Summary: Since 1884, Annie Wright Schools have offered excellent academic programs that challenge students to reach their full intellectual potential. Annie Wright is an International Baccalaureate World School. Emphasis on inquiry, communication, meaningful action, global-mindedness, development of the whole child and measurable outcomes for students and teachers are common throughout IB programs. The International Baccalaureate, founded in 1968, is an educational nonprofit organization that aims to develop intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to prepare students for a rapidly globalizing world. IB students, particularly at the Diploma Programme level, meet rigorous international standards of academic excellence. Annie Wright Upper Schools prepare students extraordinarily well for college, offering small classes, independent-minded peers and an exceptional faculty. Our challenging curriculum appeals to motivated students with a variety of learning styles, with learning support experts to address individual needs. Most importantly, Annie Wright prepares students for a lifetime of learning, instilling in our students genuine curiosity and the courage to ask questions, seek creative answers and meet the challenges of a rapidly-changing, complex and culturally-diverse world. The Upper Schools are committed to helping each student identify and define their particular passions within a context of service to someone or something beyond themselves, turning learning into meaningful action.

Department Director

Student/Teacher Ratio: 7:1

Average Class Size: 14

Summer Programs: Not Offered

Full Time Teachers: 36

Number of AP Courses Offered: 0

Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 85.0%

Number of IB Courses Offered: 45.0

Learning Support

• Evening Study Assistance
• Learning Center
• Learning Differences Support
• Peer Tutoring
• Study Skills Assistance
• Subject Tutoring
• Technology Center

English

• Classics
• Creative Writing
• Honors
• Literature
• Playwriting
• Poetry
• Journalism

History

• European History
• Honors
• United States History
• World History

Foreign Languages

• Chinese-Mandarin
• Spanish

Humanities / Social Sciences

• E

Sciences

• Anatomy
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Earth Science
• Ecology
• Environmental Science
• Physical Science
• Physics
• Sports Medicine

Math

• Algebra
• Calculus
• Functions
• Geometry
• Honors Math
• Probability
• Statistics
• Trigonometry
• Pre-Calculus
• Pre-Algebra

Computer Studies

• Computer Applications
• Computer Programming
• Computer Science
• Robotics

Music

• Individual Instructions
• Orchestra
• Songwriting

Performing / Visual Arts

• Acting
• Dance
• Debate
• Design
• Directing
• Drama
• Drawing
• Fashion Design
• Film and Video
• Journalism
• Lighting Design
• Painting
• Photography
• Portfolio
• Printmaking
• Production
• Publications
• Screenwriting
• Sculpture
• Stagecraft
• Studio Art
• Textiles
• Theater Arts
• Theater Design
• Orchestra

Special Programs

• Study Abroad
• Community Service
• Exchange Programs
• Leadership
• Outdoor Education
• Entrepreneurship
• Robotics
• Public Speaking
• Student Council

Distinctive or New Programs

• International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB) (s)Electives: robust activities program Student leadership Trips & retreats included as part of tuition

Dorm Life

Number of Dorms: 2

Average Students Per Dorm: 66

Number of Girls Dorms: 1

Number of Boys Dorms: 1

Dorm Amenities

• Game Room
• Laundry Facilities
• Lounge
• Wireless Internet
• Full Kitchen
• Refrigerator

Other Dorm Amenities

pool gyms field gardens walking distance to shops and restaurants

Student Life

Students from around the state, country and world love to live and learn at Annie Wright Schools, where they develop deep friendships that last a lifetime. Boarding at Annie Wright is fun, safe and educational and a lot like living in a giant family. Our community makes up around half of the Upper School population, and the eight residential faculty – dorm parents – are dedicated to each student's well-being and academic success. Annie Wright Schools are nestled on a beautiful campus in the North End neighborhood of Tacoma, Washington, overlooking the Puget Sound. Shops and restaurants are a short walk away, and the city is near majestic national parks and Mt. Rainier. Tacoma is about 45 minutes south of Seattle and just 30 minutes from Sea-Tac airport. Dorm rooms are each unique, comfortable and spacious. Students enjoy shared kitchen facilities, media lounges and study spaces around the dorm. Its location right in our main building makes access to the dining hall, classrooms, library, gym and other campus facilities as easy as walking down the hall. Boarding prefects are selected in their senior year to work closely with resident staff to build a vibrant and nurturing dorm community. Each prefect is responsible for leading a specific dorm group, by way of facilitating weekly check-ins, planning community-building activities, designing “All-Dorm Fun” programming, and being an active listener, role model and advocate for all resident students. Residential life offers a wide variety of fun and engaging activities. Examples include: ice skating, skiing and snowboarding camping, hiking and rock climbing museum and city tours theater shows and sports events sushi making, tie-dying and even a real trapeze class spontaneous and planned game nights, movie nights, cookie baking, parties, shopping trips and more "All-Dorm Fun” events, organized by the prefects, which have included a Halloween murder mystery, a spring carnival, roller-skating, and more!

