Kimball Union Academy (Top Ranked Private School for 2024-25)

64 Main Street
Meriden, NH 03770

Kimball Union draws from 200 years of experience to provide a 21st century curriculum which meets students where they are academically and prepares them for achievement in college and life.

Guided by consistent and engaged leadership, KUA inspires "mastery, creativity, responsibility, and leadership" in a friendly, warm, holistic environment on its 1300-acre campus in Meriden, NH.

Our extraordinary faculty delivers academic excellence from supported learning to advanced concentrations in specific academic areas.

Kimball Union is often defined by our positive and inclusive community, which is advanced by our comprehensive Student Life program. This highlights a (purposeful) focus on leadership, character building, and ethics in the classrooms, dorms, studios, and playing fields.

Signature Programs include varsity athletics; visual and performing arts; STEM, Global, and Art Scholar programs; Capstone projects; Fire Brigade; and sustainable farming. They provide students with opportunities to take their learning beyond the classroom.

Some of the most experienced college division 1 level coaches in New England provide excellent training from skills development to the highest levels of competition while reinforcing our ideals of "the scholar-athlete" and have lead our alumni to compete professionally in the NFL, NHL, and Olympic Games.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

Top Ranked NH School
Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 338 students
Yearly Tuition: $77,200
Acceptance rate: 30%
Average class size: 12 students
Application Deadline: Feb. 1
Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Kimball Union Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New Hampshire for:

School Overview

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades 9-12

Offers Post-Graduate Year

Yes

ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Learning Difference Programs

Yes

Learning Programs Supported

The Gosselin Learning Center

Year Founded

1813

Student Body

Total Students

338 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

22%

State avg.: 17%

Students by Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

53 teachers

Student : Teacher Ratio

6:1

National avg.: 13:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

70%

Average Class Size

12 students

Number of AP Courses

25 courses

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Advanced Courses

Art History, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, English Language, English Literature, Environmental Science, European History, French Language, Human Geography, Latin: Literature, Latin: Vergil, Physics B, Spanish Language, Statistics, Studio Art, U.S. History, World History

Average SAT score

1350

(Out of 1600)

Average ACT score

(Out of 36)

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

Link to Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Feb. 1

Yearly Tuition Cost

$77,200

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

Day $46800

% on Financial Aid

30%

Average Financial Aid Grant

$32,000

Acceptance Rate

30%

National avg.: 85%

Admissions Director

Josh Labove

Endowment Size

$72.9 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered

22 sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

38 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:
Camping, Community Service, Diversity Club, Dog Walking Club, Dorm Proctors, Environmental Club, Fire Brigade, Foreign Language Clubs, Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA), Habitat for Humanity, Honor Council, Literary Magazine, Math Club, Model UN, Newspaper, Outing Club (canoeing, hiking, etc), Peer Tutoring, Relay Diversity, Residential Proctor, School Tour Guides, Stem Club, Student Government, The Claw - Student Newspaper, The Penny Fellowship - Community Service, Yearbook

Arts and Music Programs:
Dance, Photography, Rock Ensemble, Theater Activity, Winter Musical Production

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Alpine Skiing (recreational), Equestrian, Fitness Training, Instructional Golf, Instructional Tennis, Pottery Activity, Recreational Skiing, Strength and Conditioning

School Notes

Integrated college advising system prepares students throughout their KUA career to achieve their highest potential and attend highly competitive schools.
Through our multi-layered learning center program, our faculty provides a range of expertise and support to students at all levels of performance.
Facilities include a modern campus center, a beautiful arts center, SMART classrooms with state-of-the-art technology, an environmental science center and greenhouse, athletic center and hockey arena, indoor and outdoor turf fields, fitness center, tennis courts, library, and technology labs.
Kimball Union`s highly qualified and dedicated faculty is committed to serving our students and families. Our faculty members get to know each individual student in the classroom, as dorm parents, coaches, and mentors. These close relationships and the individual growth our students experience during their time here are hallmarks of a Kimball Union education.
Nestled in the intellectually vibrant Upper Valley in close proximity to Dartmouth College, Kimball Union benefits from world-class arts, entertainment, athletic, and cultural events that are staples of the community.

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Ernest Everett Just - African American biologist
- Dana Stone - Vietnam War photographer
- Chester Bradley Jordan - Governor of New Hampshire
- Kathryn Woodman Leighton - artist
- Augustus Washington - African American photographer
- Andrew Wheating - Olympian
- F. Lee Bailey - defense attorney
- Kasim Edebali - NFL football player
- Steven Sotloff - journalist
- Richard Aitson - Native American poet

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Kimball Union Academy cost?

Kimball Union Academy's tuition is approximately $77,200 for private students.

What is the acceptance rate of Kimball Union Academy?

The acceptance rate of Kimball Union Academy is 30%, which is lower than the national average of 74%. Kimball Union Academy's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in New Hampshire with low acceptance rates.

Who are famous alumni from Kimball Union Academy?

Kimball Union Academy famous alumni include: Ernest Everett Just, Dana Stone, Chester Bradley Jordan, Kathryn Woodman Leighton, Augustus Washington, Andrew Wheating, F. Lee Bailey, Kasim Edebali, Steven Sotloff and Richard Aitson.

What sports does Kimball Union Academy offer?

Kimball Union Academy offers 22 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Cycling, Dance, Equestrian, Field Hockey, Freestyle Skiing, Golf, Ice Hockey, Indoor Soccer, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Nordic Skiing, Ski Jumping, Snowboarding, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field and Volleyball. Kimball Union Academy is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in New Hampshire for most sports offered.

What is Kimball Union Academy's ranking?

Kimball Union Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New Hampshire for: Highest average SAT score, Lowest average acceptance rates, Largest student body, Most AP courses offered, Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered, Oldest founding date and Largest endowments.

When is the application deadline for Kimball Union Academy?

The application deadline for Kimball Union Academy is Feb. 1.

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