West Nottingham Academy

Colora

Maryland

United States

Overview

Founded in 1744, West Nottingham Academy is the oldest boarding school in the nation! WNA is an exceptional co-educational school serving 130 students in grades 9-12 and PG. Approximately 65% of our students board, with about 40% of our population from around the globe. Dedicated to the intellectual and social growth of each student, WNA is an intimate yet diverse community providing differentiated instruction and intensive subject exploration. WNA supports students with learning differences through the premiere Chesapeake Learning Center that includes individualized coaching, programming, and counseling. Our comprehensive ESL program includes a two year curriculum in English Communication. With a "physics-first" philosophy, West Nottingham Academy is also proud of our Humanities class which is offered to all 9th-graders, a strong Art department and Artist in Residence program, 12 AP courses, a focus on service learning and competitive athletics. Approximately 50% of the student body participates in sustainability efforts. Nestled just off of Interstate 95 close to the Susquehanna River and the tip of the Chesapeake Bay, West Nottingham's beautiful campus is within an hour's drive of Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Wilmington, and under two hours from Washington DC.

Academics

Summary: West Nottingham Academy's academics are grounded in the liberal arts. Students begin their time in ninth grade in a traditional humanities curriculum, with opportunities to take more advanced courses in disciplines that interest them as they enter 11th and 12th grade. Our courses emphasize both project-based and inquiry-guided learning for our students, allowing them to prepare for the different teaching styles and rigor they will encounter in college.

Department Director Tracy Haswell

Student/Teacher Ratio: 10:1

Average Class Size: 12

Summer Programs: Offered

Full Time Teachers: 14

Number of AP Courses Offered: 12

Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 77%

Number of IB Courses Offered: 0

English

Classics
Creative Writing
Honors
Literature
Poetry

History

European History
Honors
United States History
World History

Foreign Languages

French
Spanish

Religion / Philosophy

Ethics
Theology
World Religions

Humanities / Social Sciences

Psychology

Sciences

Anatomy
Biology
Chemistry
Environmental Science
Health
Physics

Math

Algebra
Calculus
Geometry
Honors Math
Statistics

Computer Studies

Computer Science

Music

Choral Music
Composition
Individual Instructions
Music Appreciation
Music History
Music Theory
Principles of Arranging
Voice

Performing / Visual Arts

Acting
Animation
Art History
Ceramics
Debate
Design
Directing
Drama
Drawing
Fiber Arts
Graphic Design
Lighting Design
Painting
Photography
Portfolio
Pottery
Printmaking
Production
Publications
Public Speaking
Screen-Printing
Sculpture
Silkscreen
Studio Art
Television Production
Theater Arts
Theater Design
Woodworking
3-D Art

Special Programs

Community Service
Independent Study
Leadership
Outdoor Education

Distinctive or New Programs

In Its Mission Statement West Nottingham Academy Dedicates Itself To Promoting Not Only The Intellectual Growth Of Each Student But Spiritual And Social Growth As Well.

Campus Life

Dorm Life

Number of Dorms: 4

Average Students Per Dorm: 28

Number of Girls Dorms: 2

Number of Boys Dorms: 2

Dorm Amenities

Laundry Facilities
Lounge
Wireless Internet

Other Dorm Amenities

Student Life

Students at WNA find opportunities to participate in programs and activities during the week as well as on weekends. So much to do, including social activities, athletic events, festivals, service learning, city visits, and so much more!

Facilities

Baseball Field
Basketball Court
Fitness Center
Indoor Basketball Court
Technology Center
Volleyball Court

Other Facilities

Clubs & Organizations

Animal Rights Club
Chess Club
Community Service
Debate Club
Diversity Club
Dorm Proctors
Drama Club
Environmental Club
Foreign Language Clubs
International Club
Literary Magazine
Math Club
Model UN
National Honor Society
Peer Tutoring
Photography Club
Student Activities
Student Government
Theater Club
Weightlifting Club
Yearbook
Yoga Club

Arts & Athletics

Summary: Athletics at West Nottingham provide a fun and challenging environment where students can compete and learn the benefits of being on a team. Students can participate in sports they know and love, or try something new for a season or two.

Arts Department Director: Trish Kuhlman

Athletics Department Director: Kristopher Johnson

Notable Achievements: MIL Soccer Champions 2011-2016 MIL Cross-Country Champions 2016

Arts

Acting
Animation
Art History
Ceramics
Debate
Design
Directing
Drama
Drawing
Fiber Arts
Graphic Design
Lighting Design
Painting
Photography
Portfolio
Pottery
Printmaking
Production
Publications
Public Speaking
Screen-Printing
Sculpture
Silkscreen
Studio Art
Television Production
Theater Arts
Theater Design
Woodworking
3-D Art

Interscholastic Sports

Baseball
Basketball
Cheerleading
Cross Country Running
Lacrosse
Soccer
Tennis
Volleyball

Recreational Sports

Aerobics
Badminton
Weight Lifting

Graduates

Summary: The process of college counseling is an art and a science. At West Nottingham Academy, our students receive personalized and individual counseling to direct them through the application process and to discover schools that are the right match for their goals. Through conferences and attention to the details of each step in the application process, the College Counseling Office seeks to understand what students are looking for in a college and their future aspirations beyond college to help them find the very best possible match in their undergraduate education. Our goal is to support each student in identifying colleges and universities that are a good match for their interests and to support the student and family throughout the college process. While well-supported every step of the way, students are given increasing responsibilities for researching schools and compiling all the necessary documentation needed to complete each application. Our goal is not only for every senior to have a number of outstanding offers of admission from which to choose, but for that student to take ownership of the process and responsibility for his or her success.

College Information

Precentage of graduates who attend college: 99%

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

Notable Alumni

Rev. Samuel Finley

Class of 1740

Founder of WNA; First president of Princeton University

Richard Stockton

Class of 1748

Signer of the Declaration of Independence

Dr. Benjamin Rush

Class of 1759

Signer of the Declaration of Independence; Father of American psychology

Robert S. Brookings

Class of 1868

A prominent manufacturer merchant and philanthropist

Richard R. Hallock

Class of 1937

Highly decorated Army hero of World War II and the Korean War

Eric K. Fischl

Class of 1966

World-renowned artist whose unique vision changed contemporary art in America

Austin L. Crothers

Class of 1875

Former governor of Maryland and founder of the good roads" movement"

Josh Boone

Class of 2003

Univ. of Conn. National Champion & NBA Player

Merit

Merit Scholarships: Offered

Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 5%

Average Merit Scholarship: 6,000

Current Endowment Amount: $4,100,000

Interested in West Nottingham Academy?

Vital Information

Student Body Type: Coed

Total Boarding: 66

Total Day: 19

Total Enrollment: 85

Boys: 49

Girls: 36

Boarding Grades Offered: 9-12

Day Grades Offered: 9-12

School Type: High School, Post-grad

Dress Code: Casual

Applications Accepted: SAO

Application Deadline: Rolling

Tuition & Financial Aid

7-Day Boarding: $49,500

5-Day Boarding: $0

Day Tuition Fee: $18,600

Need-Based Aid: Offered

Payment Plans: Offered

Students Receiving Aid: 50%

Average Awarded: $30,000

School Finances