Wasatch Academy

One of America’s most respected independent boarding schools, Wasatch Academy (estb. 1875) boasts 300 students from 38 countries from around the world

Located in the western state of Utah, Wasatch Academy (estb. 1875) is one of America’s most respected independent (private) boarding schools. This top-ranked preparatory (classes VIII-XII) school boasts 300 students from 38 countries worldwide on its muster roll, providing them a unique international study experience combining academic rigour with co-curricular and sports education. Unsurprisingly, Wasatch graduates are welcomed into America’s top-ranked colleges and universities such as Amherst, CalTech, Cornell, Harvard, Boston, Emory, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, Purdue, Northwestern, Stanford, and Columbia.

Founded in 1875 by Duncan McMillan, a Presbyterian minister who named it after the famous Wasatch mountain range which runs through Utah, over the past 137 years the academy has evolved into a unique higher secondary distinguished by its internationally diverse student body. Comments Joseph Loftin, headmaster of the school: “There are four uniquely distinguishing characteristics of a Wasatch education. First is Wasatch Academy’s teacher professional development programme, which trains faculty to employ a neuro-developmental approach to assess learning strengths and help students gauge how they can learn best. All full-time teachers and dormitory parents are trained in this pedagogical methodology. Second is an exceptional outdoor programme to build character and leadership skills. Third is our global campus hosting students from 38 countries and 28 American states. Finally our tight-knit community encourages every student to express her talents and develop at her own pace. Few schools worldwide can match the capabilities of our faculty in addressing the developmental needs of each student while cultivating awareness of principles that reinforce personal integrity and strengthen community health.”

All this is backed by an enviable teacher-student ratio of 1:8 enabling teachers to work individually with students to reinforce natural aptitudes and fill educational gaps. Generous scholarships are granted to students who can’t afford its thought-provoking US$50,000 (Rs.25 lakh) annual tuition-cum-boarding fee. This year Wasatch Academy awarded US$3 million (Rs.15 crore) in financial aid, including US$1 million (Rs.5 crore) to foreign students.

Mount Pleasant. Located in central Utah, Mount Pleasant (pop.3,260) borders six national parks, forested mountains and vast fertile tracts. In this small but steadily growing town, new buildings stand alongside historic edifices such as the Carnegie Library, Liberal Hall (the original Wasatch Academy school building built in 1875), and several vintage homes on the US Historical Register. The latest addition to the city’s infrastructure is the Sanpitch Recreation and Heritage Center, set in a 100-acre site housing a 1.2-acre, 50,000 sq.ft roofed arena, and capable of hosting equestrian events, rodeos, horse and car shows, concerts, trade shows, and sporting events. The nearest international airport is in Salt Lake city, 160 km by road.

Given its rich natural setting, Mt. Pleasant and its environs offer a host of adventure and outdoor activities including trekking, snowmobiling, sledding, skiing, snowboarding, hunting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, biking, camping, and snow kiting. Temperatures are extreme, ranging between -10o-5o C in winters and 23o-38o C in summer.

Campus facilities.  The school’s picturesque 30-acre campus is surrounded by orange-hued mountains, flowering meadows, and the aspens and evergreens of the Manti La Sal National Forest, and offers easy access to six national parks. On-campus facilities include the Loftin-Lewis Student Center, Craighead Humanities Building, Reemtsma Mathematics and Science Building, the recently completed Anne N. Coltharp Center for Evolving Technologies, the Multi-Purpose Building (which houses the school’s main gymnasium, and its music and visual art classrooms), the Tigers Den Performing Arts Center, six residence halls, an administration building, a wellness centre, a coffeehouse, and an additional off-campus gymnasium. The library is well-stocked offering access to 7,000 print volumes, and numerous journal subscriptions and electronic resources. Inevitably the campus also offers 24/7 wireless connectivity. The majority of the faculty live in school-owned housing contiguous to the campus.

Sports facilities include well-maintained grounds and courts for baseball, basketball, tennis, soccer, volleyball, equestrian, cross country, golf, paintball, snowboarding and track and field events. Adventure options on offer include fencing, rock climbing, snow-boarding, skiing, debate, skateboarding, BMX biking, hiking, ultimate Frisbee, kayaking, strength training, student government, horseback riding, canoeing, yoga, aikido, swimming, and white-water rafting.

Admission. The minimum eligibility criterion for admission into Wasatch Academy is successful completion of class VII. All foreign students must also submit a transcript release (essay), high maths and English grades, and personal recommendation letters of school teachers. These must be submitted together with a prescribed application form and a fee of US$150 (Rs.7,500) to the admissions office. Aspiring students are also encouraged to submit results of SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IQ tests (such as Wechsler, Woodcock Johnson or other psycho-educational evaluation) or Stanford Achievement. The completed application form must be submitted before February 1 for entry into the academic term beginning September.

Admission into Wasatch is highly selective and competitive. The school’s admission committee evaluates each candidate’s academic record, recommendation forms and potential contribution to the academy’s community. An interview in person or by phone is mandatory. For further information contact Wasatch Academy, 120 South 100 West, Mt. Pleasant, Utah 84647-1509; Ph: +1 435 462-1410; Fax: +1 435 462-1450; e-mail: admissions@ wasatchacademy.org; website: www.wasatchacademy.org.

Accommodation. Wasatch’s seven dormitories are well-equipped with furnished rooms supplemented by lounge, dorm kitchen and laundry facilities. A unique feature of residential life at this 137-year-old boarding school is that it employs well-trained dorm/house parents offering excellent pastoral care. Unlike boarding schools elsewhere where dorm parents divide their time between teaching and house duties, Wasatch house parents devote all their time to ensuring students enjoy a rich and fulfilling residential life.

Academics. Wasatch offers an intensive college preparatory curriculum which delivers “foundational skills in the humanities, mathematics, and the sciences” and emphasises the practical use of technology “to enhance a deeper understanding throughout the diverse range of courses”. The school’s highly-qualified teachers also infuse the curriculum with ‘seven survival skills for the 21st century’ as presented in Tony Wagner’s book Overcoming the Global Achievement Gap, as well as implement new and innovative applications of project-based learning into the curriculum. Integral to the curriculum is also an outdoor education programme, participation in a range of extra-curricular activities, fine and performing arts and service learning projects. The academy also tutors students to prepare for college admissions and foreign language tests such as SAT and TOEFL (see box).

Summiya Yasmeen