Boarding Schools  Kimball Union Academy

Kimball Union Academy www.kua.org

Founded in 1813, Kimball Union Academy is the 15th oldest boarding school in the United States and a preferred choice for students seeking a traditional preparatory education that integrates innovative academic programs and cutting-edge technology. We balance our challenging, dynamic curriculum with excellent programs in athletics and the arts. Each student has the opportunity to discover and develop their passions while preparing for college and beyond.

Located in Meriden, New Hampshire, the Academy’s 1,300-acre rural campus is two hours from Boston, Massachusetts, and Hartford, Connecticut. Nearby bus, train, and plane terminals link the area directly with Boston, New York City, and Manchester, New Hampshire. We offer in-depth social programs and foster a strong sense of community. Kimball Union’s mission is to “…prepare students for the challenges of tomorrow’s world by inspiring academic mastery, creativity, responsibility, and leadership.” Members of our community are guided by our Honor Code, which reflects our core value and promotes honesty, compassion, and mutual respect.

 Academics

The Kimball Union faculty encourages students to move beyond their comfort zones, whether that means diving deeper into areas of strengths, or taking new steps to explore subjects previously unknown. Within a traditional college preparatory curriculum, KUA students find that small classes that average 12 students, superior advising, and first-class faculty engage them in academic lessons in a way no previous educational experience has. Rich and diverse course offerings lay the groundwork for students to become lifelong learners who are intellectually curious and creative in their approach.

 Special Highlights

Leadership. One of the most valuable assets of being a part the KUA family is the opportunity to take on leadership roles—in the classroom, on the playing fields, in the theater, in student government, or in almost any pursuit that matches a student’s interest. KUA students learn quickly that when they are passionate about something, they have an immediate opportunity to make a difference and shape the world around them. Discovering and nurturing that innate capacity to lead requires the support of peers and mentors, to both challenge and support.

Taylor Gallery. The Taylor Gallery is a well-lit and versatile space in the Flickinger Arts Center, just off the main lobby. The Gallery is a home for student art shows and also serves as an exhibit space for artists from outside the school community. Some larger shows also include displays which spread throughout the Arts Center. All shows are open to the public; entry is free.

 Top colleges attended by students

New York University, Boston College, Dartmouth College, George Washington University, Cornell University, Tufts University, Brandeis University, Colby College, Lehigh University, Washington University in St. Louis, Carnegie Mellon University, Johns Hopkins, University of Pennsylvania, Vanderbilt University, Harvard University

 What the school looks for in students…

“We look for students who have a bright, outgoing personality with strong English skills.”