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

Religion / Philosophy

• Ethics
• World Religions

Humanities / Social Sciences

• Economics
• Sociology

Sciences

• Anatomy
• Biology
• Botany
• Chemistry
• Earth Science
• Environmental Science
• Physics

Math

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

Special Programs

• Community Service
• Independent Study
• Internships
• Leadership
• Outdoor Education
• Rifle Team

Distinctive or New Programs

• C

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 Department Director: Paul Bloomfield

Athletics Department Director: Donald Nicholson

Arts

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

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

Percentage 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