WHY MAI

Why MAI Exists

For too long, ambitious young people have been forced to choose: pursue excellence in athletics or commit fully to rigorous academics. At Masters Academy International, we reject that false choice.

MAI was founded by brothers Peter and Chris Masters, New England natives and hockey experts with decades of experience developing elite athletes, alongside Academy Director Rich Odell, a seasoned independent school leader and sports education facility developer. We are built on a simple conviction: the skills that make great athletes – discipline, resilience, focus, adaptability – are the same skills that create exceptional students and future leaders.

Opening in September 2026 on an 82-acre campus in Stow, Massachusetts, MAI is New England’s first and only academy to unite pro-level athletic training with top-tier, future-focused academics. We serve Middle School, Upper School and Post Graduate day and boarding students, creating a community where students don’t just balance competing demands – they discover how excellence in one arena fuels excellence in another.

Our Pillars: What Shapes the MAI Experience

HOLISTIC GROWTH

We develop the whole person: mind, body, character, and community. Success isn't measured solely by stats or test scores - it's measured by growth, grit, and the courage to push past comfort zones.

DURABLE SKILLS

The world is changing faster than any curriculum can keep pace. That's why we focus on skills that endure: critical thinking, collaboration, adaptability, ethical decision making, and creative problem solving.

WAYFINDING

Students at MAI don't follow a single track - they chart their own course. Through our non-playing major pathways (Intro to Mastery → Mastery Workshop → Mastery Capstone), students explore interests, test ideas, and build toward personalized capstone projects that reflect their unique goals.

MENTORSHIP

Every student has an advisor who knows them deeply. Faculty aren't just instructors - they're guides, advocates, and mentors who help students navigate challenges, celebrate victories, and make informed decisions about their futures.

TEAMWORK

Whether in the classroom or on the field, students learn that great things are built together. Collaboration, trust, and collective accountability are practiced daily.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

MAI graduates leave prepared not just to succeed, but to lead with purpose. Through signature learning experiences, community partnerships, and real-world projects, students learn to contribute meaningfully to something larger than themselves.

A Day at MAI

Every day at Masters Academy International follows a structured rhythm designed to maximize both academic and athletic growth:

Academics

Morning sessions include collaborative, project-based learning across disciplines. Students might spend two hours leading an online peer discussion about philosophy, then transition to hands-on work in a STEAM module building toward a signature learning experience. Afternoons could include presenting research to faculty mentors or working independently with AI-assisted feedback. Classes are small, discussions are Socratic, and learning is active - not passive.

Training

Whether on the ice, court, field, or in the performance lab, afternoon training includes team practice, individual skill development, mental conditioning, strength training, nutrition education, and leadership workshops. For students in non-playing majors - sports medicine, performance analytics, broadcasting, sports business - this time is equally rigorous: mentored work in their chosen field with real-world application.

Built-In Time for Iteration

Unlike traditional schools that assign homework and hope students figure it out alone, MAI builds reflection, revision, and response into the schedule. Students work through challenges with faculty present, receive immediate feedback, and refine their thinking in real time.

Community & Connection

Boarding students live, eat, and grow together. Day students are fully integrated into campus life. Weekly themes - trust, responsibility, resilience, communication - are woven into every class, practice, and shared meal, turning values into lived habits.

Who we serve

Elite athletes seeking to compete at the highest levels while earning admission to top colleges and universities

Student-athletes committed to balancing rigorous academics with serious athletic development

Sports-adjacent learners whose passions lie in sports medicine, performance analytics, coaching, broadcasting, sports business, or entrepreneurship

Day and boarding families across New England who want access to elite-level training and world-class facilities without compromising on academic quality

Domestic and international students ready to join a diverse, global community powered by Cognita’s network of 100+ schools across 20 countries

Our Location: The Heart of New England

Stow, Massachusetts isn't just beautiful - it's strategic.

Just 45 minutes from Boston and less than 50 minutes from Logan International Airport, MAI sits at the center of one of the world's most dynamic regions. Students have access to:

Elite universities: MIT, Harvard, Boston College, Northeastern, Tufts, and dozens more within an hour
Top medical care: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Children's, U-Mass Medical, and world-class sports medicine facilities
Tech and innovation: The 128 and 495 tech corridors - the "Silicon Valley of the East" - offer internship and mentorship opportunities in AI, biotech, and emerging industries
Competitive athletics: The heart of the New England prep school circuit, ensuring high-level competition without excessive travel

Our Partnerships

The Newman School

MAI's has a strategic relationship with The Newman School in Boston, a college preparatory independent school with over 80 years of experience. This partnership ensures full accreditation from the outset, adherence to NCAA guidelines for college admissions, and the ability to issue student visas for international students seeking to join the MAI community.

Cognita Schools

MAI is proud to be part of Cognita, a global community of 100+ schools across 20 countries. This partnership provides access to international best practices, professional development for faculty, and a proven framework for continuous improvement.

USA Fencing

Through a landmark partnership, MAI will serve as the nation's first dedicated National Training Center and National Academy for Fencing. Senior, Junior, Cadet, Paralympic, and Veteran national teams will train on campus, and MAI fencers will work alongside world-class coaches and athletes year-round.

Next Steps

ACADEMICS

SPORTS

ADMISSIONS