of our past."

Read the full letter to the Andover community here.

>> Image, used via Wikimedia Commons, depicts Samuel Phillips Hall at Phillips Academy