Facilities

• Basketball Court
• Fitness Center
• Indoor Basketball Court
• Indoor Climbing Wall
• Indoor Pool
• Pool
• Technology Center
• Volleyball Court

Other Facilities

Clubs & Organizations

• Asian Club
• Chess Club
• Community Service
• Debate Club
• Diversity Club
• Dorm Proctors
• Drama Club
• Environmental Club
• Fencing Club
• Foreign Language Clubs
• Gardening Club
• Habitat for Humanity
• Honor Council
• International Club
• Literary Magazine
• Math Club
• Model UN
• Newspaper
• Outing Club
• Peer Tutoring
• Pep Club
• Photography Club
• Quiz Bowl
• Sailing Club
• Science Bowl
• Sexualities Club
• Student Activities
• Student Government
• Student Publications
• Theater Club
• Yearbook
• Yoga Club

Summary: ARTS The ARTS at Annie Wright Schools are about Skills, Stories, and People. Across the disciplines of visual arts, media arts, music performance, music production, technical theatre, theatre performance, and film, we cultivate the skills of each discipline so that we can more skillfully and powerfully uphold the stories, sounds, and images of our knowledge, perspectives, and identities. Annie Wright Upper Schools uphold spaces within & beyond the school day for students to develop skills and discipline as creative thinkers, generators, problem-solvers, technicians, collaborators, and expressors. Within the academic program, arts-based development in music and visual arts are guided through IB arts curricula and elective courses unique to Annie Wright Schools. Beyond the school day, students extend their interests in discipline-specific areas including orchestra, music production, theatre performance, theatre design & tech, visual arts, digital media, and cinematic storytelling. For more, visit https://www.aw.org/upper-school/arts. ATHLETICS Annie Wright Upper School teachers and coaches harbor a mentality of positivity, teamwork, inspiration, vision and goal-setting. Every Annie Wright student is a Gator, and there is a place on our teams for everyone, regardless of ability level. At the same time, we strive for excellence and set goals to win league championships for every team. Annie Wright Schools are a 1A classification member of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) as a participant of the West Central District III and Nisqually League.

Arts Department Director: Annie Green

Athletics Department Director: Mike Finch

Notable Achievements: Volleyball undefeated seasons in 2012 & 2013, Girls basketball went to state in 2019 & 2020, Basketball player on track to beat WA scoring rec

Arts

• Acting
• Dance
• Debate
• Design
• Directing
• Drama
• Drawing
• Fashion Design
• Film and Video
• Journalism
• Lighting Design
• Painting
• Photography
• Portfolio
• Printmaking
• Production
• Publications
• Screenwriting
• Sculpture
• Stagecraft
• Studio Art
• Textiles
• Theater Arts
• Theater Design
• Orchestra

Interscholastic Sports

• Basketball
• Cross Country Running
• Football
• Golf
• Outdoor Education
• Soccer
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Volleyball

Recreational Sports

• Basketball
• Camping
• Cross Country Running
• Dance
• Football
• Golf
• Hiking
• Kayaking
• Outdoor Education
• Rock Climbing
• Sailing
• Soccer
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Volleyball

Summary: Annie Wright students can go anywhere and do anything after high school. No matter their goal - large research institution, small liberal arts college, international university, visual arts conservatory, service academy - the college counseling team is here to support them every step of the way. Preparation for the college admission process is embedded in the curriculum starting in Grade 9, allowing students to participate in activities that not only prepare them to be competitive for the process, but also to empower them to be strong students and engaged community members. College Counselors know and care deeply about each student as an individual, and can help them discover colleges where they will thrive. Year after year, an overwhelming number of recent graduates tell us they are happy with the support for the college process, as well as the outcome.

College Information

Percentage of graduates who attend college: 100.0%

Middle Percentile of SAT Scores	Reading	Math	Writing
25th percentile
75th percentile

College attended in the past 5 years by our graduates:

Notable Alumni

Merit Scholarships: Offered

Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 15.0%

Average Merit Scholarship: 5,000

Current Endowment Amount: $17,238,333