News & Calendar
School News
2022
-
May
Fulfillment Meets Literature
In 2020, we announced a plan to “go beyond” Advanced Placement™ classes, replacing AP with our own Emma-specific Advanced Studies (AS) courses. During Summer 2021, faculty spent time together in a coordinated effort to dream of and plan for advanced classes that are student-centered, relevant, and meaningful. English Instructor Caroline Boyajian was among those faculty, pursuing a vision for “going beyond” with AS English Literature.Read More -
Weekend Festivities: Apollo and Prom
Spring on Mount Ida is in full-swing, and with that come the various events, traditions, and celebrations as we start to think about wrapping up the 2021-2022 school year! Though the weekend began with the official launch of Infinite Horizon: The Campaign for Emma Willard School, it wasn’t the only fun on the horizon.Read More -
Community Event Launches Historic Capital Campaign
The Emma Willard School community—Trustees, EMployees, and students—gathered on Mount Ida on Friday, May 13, to celebrate a momentous occasion: the launch of Infinite Horizon: The Campaign for Emma Willard School.Read More -
Emma Willard School Launches Record-Breaking $175 Million Capital Campaign
Emma Willard School today announced the public launch of a $175 million capital campaign that will support and strengthen the school’s commitment to girls’ education.Read More -
Four Questions with Margaret Clark '98
Ms. Margaret Clark ’98 is the director of alumnae relations and campus events at Emma Willard School. Ms. Clark returned to the Emma Willard community in 2019, after a career in sales and marketing for many companies from small businesses to the Fortune 500. We asked her four questions about her experience at Emma.Read More -
AAPI Heritage Month Assembly
May marks the beautiful celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in the United States. At Emma Willard School, we gathered for a moving Asian Heritage Assembly to recognize the many contributions of AAPI culture in our country and institution.Read More -
Celebrating Poetry at Emma Willard School
This past April Emma Willard School (being a poetical community that loves a reading recommendation) celebrated poetry month with a variety of events and activities offered by the writing center, the library and its leadership committee, and the Spilled Ink poetry club.Read More -
April
Musical May Day
The Emma Willard School community gathered on this brisk, sunny Friday for the traditional May Day festivities, orchestrated by the Class of 2022.Read More -
Two of 360: Coco and Nini Y. ’25
This month, our One of 360 series makes history by introducing siblings! Meet Coco and Nini Y. ’25, twins from Shanghai, China. Get to know more about their journey to Emma Willard School, how they start their day with music, and the exciting new experiences they are sharing together.Read More -
An Emma Story: Alexandra Schmidt and Tina Q. '22
Read MoreI was walking through Weaver last month when I encountered Tianning Tina Q. '22, who said, “Oh good, I’ve been looking for you.”“Really? Having me as your math teacher for 3 years wasn’t enough? I am complimented!”After having taught Tina her sophomore, junior, and senior years, we have a long and friendly relationship; a certain informality does creep in.“I have an unusual question. Are you able to read and write Yiddish?” -
Honors Convocation: Can We Save the World in Time?
Emma Willard School honored the academic excellence and exemplary citizenship of students, as well as extraordinary faculty service at Honors Convocation during Spring Family Connections on Friday, April 15. Families were invited to visit the campus, in-person and virtually, to attend classes, Morning Reports and more.Read More -
Awards Season: Arts, Computing, Mathematics
This spring, it’s apparent that awards season is upon us! We are honored to be represented by exceptional student work in the visual arts, computer science and mathematics. Five students were accepted into the High School Regional Juried Art Exhibition, and 16 participated in the Media Arts Festival. Five computer science students won Regional Awards for Aspirations in Computing, the highest number of students from Emma to win thus far! Six Emma Willard School students were recently recognized in the top five female students in the American Mathematics Competition.Read More -
Speaker Series: Kip Wilson ’86
Emma Willard School Alumna Kip Wilson ’86 returned to Mount Ida this week as the finale to our 2021-2022 Speaker Series. Kip Wilson is the author of “White Rose” (2019, Versify), a critically-acclaimed YA novel-in-verse about anti-Nazi political activist Sophie Scholl, and “The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin”, (2022, Versify), a YA novel-in-verse about Hilde, an aspiring singer at a queer club in Berlin in 1932. Kip holds a PhD in German literature and was the poetry editor at Young Adult Review Network (YARN) for five years before joining Voyage as Associate Editor in 2020. Her next YA novel-in-verse, “One Last Shot”, about Gerda Taro, the first female photojournalist killed on the front, is forthcoming from Versify in 2023.Read More -
