Since 1834, Worcester Academy has been creating life-changing experiences for students, families, and the community.
Our exceptional faculty inspires students to dig deeper and put forth effort that builds perseverance, character, and world-readiness.
Our students are engaged, empowered, and equipped to "Achieve the Honorable", now and throughout their lives.
Quick Stats (2025)
Top Rankings
Worcester Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 279 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Offering Breadth
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1834
1907
Campus Size
72 acres
125 acres
Student Body
Enrollment
508 students
315 students
% Students of Color
25%
27%
% International Students
20%
21%
% Students Boarding
35%
67%
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student : Teacher Ratio
7:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
25
18
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
55%
72%
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$60 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$56,000
$68,000
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
n/a
$36,400
Tuition international students
$72,000
$59,000
Yearly Tuition
(5 Day Boarding)
(5 Day Boarding)
$56,000
$49,624
% Students on Financial Aid
48%
39%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$23,000
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
No
No
Admissions
Application Deadline
Jan. 15 / rolling
Jan. 15
Acceptance Rate
65%
64%
Director of Admissions
Kevin Zifcak
Associate Director of Admissions
Abigail Orleans-Thompson
Application URL
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
18
16
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
36
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Amnesty International Club, Contemporary Band, Dance Team, Debate Club, Gender Sexuality Alliance, Green Team, Habitat for Humanity, Hillpoppas (A cappella group), Hillpoppas: Acapella Group, Kick Cancer (Jimmy Fund), Lance - Art & Literary Magazine, Model United Nations, Nuestra Voz, Robotics Team, Spanish Club, Student Leadership Committee, Tennis/ Chess Club, Ultimate Frisbee, Varsity Math Team, Vigornia (Newspaper), Visual & Performing Arts Clubs, WA Math Team, World Cultures and Languages
Arts and Music Programs:
Academy Singers, Afternoon Tunes, Broadcasting, Broadcasting (Middle School), Contemporary Band, Fall Play, Fall Play (Middle School), Jazz Combo, Open Studio Art, Spring Play, Spring Play (Middle School), Winter Musical
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Spectrum (Students of Color Affinity Group)
College Matriculation
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
School Notes
- Worcester Academy accreditations: NEASC, AISNE, NAIS, TABS
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Cole Porter, 1909 - Broadway composer
- Jim Davis, 1962 - Chairman, New Balance Athletic Shoe
- John F. Dryden, 1857 - Founder Prudential Insurance, U.S. Senator
- Jonathan Starr, 1994 - Financial executive and philanthropist
- Alingon Mitra, 2004 - Comedian
- Kaz Grala, 2017 - Stock car racing driver
- Aliyah Boston, 2019 - Nation’s top-ranked college women’s basketball player, USC. 2022 NCAA Women's Basketball Champion
- H. Jon Benjamin, 1984 - Actor, comedian
- Jordan Lucas, 2012 - NFL Player, Super Bowl LIV Champion
- Jessica Phillips, 1989 - Stage & screen actress
- School Motto: Achieve the Honorable
- School Mascot: Oskee
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Worcester Academy cost?
Worcester Academy's tuition is approximately $56,000 for boarding students.
What is the acceptance rate of Worcester Academy?
The acceptance rate of Worcester Academy is 65%, which is higher than the boarding school average of 64%.
Who are famous alumni from Worcester Academy?
Worcester Academy famous alumni include: Cole Porter, 1909, Jim Davis, 1962, John F. Dryden, 1857, Jonathan Starr, 1994, Alingon Mitra, 2004, Kaz Grala, 2017, Aliyah Boston, 2019, H. Jon Benjamin, 1984, Jordan Lucas, 2012 and Jessica Phillips, 1989.
What sports does Worcester Academy offer?
Worcester Academy offers 18 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Baseball, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track, Track and Field and Volleyball.
What is Worcester Academy's ranking?
Worcester Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for High # of AP/advanced courses offered.
When is the application deadline for Worcester Academy?
The application deadline for Worcester Academy is Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
My school is in the prime spot for somebody interested in going into politics or any kind of law field. The location of GW allows for many students to intern on the Hill and network. . .
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