Although Phillips Academy has a recent history that puts it among the leaders in secondary school diversity, the school did not make a conscious effort to recruit a diverse student body until 1966.

The 1966 recruitment change was prompted by a faculty steering committee. The committee explored which students Andover should serve. According to school Archivist Ruth Quattlebaum, this was the beginning of Andover actively recruiting students of color.

The first student of color...