Williston is an exceptionally well-balanced educational community in the Five College - Amherst, Smith, Mt. Holyoke, Hampshire, & UMASS - area of Western Massachusetts.
Our academic program will provide you every opportunity to challenge yourself, develop new interests and encounter traditional subject matter taught in innovative ways.
The school integrates core college preparatory curriculum with exciting electives and a unique relationship with the Five Colleges while all classes emphasize mastery of language, clarity of thought and academic integrity.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Top Ranked MA School
- Grades: 7-12
- Enrollment: 490 students
- Yearly Tuition: $76,000
- Average class size: 12 students
- Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
The Williston Northampton School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Massachusetts for:
Category
Attribute
Student Body
AP Courses
Sports offered
Extracurriculars
School History
School Overview
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 7-12
Offers Post-Graduate Year
Yes
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Year Founded
1841
Colors
Blue, Green
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
490 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
44%
State avg.: 29%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
98 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
5:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
76%
Average Class Size
12 students
Number of AP Courses
24 courses
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry, AP Comparative Government & Politics, AP Computer Science, AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP French Language, AP Latin:Vergil, AP Microeconomics, AP Physics B, AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP Psychology, AP Spanish Language, AP Statistics, AP United States History, BC & Multivariable Calculus
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Feb. 1 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$76,000
Admissions Director
Chris Dietrich
Sports
Total Sports Offered
21 sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
24 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Amnesty International, ARETE (Senior Tutors), Community Service, Dance, Film Club, French Club, Gay Straight Alliance, Gold Key (Student Tour Guides), Green Team, Habitat for Humanity, Heifer Project International, International Club, Janus (Literary Magazine), Jazz Band, Orchestra, Peer Educators, Political Forum, Spanish Club, String Ensemble, Student Alumni Organization, Student Council, The Log (Yearbook), Ultimate Frisbee, Willistonian (Student Newspaper)
School Notes
- School Mascot: Wildcat, Wildcats
- Members of the Class of 2009 were accepted at 46 of Barron's 75 Most Competitive colleges & universities in the counntry.
- Offers a unique program: The Writer's Workshop series. In its twelfth year, the fall 2009 series will feature Martin Espada ("The Republic of Poetry") and Sebastian Stuart ("The Hour Between"). Previous speakers include Pulitizer Prize winners Richard Russo and James Tate, writers Arthur Golden, Anita Shreve, Augusten Burroughs, Curtis Sittenfeld, Gregory Maguire, Jodi Picoult, and screenwriter Chic Eglee '70.
- Ninth Grade Program designed to ease the transition from middle school to secondary school and to build camaraderie in the entering class.
- New Ninth Grade boys dorm opened in September 2008 featuring geothermal wells for heating and cooling.
- Completed successful $36 million dollar Campaign for Legacy & Vision in June 2008 raising funds for endowment, faculty support and financial aid.
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Gabby Thomas '15 - Three-time Olympic gold medalist in sprinting events; five overall Olympic medals
- Ann Dowd '74 - Award-winning television, film, and stage actress
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does The Williston Northampton School cost?
The Williston Northampton School's tuition is approximately $76,000 for private students.
What schools are The Williston Northampton School often compared to?
The Williston Northampton School is often viewed alongside schools like The Macduffie School by visitors of our site.
Who are famous alumni from The Williston Northampton School?
The Williston Northampton School famous alumni include: Gabby Thomas '15, Ann Dowd '74, 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 21 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Baseball, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Dance, Diving, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball and Water Polo. The Williston Northampton School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Massachusetts for most sports offered.
What is The Williston Northampton School's ranking?
The Williston Northampton School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Massachusetts for: Largest student body, Most AP courses offered, Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for The Williston Northampton School?
The application deadline for The Williston Northampton School is Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
Related Schools
Show me:
Popular comparisons: The Williston Northampton School vs. The Macduffie School
People that viewed The Williston Northampton School also viewed these schools: Deerfield Academy, Suffield Academy, Northfield Mount Hermon, Wilbraham & Monson Academy and Worcester Academy.
The nearest high school to The Williston Northampton School is Cutchins Program (4.5 miles away)
The nearest elementary school is Clarke Schools For Hearing And Speech (4.1 miles away)
The nearest preschool is Clown Around Preschool (2.6 miles away)
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Location
Miles
Grades
Students
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9-12
410
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Gill, MA 01354
(413) 498-3227
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9-12
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(413) 596-6811
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6-12
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School Reviews
5 4/23/2013
There are many things to love about Williston. Just to start somewhere, this is a place where students are encouraged to be authentic and this usually means that they are not cut-throat like some of the students at the more well-known prep schools. It is a caring community at every level. Top students will be challenged, but students who come needing some extra help will get that too. The teachers are outstanding by any measure, and are more caring than any place we''ve seen.
The location, though, is fantastic. Being a part of Easthampton and near Northampton add so much to climate. Finally, the athletic facilities are great!!!
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