Providing Faculty Housing

The school is taking steps to build more on-campus homes for Brooks faculty. This effort gives students an environment where their teachers live alongside them and know them fully, and helps attract and retain top-flight educators.

Earlier this year, the school began construction of three new faculty homes on the site of the property located at 1116 Great Pond Road. The large residence that previously inhabited the site was demolished. Currently, the demand for on-campus housing far exceeds the supply, and these three new homes will help drive the school’s continuing effort to attract, retain and house faculty, who have been devoted to living and working alongside Brooks students for generations.

Assistant Head of School Nina Hanlon sees the addition of on-campus housing stock as a priority for the school. She makes the case that it’s important for Brooks students to live alongside their teachers. “It builds community, which is so important here,” she says. “We’re a small school, and we truly know our students at a 360-degree level. Most schools cannot say the same, nor are they able to see their students in all moments of their lives in the way that we do.” Hanlon also says that it’s important for Brooks students to see their teachers as more than just teachers. “Our students get to see us as real people who model self-care and meaningful lives side by side with them. It’s beneficial for students and adults to have those relationships.”

Given the high cost of living in North Andover, Hanlon explains, offering on-campus housing is also integral in recruiting and retaining outstanding educators. “This was planned long before I arrived, so it’s a project that I was fortunate to come into,” she explains. “The best part is being able to provide more housing to our faculty, who are already so committed to being here and being with our students. Being able to say we have additional housing is a morale booster. It allows faculty to come to campus and be even more engaged and immersed in our community; it’s a game changer.”

Hanlon notes that the three new houses create flexibility within the school’s entire housing stock. “There’s a domino effect,” she explains. “These new houses open up three other spaces on campus. Ultimately, we’ll be able to bring in three more people from off campus who have been commuting. I think it tells our faculty that we see you and acknowledge what you do each day. Additionally, it’s an immense support system in a local housing market that, right now, is challenging for educators. With more housing, we’re going to be able to retain and attract more people to work at Brooks.”