I am an Emma Girl, capable and determined.
Welcome to Emma!
In 1814, Emma Hart Willard opened the doors of her home in Middlebury, Vermont to girls seeking a rich educational experience comparable with their brothers.
She pioneered girls’ education, taking it from focusing on “the charms of youth and beauty” to intellectually stimulating and rigorous courses in mathematics, geography, history, science, and philosophy.
More than 200 years later, Emma Willard School continues to proudly foster in each of our girls a love of learning, the habits of an intellectual life; and the character, moral strength, and qualities of leadership to serve and shape her world. We pay homage to our founder by using her signature as our logo, inspiring Emma Girls to put their own unique signatures on the world.
We commend you on taking the initiative to seek out the best fit school for you. By doing so, you already show that you are ready for something more than the typical high school experience. This book will tell you much about Emma, but to find out even more visit emmawillard.org/about-emma
Who is an Emma Girl?
There is no one way to describe an Emma Girl.
We celebrate our girls’ intellectual curiosity and drive to make their mark on the world, but also each of their unique personalities, talents, and interests.
Emma Girls bring individuality and flair from 36 countries, 20 states, and across New York’s Capital Region. They are budding mathematicians, filmmakers, dancers and choreographers, novelists, environmentalists, bio technicians, and more.
To be an Emma Girl is to be exactly who you want to be. It’s great if you already know who that is, but it’s okay if you want to dig deeper.
Emma Willard School is a place to discover what it means to be your best self.
Are you an Emma Girl?
Are you:
Driven by a love of learning
Looking to make the world a better place
Seeking a creative outlet for your talents
Eager to discover new interests
Inspired by the bond of sisterhood
Aspiring to lead
Fulfilled by giving back to others
Check out our E(mma)-book for a countdown of the top 20 questions at emmawillard.org/20questions.
Academics
Madame Emma Hart Willard founded her school on the basis of providing girls with a first-class education that challenged, inspired, and enabled them to serve and shape their world. This is still true of the rigorous curriculum at Emma Willard School more than 200 years later.
Our curriculum helps you focus your future aspirations, and equips you with the interdisciplinary knowledge competitive colleges (and future employers!) are looking for. We offer over 120 courses, including Advanced Placement in all disciplines, and provide opportunities for you to pursue an interest through our personalized study programs, Practicum and Signature.
Courses at Emma range from .25 units to 1.5 units. Each Emma Girl’s journey is as unique as she is, allowing her to meet all course requirements while maintaining control over her choices.
Whether you’re interested in studying calculus, Shakespearean tragedy, theatre, or global climate change, Emma has the courses to feed your curiosity. View our full list of courses at emmawillard.org/courses.
At Emma, we believe college is a match to be made, not a prize to be won. Our College Counseling team helps girls find the best match for their interests and aspirations.
To see Emma’s college profile, visit emmawillard.org/collegeprofile.
What does a typical Emma Girl’s schedule look like?
9th
Two arts courses
English I
Classical Mediterranean History
Regional history course
Language*
Mathematics*
Physics of Matter and Motion
Physical education, team sport, or dance
10th
Two arts courses
English II
Regional history course
Contemporary World History
Language*
Mathematics*
Chemistry
Health
Elective(s)
Physical education, team sport, or dance
11th
Two arts courses
English III
United States History
Language*
Mathematics*
Biology
Elective(s)
Physical education, team sport, or dance
Practicum
12th
Two English electives
History electives
Advanced mathematics and/or science
Physical education, team sport, or dance
Any remaining requirements
Signature
*A placement test will guide mathematics and language courses for new students. Your schedule is personal to you and will enable you to build a strong foundation for college.
A Personalized Approach
Arts
Tap into your creativity through Emma’s expansive arts program. We offer courses for all levels, from the budding musician to the advanced artist.
Athletics & Physical Education
All Emma Girls take physical education or its equivalent in team sports or dance all year during 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. We offer JV and Varsity sports, yoga, Zumba, and more.
English
During 9th, 10th, and 11th grades, you will take full-year English courses. In 12th grade, you may choose two English electives, one per semester. Example electives include Gothic Literature, Literature of Fairy Tales, and Poetry Workshop.
History & Social Sciences
Girls in 9th and 10th grades complete a two-year sequence in World History consisting of four semester-long courses. A United States History course is taken in 11th or 12th grade, and a variety of challenging electives are available to enrich the history buff’s soul.
Language
Emma offers French, Spanish, Latin, or Chinese—after an initial placement test. Many girls take advantage of advanced language courses and travel abroad to enhance their learning.
Mathematics
Completion of Algebra I, Algebraic Geometry, and Algebra II/Trigonometry are a must and many girls don’t stop there. Advanced math courses through Multivariable Calculus are offered to upper-level math students.
Science
Emma’s science sequence begins with Physics of Matter and Motion in 9th grade, Chemistry in 10th grade, and Biology in 11th grade. Emma takes pride in offering advanced science opportunities and hands-on STEM research projects.