Work in Progress: A Global Perspective
During our all-school Morning Reports, we have the opportunity for community members to give inspirational speeches during a segment called Works in Progress. These talks vary in theme from silly to serious and all points in between. Regardless of the topic, our community members are adept at discovering profound inspiration in all aspects of life. In this speech, Head of Enrollment Management Kristen A. Mariotti shares her reflections on the impact of traveling to new places.Read More -
A Day in the Life with Jenny C. Rao
Read MoreIn response to a recent "Rao Rumbles" — the anonymous comment or question box outside Jenny Rao's office — we followed Ms. Rao around with a camera to answer a student's great question about what fills a "typical day" for our Head of School! -
Four Questions with Megan Labbate
Ms. Megan Labbate is a science instructor at Emma Willard School. Ms. Labbate joined the community in 2015, having spent the first three years of her teaching career in an art and design-based charter school in Michigan. We asked her four questions about her experience at Emma.Read More -
One of 360: Paula S. '23
Read MoreAs we approach the final stretch of the school year, One of 360 returns with Paula S. '23, a junior boarder from Helsinki, Finland! Read on to learn more about Paula’s passion for computer science, breaking into new sports, and what makes Ring Week so special. -
March
A World Awaits You!
Emma Willard School’s AWAY trips give students opportunities to connect with communities and learning opportunities outside of Emma. This year’s trips have returned from their excursions in Boston and California with great stories and photos to share.Read More -
Creating with Calculus
Read MoreLast year, we announced a plan to “go beyond” Advanced Placement™ classes, replacing AP with our own Emma-specific Advanced Studies (AS) courses. Over the summer, faculty spent time together in a coordinated effort to dream of and plan for advanced classes that are student-centered, relevant, and meaningful. Mathematics Instructor Laslzo Bardos was among those faculty, pursuing a vision for “going beyond” with AS Calculus. -
RPI Brings Biomechanics to Emma
A group of Emma Willard School students recently participated in a three-part program on cellular biology and biomechanics, presented on the Emma campus by the Engineering Ambassadors (EAs) from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).Read More -
Impact of the War in Ukraine on Emma
As often happens in the Emma Willard School community, world events hit close to home. Our community, representing 38 countries, is often impacted by global tragedies in a very direct way. The recent war in Ukraine is one such instance, as Ukraine is one of those countries represented in our student body.Read More -
Better to Give Than to Receive?
The Emma Willard School Theatre department was excited to open Kiggins Auditorium up to students, employees, and families for their winter production of The Giver.Read More -
Speaker Series: Dawn Riley
Emma Willard School welcomed 2021 Commencement speaker, Dawn Riley, back to Mount Ida this week as part of our 2021-2022 Speaker Series and launch to Women's History Month. Dawn is a world-renowned sailor, speaker, author, commentator, consultant, coach, and mentor. As CEO and captain of America True, she was and still is the youngest person and only female ever to lead an America’s Cup Challenge. She went on to be the first American, man or woman, to sail in four America’s Cups and two Whitbred Round the World races, now known as The Ocean Race.Read More -
Four Questions with Dr. Ashley Bennett
Ashley L. Bennett, EdD is the director of college counseling at Emma Willard School. Dr. Bennett joined the community last year after serving as director of college counseling at KIPP Sunnyside High School in Houston, Texas. We asked her four questions about her experience at Emma.Read More -
February
Celebrating Emma Hart Willard’s 235th Birthday
Read MoreOn Wednesday, February 23, 2022 the Emma Willard School community celebrated the 235th birthday of our founder, Emma Hart Willard, with an investment in our current students and a look back at Madame Willard’s impact on education. -
Jessica Z. '22 and Manu B. '23 Earn Computer Science Honors
Two Emma Willard School students have won National Honorable Mention Awards for the 2022 National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Aspirations in Computing Awards. Jessica Z. ’22 and Manu B. ’23 were two of 400 selected from more than 3,500 amazing, talented young computer scientists to receive the honorable mention distinction.Read More -
One of 360: Vernette B. '24
Our One of 360 series continues this month with Vernette B. ’24, a sophomore day student from right here in Troy, NY! Read on to learn more about Vernette’s favorite Emma traditions, journey into coding, and how family keeps her inspired.Read More -
