Wilbraham & Monson Academy
Overview

Wilbraham & Monson Academy is for students who are looking for a transformational education within a nurturing and supportive community. WMA is a global experience with students from 33 countries, countless afternoon and athletic program offerings and our distinctive Center for Entrepreneurial, Economics and Finance (CEEF) department, which provides students the opportunity to learn real-world critical thinking and entrepreneurial skills, while creating a foundation for business, finance or entrepreneurial endeavors in the future. The CEEF department houses the Mark R. Shenkman Trading Center – the pinnacle facility for economics, finance and entrepreneurship classes. WMA also offers college counseling as part of its program, as well as an advisor program, student promotion, many leadership and club opportunities, online courses and a unique travel program. Academically, the WMA Upper School promotes the intellectual, social and physical growth of adolescents in a diverse, rigorous and caring environment. Students broaden their academic development as they prepare for the challenges of higher education and for success as compassionate, challenge-seeking global citizens and leaders in an increasingly interdependent world. Our Middle School academic program features an integrated humanities curriculum, an issues-oriented science program, an accelerated mathematics program, and extensive world languages courses, with a technology component incorporated into these courses. All Middle School students also take art, music, health and physical education. WMA’s extracurricular offerings give students the opportunity to hone their respective skills and talents while also leaving the door open to explore new interests. We offer 23 different clubs, a host of leadership positions related to academics, dorm life and student government, as well as 28 varsity athletic teams.
Academics
Summary: In a diverse, rigorous and caring environment, the Upper School promotes the intellectual, social and physical growth of adolescents. Students broaden their academic development as they prepare for the challenges of higher education and for success as compassionate, challenge-seeking global citizens and leaders in an increasingly interdependent world. To achieve this, we require a total of 57 credits for graduation, 42 of which are to be earned from our core requirements across six disciplines. The remaining 15 elective credits allow students to further strengthen their academic preparation for college, pursue personal passions and interests, as well as meet college-specific requirements. More detailed diploma requirements may be found in the Curriculum Guide in the Academics section of our website. Equivalent transfer credits from other schools will be evaluated on an individual basis. The primary goal of our WMA Middle School is to promote the intellectual, social and physical growth of young adolescents. We seek to stimulate and satisfy the innate curiosity of our young learners. Our academic program features an integrated humanities curriculum, an issues-oriented science program, an accelerated mathematics program, and extensive world languages courses, with a technology component incorporated into these courses. All Middle School students also take art, music, health and physical education. Benefits of a Postgraduate Year at WMA: -Study in a diverse and rigorous college preparatory environment where each student can seek individual attention from committed faculty. -Participate in award-winning Athletics and Activities programs to further develop and hone talents and skills that students can carry into their college careers. -Work with our devoted College Counseling office to help select and apply to colleges and universities that would best fit each student’s individual talents, interests, and goals. Our goal is to equip postgraduates with the skills and experience necessary to thrive in a college environment. To achieve this goal, postgraduate students are required to enroll in a specific selection of courses in order to be eligible for our diploma.
Department Director Kevin Kane
Student/Teacher Ratio: 6:1
Average Class Size: 12
Summer Programs: Not Offered
Full Time Teachers: 66
Number of AP Courses Offered: 23
Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 73%
Number of IB Courses Offered: 0
English
- Honors
- Literature
- Playwriting
- Poetry
History
- European History
- Honors
- United States History
- World History
Foreign Languages
- French
- Latin
- Spanish
Religion / Philosophy
- Ethics
- World Religions
Humanities / Social Sciences
- Economics
- Sociology
Sciences
- Anatomy
- Biology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Earth Science
- Environmental Science
- Physics
Math
- Algebra
- Calculus
- Functions
- Geometry
- Honors Math
- Probability
- Statistics
- Trigonometry
Computer Studies
- Multimedia
- Computer Programming
- Computer Science
- Web Design
- Video Game Design
Music
- Band
- Choral Music
- Electronic Music
- Music Theory
- Orchestra
- Songwriting
- Voice
Performing / Visual Arts
- Acting
- Architecture
- Ceramics
- Dance
- Debate
- Design
- Directing
- Drawing
- Fashion Design
- Fiber Arts
- Graphic Design
- Journalism
- Painting
- Photography
- Portfolio
- Pottery
- Printmaking
- Public Speaking
- Screenwriting
- Sculpture
- Studio Art
- Textiles
- Theater Arts
- Theater Design
- 3-D Art
- Modern Dance
Special Programs
- Community Service
- Independent Study
- Internships
- Leadership
- Outdoor Education
- Rifle Team
Distinctive or New Programs
Center For Entrepreneurial & Global Studies; Bicentennial Scholars Program; Directed Study Program
Campus Life
Dorm Life
Number of Dorms: 5
Average Students Per Dorm: 30
Number of Girls Dorms: 2
Number of Boys Dorms: 3
Dorm Amenities
- Laundry Facilities
- Lounge
- Vending Machines
- Wireless Internet
Other Dorm Amenities
Wilbraham & Monson Academy's Residential Life Program nurtures a sense of self within students who will develop social skills and personal accountability while living in a diverse community. WMA also has a Middle School dorm which houses Grade 7 and Grade 8 students.
