Admissions
The Academy seeks students who want to learn, and who enjoy working hard, on activities and projects that are open-ended, interactive, and collaborative.
This makes for a tough but exciting kind of learning that takes place in all subject areas, especially math, science and engineering. But if it appeals to you, and you are a tenth grader residing in Massachusetts, the Academy may be your kind of school.
Admission is selective! It is based on high school grades, teacher recommendations, standardized achievement test scores, extracurricular activities, and scores on the Academy diagnostic test. Although emphasis is placed on math and science, the Academy admissions committee carefully considers all of an applicant's courses and activities, thereby ensuring that our students are well-rounded.
Frequently Asked Admissions Questions
What is the Academy academic program?
The junior year entails challenging, interactive, frequently team-based classes in mathematics, science, computer science, research, humanities, foreign languages, science writing and electives. We emphasize learning to think independently and analytically. The senior year matches the freshman year at WPI with possible transfer of academic credit. Please see our Programs of Study for more information.
What is the typical school year schedule at the Academy?
School begins in late August and graduation occurs in mid-May. Juniors attend school 7:50 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily, with the exception of half days on Wednesdays. Vacations occur in October, December-January and March, to parallel the WPI schedule. Seniors maintain a WPI college schedule.
What extra-curricular activities are available to Academy students?
The Academy offers a full spectrum of activities and events including, but not limited to, student government, mock trial, drama, FIRST Robotics, community service, field trips, dances, movie nights, and a semi-formal and prom.
What is the relationship between WPI and the Academy?
The Academy is an administrative unit within WPI. Academy students have full use of WPI’s state-of-the art facilities during their junior and senior year.
Are Academy students able to participate in sports from their sending school?
Even with the academic demands and the long school hours during the junior year, it is still possible to participate in sports and other activities based at a sending school. Seniors, however, can arrange their schedules to participate in sports at their sending schools. The Academy maintains full cooperation with the sending school districts, and the MIAA has ruled that our students are eligible to practice and compete on high school teams under Rule 52 of the MIAA Handbook.
What does the Diagnostic Test entail and how can I prepare for it?
There is a 1 hour Math/Science test, which includes Geometry, Algebra I and II, and general problem solving. It does not include any specific science subject areas. There is also a 1 hour Writing/Humanities test that includes grammar, sentence construction, paraphrasing, and literary analysis. Because the tests cover general high school knowledge, there is no preparation or studying required.
What is a "Shadow Day"?
A Shadow Day involves spending the morning at the Academy, going to classes with a host student and experiencing a typical school day. After lunch, you will be escorted to WPI via the shuttle and tour the campus for the afternoon. Please click here for more information and how to sign up for a Shadow Day.
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Last modified: January 11, 2012 15:21:49