COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols

All plans are current as of August 2023, and are subject to change.

Concord Academy’s COVID-19 health and safety policies follow guidelines from state and local officials, including the Concord Department of Public Health and CA’s school physician, Dr. David Geller, with whom the Health Center staff is in regular contact.  

Daily Health Screening

We ask that each morning prior to coming to campus students, employees and visitors assess themselves for any signs and symptoms of illness. Please remain at home if feeling unwell and contact your healthcare provider for guidance if needed. Boarding students will be directed to the Health Center  for evaluation at any time of day if feeling unwell.

Masking

There is no town or statewide requirement for masking in schools. Concord Academy is mask-optional and mask-friendly for those that would like to mask. During times of high local transmission, Concord Academy may need to pivot to masking per the guidance of our health and safety advisors and the Concord Board of Health. If a household member tests positive for COVID-19, masking is strongly encouraged while indoors at school.

COVID-19 Testing

Concord Academy will conduct rapid antigen testing in the Health Office for students who present with symptoms. Screening testing will not be performed unless deemed necessary by the Director of Medical Services due to evidence of a cluster of positive cases, widespread transmission within a particular group or upon the guidance of governing state and local bodies.

COVID-19 Diagnosis/Positive Test

    • Contact the Concord Academy Health Center and the student’s healthcare provider with a positive test.
    • Individuals must follow the isolation requirements set forth by CDC, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Concord Board of Health. The isolation period is 5 days after either the date of the positive test (if no symptoms) or the date of symptom onset. The date of the positive test/symptom onset is considered “Day 0”.
    • A boarding student who tests positive for COVID-19 will need to isolate from the residential house for the full 10 days. Concord Academy may not be able to care for students on campus who require isolation. We will promptly notify a parent/guardian, who will need to make arrangements for their child(ren) to be safely picked up from Concord Academy within 8 hours. 
    • DESE and MADPH no longer recommend contact tracing from the school health center.
    • Concord Academy will work with family and academic support to minimize disruptions in learning if the student is feeling well.
    • If a household member tests positive, please monitor others in the home for symptoms for at least 10 days.

Returning to School/Athletics After COVID

Please contact Julie Genova, Director of Medical Services at Concord Academy for final clearance for a return to campus. Final clearance is given once the individual has completed at least the full 5 days of isolation, has a significant resolution in symptoms, and has the energy for a busy CA day.

Individuals returning to campus will need to mask while indoors through Day 10 unless they test negative with a rapid antigen test after return and prior to Day 10.

    • Due to reported cardiac and respiratory issues in older students following an infection with COVID-19, all students who experience a moderate course of illness will be required to obtain a return-to-play clearance letter from their healthcare provider.

Moderate symptoms include:

    • Fever greater than 100.4 F degrees for more than four days
    • Body aches, chills or lethargy for more than one week
    • Symptoms requiring hospitalization

Students who remained asymptomatic or experienced mild symptoms are encouraged to discuss with their primary practitioner whether an evaluation or clearance is needed.

Close Contacts

All asymptomatic individuals who have been exposed to COVID-19 are able to come to campus regardless of vaccination status. Masking indoors at school is strongly recommended if exposed to a household member who has tested positive for the virus. Please monitor for symptoms and remain vigilant for at least 10 days post-exposure. If illness presents, remain home and conduct a COVID test. 

COVID-19 Vaccination

COVID-19 vaccines help your body develop protection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Although vaccinated people sometimes get infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines significantly lowers the risk of getting very sick, being hospitalized, or dying from COVID-19. CDC recommends that everyone stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines, especially people with weakened immune systems. While Concord Academy strongly encourages all community members to be up-to-date with all immunizations, CA does not require the COVID-19 immunization for our students, employees or visitors at this time.

Health Care Policy and Procedure for Communicable Disease

Concord Academy may need to implement  methods to prevent transmission of communicable disease on campus, including COVID-19.  High rates of community, local and/or state test positivity may warrant temporary mitigation measures with guidance directed by DESE, MADPH and the Concord Board of Health.