Summary: The world is changing and learners are changing with it. Emma Willard School's program equips our students to meet the extraordinary opportunities and challenges of their time, building caring, energetic, and thoughtful leaders. Emma Willard School's program is centered around three pillars: Intellectual Flexibility, Purpose & Community, and Equity & Justice. From Academics to Student Life, these pillars permeate the Emma experience. We value creating a sense of belonging and community, holding up an expanded view of learning, and providing students time to reflect on what they've learned and what they would like to learn in the future.

Department Director Meredith Legg

Student/Teacher Ratio: 7/1:

Average Class Size: 11

Summer Programs: Offered

Full Time Teachers: 49

Number of AP Courses Offered: 19

Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 98.0%

Number of IB Courses Offered: 0

Noteworthy Information:
Emma Willard School has moved beyond a focus on testing for Advanced Placement and instead offers its own unique Advanced Studies curriculum, designed specifically to challenge our students and fuel their love of learning.

Learning Support

• Evening Study Assistance
• Learning Center
• Learning Differences Support
• Peer Tutoring
• Study Skills Assistance
• Subject Tutoring
• Technology Center
• Writing Center
• ADD/ADHD Support

English

• Classics
• Creative Writing
• Literature
• Playwriting
• Poetry
• Composition
• Journalism
• American Literature

History

• European History
• Medieval History
• United States History
• World History
• African History
• Art History
• Latin American History

Foreign Languages

• Chinese-Mandarin
• French
• Latin
• Spanish

Religion / Philosophy

• Philosophy
• World Religions

Humanities / Social Sciences

• A

Sciences

• Anatomy
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Genetics
• Marine Biology
• Physics
• Robotics
• Organic Chemistry
• Psychology

Math

• Algebra
• Calculus
• Geometry
• Statistics
• Trigonometry
• Pre-Calculus

Computer Studies

• Computer Applications
• Computer Programming
• Computer Science
• Robotics
• Graphic Design
• Computer Engineering
• Digital Media

Music

• Choral Music
• Individual Instructions
• Music Appreciation
• Opera
• Orchestra
• Voice

Performing / Visual Arts

• Acting
• Art History
• Ballet
• Ceramics
• Choreography
• Dance
• Debate
• Drama
• Drawing
• Film and Video
• Graphic Design
• Lighting Design
• Painting
• Photography
• Portfolio
• Pottery
• Production
• Publications
• Public Speaking
• Sculpture
• Studio Art
• Theater Arts
• Theater Design
• Weaving
• 3-D Art
• Modern Dance
• Orchestra
• Digital Imaging
• Multimedia

Special Programs

• Study Abroad
• Community Service
• Exchange Programs
• Personal Finance
• Independent Study
• Internships
• Leadership
• Physical Education
• Robotics
• Public Speaking
• Student Council
• Science Research
• Maker Space

Distinctive or New Programs

• Jestermester (week-long deep dive into a subject area, sometimes including travel)

Dorm Life

Number of Dorms: 8

Average Students Per Dorm: 20

Number of Girls Dorms: 8

Number of Boys Dorms: 0

Dorm Amenities

• Game Room
• Laundry Facilities
• Lounge
• Vending Machines
• Wireless Internet
• Refrigerator

Other Dorm Amenities

Student Life

One of the most exciting aspects about being a part of Emma is deciding where to get involved! Our inspiring environment will help you to feel comfortable trying something new. We're committed to educating the whole person through proactive health and wellness programming. Our clubs and activities are organized around common pursuits, creating products like the school newspaper or literary magazine—a common purpose, interest, or area of advocacy, or providing a particular service to the school. Emma Willard School’s unique, 200-year history is proudly honored through our traditions, which anchor the student experience and feed the memories that last a lifetime.

