New thread for Willistonian (The Williston Northampton School)

<p>I have been searching this forum but I could not find much about Williston Northampton School. Let start some discussion about this school. Who will be joining this school next fall? Do you think its academic (science curriculum) is challenging enough for college like Harvard, Columbia, Princeton and Stanford? Its matriculation data is not clear as it available for schools like Andover and Hotchkiss, though WNS charges tuition in the top band of 50k+. Please share your thoughts and experience about this school in this forum. It will certainly help many BS applicants who are planning to apply or thinking of joining this school.</p>

<p>WNS is considered a safety school for most. However, it can be a great option if you are an athlete looking to get a taste of NEPSAC, but you’re not ready for the academics of Andover or Exeter.
Surely, there are kids who go to colleges such as Harvard and Columbia. The school just provides the opportunity, but you control the intensity of your own academics.</p>

<p>“The school just provides the opportunity, but you control the intensity of your own academics.” Well put, Hopefull2013. </p>

<p>Not sure about “WNS is considered a safety school for most,” however. With an acceptance rate of 33% last year it’s pretty competitive. And there are plenty of students who choose WNS over other schools. There are many things to consider when you look at a BS, and one could argue too that in this “market” there really are no “safeties.” </p>

<p>As the parent of two BS kids at different schools I have a limited perspective, but have observed that the top students from most BSs end up at top colleges. Period. And of alums I’ve spoken with at both schools, “after *** boarding school, the transition to college was easy.” Even Harvard. Going from a rural PS to a NE BS we have taken a huge leap in the quality and quantity of opportunities. I can’t compare sciences at different schools without spending more time than I have, but in brief my child is thriving and doing fantastically on standardized tests, so something is going well. </p>

<p>The most salient thing about Williston, IMHO, is community. The faculty and students are warm, engaged and supportive. It reminds me of my days in an English University - they sure knew how to work hard and play hard (though the “playing hard” at WNS is good clean cut fun). We also love the location and the enrichment it provides (outside Northampton and amongst the five colleges). WNS takes full advantage of their relationships with the surrounding colleges and many college faculty choose WNS for their children.</p>

<p>That’s probably enough of the parent perspective. PM me if you have more questions.</p>

<p>Thanks Hopefull2013 and wcmom1958. You both shared great details about WNS. I would like to continue this discussion and further comments about Williston Northhempton curriculum will be appreciated. I am still waiting for response from forum members who will be joining WNS next fall.</p>

<p>I was accepted to WNS, and am strongly considering attending. Thanks for this thread.</p>

<p>Thanks NikDangles. Lets this community grow and be in touch with each other. I am eager to see this thread flourish.</p>