Safety and Well-Being

There is no higher purpose for a school than supporting the health and well-being of its students.

Learn more about Proctor’s investigation into historic sexual misconduct and existing comprehensive approach to supporting the health and well-being of our students and alumni below.

Investigation into Historical Misconduct

In pursuit of our mission, in May 2024, Proctor’s Board of Trustees and School Leadership began a comprehensive, third-party investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct at Proctor. The scope of this investigation was to examine any past transgressions of employee sexual misconduct involving sexual misconduct, including, but not limited to, current or former Proctor employees engaging in sexual misconduct or grooming with former Proctor students, and/or whether Proctor failed to appropriately respond to allegations of sexual misconduct. Throughout this process, we have sought to acknowledge any harm that was done, support healing, and ensure we are doing all we can to provide a safe, caring, and healthy environment for our current and future students.

We acknowledge the strength and courage of the survivors who have come forward and thank them for their willingness to share their experiences. We believe deeply in our work as educators, and we recognize and value our responsibility to care for our students while they are with us. This investigation has provided ultimate clarity of purpose for us at Proctor: to have a school culture that reflects our mission, while ensuring students a healthy and safe environment in which they can learn, grow, and pursue their best versions of themselves.

PROCTOR HISTORIC MISCONDUCT INVESTIGATION REPORT

HISTORIC MISCONDUCT INVESTIGATION FAQS

Points of Contact

School Communications

Resources

Learning Courage
(Survivor-led sexual misconduct prevention, response and healing organization)
RAINN
(Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673)
Crisis Center of Central New Hampshire
Contact the Hotline at 866.841.6229

Articles

RAINN:
Talking to Your Kids about Sexual Assault
Stop It Now:
Possible Reactions of Non-offending Parents and Caring Adults
RAINN:
Tips for Talking with Survivors of Sexual Assault
SAMHSA:
Tips for Talking to Children After a Traumatic Event
RAINN: How to Support a Loved One

External Investigation

About Aleta Law

The Role of a third-party Investigation

A third-party investigation requires a neutral, objective investigator to collect feedback, hear concerns, and synthesize information that comes to them. As a third-party investigative firm, all reports made to Aleta Law will be treated with the utmost care and sensitivity. Aleta Law in no way advocates for the school and serves as a neutral, external expert. Following the conclusion of the investigation, they will share their findings with Proctor’s leadership to inform the school’s future actions. Should Aleta Law find there have been past transgressions, we will work to apologize, acknowledge harm, support healing, promote learning, and ensure we can provide an environment that is as safe, caring, and healthy for our current and future students as possible. We encourage anyone in our community who experienced sexual misconduct by a Proctor employee while a student, or anyone with other pertinent information, to contact Kai and her team.

Contact Information

Learning Courage

About Learning Courage

Learning Courage is a survivor-led national nonprofit that works with schools to support sexual misconduct prevention, trauma-informed response, and healing. We are grateful for our partnership with Jamie Forbes and Amy Wheeler of Learning Courage. As survivors and educators, they collectively have invaluable experience in independent schools and bring an understanding of what it is like to revisit difficult moments in the past.

Learning Courage’s Role at Proctor

Proctor has engaged Learning Courage in a multi-year partnership to help guide our community through a survivor-centered and trauma-informed investigation while also recommending any potential improvements to policies and procedures. Jamie and Amy will provide periodic assessments of Proctor’s policies and on-going training to employees, Board Members, and students, while providing resources to the Proctor Alumni and Parent community throughout the investigative process.

Contact Information

Student Well-Being Programs and Support at Proctor

Evolutions in Policies

Enhanced annual training of all Proctor faculty, staff and students around the importance of building a healthy community through maintaining appropriate boundaries; recognizing and reporting harassment, discrimination, bullying, and hazing; and adhering to mandatory reporting obligations under New Hampshire law;
Annual review of Proctor's policies concerning student safety and well-being;
Worked with the Andover Police to formalize a Memorandum of Understanding that reflects best practices in the school/local law enforcement partnership;
Instituted additional training for student leaders who are those who are approached first if their peers have concerns about potential grooming or misconduct;
Revised and formalized processes around the work of the the Community Conduct Committee (CCC);
Partnered with an attorney specializing in trauma-informed investigations to train the Deans Team and members of the CCC;
Adopted a wellness-centered response to sexual activity, to engage students in conversations about healthy relationships rather than responding with discipline;
Formalized the adoption of restorative practices into some elements of the disciplinary process.

