The Williston Northampton School (2025 Profile)

5.00 (17 reviews)

Tel: (413) 529-3241

19 Payson Avenue
Easthampton, MA 01027

www.williston.com

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The Williston Northampton School Photo #1 - Williston promises an academic culture that respects your ability to think for yourself and gives you the right balance of structure and freedom to make the most of it. You'll be immersed in a challenging curriculum that cultivates active, lifelong learning. And with an average class size of 13 students, your teachers are truly going to know you.

The Williston Northampton School Photo #2 - Williston offers 145 courses in the humanities, sciences, and arts, including 37 Advanced Placement and honors courses. The Williston Scholars Program includes a faculty-directed independent study project. These two-trimester classes are small and dive deeply into subject matter. Students work with Five College professors and utilize other resources and professionals in the Pioneer Valley.

The Williston Northampton School Photo #3 - Students use a hybrid tablet device as part of Williston's Curricular Technology Initiative (CTI). The CTI is designed to bring consistent technology to campus so that students can quickly and easily access the digital tools they need to succeed, and in the process, not just keep up with the latest innovations but use them in their education.

The Williston Northampton School Photo #4 - Williston's college search process is highly personalized. Beginning in the junior year, students work individually with counselors to foster independent thinking so that each student can effectively determine which colleges are uniquely suited to him or her. The Class of 2014 was admitted to over 500 colleges and universities, including Brown, Connecticut College, Cornell, Harvard, Trinity, Union, Wesleyan, and Yale.

The Williston Northampton School Photo #5 - Williston offers an academic arts program with faculty who are practicing musicians, actors, and visual artists.The Reed Campus Center houses six painting and drawing studios, a dance studio, music classrooms, a gallery, and five sound-proofed practice rooms. The Williston Theater seats 288 people and offers a thrust stage, fly system, computerized lighting and sound system, and a scene shop.

The Williston Northampton School Photo #6 - Williston fields 67 interscholastic teams at the varsity, junior varsity, and beginner levels in 35 sports to give students a full range of opportunities to play. Athletics is an integral part of our education and community. Williston has always taken pride in its ability to be both highly competitive and inclusive, and the Wildcats have an impressive record of success.

The Williston Northampton School Photo #7 - Williston's athletic facilities include two basketball courts, four squash courts, wrestling room, fitness center, six-lane pool with diving well, two synthetic turf fields, eight-lane all-weather track, 12-court tennis complex, two softball fields, two baseball fields, seven playing fields, 3.1 mile cross country course, and ice rink.

The Williston Northampton School Photo #8 - Williston has 10 dorms, five for girls and five for boys. Freshmen live in separate ninth grade dorms but all other dorms are mixed grades. The school's Ninth Grade Program provides extra support to students as they make the important transition to high school. C.O.R.E. (Curiosity, Organization, Reflection, and Empathy) is the ninth grade theme and the program's foundation.

The Williston Northampton School Photo #9 - Williston is a community that's diverse, inclusive, and fun. Events such as the Holiday Banquet, Williston Film Festival, and Willy Gras, give you the opportunity to develop leadership and organizational abilities. Joining or starting clubs, serving as class officers or dorm proctors, managing sports teams, leading campus tours, and organizing community service projects are great ways to be involved.

The Williston Northampton School Photo #10 - Founded in 1841, Williston is a student-centered, coeducational institution with an Upper School of boarding and day students from 25 states and 30 countries. Williston is a school shaped by its location in the Pioneer Valley, a remarkable area of education, culture, history, and nature in Western Massachusetts.

Located on 125 acres in Western Massachusetts, Williston has a history dating back to 1841. Williston`s 420 students come from 30 countries and 25 U.S. states.

All Williston students take part in Williston`s Comprehensive Program for Academic and Social Success, known as COMPASS, which unifies our CORE Life and Leadership Program; our Williston Scholars program; our College Counselling program; and our Center for Academic Success (Academic Suport).

At the core of the Williston experience is our balance of academic excellence and support-students choose from 145 courses, and they utilize our Writing Center, our Math Center as well as more formalized academic support.

Additionally, Williston has a long history of athletic excellence, with over 35 percent of our graduating seniors going on to play at the college level in the last 5 years.

Quick Stats (2025)

Grades: (Boarding Students) 9-12, PG
Grades: (Day Students) 7-12, PG
Enrollment: 400 students
Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $74,000
Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $51,000
Acceptance rate: 33%
Average class size: 13 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

The Williston Northampton School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 280 schools) for:

School Overview

| 2024 School Data

The Williston Northampton School

Boarding School Avg.

School Focus

College Preparatory

Grades Offered (Boarding)

9-12, PG

9-12

Grades Offered (Day)

7-12, PG

6-12

School Type

Co-ed

ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Supports Learning Differences (LD)

Yes

Religious Affiliation

Non-denominational

Year Founded

1841

1907

Campus Size

125 acres

Colors

Blue, Green

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Student Body

Enrollment

400 students

319 students

% Students of Color

18%

27%

% International Students

24%

21%

% Students Boarding

70%

67%

Average SAT Score

1360
(Out of 1600)

* National Avg. »View

Average ACT score

29
(Out of 36)

*National Avg. »View

Offers Post-Grad Year

Yes

Academics and Faculty

Saturday Classes

Yes

Frequency of Saturday Classes

Bi-Weekly

Less than once a month

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Average Class Size

13 students

* National Avg. »18

Student : Teacher Ratio

7:1

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

ESL Courses Offered

Yes

% Faculty with Advanced Degree

75%

72%

Summer Program Offered

Yes

Tuition Cost

Endowment Size

$60 million

$30 million

Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)

