Boarding School Review - Established 2003

The Williston Northampton School

5.00 (18 reviews)
19 Payson Avenue Easthampton MA 01027
Tel: (413) 529-3241
www.williston.com
REQUEST INFO
SAVE SCHOOL

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 9-12, PG
  • Grades: (Day Students) 7-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 434 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $74,000
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $51,000
  • Acceptance rate: 33%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
The Williston Northampton School Photo #4 - Founded in 1841, Williston is a student-centered, coeducational institution with an Upper School of boarding and day students from over 20 states and 20 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.
The Williston Northampton School Photo #5 - Ninth graders have their own social events and grade-focused presentations, and live in dorms together. This academic and social support provides a strong foundation for success at Williston. All incoming ninth graders start the year with an orientation trip to a low-ropes course.
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, a fitness and weightlifting center, a six-lane pool with diving well, two synthetic turf fields, an eight-lane all-weather track, a 12-court tennis complex, two softball fields, two baseball fields, seven playing fields, a 3.1 mile cross country course, and ice rink.
The Williston Northampton School Photo #8 - 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 #9 - Williston offers 30 courses in the humanities, sciences, and arts, including over 50 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 #10 - 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 #11 - 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 2025 earned 579 offers of admission to colleges and universities, including Brown, Cornell, Georgetown, Harvard, Williams, and Yale.
REQUEST INFO
SAVE SCHOOL

About the School

  • 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 over 150 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 five years.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 9-12, PG
  • Grades: (Day Students) 7-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 434 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $74,000
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $51,000
  • Acceptance rate: 33%
  • Average class size: 12 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 269 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
Offering Breadth
Most sports offered
Student Test Scores
High average SAT scores

School Overview

2026 School Data
The Williston Northampton School
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)
9-12, PG
8-12
Grades Offered (Day)
7-12, PG
PK-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Yes
Supports Learning Differences (LD)
Yes
Yes
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1841
1906
Campus Size
125 acres
125 acres
School Calendar
View School Calendar

Student Body

Enrollment
434 students
320 students
% Students of Color
38%
27%
% International Students
25%
21%
% Students Boarding
70%
65%
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
No

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes
Yes
No
Frequency of Saturday Classes
Bi-Weekly
Weekly
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Casual
Average Class Size
12 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
Yes
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
76%
73%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes
Accreditations
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
# of AP Courses Offered
23
18
Courses
AP African American StudiesAP Biology
AP Calculus ABAP Calculus BC & Multivariable Calculus
AP ChemistryAP Comparative Government & Politics
AP Computer ScienceAP Computer Science Principles
AP English LanguageAP English Literature
AP Environmental ScienceAP European History
AP French LanguageAP Latin: Vergil
AP Micro & MacroeconomicsAP Music Theory
AP PhysicsAP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism
AP Physics C: MechanicsAP Psychology
AP Spanish LanguageAP Statistics
AP Studio ArtAP United States History
AP US Government & PoliticsAP World History: Modern

Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size
$60 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$74,000
$71,500
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$51,000
$40,000
% Students on Financial Aid
46%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$25,250
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
Yes
Weekly

Request Information

Step 1 of 2
Step 2 of 2

Admissions

Application Deadline
Jan. 15 / rolling
Jan. 15
Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)
Yes
No
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Average Percentile SSAT
63%
-
Acceptance Rate
33%
64%
Director of Admissions
Christopher J. Dietrich
Lee Greener
Application URL
Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered
25
17
Sports
Alpine SkiingBaseball
BasketballClimbing
Cross CountryCross Country Running
DanceDiving
Field HockeyFootball
GolfIce Hockey
LacrosseSkiing
SoccerSoftball
SquashSwimming
Swimming and DivingTennis
TrackTrack and Field
Ultimate FrisbeeVolleyball
Water Polo
Colors
Blue, Green
School Mascot
Wildcats

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
15
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Asian Alliance ClubBlack Student Union
Janus literary magazineMath Team
Math Tutoring SocietyModel UN
Photography ClubScience Team
T.R.I.B.E. (Trust, Respect, Individuality, Belief, Equality)The Debate Society
The Log (Yearbook)Theater
Wildest Cats (spirit group)Williston Serves (community service club)
Willistonian (Student Newspaper)

College Matriculation

Year: 2020 - 2023
10 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)
Northeastern University
24
Skidmore College, Syracuse University, Boston University, Trinity College
15
Holy Cross, St. Lawrence, UMass-Amherst
11
Wesleyan University, New York University
8
Brown University, Williams College, Colby College, Union College
7
Tufts University, Connecticut College, Hamilton College., Bates College, Boston College, Babson Coll
6
Columbia University, Middlebury College, University of Pennsylvania, Dickinson College, Gettysburg C
5
Yale University, Cornell University, Amherst College, Lehigh University, University of Southern Cali
4
Harvard University, Dartmouth College, Bowdoin College, Georgetown University, Kenyon College, Hobar
3
Princeton University, Bucknell University, Ithaca College, Providence College, West Point, Universit
2
View Matriculation Data

School Notes

  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Gabby Thomas '15 - Olympic gold medalist
    • 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
REQUEST FREE INFORMATION

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 School is often viewed alongside schools like Northfield Mount Hermon, 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: Gabby Thomas '15, 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 25 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Baseball, Basketball, Climbing, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Dance, Diving, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Skiing, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball and Water Polo. The Williston Northampton School is ranked as one of the top boarding schools for most sports offered.
What is The Williston Northampton School's ranking?
The Williston Northampton School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Most sports 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 ).

Student & Alumni Reviews

Review
Description

Class of 1989
5.00
Spring Hill College
I was an outsider kid from St Louis and the Willy culture was wildly accepting and rich. Academics were strong and the support was always there. The place was absolutely special and I still stay. . .

Class of 2016
5.00
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. . .

Class of 2015
5.00
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. . .
Show more reviews (15 reviews)
Submit Review for The Williston Northampton School Earn $20 by submitting your alumni review!

Recent Articles

Teacher Office Hours and Academic Help at Boarding Schools
Teacher Office Hours and Academic Help at Boarding Schools
Explore how boarding school students access teachers, office hours, evening tutoring, and academic support. Learn what parents should ask about availability, supervision, scheduling conflicts, and help when students struggle academically.
Boarding School Academic Schedule Flexibility
Boarding School Academic Schedule Flexibility
Discover how boarding schools handle full classes, scheduling conflicts, waitlists, and alternative courses. Learn what parents should ask to protect academic progress, graduation requirements, and college preparation before enrolling their child.
How Much Free Time Do Boarding Students Get?
How Much Free Time Do Boarding Students Get?
How much free time do boarding students really have? Learn how to evaluate schedules, homework, weekend obligations, activity requirements, and everyday routines before choosing a school that fits your child.

Featured Schools

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 9-12, PG
  • Grades: (Day Students) 7-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 434 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $74,000
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $51,000
  • Acceptance rate: 33%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
School location map

Contact The Williston Northampton School about admissions and next steps.

REQUEST INFO

Most Popular Articles

Special Needs Boarding Schools: A 2026 Parent Guide
Special Needs Boarding Schools: A 2026 Parent Guide
 12 Boarding Schools Costing Less Than $20,000
12 Boarding Schools Costing Less Than $20,000
 School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
 School Mottoes
School Mottoes
 International Boarding Schools: Canada
International Boarding Schools: Canada

More Articles

Financing
Why Boarding School
Archive
School Life
Choosing a School

Quick Links

Find:
Search:
Use:
View: