Governor Healey joins school leaders and student-athletes to mark the opening of the first elite sports school in the region

STOW, Mass. — September 15, 2026 — Masters Academy International (MAI), a first-of-its-kind school in New England designed specifically for elite student-athletes, officially opened its doors Tuesday following an $83 million transformation of its campus in Stow, Massachusetts.

Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll joined MAI founders Peter and Chris Masters, Cognita CEO David Baldwin, Head of School Andy Williams, student-athletes, families and community leaders to celebrate the grand opening of the new school, which brings together rigorous college-preparatory academics, high-level athletic development and a focus on character and personal growth within an educational experience built around the unique needs of student-athletes.

Massachusetts has some of the best schools and student-athletes in the country, and we want every young person to have the chance to succeed. That’s why we’re excited to welcome Masters Academy to Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “In addition to creating great opportunities for our young people, this school will create hundreds of jobs and economic activity for Stowe and the surrounding community. It’s why my administration was proud to support Masters Academy and make today’s ribbon cutting possible.”

“Student-athletes put in a lot of work, both in the classroom and in their sport. Masters Academy is creating a new option for students and families that brings those two parts of their lives together,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “It’s exciting to see this investment here in Massachusetts, and we’re proud to celebrate this opening with the Stow community.”

MAI is part of Cognita, a global schools group that operates in 20 countries across the world. “We are incredibly proud to have supported Masters Academy International from the very beginning and to see its vision come to life”, said David Baldwin, CEO of Cognita. “What makes MAI exceptional is the ambition at its heart: bringing outstanding education and elite sport together in an environment where young people can pursue both without having to compromise. Our role at Cognita is to give the exceptional teachers, coaches and leaders at MAI the support and freedom to deliver that vision, drawing on the strength of our global community while protecting what makes the school unique. I am hugely excited to see what MAI’s students go on to achieve, both in the classroom and in their chosen sport.”

MAI’s inaugural class is made up of approximately 300 student-athletes from across the country, in grades 6-12 & Post Grad. Several members of the school’s first graduating class have already secured Division I scholarships to continue their athletic careers at colleges and Universities that include Harvard, Penn, and Rutgers.

The school was founded by brothers Peter and Chris Masters on a simple premise: ambitious student-athletes deserve a school where exceptional academics, a meaningful student life, and the pursuit of their athletic potential are supported fully and equally.

This is an incredibly special day for our family,” said Peter and Chris Masters, co-founders of Masters Academy International. “MAI has always been about creating a community where kids are surrounded by people who believe in them, not only as athletes but as students and most importantly as people. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve helped build, but we’re even more excited to watch our students grow, develop and pursue the incredible opportunities ahead of them.”

At MAI, academics and athletics have been intentionally designed to work together. Academic schedules, training, competition, recovery and student support are integrated into an educational experience built around the unique demands placed on student-athletes.

An $83 Million Transformation

Masters Academy International has created 135 full-time jobs in Massachusetts and is situated on an 82 acre property in Stow, previously home to Bose Headquarters. The school’s opening follows an $83 million transformation of the property, creating a comprehensive academic, residential and athletic environment for its students.

“State and local officials alike are excited about the Masters Academy in Stow. Collaboration among the Healey-Driscoll Administration, the Legislature, and our municipal and private partners, including $2.85 million in tax credits, show that Massachusetts is serious about supporting ventures that create jobs and showcase our state on the international stage,” said State Representative Kate Hogan (D-Stow). “We’re not just keeping a great property from sitting vacant – we’re giving the world another reason to associate educational and athletic excellence with Massachusetts.”

The 312,000-square foot main building has been extensively renovated to include state-of-the-art classrooms, student dormitories, dining hall, and an expansive athletic training and recovery facility. Student residences feature rooms ranging from 300-310 square feet, providing students over 30% more space than the average college dorm room.

Outside the main building, a $12 million multi-sport turf field complex features two baseball diamonds and two FIFA-sized fields for soccer and lacrosse. Adjacent to the fields, students can utilize the Butler Building — a 12,000 square foot indoor training facility that includes turf fields and advanced performance technology.

“This is an exciting day for the Town of Stow, our region, the state of Massachusetts, and most importantly the student-athletes who will be attending MAI”, said Denise Dembkoski, Town Administrator for the Town of Stow. “From our first discussions, MAI committed to becoming a part of our community, rather than apart from it. They have already built solid relationships with local officials as well as our business community — signs that we will be MAI’s home for many years to come.”

 

Elite Athletic Competition and Development

The school will offer eight sports including baseball, basketball, golf, fencing, figure skating, lacrosse, hockey, and soccer. Experienced and highly accomplished educators, coaches and sports professionals have been assembled to create an environment in which students can pursue ambitious goals in both the classroom and on the field.

MAI’s inaugural year will see its student-athletes competing on some of the nation’s most prominent stages. The school’s boys basketball program will be one of 15 schools across the nation and the only school in New England competing in the NIKE EYBL Scholastic Conference, the premier high school basketball league in the country.

Developing Leaders Beyond Sports

While MAI provides student-athletes with the resources to pursue ambitious athletic goals, its mission extends well beyond competition. The school places an emphasis on leadership, character, and personal development — preparing students not simply for their next level of athletics but for college, their careers and life beyond sports.

As part of that commitment, MAI has partnered with Best Buddies to provide students with opportunities to volunteer, give back to the community, and build meaningful relationships with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The partnership reflects MAI’s broader focus on developing well-rounded student-athletes who understand the importance of leadership, service and making a positive impact beyond the classroom and athletic field.

A New Model for Student-Athlete Education

As part of being a Cognita school, Masters Academy International benefits from the shared educational expertise, resources and connections from across its worldwide network while maintaining a model specifically designed around the needs of young athletes.

The September 15 grand opening marks the beginning of what school leaders hope will become a new standard for student-athlete education across the country.

Under its guiding principle, “Greatness Without Compromise,” MAI is built around the belief that students should be empowered to pursue excellence in the classroom, in competition and in the lives they build beyond both.

About Masters Academy International

Masters Academy International (MAI) is an elite boarding and day school opening in Stow, Massachusetts, designed to redefine the student-athlete experience. MAI prepares students to think, train, and perform at professional standards by integrating pro-level coaching, top-tier academics, and comprehensive student development into one aligned model — ensuring students never have to compromise one for the other. MAI provides a structured pathway for students aspiring to compete at the collegiate and professional levels while excelling in the classroom and in life. Learn more at https://www.mastersacademyinternational.com/

 

About Cognita

Launched in 2004, Cognita is an extraordinary community of schools that span 20 countries and share one common purpose: to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. Operating in Europe and the US, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia, Cognita employs over 22,000 teaching and support staff in the care and education of more than 100,000 students across five regions and offers 14 academic curricula. Together, Cognita schools provide a uniquely global education that goes beyond grades, to develop all-round academic excellence – equipping young people with the agency, adaptability and positive attitudes that prepares them to grow, thrive and find their success in a rapidly evolving world. Learn more at https://www.cognita.com/.

Media Contact:
Joe Zarbano
Regan Communications on behalf of Masters Academy International
Jzarbano@regancomm.com