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, 26 states, and across New York’s Capital Region. They are 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 worlds. 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 are looking for. We offer over 140 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 multivariable calculus, Shakespearean tragedy, theatre, or global climate change, Emma has a course to fit your interest. 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 school year look like? 9th
10th
11th
12th
Two arts courses
Two arts courses
English I
English II
English III
History electives
Classical Mediterranean History
Regional history course
United States history
Regional history course
Contemporary World History
Language*
Advanced mathematics and/or science
Language*
Language*
Mathematics*
Mathematics*
Mathematics*
Biology
Physics of Matter and Motion
Chemistry
Elective(s)
Physical education, team sport, or dance
Health
Physical education, team sport, or dance
Two arts courses
Elective(s) Physical education, team sport, or dance
Two English electives
Physical education, team sport, or dance Any remaining requirements Signature
Practicum
*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 in 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 semesterlong 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 but many girls don’t stop there. Advanced math courses through multi-variable calculus are offered to upper-level math students.
Science Emma’s science sequence begins with Physics of Matter and Motion, one year of Chemistry in grade 10, and one year of Biology in grade 11. Emma takes pride in offering advanced science opportunities and hands-on STEM research projects.
Electives You 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.
How will you put your Signature on the world?
Campus Life Boarding Life Emma is a vibrant, cosmopolitan community made up of girls from 36 countries and 26 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 peer educators live alongside you and make sure you’re as comfortable as possible. They listen to and guide you through life at Emma, and host hall teas and events that allow you to connect 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, or take a Zumba class and 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. 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 about being a part of Emma is deciding where 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 student newspaper The Clock, 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!
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 an activity you’ve been training in for years on one of our 13 interscholastic JV and Varsity athletics teams, or as part of our yoga and dance classes. Emma’s takeon-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, Triangle Takeover, Ring Dinner, Senior Tea, and more. One of the first questions alumnae ask each other is, “Who were you 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
Emma Girls share a commitment to serving and shaping our world by helping others. The belief that you can change the world through service to 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.
Community Service 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. Travel to places like Mongolia, Cambodia, and Ethiopia 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 an exchange through Round Square. The Round Square global network of schools is a worldwide association of more than 140 schools that adhere to the principles of Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership, and Service (IDEALS), which support the growth of the “whole person.” Through Round Square, Emma Girls have participated in exchanges and performed service in countries including Thailand, Peru, Honduras, India, Kenya, South Africa, Romania, and Canada. Learn more about Round Square at roundsquare.org.
Our focus is on the needs of girls, both inside and outside of the classroom. Because of this, our entire community is trained and ready to handle the unique academic, social, emotional, and health considerations of teenage girls.
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, granting travel and other permissions, and checking in with you throughout the day and before bed.
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.
Peer Educators and Proctors
These student leaders are trained by our student life team to be a mainstay of support and encouragement throughout your Emma experience.
Academic Support Services
Emma offers many pathways for academic support, including peer tutors in every discipline, a faculty-staffed math learning center, English and writing support programs, and one-on-one assistance from one of our learning specialists.
College Counseling
By choosing Emma, you have signaled that you’re ready to find a college that best suits your interests. In your junior year, you will be assigned a college counselor who will work with you to find your perfect match, and walk you through the entire 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—in 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, world-renowned tourist destinations, allow you to experience even more of the region’s unique cultures. Emma is also merely 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 help 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 the box. • Research and visit a variety of different schools: big, small, coeducational, single-sex, near and far from home. • The gender of the students at a school is just one component of the overall experience. Consider a variety of characteristics, not just whether it is single-sex or coed. Our Best Fit Guide can help with this. • Before a visit, prepare a list of your five most important questions specific to the school you are visiting. • Consider the values you hold dear. 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!