Opening of School

List of 7 items.

• Request Official Transcripts (New Students)

  The Academic Office requires your official high school transcripts for course placement purposes, verification of transfer credits, and for future college applications. They should be dated and stamped with the former high school(s) seal for any coursework completed in the 9th grade and beyond. Please request that it be sent to the following address as soon as the school’s academic year has ended.  
   
  Anne Parent, Registrar  
  Kimball Union Academy  
  7 Campus Center Drive  
  Meriden, NH 03770-0188 
   
  Please also e-mail a PDF of the document to registrar@kua.org. 

• Course Registration & Placement (New Students)

   

  Part of Kimball Union’s Mission is to promote “intentionally designed experiences and challenges.” In support of that, we look forward to working with you to develop an appropriately demanding academic schedule for the coming school year. To start that process, students can make preliminary course selections for next year through the “Course Requests” tab on the “My Day” section of the Student Portal. We ask you to enter your requests before June 30.   

   

  As part of the course selection process, you will have choices around what courses and levels you request. Please keep in mind that we will also review your previous transcripts and teacher recommendations to determine the best course placement.  

    

  World Language Specific Information

  The KUA Registrar and World Language Department Faculty will review all incoming student transcripts to determine placement in French, Latin, and Spanish. This will require the completion of a short Incoming Student Language Choice Survey by June 20, 2026.  
  
  In some cases, the completion of a placement document or a brief placement conversation with a teacher in the desired language may also be needed. Registrar Anne Parent will reach out to schedule placement conversations in June or July 2026. 
  
  

   

  Mathematics Specific Information

  Incoming students should complete the appropriate math placement test that parents will need to select, download, and submit.  The placement tests are due back to mathplacement@kua.org on June 30, 2026. 

   

  English/History Specific Information (for incoming 10, 11, 12th graders)

  Requests for Advanced Placement or Honors courses in English or history also require submitting sample essays for consideration. These essays are due on August 1. If any of the submitted materials are found to be written by generative AI, the application for honors/AP classes in the English department will be denied, and the student will forfeit the opportunity to petition when they arrive in the fall. 

   

  Course placement and class schedule details will be available at registration, but please reach out if you have any questions or concerns to Registrar Anne Parent or Academic Dean Tasheana Dukuly.  

   

• Summer Work and Reading (All Students)

  All School Read/Experience
  The All-School Reads provide an opportunity for the campus community to have common experiences while we are away from each other, specifically one that will be a catalyst for meaningful discussions with a small group when we return in the fall.  

   

  As we did last year, in lieu of an all-school read, every KUA community member will participate in a community experience through acts of community engagement and meaningful connection. The challenge is simple: Give time to a person, place, or a cause that matters to you, and reflect on the experience. All members of the KUA community will participate in an act of engagement. While you will be able to choose your experience, the recommended time commitment is 5 to 10 hours. Please be ready to share your act of engagement when you arrive on campus in various spaces such as class, advisory, and/or All-School Meeting. If you have questions, please contact Alexis Liston at aliston@kua.org.   
  
  

  Summer Course Work and Reading 

   All students will have required summer reading for their English course. Students registering for advanced coursework in the Arts, History, Mathematics, or Science departments may also have summer assignments as detailed below. If you have any questions, please contact the Academic Dean, Tasheana Dukuly at tdukuly@kua.org.  

    

  Please note:  

  1. Students are expected to read all the listed books they have been assigned before returning for the 2026-2027 school year.  

  2. Students who have enrolled on or prior to August 24 are responsible for completing the summer reading.  

  3. When we return to school, students should expect to be assessed on the summer reading (via essay, project, or quiz). These texts will also provide the basis for classwork for the beginning of the term. Thus, summer reading will have a significant impact on the first-trimester grades.  

  4. New students and returning students who did not receive their texts will need to purchase them this summer. The titles listed should be accessible through most bookstores; most are also available in digital format.  

    

  Arts Department  

    
  AP Art History: Please select one book from the following list to read: The Art Forager, B.A. Shapiro, Why Architecture Matters, Paul Goldberger, Lust for Life, Irving Stone, Birth of Venus, Sarah Dunant  

   

  A reflection prompt will be sent directly to students enrolled in class and additional summer coursework.    

    

  AP Studio Art: Students will be expected to complete summer coursework. Once enrolled in the class, students will receive information directly from the AP teacher.  

    

  English Department  

  The English Department would like you to read a print version of your summer reading title(s). Please bring the book(s) with you to KUA in the fall. You may listen to the audio version of the title as you read along in print.  

    

  In addition, please annotate as you read, following these guidelines:   

  • in the margins, comment on characters and scenes of interest  

  • underline words or phrases that pique curiosity or that require further explanation  

  • note questions that occur to you as you read  

  • note connections to other books, movies, works of art, or personal experiences    

  • mark literary terms and devices as you see them  

    

  Ninth Grade (The Quest): Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury   

    

  Tenth Grade (Global Literature Honors and College Preparatory): Born a Crime, Trevor Noah  

    

  Eleventh Grade (Literature of the American Dream, Honors and CP; AP Language and Composition): The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls  

    

  Twelfth Grade (All Topics Courses; AP Literature): The Things They Carried, Tim O’Brien  

    

  History Department  

  AP Art History: Students will be expected to complete summer coursework. Once enrolled in the class, students will receive information directly from the AP teacher.  