Student Safety and Well-being

Proctor’s policies concerning student safety and well-being are reviewed annually to guarantee alignment with best practices. We believe that building a healthy community requires the participation and commitment of all members; each student, parent, and employee must annually review and affirm their understanding of the school’s policies and procedures, reporting mechanisms, and support resources.
All Proctor faculty, staff and students are trained annually about the importance of building a healthy community through maintaining appropriate boundaries; recognizing and reporting harassment, discrimination, bullying, and hazing; and adhering to mandatory reporting obligations under New Hampshire law.
Proctor’s Community Conduct Committee addresses issues of harassment, discrimination, bullying, and hazing. Where inappropriate conduct is found, Proctor acts promptly with the goal of addressing harm and taking corrective action to repair and restore the community. Through education and intervention, the school strives to achieve an educational environment that is free from harassment, discrimination, bullying and hazing.
As student health and safety are Proctor’s foremost concern, we have a broad-reaching sanctuary policy which encourages students to seek support from adults for themselves or their peers when help is needed, without fear of disciplinary action.
In an incident involving sexual misconduct, the School will not pursue disciplinary action against any victims of sexual misconduct for violations of other rules.
Information regarding reporting pathways and both internal and external resources is posted throughout campus.

Freshman and Sophomore Seminar

In their first term, all ninth graders enroll in Freshman Seminar, in which they discuss topics such as nutrition and sleep, substance use, sexuality, healthy relationships, affirmative consent, and basic self-care. Students explore how technology and self-care intersect with their life at boarding school, while learning more about the many resources available to them on campus.
Proctor's Sophomore Seminar is a required term-long course that looks closely at social media, identity, addiction, body-image, mental health, and self care in students’ lives. This course builds on the foundation laid during Freshman Seminar, especially related to the topics of healthy relationships and affirmative consent, and works to help students transition to their junior and senior years.
The Freshman and Sophomore seminar curriculum is enhanced by Proctor’s partnership with The Social Institute.

Building a Healthy Community

Student leadership training offered to class leaders, dorm leaders, team captains and affinity group leaders includes sessions on: healthy boundaries, reporting, trauma-informed response, and sexual misconduct prevention.
Building on the foundation of topics discussed in Freshman and Sophomore Seminar courses, the school partners with experts such as: Learning Courage, Crisis Center of Central New Hampshire, and visiting speakers like Derrick Gay, Cindy Pierce, Michael Kimmel, and Eric Barthold to educate both students and adults in the community about healthy relationships.
Proctor’s Advisory program and highly-relational community nurture on-going conversations about healthy relationships in both formal and informal settings.
Proctor conducts periodic campus climate surveys to better understand students’ experiences and identify strengths and areas for improvement in our quest to be the healthiest school possible.

Health and Wellness Services

Proctor has two full-time mental health counselors who both counsel students on campus and provide referrals to off campus professionals when needed. As part of Proctor's Student Health and Wellness program, we provide our student body with both 1:1 mental health counseling as well as access to support groups led by our mental health professionals working in conjunction with the school's Health Center staff. Contact Head Counselor, Kara Hayes with questions or concerns.
Led by the advisor, a student's integrated support system at Proctor also includes their Learning Specialist, dorm parents, coaches, and teachers. This group of trusted adults surrounds each student with the adult relationships critical to navigating adolescence. A student needing more support may be referred to the Wellness Team for the development of a support plan.
Proctor’s Health Center is a five-bed facility licensed by the State of New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services, staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by a registered nurse. The Health Center is overseen by Dr. Sarah Lester, M.D our Medical Director. Her primary location is at New London Pediatric Care Center, 273 County Road, New London, New Hampshire 03257, and her office phone number is (603) 526-5363. Proctor's Health Center phone number is (603) 735-6737 and the fax number is (603) 735-6306. Sue Norris, R.N. is our Director of the Health Center.

Student Safety and Well-Being at Proctor

Dedicated Proctor Academy educators fostering student growth and success