$74,000

$66,900

Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)

$51,000

$35,500

% Students on Financial Aid

46%

40%

Avg. Financial Aid Grant

$25,250

$25,000

Merit Scholarships Offered

Yes

Admissions

Application Deadline

Jan. 15 / rolling

Jan. 15

Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)

Yes

SSAT Required

Yes

Average Percentile SSAT

63%

Acceptance Rate

33%

64%

Director of Admissions

Christopher J. Dietrich

Application URL

Online Application

AP / Advanced Courses

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

Courses

AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry, AP Comparative Government & Politics, AP Computer Science, AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP Environmental Science, AP European History, AP French Language, AP Latin: Vergil, AP Microeconomics, AP Music Theory, AP Physics, AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism, AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP Psychology, AP Spanish Language, AP Statistics, AP United States History, AP US Government & Politics, BC & Multivariable Calculus

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations

Extracurriculars

Club or Organization:
Asian Alliance Club, Blue Notes (male a capella), Community Service Club, Filipino Culture Club, Jane Austen Club, Janus literary magazine, Maiyeros (boys a capella), Math Team, Math Tutoring Society, Milagros (gospel choir), Mitchell Cabinet (Service Club), Model UN, Model United Nations, Philanthropy Society, Photography Club, Science Team, Service Club, Spanish Community Center Tutors, Student Council Officers, Student Multicultural Board, Subterraneans, T.R.I.B.E. (Trust, Respect, Individuality, Belief, Equality), The Book Club and Literary Society, The Debate Society, The Log (Yearbook), Theater, Westtown Competitive Gaming Club, Wildest Cats (spirit group), Willistonian (Student Newspaper)

Arts and Music Programs:
Chinese Chess Club, Make-a-Wish, Muslim Students Association, Native American Club, Peer Educators (healthy decisions), Philanthropy Club, Principles of Coaching

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Maiyeros - male a cappella, The Press - campus sports news

College Matriculation

Year: 2020 - 2023

10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)

Northeastern University

Skidmore College, Syracuse University, Boston University, Trinity College

Holy Cross, St. Lawrence, UMass-Amherst

Wesleyan University, New York University

Brown University, Williams College, Colby College, Union College

Tufts University, Connecticut College, Hamilton College., Bates College, Boston College, Babson Coll

Columbia University, Middlebury College, University of Pennsylvania, Dickinson College, Gettysburg C

Yale University, Cornell University, Amherst College, Lehigh University, University of Southern Cali

Harvard University, Dartmouth College, Bowdoin College, Georgetown University, Kenyon College, Hobar

Princeton University, Bucknell University, Ithaca College, Providence College, West Point, Universit

View Matriculation Data

School Notes

School Mascot: Wildcat, Wildcats
The Williston Northampton School accreditations: NEASC, TABS, NAIS
Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Steve Porter ’97 - PorterHouse Media produces ESPN video mashups
- G.P. Gromacki ’89 - Led Amherst College women's basketball team to the NCAA Division III championship, named Coach of the Year by D3hoops.com.
- William S. Clark - UMass/Amherst President
- Winthrop Crane - 40th Governor of Massachusetts, U.S. Senator
- Brad Hall ’75 - Actor, producer, writer. Saturday Night Live Weekend Update anchor
- Patrick Rissmiller - Professional hockey player, NHL NY Rangers forward
- George Crockett Strong, Class of 1851 - U.S. Civil War General
- Robert Samuelson ’63 - Economic columnist and journalist, editor for Newsweek and the Washington Post, author
- George Stanley Hall - Psychologist, father of American Psychology
- Tony Lavelli ’45 - First overall NBA draft pick, accordionist for the Harlem Globetrotters

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does The Williston Northampton School cost?

The Williston Northampton School's tuition is approximately $74,000 for boarding students and $51,000 for day students.

What schools are The Williston Northampton School often compared to?

The Williston Northampton Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Northfield Mount Hermon, Berkshire School, Deerfield Academy by visitors of our site.

What is the acceptance rate of The Williston Northampton School?

The acceptance rate of The Williston Northampton School is 33%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 64%.

Who are famous alumni from The Williston Northampton School?

The Williston Northampton School famous alumni include: Steve Porter ’97, G.P. Gromacki ’89, William S. Clark, Winthrop Crane, Brad Hall ’75, Patrick Rissmiller, George Crockett Strong, Class of 1851, Robert Samuelson ’63, George Stanley Hall and Tony Lavelli ’45.

What sports does The Williston Northampton School offer?

The Williston Northampton School offers 23 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Dance, Diving, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball, Water Polo and Wrestling.

What is The Williston Northampton School's ranking?

The Williston Northampton School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for High # of AP/advanced courses offered and High average SAT scores.

When is the application deadline for The Williston Northampton School?

The application deadline for The Williston Northampton School 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

The Williston Northampton School Alumni #1
Class of 2016
5.0012/29/2016
Elon University

Williston has a great balance of day students and boarding students, which allow students to know and learn more about the area. With a widespread campus in a safe neighborhood and numerous stores and restaurants. . .

The Williston Northampton School Alumni #2
Class of 2015
5.0012/3/2016
University of Maine

Williston was the best community I could've ever established an identity with. My parents teach at the school, so we actually had a house on the campus. I developed close relationships with not only. . .

The Williston Northampton School Alumni #3
Class of 2011
5.008/7/2012
Harvard University

At a first glance, The Williston Northampton School appears similar to most college preparatory schools. It contains a beautiful New England campus, wonderful and caring teachers, and great athletic and artistic facilities. However, as many. . .

Show more reviews (14 reviews)

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