TransformativeProgramsandOpportunitiesDigital

Western Reserve Academy TRANSFORMATIVE PROGRAMS & OPPORTUNITIES

For 200 years, Western Reserve Academy, a premier coed boarding and day school for grades 9–PG students in Hudson, Ohio, has inspired students to blaze trails in learning and in life — honoring tradition, sparking innovation and radiating joy. Scan to inquire!

- sui generis -

- service & travel -

Western Reserve Academy prepares students to blaze trails in learning and in life, offering an unparalleled educational experience rooted in tradition, innovation and joy. Below are a sampling of WRA programs (and heads of school!) that transcend the ordinary and enter the realm of the truly unique — Sui Generis.

Western Reserve Academy offers transformative learning that extends beyond the classroom, connecting local service with global engagement. Through Community Outreach & Global Engagement, students develop empathy, problem-solving skills and a commitment to the greater good.

Suzanne Walker Buck, the first female Head of School in WRA’s 200-year history, leads with a dedicated commitment to wellness and community. Drawing on a shared history of light and truth, Suzanne embraces joy as an additional beacon. The result brings a harmonious balance that not only fuels the vibrant energy and creativity on campus but leaves an enduring impact that resonates long after.

Advanced science courses in Cancer Immunology and Synthetic Biology connect students with Cleveland’s leading healthcare institutions, offering hands-on research, cutting-edge lab access and real-world applications — from cancer vaccine research to genetically engineered solutions.

WRA’s future Center for Food Innovation, Service and Sustainability (CFISS) seeks to explore food through scientific, cultural and economic lenses — bringing courses like Anthropology of Food Systems and Agricultural Engineering to life and preparing students to take the lead on global challenges.

WRA’s Compass program empowers students to pursue bold ideas, navigating the pitch, the challenges, the presentation, and ultimately, the meaningful solutions.

The Wang Innovation Center (WIC) is a dynamic 6,000-square-foot hub that transcends the typical makerspace, offering state-of-the-art equipment and dedicated areas for ideation, prototyping and final production. Since its opening in 2016, it has been a vibrant space for diverse student activities, including the creation of PPE during shortages, culinary molds and entrepreneurial ventures. The WIC embodies a spirit of limitless possibility and hands-on, brain-on exploration, proving that where there’s a WIC, there’s a way.

WRA’s service program builds intentionally across grade levels: freshmen support the school community; sophomores serve locally; juniors focus on environmental impact; and seniors and PGs lead, reflecting on service as a lifelong value. Service Leaders help anchor a campus culture of giving, organizing events and volunteer efforts.

Global opportunities include the annual Reserve on the Rez trip to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota and the Jump the World exchange in Guatemala, blending cultural immersion and service. These experiences cultivate global citizenship and perspective.

The Ellen C. Long Study Abroad (ELISA) Program offers fully funded summer homestays in countries like Costa Rica, France, Taiwan and Germany, deepening cultural understanding and language fluency.

WRA also partners with alumni and institutions around the world. Students can intern with Dr. Paul Klotman ’68 at Baylor College of Medicine, participate in the International Summer Science School Heidelberg, or pursue research and earn college credit through Kenyon College and the University of Akron. Break trips, like those to the Galápagos and Italy, further inspire discovery.

At Reserve, global and local engagement prepare students to lead with awareness, empathy and purpose.

Last year saw:

Last year saw:

9

different cancer cell lines studied

hundreds

of hours dedicated to Compass project ideation, research, fieldwork, rehearsals and presentations

28

50,000 +

genes analyzed in Cancer Immunology

3,450 t-shirts WOOHOOS 450 sweatshirts shouted 725 hats endless

genetic systems designed by

168

WRA inventors

MADE in the WIC

2,953 $80,320 = 1,000s

hours spent in service to others

economic value of service hours

50,000+ miles covered

of in-kind donations

countless s

in service and exploration changed

- athletics -

- fine & performing arts -

Western Reserve Academy’s comprehensive athletic program features boys and girls soccer, cross country, tennis, volleyball, basketball, swimming & diving, lacrosse and track & field, coed golf, fencing, indoor track, riflery, wrestling and esports, boys baseball and girls softball and field hockey programs, alongside yoga, spinning and weight training. The school’s strength and conditioning program focuses on sport-specific training to enhance performance, reduce injury and instill lifelong fitness habits.

Western Reserve Academy offers a rich and varied Fine & Performing Arts program with over 20 courses, including Stagecraft, Ceramics, Costume Design, Dance and Digital Music Production. Expert faculty lead these classes, guiding students in technical skills and creative expression.

The Murdough Athletic Center features state-of-the-art facilities, including a 45,000-square-foot field house with a 200-meter track, batting cages and multipurpose practice areas; basketball gymnasiums; a swimming pool with a diving well; a wrestling/multipurpose room; a fitness center and an array of other amenities.

Outdoor facilities include a tennis complex, baseball and softball fields, soccer, lacrosse and field hockey turf fields under the lights and a cross country trail. The Reserve Sports Network (RSN), a student-run (and created) organization, provides live coverage and commentary on WRA athletics, offering students hands-on experience in broadcasting and media.

The Knight Fine Arts Center (KFAC) is the heart of the arts, featuring a 400-seat flexible theater with a 40-foot proscenium stage, full fly system and complete backstage facilities.

It also includes gallery space, dance and photo studios and the Wang Innovation Center (WIC), supporting a wide range of artistic pursuits.

WRA’s Visual Arts program includes 2D and 3D studios, kiln and sculpture rooms, a digital media lab and a production area. Courses span all levels, from Art 1 to Advanced Portfolio, including Ceramics, Environmental Art and Photography. The Moos Gallery showcases rotating exhibits of student and professional work.

Performing Arts students take part in three annual productions — two plays and a musical — open to all. The dance program welcomes all skill levels, with two annual recitals that highlight both seasoned and beginner performers in a joyful, inclusive community.

For prospective student-athletes, WRA offers a platform to share athletic achievements and connect with coaches through the “Recruit Me” portal. WRA’s Postgraduate (PG) program supports students who have completed grades 9-12 in enhancing their academic, athletic and personal profiles to support college outcomes.

WRA’s music program, housed in Hayden Hall, offers ensembles like Choir, Symphonic Winds, String Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Musical Theater and Music Theory. Students may take private lessons, perform at campus events such as Grandparents’ Day, Vespers and Divas & Desserts, and showcase their talents at public venues and on international tours.

Last year saw:

Last year saw:

HUNDREDS of

VICTORY BELL RINGS

50+

trainers & coaches committed to every athlete

39 COMMITTED ATHLETES in the Class of 2025

75

Over dance numbers in at least styles

2 recitals 2 plays 1 musical

5

6,000

pounds of new clay

2,000

pounds of recycled clay

27 broken strings 2 broken bridges THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE 1 exploded bow

- college counseling -

- learning support -

Western Reserve Academy’s college counseling program showcases personalized guidance and comprehensive resources, making it a leader in student support and advocacy throughout the college admission process. The program benefits from a team of six college counselors who build strong relationships with students and maintain professional connections with college admission officers nationwide, ensuring a low counselor-to-student ratio.

This customized approach is further enhanced by a suite of exclusive offerings: an online, self-paced test prep program accessible at no additional cost, dedicated college prep programming beginning sophomore year, two on-campus college fairs featuring diverse institutions and an abundance of dynamic resources for families from day one. Customized and intentional letters of recommendation emphasize each student’s strengths and growth at WRA. WRA also facilitates direct engagement with college representatives through personal sessions and dinner meetings, with the 2024-25 academic year welcoming over 90 college reps from liberal arts colleges and research universities including Bowdoin College, University of Chicago, the Ohio State University and Princeton.

Application and essay help sessions, a web-based college and career management service and the guidance of the WRA College Advisory Board, composed of admission professionals who consult with the school, offer additional support to students throughout their search. Chaperoned college visits during school breaks further enhance the exploration process.

The Academic Center (TAC) at WRA empowers eligible students with tailored support aimed at developing effective study techniques, refining organization and time management practices, enhancing writing and critical reading abilities and strengthening self-advocacy and executive functioning skills to balance the academic workload with dynamic commitments. TAC Learning Support Specialists collaborate closely with deans, faculty and school counselors – including college counselors and external support professionals – to holistically promote academic success and social-emotional wellbeing. The team may conduct school-based evaluations to identify learning, attention or emotional concerns and provide early intervention or referrals for outside support if necessary.

Through these robust services, WRA ensures students are well-prepared and supported, making its college counseling program a model of excellence.

In addition, this experienced team designs and implements programming accessible to the entire WRA community, including structured study hours, workshops and weekly peer tutoring across all academic areas. Developing study skills, organizational tools, time management tips, healthy habits around attention and task initiation ensures that all students have the opportunity to enhance their academic and personal growth.

