Summary: Since 1884, Annie Wright Schools have offered excellent academic programs that challenge students to reach their full intellectual potential. Annie Wright is an International Baccalaureate World School. Emphasis on inquiry, communication, meaningful action, global-mindedness, development of the whole child and measurable outcomes for students and teachers are common throughout IB programs. The International Baccalaureate, founded in 1968, is an educational nonprofit organization that aims to develop intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to prepare students for a rapidly globalizing world. IB students, particularly at the Diploma Programme level, meet rigorous international standards of academic excellence. Annie Wright Upper Schools prepare students extraordinarily well for college, offering small classes, independent-minded peers and an exceptional faculty. Our challenging curriculum appeals to motivated students with a variety of learning styles, with learning support experts to address individual needs. Most importantly, Annie Wright prepares students for a lifetime of learning, instilling in our students genuine curiosity and the courage to ask questions, seek creative answers and meet the challenges of a rapidly-changing, complex and culturally-diverse world. The Upper Schools are committed to helping each student identify and define their particular passions within a context of service to someone or something beyond themselves, turning learning into meaningful action.

Department Director

Student/Teacher Ratio: 6:1

Average Class Size: 12

Summer Programs: Offered

Full Time Teachers: 36

Number of AP Courses Offered: 0

Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 85%

Number of IB Courses Offered: 45

Learning Support

• Evening Study Assistance
• Peer Tutoring
• Study Skills Assistance
• Subject Tutoring
• Technology Center

English

• Classics
• Creative Writing
• Honors
• Literature
• Playwriting
• Poetry

History

• European History
• Honors
• United States History
• World History

Foreign Languages

Humanities / Social Sciences

• Anthropology
• Economics
• Psychology
• Sociology

Sciences

• Anatomy
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Earth Science
• Ecology
• Environmental Science
• Genetics
• Physical Science
• Physics
• Sports Medicine

Math

Computer Studies

• Computer Applications
• Multimedia
• Computer Programming
• Web Design

Performing / Visual Arts

Special Programs

• Study Abroad
• Community Service
• Exchange Programs
• Independent Study
• Leadership
• Outdoor Education

Distinctive or New Programs

• I

Dorm Life

Number of Dorms: 2

Average Students Per Dorm: 50

Number of Girls Dorms: 1

Number of Boys Dorms: 1

Dorm Amenities

• Game Room
• Laundry Facilities
• Lounge
• Wireless Internet

Other Dorm Amenities

pool gyms climbing wall field gardens walking distance to shops and restaurants student store with snacks and supplies

Student Life

Students from around the state, country and world love to live and learn at Annie Wright Schools, where they develop deep friendships that last a lifetime. Boarding at Annie Wright is fun, safe and educational and a lot like living in a giant family. Our community makes up around half of the Upper School population, and the eight residential faculty – dorm parents – are dedicated to each student's well-being and academic success. Annie Wright Schools are nestled on a beautiful campus in the North End neighborhood of Tacoma, Washington, overlooking the Puget Sound. Shops and restaurants are a short walk away, and the city is near majestic national parks and Mt. Rainier. Tacoma is about 45 minutes south of Seattle and just 30 minutes from Sea-Tac airport. Dorm rooms are each unique, comfortable and spacious. Students enjoy shared kitchen facilities, media lounges and study spaces around the dorm. Its location right in our main building makes access to the dining hall, classrooms, library, gym and other campus facilities as easy as walking down the hall. Boarding prefects are selected in their senior year to work closely with resident staff to build a vibrant and nurturing dorm community. Each prefect is responsible for leading a specific dorm group, by way of facilitating weekly check-ins, planning community-building activities, designing “All-Dorm Fun” programming, and being an active listener, role model and advocate for all resident students. Residential life offers a wide variety of fun and engaging activities. Examples include: ice skating, skiing and snowboarding camping, hiking and rock climbing museum and city tours theater shows and sports events sushi making, tie-dying and even a real trapeze class spontaneous and planned game nights, movie nights, cookie baking, parties, shopping trips and more "All-Dorm Fun” events, organized by the prefects, which have included a Halloween murder mystery, a spring carnival, roller-skating, and more!

