Wilbraham and Monson Academy Private School

• Founded: in 1804
• Location: Wilbraham, Massachusetts, United States
• The age of the students: 14-18 years
• Number of students: 430 (percentage of foreigners - 32%)
• Educational programs: middle school, high school, AP
• Type of study: mixed
• Accommodation type: residence, 200 students boarding house, other half board
• Language: English.

Wilbraham and Monson Academy (or WMA) is one of the oldest educational institutions located on the east coast of America, and is ranked in the top-10 ranking of private high schools in the United States.

Already more than two hundred years in the walls of this school are formed special traditions and develops its rich history. From year to year, WMA tirelessly develops and outstrips its rivals - it was the first school in the United States for mixed studying and for the first time enlisted foreign students in the distant year of 1847. For many years of painstaking work, Wilbraham and Monson Academy has earned a reputation as a world-class educational institution (the Global School) and today it is known in all corners of the world.

WMA is known as a school providing its students with a high level of preparation in such disciplines as mathematics, economics and natural science subjects. Today it successfully operates the Center for Entrepreneurship and Global Studies. Graduates of this private school after graduation go to the leading universities of the country, as well as to the universities of the world-famous Ivy League - Harvard University, Princeton, Stanford University and not only.

The special atmosphere of mutual respect and trust created on its territory helps to achieve such successes. Here young people from all over the world learn to reach high results not only in academic knowledge, but also in communication with others.

The main goal of WMA is to educate individuals who can analyze, assess and generally think globally. In this school, true leaders are born who are ready to conquer the world.

Simon Kizhner

Regional Admissions representative, EMEA

What advice do you have for applicants to American schools and why?

Take the time to study schools: seek information yourself and trust your educational agents, their experience and knowledge. Focus on those schools that fit your specific goals.

Ask questions! Attend job interviews, school trips, connect with staff and admissions.

Prepare well for exams - SSAT, ISEE or TOEFL - learn the rules for writing essays.

And, of course, discuss with your family the financial possibilities, the conditions of each school.

Go for it!

Academy students Wilbraham and Monson live in one of the 12 residences of the school campus, but only senior students (from 9th to 12th grade) can stay there. In the buildings for young people comfortable and cozy rooms are equipped with basic furniture and household items. Also in each hostel there are at least four educators who look after the children and, if necessary, help them in emerging issues.

The students are offered accommodation in host American families, each of which is carefully selected preliminarily. To date, the management of the school has already planned the construction of a new residence, which will be intended for pupils of the 8th grade, so that very soon several more classrooms will be able to live on the school grounds.

Special attention is paid to the issue of nutrition in the WMA: three meals a day (if necessary - dietary or vegetarian) are waiting in the school cafeteria of the residents living in the residence. Those who live in a host family are fed once a day - lunch.

The school has a reason for pride in the issue of catering: since 2008, the chef works here to develop a menu for students! Thanks to such a thorough approach to the issue of nutrition, the guys have 5-6 options (for example, sushi) for dinner, a chic salad bar, and a wide assortment of desserts, where ice cream appears a couple of times a week.

Subject list: algebra, anatomy, archeology, Art, biology, chemistry, ecology, economics, English literature, Environmental science, geography, healthy lifestyle, history, humanitarian sciences, mathematical analysis, maths, music, Natural science, physical education, physics, Psychology, Study of america, Valeology

Wilbraham and Monson Academy offers their students both a program of studying academic disciplines, and an educational course for more creative young people. For example, the direction associated with the fashion industry:

• Clothing design;
• Production;
• Business organization.

Another object of school pride is the unique Center for Entrepreneurship and Global Studies, where students can learn the basics of entrepreneurial activities, create their own practical projects and study economics in different countries.

In addition to the very intensive academic program at Wilbraham and Monson, all students are engaged in various physical activities, selected for each season of the year:

Autumn:

• Football
• Volleyball
• Cross country
• Field hockey
• Water polo
• Tennis
• Rowing
• Extreme tourism.

Winter:

• Basketball
• Swimming
• Skiing
• Snowboarding
• Shooting from the rifle
• Fighting
• Fitness
• Running

Spring:

• Rugby
• Softball
• Tennis
• Sports and Entertainment
• Golf
• Jogging
• Extreme tourism.

In addition, school teams for different sports regularly participate in championships of different scale.

For those who still have strength after all that is listed in the evenings and on weekends, there are communities and clubs dedicated to a variety of subjects:

• The computer games club
• Women's group
• Human rights society
• Financial society
• Scientific society
• Club of young talents
• Singing
• Journalism
• Theater
• Robotics
• Debates.

The global educational program of the school offers its students also a rich program of the most various educational excursions.

• Unique Learning Center for Entrepreneurship and Global Studies;
• Individual approach to each student and focus on result;
• Guaranteed admission to prestigious universities in America;
• Strong teaching staff 66% of teachers have degrees
• Educating leaders with the ability to think globally.

The school is located in the heart of Wilbraham and occupies an impressive 300 acres. From here, only an hour and a half drive to Boston and three hours to New York, and 30 kilometers to Bradley airport.

In the school campus for the comfort of students there is a sports center where volleyball and basketball courts, a swimming pool, a hall for struggle are offered to students. There is also a fitness center on the territory, and sports grounds with artificial coverings (for football, field hockey, lacrosse), ten tennis courts, a shooting range and not only are open-air.

Also on the school campus of the school there are several locations for practicing art and creative activities: photo lab, art studio and gallery, pottery workshop, dance hall, equipped with a springy floor and a special sound system.

The Wilbraham and Monson School has an impressive educational base - the local library has about 12,000 books, and a subscription to various useful databases is also regularly updated.

The school has a certain period of time before which applicants need to apply for studying - before February 1 of the year when you plan to start your studies. All documents sent after this date will be considered only if there are vacant seats in the school.

The academic year in WMA is divided into two semesters: the first begins in the last days of August and ends in the middle of December, including a vacation in November (from 18.11 to 29.11). The second half of the academic year starts on January 4 and ends in the first days of June as well with a break for the holidays (from 03.03 to 22.03).

In addition to paying the cost of studying at Wilbraham and Monson, parents of schoolchildren are expected to receive several additional expense items:

• Registration fee
• Educational materials
• Contribution for foreign students
• Medical insurance
• ESL classes
• Air tickets and roundtrip transportation
• Consular fees and visa service.

Extras:

• Registration fee (for a programme/course) 875 USD
• Study materials 700 USD
• Application Fee 2500 USD
• Medical insurance 175 USD

In order to become a student of one of the strongest private schools in the US, Wilbraham and Monson Academy, the student needs to take several steps: fill out an application in the appropriate form, pay a registration fee and go through interviews (with personal conversation or using Skype). It is also necessary to prepare the following documents:

• A photocopy of the student's current passport
• Certificate with school marks for the last 2 years
• Results of passed tests in English (TOEFL or SSAT)
• Letters of recommendation from teachers of mathematics, English and class teacher or director (from the latter you need a characterization of personal qualities).

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision