The Williston Northampton School

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 (2024)

  • Top Ranked MA School
  • Grades: 7-12
  • Enrollment: 450 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
Sports offered
School History

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 7-12
Offers Post-Graduate Year
Yes
Year Founded
1841

Student Body

Total Students
450 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
13%
State avg.: 30%
Students by Grade
The Williston Northampton School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
59 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
8:1
National avg.: 13:1
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

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Feb. 1 / rolling
Admissions Director
Chris Dietrich

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

  • 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:
    • Steve Porter ’97 - PorterHouse Media produces ESPN video mashups
    • 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

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are famous alumni from The Williston Northampton School?
The Williston Northampton School famous alumni include: Steve Porter ’97, 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 20 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Baseball, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Diving, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Water Polo and Wrestling. 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 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 ).

School Reviews

5  
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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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked MA School
  • Grades: 7-12
  • Enrollment: 450 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Hampshire County, MA is $21,939 for elementary schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

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