Facilities

• Basketball Court
• Fitness Center
• Indoor Basketball Court
• Indoor Climbing Wall
• Indoor Pool
• Pool
• Technology Center
• Volleyball Court

Other Facilities

Clubs & Organizations

• Asian Club
• Chess Club
• Community Service
• Debate Club
• Diversity Club
• Dorm Proctors
• Drama Club
• Environmental Club
• Fencing Club
• Foreign Language Clubs
• Gardening Club
• Habitat for Humanity
• Honor Council
• International Club
• Literary Magazine
• Math Club
• Model UN
• Newspaper
• Outing Club
• Peer Tutoring
• Pep Club
• Photography Club
• Quiz Bowl
• Sailing Club
• Science Bowl
• Sexualities Club
• Student Activities
• Student Government
• Student Publications
• Theater Club
• Yearbook
• Yoga Club

Summary: ARTS Creative arts in Annie Wright’s Upper School thrive because art is a vital component of the human experience. We believe ALL of our students can and must create—and we offer a range of opportunities for every student to practice, analyze, imagine, design and perform. All Upper School students choose an honors arts focus in music, visual art or film in Grade 10. Most girls continue in that focus in a two-year IB course in Grades 11 and 12, potentially earning college credits for that work. Ungraded arts activities are built into the regular school day schedule, allowing students to experiment or deepen expertise in film production, ceramics, photography, acting, print-making and more. Annie Wright also offers on-site music lessons in voice, piano, stringed instruments, drum and flute, including twice-yearly recitals. The Kemper Center Theater provides opportunities to be on or behind stage for major and minor productions—or just for fun! ATHLETICS Annie Wright's Upper School athletics program stresses competitive team play, physical fitness and good sportsmanship. Our dedicated faculty and coaches identify and support each girl's individual aptitude and skills, whether she is an elite athlete or has never played a team sport. Upper School athletes have represented Annie Wright at the state level in volleyball, tennis, cross-country, track and golf. The varsity volleyball team was ranked #1 in our league in 2013. In addition to our own athletics program, students are given the time, space and flexibility to pursue outside athletic passions. In recent years we have also had national and world champions in a variety of sports including crew and speedskating.

Arts Department Director: John Weir

Athletics Department Director: Mike Finch

Notable Achievements: Volleyball undefeated seasons in 2012 & 2013, Girls basketball went to state in 2019 & 2020, Basketball player on track to beat WA scoring rec

Arts

Interscholastic Sports

• Baseball
• Cross Country Running
• Golf
• Lacrosse
• Soccer
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Volleyball

Recreational Sports

• Camping
• Cross Country Running
• Fencing
• Golf
• Hiking
• Kayaking
• Lacrosse
• Martial Arts
• Outdoor Education
• Rock Climbing
• Sailing
• Soccer
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Ultimate Frisbee

Summary: Annie Wright students can go anywhere and do anything after high school. No matter their goal - large research institution, small liberal arts college, international university, visual arts conservatory, service academy - the college counseling team is here to support them every step of the way. Preparation for the college admission process is embedded in the curriculum starting in Grade 9, allowing students to participate in activities that not only prepare them to be competitive for the process, but also to empower them to be strong students and engaged community members. College Counselors know and care deeply about each student as an individual, and can help them discover colleges where they will thrive. Year after year, an overwhelming number of recent graduates tell us they are happy with the support for the college process, as well as the outcome.

College Information

Percentage of graduates who attend college: 100%

Middle Percentile of SAT Scores	Reading	Math	Writing
25th percentile
75th percentile

College attended in the past 5 years by our graduates:

Notable Alumni

Merit Scholarships: Offered

Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 15%

Average Merit Scholarship: 5,000

Current Endowment Amount: $17,238,333