Electives
You will have the opportunity to explore new interests and refine your skills with one of our many electives. Courses such as Neuroscience, Astrobiology, Advanced Photography and Film, and World Religions and Literature allow you to think outside of the traditional curriculum.
To see Emma’s graduation requirements, visit emmawillard.org/requirements.
Personalized Learning
As Amelia Earhart famously noted, “The best way to do it, is to do it!” We couldn’t agree more with this philosophy and offer many opportunities for you to pursue what you love through our personalized study programs.
Practicum
Interested in emergency medicine, teaching literacy, learning how to fence, or creating an advanced series of art works? You can do these things and more through our Practicum program. Whatever your interest, Emma will pair you with mentors, faculty advisors, coaches, peers, alumnae, and others to guide you as you gain real-world, hands-on experience on- and off-campus. Learn more at emmawillard.org/practicum
Signature
Signature, Emma’s capstone program, enables you to take your interests even further by pairing you with a mentor and encouraging you to explore what truly motivates you. Emma Girls have used Signature to promote local women-owned businesses, work on cutting-edge biotechnology research, report for the Albany Times Union, and create their own films. View examples of past Signature projects at emmawillard.org/signature and see some recent Signature blogs at emmawillard.org/signature/blog.
How will you put your Signature on the world?
See a video produced by Salome M. ‘18 (pictured right) as part of her Marketing, Branding, and Advertising Signature project at emmawillard.org/salome.
Campus Life
Boarding Life
Emma is a vibrant, cosmopolitan community made up of girls from 36 countries and 20 states, and our boarders represent 60 percent of the student population.
With so many girls making their home within our castle walls, the opportunities for learning, fun, and camaraderie extend well beyond the typical school day and into the evenings and weekends.
Our resident faculty, proctors, and wellness advocates live alongside you and make sure you’re feeling connected and engaged. They listen to and guide you through life at Emma, and host hall events that allow you to make friendships with girls from all over the globe.
Weekends
When classes let out for the week, Emma is devoted to relaxation and enjoyment. Leave campus to explore the farmer’s market, boutiques, cafés, and coffee shops in Troy and the surrounding Capital Region, take a yoga, badminton, or Zumba class, or enjoy the many other fun on-campus events planned each weekend.
Learn more about weekend activities at emmawillard.org/weekends.
Day Life
It’s nearly impossible to pick out who is a boarding student and who is a day student. At Emma, we welcome 140 day students each year. Day students are often found on campus in the evenings—enjoying dinner with friends, at club meetings, or playing on a team. Day students are welcome to sleep over with their boarding friends, or host their friends at home on the weekends.
Transportation to Emma is provided by many school districts. Carpooling is also a great option for our day families.
Clubs & Activities
One of the most exciting aspects of being at Emma is deciding how to get involved. We have clubs and activities for nearly every interest. Choose from Emma Green, Pride Alliance, Foreign and American Student Organization (FASO), The Clock (our student newspaper), Science Olympiad, one of our a capella singing groups, and many more.
Emma Girls love sharing their talents, and our inspiring environment will allow you to feel comfortable trying something new, or even starting a club of your own. This is your moment to be a leader!
Mind, Body, Spirit
Support. Inspiration. Determination. Spirit. Strength. Trust. These are the words Emma Girls use to describe the Emma experience. Physical education, dance, and team sports are part of our larger commitment to wellness, where teamwork builds not just strength of body, but also close friendships and self-confidence.
Try out new skills or truly excel in one of our 13 interscholastic JV and Varsity athletics teams. Find strength and freedom in our yoga and dance classes. Emma’s take-on-anything culture means we have everything from first-time players to state and national champions playing with and learning from each other.
Traditions
Emma’s unique, 200-year history is honored through our long-standing traditions, which create lifelong bonds between our girls. Emma traditions that mark special moments throughout the year include Eventide, May Day, Revels, Ring Dinner, Senior Tea, and more.
One of the first questions alumnae ask each other is, “What was your part in Revels?” Revels, Emma’s century-old play is reinvented and brought to life each year by the senior class, allowing each girl to make her mark on the iconic show.
Learn more about our traditions at emmawillard.org/traditions
A Distinctive Worldview
The belief that you can change the world through service with others is strong at Emma.
Fair Trade
Emma Girls are catalysts for change. In 2010, our girls led an effort to make Emma Willard School the first Fair Trade High School in the nation. Today, many of the products and goods we use—from coffee to chocolate—meet fair trade standards, which ensure the people in the communities where the items are produced receive a fair wage in return. Money made from the sale of fair trade goods also funds education scholarships and environmental projects in these communities.
Service Learning
We believe service is among the best possible lessons we can teach our girls, and together we roll up our sleeves to help others. Among other things, Emma Girls volunteer at local animal shelters, food pantries, with Habitat for Humanity, making meals at soup kitchens, and assisting at head-start programs. Emma Girls know that when we lift up others, we also lift up ourselves.