Facilities
- All-Weather Track
- Baseball Field
- Fitness Center
- Football Field
- Indoor Basketball Court
- Indoor Pool
- Pool
- Technology Center
- Volleyball Court
- Dance Studio
Other Facilities
Art Studio
Clubs & Organizations
- Chess Club
- Community Service
- Diversity Club
- Dorm Proctors
- Environmental Club
- Food Council
- Foreign Language Clubs
- Future Business Leaders of America
- Gardening Club
- International Club
- Investment Club
- Literary Magazine
- Math Club
- Model UN
- Newspaper
- Peer Counseling
- Peer Tutoring
- Photography Club
- Sexualities Club
- Student Activities
- Student Government
- Student Publications
- Yearbook
- Yoga Club
Arts & Athletics
Arts Department Director: Paul Bloomfield
Athletics Department Director: Donald Nicholson
Arts
- Acting
- Architecture
- Ceramics
- Dance
- Debate
- Design
- Directing
- Drawing
- Fashion Design
- Fiber Arts
- Graphic Design
- Journalism
- Painting
- Photography
- Portfolio
- Pottery
- Printmaking
- Public Speaking
- Screenwriting
- Sculpture
- Studio Art
- Textiles
- Theater Arts
- Theater Design
- 3-D Art
- Modern Dance
Interscholastic Sports
- Alpine Ski Racing
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country Running
- Dance
- Diving
- Field Hockey
- Football
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Rifle Team
- Rugby
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
- Water Polo
- Wrestling
Recreational Sports
- Canoeing
- Dance
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Martial Arts
- Mountain Biking
- Outdoor Education
- Rock Climbing
- Snowboarding
- Weight Lifting
- Yoga
- Tai Chi
Graduates
Summary: College Counseling is an integral part of the educational program at WMA. We view ourselves as teachers and advisors rather than placement officers, and strive to support our students and families by providing accurate and up-to-date information and personalized guidance throughout every phase of the college search and application process. Our program is designed to equip our students to take the leading role in their own education and to nurture self-reflection, independent thinking, resourcefulness and resilience - qualities that will serve them well in college and beyond. Every aspect of a student’s education at WMA helps to prepare them for a successful college search. Our curricular emphasis on developing our students’ research skills, mastery of written and verbal expression, critical thinking and global awareness provides a strong foundation for college exploration. Within just the last two years, we have welcomed a number of very experienced college admission professionals to campus in order to give our students and families an insider’s perspective on the process. Recent speakers include Sidonia Dalby from Smith College, Erik DeAngelis from Brown University, Chris O’Brien from Boston College, Xiaofeng Wan from College of the Holy Cross, Kevin Kelly from the University of Massachusetts, Deborah Haskins from Trinity College, Peter Van Buskirk, former Dean of Admission at Franklin and Marshall College and Terry Cowdrey, former Vice President and Dean of Admission at Colby College. Our collective goal is for every student to feel supported in his or her individual search and to be well prepared for the next exciting phase in their educational career. We feel privileged to be able to share this journey with our students and families and encourage your participation and feedback throughout the process.
College Information
Precentage of graduates who attend college: 100%
Middle Percentile of SAT Scores | Reading | Math | Writing |
---|---|---|---|
25th percentile | 450 | 520 | 460 |
75th percentile | 580 | 680 | 620 |
College attended in the past 5 years by our graduates:
Notable Alumni
Mark Shenkman
Class of
Director of Shenkman Capital Management
Nitya Pibulsonggram
Class of
Thai Foreign Minister Former Thai Ambassador to the United Nations
Bill James
Class of
Rockport Capital Partners
Bill Guerin
Class of
NHL Hockey Player
Bob Lappin
Class of
Conductor Palm Beach Orchestra
Galway Kinnel
Class of
Author/Poet
Olaf Halvorrsen
Class of
Received Royal Norwegian Order of Merit
Hyun Kim
Class of
Former Ambassador for the UN and Chief Legal Counsel for Samsung
Joey Santiago
Class of
Lead Guitarist for the Pixies
Vital Information
Student Body Type: Coed
Total Boarding: 205
Total Day: 193
Total Enrollment: 398
Boys: 227
Girls: 171
Boarding Grades Offered: 7-12
Day Grades Offered: 6-12
School Type: Middle, High School
Dress Code: Formal
Applications Accepted: SAO, Gateway to Prep
Application Deadline: Rolling
Tuition & Financial Aid
7-Day Boarding: $64,800
5-Day Boarding: $54,800
Day Tuition Fee: $34,000
Need-Based Aid: Offered
Payment Plans: Not Offered
Students Receiving Aid: 40%
Average Awarded: $
School Finances
Merit Scholarships: Not Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: %
Average Merit Scholarship: $
Current Endowment Amount: $10,644,027
Contact
Director of Admissions: Kate Gaw
Admissions Phone: 413 596 9107
Fax: 413 599 1749
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.wma.us
Nearby Schools
- Suffield Academy - 15mi / 24 km
- The Loomis Chaffee School - 22mi / 36 km
- Westminster School - 25mi / 40 km
- The Ethel Walker School - 28mi / 45 km
- Rectory School - 29mi / 46 km
- Pomfret School - 29mi / 47 km