Facilities

• Baseball Field
• Basketball Court
• Fitness Center
• Indoor Basketball Court
• Indoor Pool
• Pool
• Technology Center
• Volleyball Court
• Soccer Field
• Tennis Courts
• Dance Studio
• Weight Room
• Athletic Fields
• Outdoor Track
• Cross Country Trails

Other Facilities

Clubs & Organizations

• Amnesty International
• Animal Rights Club
• Asian Club
• Chess Club
• Community Service
• Computer Club
• Debate Club
• Diversity Club
• Dorm Proctors
• Environmental Club
• Fencing Club
• Foreign Language Clubs
• Future Business Leaders of America
• Habitat for Humanity
• International Club
• Jewish Student Organization
• Literary Magazine
• Math Club
• Mock Trial
• Model UN
• Newspaper
• Outing Club
• Peer Counseling
• Peer Tutoring
• Quiz Bowl
• SADD
• Science Bowl
• Sexualities Club
• Student Activities
• Student Government
• Student Publications
• Theater Club
• Yearbook
• Robotics
• Poetry Club
• Peer Mediators
• Recycling Club
• Tutoring Prefects
• Outdoor Activities

Summary: The arts are an integral part of Emma Willard's curriculum and co-curricular life. The arts department offers a variety of courses in music, theatre, dance and visual arts. Students have the opportunity to learn vocabulary and problem-solving and performing techniques that are unique to each discipline. Our course offerings are designed for students of all levels of interest and proficiency so that students are able to explore new areas as well as study a particular art form in depth. In addition to our academic programs, many of our students choose to pursue advanced art learning through Practicum and Emma Artists. When students arrive at Emma, we encourage them to try out a new skill or continue to excel in a sport they’ve been training in for years. At Emma, we can have first-time participants engaging with state and national champions, all spending time together and learning from one another. No matter your skill level, you can find a place to belong and grow! Our focus on wellness through movement goes beyond team sports, including activities from dance to yoga to Practicum sports. We offer 12 varsity sports and JV programs for basketball, lacrosse, field hockey, and soccer. Emma Willard School is both a member of Section II of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association and the New York State Association of Independent Schools. Our teams compete against the top schools around the Capital Region and surrounding areas.

Arts Department Director: Debra Spiro-Allen

Athletics Department Director: Liz Parry

Notable Achievements: Crew: 2023 Freshman 8 1st in State, 2015 NYS 2x Rowing Champions | Swimming and Diving: League Champions 2022, 2023 | Golf: NYS State Qualifier 2022 | Alpine Ski Racing: 2022 NYS Qualifier

Arts

• Acting
• Art History
• Ballet
• Ceramics
• Choreography
• Dance
• Debate
• Drama
• Drawing
• Film and Video
• Graphic Design
• Lighting Design
• Painting
• Photography
• Portfolio
• Pottery
• Production
• Publications
• Public Speaking
• Sculpture
• Studio Art
• Theater Arts
• Theater Design
• Weaving
• 3-D Art
• Modern Dance
• Orchestra
• Digital Imaging
• Multimedia

Interscholastic Sports

• Alpine Ski Racing
• Badminton
• Basketball
• Crew
• Cross Country Running
• Dance
• Diving
• Field Hockey
• Golf
• Lacrosse
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Volleyball
• Indoor Track

Recreational Sports

• Aerobics
• Alpine Skiing
• Badminton
• Dance
• Fencing
• Golf
• Hiking
• Horseback Riding
• Outdoor Education
• Swimming
• Table Tennis
• Tennis
• Ultimate Frisbee
• Weight Lifting
• Ice Skating
• Zumba
• Yoga
• Pilates
• Fitness
• Pickleball
• Bellydancing
• Synchronized Swimming
• Taekwondo
• Outdoor Activities

Summary: College Counseling at Emma Willard School focuses on guiding students to a college or university that complements their interests, aspirations, abilities, and personal sense of community. We educate, counsel, guide, support, and advocate for students throughout their college search, guided by Frank Sachs’ philosophy that “college is a match to be made, not a prize to be won.”

College Information

Percentage of graduates who attend college: 99.0%

Middle Percentile of SAT Scores	Reading	Math	Writing
25th percentile	610	570	610.0
75th percentile	710	770	710.0

Notable Alumni