Beyond Emma
Emma offers many opportunities for you to take your learning abroad, well beyond traditional trips to London or Paris. Our AWAY programs will allow you to travel to places like Bermuda, Kenya, Italy, the Galapagos Islands, and Taiwan to immerse yourself in a new culture and perform meaningful acts of service, such as teaching English, or building new schools and water infrastructure.
Experience another culture by participating in the Emma Exchange program. Emma Girls have participated in exchanges and service in countries including Argentina, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and beyond. Learn more about our distinctive worldview at emmawillard.org/academics.
Emma Girls share a commitment to serving and shaping their world.
Emma is a leader in girls-first thinking.
Our focus is on the needs of girls, both inside and outside of the classroom.
Advisors
Each Emma Girl has a member of the adult community who serves as her advisor. Advisors are the first point of contact for you to turn to with questions and for guidance on every aspect of life at Emma.
Resident Faculty
As a boarder, you will live alongside a resident faculty member in the dormitories. Their priorities focus on overseeing your physical and emotional well-being, planning community-building activities, overseeing travel and other permissions, and checking in with you after school and throughout the evening.
Freshman and Sophomore Programs
Emma has programming specifically designed to help our youngest girls transition to a new living and learning environment and develop lasting bonds that extend well beyond graduation.
Wellness Advocates and Proctors
These student leaders are trained by our student life team to be a mainstay of guidance and encouragement throughout your Emma experience.
Academic Support
Emma offers many pathways for academic support, including peer tutors in every discipline, a faculty-staffed Math Learning Center, English, Math, Science, and writing support programs, and the cultivation of study and organizational habits.
College Counseling
In your junior year, you will be assigned a college counselor who will work with you to find your best fit, and guide you through the entire college application and decision-making process.
Alumnae Network
The confidence and knowledge gained at Emma will power you through your lifetime. Our vast alumnae network of over 8,000 unique, intelligent women boasts Olympians, top-level politicians, high-profile CEOs, acclaimed architects, ground-breaking researchers, innovators, and even an Academy Award winner.
A Community of Strength
Authentically Emma
Emma Willard School is located atop Mount Ida in Troy, New York—the heart of New York’s Capital Region.
This region is home to the New York state government, fast-paced software development research, internationally-recognized chip fabrication facilities, and renowned academic institutions such as Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Emma Girls have opportunities to engage and learn throughout the region, and enjoy Troy’s bustling farmer’s market, cafés, shops, and city-wide events. Nearby Albany and Saratoga Springs allow you to experience even more community engagement opportunitues in the region’s unique cultures.
Emma is also just a few hours away from major cultural destinations including New York City, Boston, Montreal, and the beautiful Adirondack State Park.
Learn more about our unique location at emmawillard.org/capitalregion.
A Big Decision
We know you have a lot to consider as you decide on the best fit for your education. Our admissions team is here to guide you through this process. The best way to find a match is to visit a school, take a tour, and ask questions.
Here are some of our best tips to prepare for upcoming school visits:
• Defining your list too narrowly may cause you to miss a special place or opportunity. Think outside your comfort zone and include one of those schools in your search.
• Research and visit a variety of different schools. Big, small, coeducational, single-sex, near and far from home will expand your view of what is possible.
• Before a visit, prepare a list of five important questions specific to the school you are visiting.
• Consider your values. Look to see those values reflected in your high school.
• No question is silly or too nitpicky. Ask the tour guides! At a great school, a tour guide can be honest while still taking pride in her experience and her school.
• Save enough time after the visit to check out the surrounding area. Ask the admissions staff for their recommendations for a snack before the ride home.
• Use the ride home to reflect on the visit. Jot down impressions and important details you learned. This list will be important later in the process.
• Most importantly, have fun!
How to Apply
The admissions team at Emma is here to help you with the application process. The Emma application includes the following:
Application
This can be completed online at emmawillard.org/admissions. The application includes:
• Application Form
• Essay
• Parent Statement
• Application Fee
We also accept the SAO (Standard Application Online), Gateway, and TABS applications.
Transcripts
Should be completed by a school official and contain a minimum of two years of credits as well as the first semester or trimester of the current academic year.
Recommendations
• English Teacher
• Math Teacher
• Teacher of Choice
Testing
While we look at much more than test scores when selecting future Emma Girls, standardized tests help us learn more about your academic background. More information on the tests we use in our admissions process can be found at emmawillard.org/admissions.
Visit and Interview
Please complete a visit form to schedule your visit and interview, or register for an Experience Emma event. emmawillard.org/admissions/visit
Important dates
International Application deadline January 15
Application deadline: February 1
Financial aid application deadline: February 1
Admissions decision: March 10
Enrollment contract and deposit due: April 10
Tuition 2018-2019
Boarding Students: $62,150
Tuition, room, and board
Day Students: $37,690
Tuition including meals
Student/Faculty Ratio 6:1
Average Class Size: 12-14
Course Offerings: 123
Interscholastic Sports: 13
Founded: 1814
Acres: 137
Buildings: 23
Accredited by The New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS)
1st Fair Trade High School in the United States
285 Pawling Avenue, Troy, New York 12180 www.emmawillard.org