Last year saw:

Last year saw:

123 accepted 259

members of the Class of 2025

39

committed athletes

to

institutions around the world

students

3 TIMES as likely to be admitted to a Top 25 College

$10,882,476

scholarship dollars earned*

*with less than half the class reporting

SKILLS acquired MATERIALS organized HABITS formed BREATHS taken CONFIDENCE gained

endless 400+ distractions students served

avoided

648 + peer tutoring sessions

thousands of words edited

4

dedicated team members

- outcomes -

The 123 members of the Class of 2025 gained acceptances to 259 different colleges and universities in the United States, Canada and abroad. Their schools of matriculation are bolded, with multiple matriculants indicated in parentheses.

Acadia University Adelphi University University of Akron University of Alabama University at Albany Albion College Allegheny College American International College American University Amherst College University of Arizona Arizona State University Ashland University Auburn University Ave Maria University Ball State University Bard College Baylor University Bellarmine University Belmont University Belmont Abbey College Binghamton University Boston College Boston University (2) Bowie State University Bowling Green State University Bradley University Brandeis University University of British Columbia Bryant University Bryn Mawr College Bucknell University University at Buffalo Butler University University of Calgary University of California-Berkeley University of California-Davis University of California-Irvine University of California-Los Angeles University of California-Riverside University of California-San Diego University of California-Santa Barbara University of California-Santa Cruz California State University Capital University Carleton College Case Western Reserve University Catholic University Central Michigan University Centre College College of Charleston (3) University of Charleston University of Cincinnati Clark University Clemson University Cleveland State University Coastal Carolina University Colgate University College of the Holy Cross Colorado College University of Colorado Colorado School of Mines Columbia University Connecticut College University of Connecticut Cornell University

Davidson College University of Dayton University of Delaware Denison University (2) University of Denver DePaul University University of Detroit Mercy Drexel University University College Dublin Duke University (2) Duquesne University Earlham College Eastern Michigan University Eckerd College Elon University Emerson College Emory University Endicott College University of Findlay University of Florida Florida Atlantic University (2) Florida Gulf Coast University Florida Institute of Technology Florida International University Florida Southern College Fordham University Franklin Pierce University Furman University Gardner-Webb University George Washington University Georgetown University Georgia Southern University Georgia Tech Gettysburg College Gonzaga University Grinnell College Gulf Coast State College Harvard University (3) Harvey Mudd College University of Hawaii Hawaii Pacific University High Point University Hobart and William Smith Colleges Hofstra University Howard University University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Illinois State University Indiana University (2) Iona University Ithaca College James Madison University John Carroll University Johns Hopkins University Johnson & Wales University Juniata College Kalamazoo College University of Kansas Kent State University Rutgers University University of Kentucky Kenyon College (2) Lafayette College Lake Forest College

Lehigh University Lenoir-Rhyne University Lewis and Clark College Liberty University London School of Economics Louisiana State University Loyola University Chicago Loyola University Maryland Lynn University Macalester College University of Maine Mansfield University of Pennsylvania Marshall University University of Maryland University of Massachusetts (3) McGill University McMaster University Mercer University Mercyhurst University Miami University (4) University of Miami University of Michigan (2) Michigan State University Middlebury College University of Minnesota University of Mississippi Monroe University Universidad de Navarra University of New Hampshire University of Nevada New York University (4) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill North Carolina A&T State University University of North Florida University of North Texas Northeastern University (3) Northwestern University Oberlin College (2) Ohio Northern University Ohio State University (9) Ohio University Ohio Wesleyan University University of Oklahoma University of Oregon Oregon State University University of Ottawa Otterbein University Pace University Palm Beach Atlantic University University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State University University of Pittsburgh University of Portland Princeton University Providence College Purdue University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rhodes College (2) Rice University University of Richmond University of Rochester Rochester Institute of Technology Rollins College Saint John Fisher College Saint Joseph’s

University Saint Louis University Salve Regina University Samford University University of San Diego San Diego State University University of Santa Barbara Santa Clara University Sarah Lawrence College Savannah College of Art and Design Smith College University of South Carolina University of South Florida Southern Methodist University Southern New Hampshire University University of St Andrews St. Lawrence University University of St. Thomas Stetson University Stevenson University Stony Brook University Syracuse University University of Tampa University of Tennessee University of Texas at Austin Texas A&M University Texas Christian University University of Toronto Trinity College Trinity University Tufts University University of Tulsa Union College United States Air Force Academy United States Military Academy United States Naval Academy Ursinus College University of Utah Valparaiso University Vanderbilt University University of Vermont Villanova University University of Virginia Virginia Tech Wabash College Wake Forest University University of Washington Washington University in St. Louis Washington & Jefferson College Washington & Lee University Waynesburg University Wellesley College Wesleyan University West Virginia University Western University Wheaton College Whitman College College of William & Mary Williams College Wingate University University of Wisconsin Wittenberg University Wofford College College of Wooster Yale University York University