Founded in 1814, Emma Willard is one of the oldest boarding schools for girls in the United States. From its very earliest days, the student body has included girls from all over the world. The school's founder, Emma Hart Willard, enrolled girls from France, England, Scotland, the West Indies, Greece, and Turkey. International students, who represent 26 percent of the Emma Willard student body, join young women from all over the United States who come here to pursue a college-preparatory education. International students are quickly integrated into the community.
A partial list of the countries currently represented on the campus includes Botswana, China, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Spain, Taiwan, and Thailand.
Academic Program
In addition to an excellent selection of courses, the Emma Willard curriculum provides the learning and research skills necessary for students to enter American colleges or universities with confidence. Each student has a faculty advisor who helps her develop her academic program, and most students select five courses each semester. The assistant head for academic affairs and the college counselors ensure that a student's schedule will prepare her for college as well as develop her areas of personal interest. In addition to class work, students may arrange to participate in Practicum, the independent study program.
Formal college counseling begins in the junior year. The members of the college counseling staff supervise all college placement testing (the PSAT, the SAT, the SAT Subject Tests, the ACT, and the TOEFL), coordinate visits to Emma Willard by college admissions officers, advise students on application procedures, and write a comprehensive recommendation for each senior based on the student's academic record and teacher evaluations.
English for International Students
International students whose English proficiency is not strong enough for enrollment in a mainstream English course take English Grammar and Composition and Introduction to American History and Literature during their first year at Emma Willard. Placement in these courses is determined by a school-administered test.
English and History Supplement for International Students is a course designed to support international students in their initial English and history classes at Emma Willard and help them gain an understanding of U.S. academic expectations.
Residence Life
Since Emma Willard is primarily a boarding school, the dormitories become many students' home away from home. Security guards are on duty 24 hours a day, ensuring student safety. Houseparents are responsible for the well-being of the girls on their halls, and while there are study halls and check-in times, the atmosphere on the hall is one of family. Whether enjoying a hall tea, watching television, baking cookies, or giving advice and friendship, students and houseparents contribute to the feeling of community at Emma Willard. Faculty and their families eat in the dining hall with students. During the week faculty are posted in dormitories during study hall to provide academic assistance and advice.
At a crossroads of New England, the Adirondacks, the Catskills, and the Berkshires, New York's Capital Region offers world-class arts and entertainment, scenic vistas, shopping, and international restaurants and grocery stores. New York City and Boston are only three hours away and are often included in weekend activities, along with dances with boys' schools, movies, and cultural events.
Experience a day in the life of two international students, Emma from Jamaica, and Christine from Korea.
Special Programs and Assistance
The Coordinator of International Student Programs, Nina Fleishman '72, helps international students with such diverse issues as academic support, vacation arrangements, summer program applications, cultural orientation, and immigration matters.
The Foreign and American Student Organization (FASO) is a club that is made up of international and American students who wish to increase cross-cultural awareness at Emma Willard School. This group meets weekly and sponsors international dinners, performances, and other events during the school year for the entire community.
Visit our new International Student fast facts here.