    

  AP United States History: Indigenous Continent by Pekka Hamalainen. Students are asked to read Chapters 2-17. Students will write an in-class reflection in the first week of school. 

   

  AP United States Government & Politics: You Call This Democracy by Liz Rusch. Recommended not required.  

    
  Mathematics Department  
  AP Calculus (AB and BC): Students will be expected to complete summer coursework. Once enrolled in the class, students will receive information directly from the AP teacher.  

   
  AP Statistics: Students will be expected to complete summer coursework. Once enrolled in the class, students will receive information directly from the AP teacher.  

      

  Science Department  

  All AP Science courses: Students will be expected to complete summer coursework. Once enrolled in the class, students will receive information directly from the AP teacher.   

• Student Health Information (All students)

  KUA uses Magnus Health to manage student health information. All new families should have received a welcome email from Magnus Health containing your login credentials. Returning families have access to Magnus Health with your existing credentials. Magnus Health forms and paperwork were due August 1. Please email the Tracy Health Center if you have any questions.
  
  

  You can also access Magnus Health through the following:

  • Log into the KUA portal
  • Go to the parent resource board
  • Click on the Magnus Health log-in

• Visas & Passports (non-U.S. passport holders)

  Non-U.S. passport holders will receive an email regarding the visa process. Contact Destiny McClure at 603-469-2104.

• New International Student Orientation and Arrival Information (New Students)

  KUA will be offering an orientation for new international students on August 29, 2026. This orientation is designed to support international students with their transition and adjustment to our school community. To ensure that students arrive on time to participate in this program, here are some things to consider:

   

  For Students Traveling Alone

  For new international students traveling alone, KUA will be offering three complimentary shuttles from Boston Logan Airport. As you are choosing flights it is very helpful if you make decisions that allow your student to catch one of the following shuttles:

   

  August 29:  2:00 p.m .and 8:00 p.m.

  August 30: 8:00 a.m.

   

  These shuttle times are based on the most common historical arrival times. If your student is traveling as an unaccompanied minor (age of unaccompanied minors varies by airline – please check with your carrier) or is unable to arrive for one of the shuttles please contact Melissa Longacre (mlongacre@kua.org or 603-469-2116). 

   

  Due to KUA’s rural location please do not rely on Uber/Lyft service in the area as they are very unreliable.

   

  Only students arriving alone will be permitted to arrive and stay in the dorm on the evening of August 28. Arrivals directly to campus should be scheduled for 5 p.m. or thereafter. 

   

  For Students Traveling to KUA with Family Members or Other Adults

  New international students traveling with family members or other adults should plan to arrive to campus on August 30 at 10 a.m.

   

  Overview of the arrival and orientation schedule:

   

  August 29

  2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. 

   

  For international students traveling alone without an adult, students will be transported from Boston Logan International Airport to KUA and will be allowed to spend the night in their dorm room. We want your student to be comfortable when they arrive!  

   

  During the Orientation there will be an opportunity to go to the local shopping area and purchase anything students may need for their dorm room. However, if your student needs sheets, towels, blanket, and pillow on the first night, we do offer a Linens Starter Pack for purchase which will be given to your student upon arrival to the residence hall. You will be able to order a Linens Starter Pack beginning in July.

   

  August 29 

  8:00 am: Pick-up at Boston Logan Airport for international students traveling alone without an adult 

  10-11:30 am: International Students arrive and may move into their dorms

  11:30 am -12:15 p.m.: International student & family lunch 

  12:30 pm - 1:30 p.m.: Orientation for international students and families (Families are encouraged to attend)

  1:45 pm – 2:15 p.m.: Coffee & Dessert for Parents with Head of School Tyler Lewis (Parents & families only)

  1:45 p.m. - dorm lights out: International Student Orientation (Students only)

   

  August 30

  10:00 a.m.: New Student Registration begins – Parents welcome

  4:15 p.m.: All Parent Reception – At this point students will leave with their Orientation groups and parents may depart 

   

  Forms will be available on the Parent Portal in July where you will be asked to provide more detailed information about arrivals and where you may purchase a Linens Starter Pack. 

   

  Please contact Assistant Head of School Angela Yang-Handy with questions.

  
  
  
  

• Learning Center Services (All Students)

  The Gosselin Center for Teaching and Learning provides support services and academic accommodations, such as extra time. Fee-for-service academic support services are available to all students and include: 

    

  Individualized Learning Tutorial (ILT) provides 1:1 executive functioning and content instruction.  

  Fee:  

  1x week: $4,325 per year  

  2x week: $8,650 per year  

  3x week: $12,850 per year  

   

  Structured Study Tutorial (SST) provides small-group support focused on study, organization, time management, and other skills.  

  Fee: $5,775 per year  

   

  Academic Subject Tutorial provides 1:1 support in specific academic subjects from professional tutors.  

  Fee: $85/hour  

   

  English Language Tutorial provides one-on-one help for students learning English at any level. The student meets with a teacher for one hour each week to build vocabulary, reading, and writing skills. Parents receive a report after each meeting.  

  Fee: $5,400 per year 

   

  Please fill out this form if you wish to share information about your child or are interested in services. You can also contact Julian Dormady, the Director of Student Support Services, at jdormady@kua.org.