Boarding Schools  Wilbraham & Monson Academy

Wilbraham & Monson Academy www.wma.us

Wilbraham & Monson Academy (WMA) was established by the merger of two early nineteenth-century academies: Monson Academy, founded in 1804, and Wesleyan (Wilbraham) Academy, founded in 1817. The two academies merged in 1971. The Academy is in the center of the town of Wilbraham, located in south-central Massachusetts, seven miles east of Springfield. It occupies 300 acres of what was formerly rich farmland and wooded hillsides. Wilbraham & Monson Academy was the first school in the United States to enroll students from China in 1847.

WMA is part small, nurturing day school for middle school students; and part cutting-edge college preparation for high school students. As the country’s tenth oldest boarding school, Wilbraham & Monson Academy has been educating global citizens and world leaders since 1804. Today, it educates young women and men from nearly 30 different countries.

 Academics

At Wilbraham & Monson Academy, partnership among students, parents, and faculty is a vital part of our mission. The alliance provides a nurturing environment for learning and personal growth. With the guidance of both parents and faculty, students are free to set their own goals, to take risks, and to strive for high standards both in our rigorous academic and extracurricular programs. Because we are a small school, students receive individual attention from teachers who know them well and are genuinely interested in helping.

 Special Highlights

Prefects. Prefects are student leaders who are juniors or seniors at WMA. The prefects assigned to each dormitory work closely with the dorm parents in assisting residents and have one dorm duty shift per week. Prefects are individuals who have a good rapport with students and faculty alike and are recognized to be students of character, integrity, and honesty. They are the voice of all boarding students. As role models, prefects serve as examples of healthy living to fellow students, ensuring an environment where students learn to respect each other, their space, and their belongings.

Student Government. The members of the Student Government have the overall responsibility of providing student input for decisions that affect student and community life. They are the voices of the student body and plan and carry out school-wide activities in conjunction with the Dean’s Office. The Student Government consists of class representatives and an elected chairperson. Representatives also serve as class officers.

 Top colleges attended by students

Boston University, Princeton University, Williams College, Brandeis University, Boston College, Connecticut College, NYU, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Smith College, College of Holy Cross

 What the school looks for in students…

“We’re looking for students who strive for high standards both in our rigorous academic and extracurricular programs.”