Challenge Accepted!
Challenge Accepted!
For the first time in more than 40 years, Brooks students competed in the Massachusetts State Science Olympiad, conducted on March 1 at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston.
Normally held during Brooks’ Spring Break, the date of the national STEM competition shifted to the start of the month this year, making it possible for 14 Brooks students to participate.
Science Teacher Michael Dixon started preparing the team during the first semester with bimonthly practices for the main event, in which groups of two to three students collaborate on earth science, biology, chemistry, physics and engineering challenges.
“It exposes students to things they would not have tried on their own, gives them autonomy around the process and is often college-level content,” according to Dixon, who proudly reported that Brooks’ team came in 38 out of 70. ”A solid job for our first time!”
The Olympiad’s 26 different events were “a fun activity and great exposure to many different types of science and engineering, as well as professional connections,” he noted.
Yet work, it is: The competition that Dixon said “pushes and challenges to the highest level,” started at 7 a.m. and ran until 5 p.m.
At the end of the day, the Brooks team scored well in the bungee drop, chemistry clue and tower building contest. Suki Liu ’27 received a top-10 finish for her tower that was 1,300 times more efficient than its weight!
”The students had a ball and enjoyed being on campus with 700-plus high school students,” Dixon said. “We hope to do it again.”
See photos from their competition day.
![Charlotte Rollins '29 poses with a medal for her golf accomplishments.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1788382224/brooksschoolorg/tnosw0wtfgu28fdko4tt/rollins-thumb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1788382224/brooksschoolorg/tnosw0wtfgu28fdko4tt/rollins-thumb.jpg","width":400}])
The new Brooksian was selected for the prestigious event after a standout summer that included a third-place finish at the Bay State Cup and an appearance at the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals at Augusta National.
![Brooks School students pose in shirts of the colleges and universities to which they'll matriculate in 2026.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1788371369/brooksschoolorg/tuw1aak54zlbvbh3czuq/colleges26-thumb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1788371369/brooksschoolorg/tuw1aak54zlbvbh3czuq/colleges26-thumb.jpg","width":400}])
Oh, the Places They're Going! Brooks grads head off to 58 universities, from UCLA to the U.K., this fall.
![Brooks School welcomed new teachers in 2026, eight of them pose together on campus.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1788095951/brooksschoolorg/gwndxz9wilcfwbomb6q4/newfac-26-thumb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1788095951/brooksschoolorg/gwndxz9wilcfwbomb6q4/newfac-26-thumb.jpg","width":400}])
The talented ten share their inspirations and what students can expect in classes with them this fall.
![Student poses arms outstretched at Machu Picchu in Peru.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1787095016/brooksschoolorg/t1byvbeidkftzgheoqra/peru26-thumb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1787095016/brooksschoolorg/t1byvbeidkftzgheoqra/peru26-thumb.jpg","width":400}])
Brooks’ summer Exchange students share what made their month in Lima an experience they’ll treasure for a lifetime.
![Meet our new Dean of Residential Life and Girls Soccer Coach!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1785361581/brooksschoolorg/gwx2b2erur5m6lkytdbj/barrios-thumb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1785361581/brooksschoolorg/gwx2b2erur5m6lkytdbj/barrios-thumb.jpg","width":400}])
Brendon Barrios comes to Brooks from Virginia Episcopal School to serve as a dean of student life, history teacher and 1st team soccer coach.
![Welcome to Brooks!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1783442357/brooksschoolorg/f3bc0mlucgln8sj3eluv/weissbach-thumb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1783442357/brooksschoolorg/f3bc0mlucgln8sj3eluv/weissbach-thumb.jpg","width":400}])
Brooks School is proud to announce the appointment of Jennifer Weissbach as dean of student life and head coach of girls 1st field hockey.
![Go Brooks]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1782243174/brooksschoolorg/rgp0zsa6aserylxcx843/globe-thumb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1782243174/brooksschoolorg/rgp0zsa6aserylxcx843/globe-thumb.jpg","width":400}])
Summer Warren ’26 and Tristan Yepdo ’26 were recognized as top scholar-athletes with prestigious Richard J. Phelps Scholar Athlete Awards at a ceremony held in Fenway Park.
![Nina Freeman]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1781637747/brooksschoolorg/phcx5cku2vrfqud6hgbz/nina-thumb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1781637747/brooksschoolorg/phcx5cku2vrfqud6hgbz/nina-thumb.jpg","width":400}])
Associate Head of School Nina Freeman will assume a new leadership role in July 2027.
![Headshot of Head of School John Packard in a blue shirt with greenery in the background.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1781034859/brooksschoolorg/g9ogd9zv0tzqh5ece04m/JRP-thumb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1781034859/brooksschoolorg/g9ogd9zv0tzqh5ece04m/JRP-thumb.jpg","width":400}])
After what will be 38 years of service to Brooks School, John Packard announced he will conclude his tenure on June 30, 2028.
![Student with arms outstretched singing on stage.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1779335759/brooksschoolorg/pncurgjbfu3ygxporcyr/newsies-thumb-j.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1779335759/brooksschoolorg/pncurgjbfu3ygxporcyr/newsies-thumb-j.jpg","width":400}])
One first-time actor shares why he wanted to hit the stage and how taking that risk gave him more confidence.
![Gambling addiction speaker addresses students.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1778124388/brooksschoolorg/f8fsmw4fx9diwmrieg9y/gambling-thumb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1778124388/brooksschoolorg/f8fsmw4fx9diwmrieg9y/gambling-thumb.jpg","width":400}])
Six-year addict Rob Minnick shared how he got hooked wagering online and in casinos, then turned his life around, raising awareness about the real risks of gambling.
![Photo of the book cover of Amanda Gorman's "Call Us What We Carry" poetry collection.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1778030940/brooksschoolorg/uyhybgn4swfuxd2gnwix/ACR26-thumb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1778030940/brooksschoolorg/uyhybgn4swfuxd2gnwix/ACR26-thumb.jpg","width":400}])
Students, teachers, staff and families are invited to read Amanda Gorman’s “Call Us What We Carry” this summer.
![Molly Driscoll '23 smiles and gives a peace sign.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1777944594/brooksschoolorg/hue02hohaf0vmmffk3xr/molly-thumb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1777944594/brooksschoolorg/hue02hohaf0vmmffk3xr/molly-thumb.jpg","width":400}])
The attacker is racking up recognition at Boston College.
![Students observe eggs in an incubator for Zoology class.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1777577477/brooksschoolorg/pdd6oxqjxbrksw9zpgbz/ducks-thumb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1777577477/brooksschoolorg/pdd6oxqjxbrksw9zpgbz/ducks-thumb.jpg","width":400}])
Instead of just studying egg-laying animals, students are hatching some right in their classroom, bringing lessons to life in the most adorable way.
![Solo portrait of Brooks School 2026 Football Coach Emerson]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1775685125/brooksschoolorg/xv7ci2rfmwbazuselkm0/emerson-thumb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1775685125/brooksschoolorg/xv7ci2rfmwbazuselkm0/emerson-thumb.jpg","width":400}])
Spencer Emerson succeeds 13-Year Head Coach Patrick Foley on the field starting this fall