Honoring its founder's vision, Emma Willard School proudly fosters in each young woman a love of learning, the habits of an intellectual life, and the character, moral strength, and qualities of leadership to serve and shape her world.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12, PG
- Enrollment: 356 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $77,325
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $48,180
- Average class size: 13 students
- Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Emma Willard School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 279 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Faculty Education
School Resources
School Resources
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Year Founded
1814
1907
Campus Size
137 acres
125 acres
Colors
Black; Red; White
Student Body
Enrollment
356 students
315 students
% Students of Color
29%
27%
% International Students
29%
21%
% Students Boarding
67%
67%
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
20
18
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
90%
72%
Summer Program Details
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$196 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$77,325
$68,000
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$48,180
$36,400
% Students on Financial Aid
43%
39%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$25,100
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
No
No
Admissions
Application Deadline
Feb. 1 / rolling
Jan. 15
Director of Admissions
Kristen Mariotti
Katie Myer
Katie Myer
Application URL
AP / Advanced Courses
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
20
18
Courses
Advanced Ballet, Advanced Contemporary Dance, Advanced Media Arts, Advanced Sculpture and Ceramics, AS Art History, AS Biology, AS Calculus AB, AS Calculus C with an Introduction to Multivariable Calculus, AS Chemistry, AS Chinese IV, AS Comparative Government and Politics, AS Computer Science Explorations, AS Computer Science with Java, AS Economics, AS Entomology, AS French V: French Identity(ies), AS Latin IV: Literature and Empire, AS Physics, AS Postcolonial Perspectives: Literature & Theory, AS Statistics, AS The Politics of Emotion, AS US History, Emma Artists: Performing Arts, Emma Artists: Visual Arts, Special Project in Arts
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
21
16
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
46
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Affinity Groups, Asian Student Union, Black Latinx Student Union, Democracy Matters, EMbassadors, Emma Arch (alum connection club), Emma Genius (tech help), Emma Green, Entrepreneurship Club, F-Word, Fair Trade, Fellowship of Christians at Universities and Schools (FOCUS), Gargoyle (yearbook), HOSA: Future Health Professionals, Humaniteam, Instrument Ensemble, Language Tutors, MedTalks, Mock Trial, Model UN, Multicultural American International Student Union (MIASU), Music lessons (piano, brass, singing), Muslim Student Union, OMEGA (fashion club), Phila, Philosophy Club, Pride Alliance, PRIMES (Math and Science Tutors), Proctors & Prefects, Quiz Team, Robotics, Science OIympiad, SOAR (Student Organization for Animal Respect), Stock Market Club, Student Council, Student Diversity Leadership Group, SWENext: Engineering Club, The Clock (newspaper), Triangle Arts & Lit Magazine, UNICEF, Wellies (Wellness Advocates)
Arts and Music Programs:
College Matriculation
College Acceptance Rate
100%
Year: 2022 - 2025
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
New York University
20
Cornell University
11
Northeastern University
10
Fordham University
8
George Washington University
7
Lafayette College
7
Smith College
7
Wellesley College
7
Emory University
6
Skidmore College
6
School Notes
- LOOK WITHIN, SEE BEYOND. What drives your passion to learn? Are you an artist? A scientist? An athlete? A combination of all? At Emma Willard School, we invite you to embrace your passion and use it to shape your high school learning experience and beyond.
- As the nation's first institute of higher learning for young women, Emma Willard School has been a leader in girls' education for over 200 years. Our founder, Emma Hart Willard, was a bold advocate for access to education, wanting young women to have more opportunities than what was available to her at that time. She was empowered to want more for herself and others and set forth for a life of extraordinary impact. Since 1814, we have been challenging independent school students to question, reason, learn, grow, and lead.
- Whether you already know your passion, or are still finding your way, Emma Willard School empowers you to discover your authentic self. With a balance of academic rigor, personalized opportunities to grow and create, and a focus on individual wellness, Emma Willard School prepares boarding and day students in grades 9 through 12 to go out and impact their world.
- Emma Willard School accreditations: NYSAIS, NAIS, TABS,
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Emma Willard School cost?
Emma Willard School's tuition is approximately $77,325 for boarding students and $48,180 for day students.
What sports does Emma Willard School offer?
Emma Willard School offers 21 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Badminton, Ballet, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Dance, Diving, Field Hockey, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Volleyball and Winter Track.
Does Emma Willard School offer a summer program?
Yes, Emma Willard School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is Emma Willard School's ranking?
Emma Willard School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for High percent faculty with advanced degrees, Large financial endowment and Highest endowment/student.
When is the application deadline for Emma Willard School?
The application deadline for Emma Willard School is Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
I visited many girls boarding schools. Emma Willard seemed to have a much higher academic standard and huge push to refine analytic skills. The student population was very well mannered. No one was there because. . .
Emma Willard's campus and the friendliness of my student tour guide and others we met while on the tour were the most important factors in my then 14-year-old decision to apply to and then attend. . .
Emma Willard is especially good at facilitating discussion based classrooms using the Harkness Method. I am finding now that I am in college classes that are all large lectures that Emma Willard's teachers were especially. . .
Show more reviews (6 reviews)
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The nearest boarding school to Emma Willard School is Hoosac School (19.7 miles away)
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