Dance Returns: Visiting Guest Artists and the Dance Assembly
Recently, the dance program at Emma Willard School saw a return to some favorite events: the annual Dance Assembly, and visiting Artists in Residence Kellie Ann Lynch and Annie Wang. Read on for photos, videos, and more about the return to in-person for these events.Read More -
Black History Month 2022 with BLSU
Each year, the Black LatinX Student Union (BLSU) hosts a packed assembly for Black History Month (BHM) to share and celebrate important pieces of Black history. The programming for the assembly is led entirely by the students in BLSU and includes informational presentations, art, and music all in one event.Read More -
Art in Three Dimensions
Emma Willard School is proud to announce that the work of six students has been chosen for display at the 23rd annual Art in Three Dimensions juried high school exhibition. Over 220 works were submitted, 79 were selected for display in this year's show; seven pieces from Emma’s six artists were among those chosen.Read More -
Open Air: Sofia P. ’22 and The Wellie Podcast
In September 2020, the first episode of “Open Air,” a podcast hosted by Emma Willard School senior Sofia P. ’22, dropped on Spotify. Described as “a place where students, faculty, and staff can learn and share information regarding health and wellness through fun and honest conversations,” there are now over 30 episodes available covering a range of topics. Read on to hear from Sofia about her journey creating and hosting the podcast over the last two years.Read More -
Celebrating Anne Spencer Thurman '50
We are excited to kick off Black History Month and extend our Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration with a story almost 75 years in the making. On Tuesday, February 1, we dedicated a portrait of Anne Spencer Thurman ’50, Emma Willard School's first Black graduate.Read More -
January
In Search of Deeper Learning
As part of their work developing and honing curriculum aligned with our Academic Program Pillars, Emma Willard faculty recently spent a day in dialogue and planning with Dr. Jal Mehta, professor of education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.Read More -
Unsung Heroes: Health Center Appreciation Day
Read MoreFridays on Mount Ida always bring good times, but today’s Morning Reports revealed a special surprise to some very unsuspecting audience members. -
Signature Spotlight: Publishing Neuroscience Research
Read MoreMeli N. ’23 is pursuing a Signature project on “The Scientific Research Process in Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics.” Her work with Albany Medical College was recently recognized when she was included in the byline in an article published in Frontiers in Pain Research. Meli shares in her own words what inspired her work and what she’s learned thus far. -
One of 360: Carly H. '25
As we settle into the new beginnings of 2022, our very own Carly H. ’25 shares a glimpse into her new start at Emma Willard School. A first year day student from Averill Park, Carly reflects on her journey from GirlSummer to Welcome Week, finding confidence through the Arts, and the beauty of gratitude.Read More -
MLK Day: “Our Journey Continues”
Read MoreThe Emma Willard School community joined together on MLK Day for a series of webinars and an alumnae panel discussion in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy. The day was designed to allow space for reflection and exploration of the past, present, and future of justice and equity in the United States and around the world. -
Growing Our Awareness
Read MoreThe Emma Willard School community recently had the opportunity to learn from Harvard Professor Mahzarin Banaji, PhD, who has conducted extensive scientific inquiry into the parts of our brain that guide behavior and are hidden from our conscious mind. Her virtual presentation to students, parents, and alumnae acts as a catalyst for reflection and continued work on equity and inclusion in our community. -
Acting in Community: YouthFx Intensive
Read MoreLast month, two Emma Willard School acting students finished up a six-week program at the YouthFX Open Lab. Manyi L. ’23 and Evangeline W. ’23 attended weekly sessions after school, collaborating with peers and professionals in the industry to learn almost every step of the creative theatrical process. -
Emma News: A Year in Review (2021)
2021 was a year of many firsts, deep reflections, and incredible celebrations. While we have collectively battled against the odds, together we have come out victorious. Join us in remembering a few of our favorite memories from the last year!Read More
285 Pawling Avenue, Troy, NY 12180 | P: 518.833.1300 F: 518.833.1815
© EMMA WILLARD SCHOOL
emmawillard.org
© EMMA WILLARD SCHOOL
emmawillard.org
Welcome to Emma Willard School, a private day and boarding high school for girls in Troy, NY, and a leader in girls' education for over 200 years.
PLEASE NOTE: All visitors to campus must check in with Campus Safety, which can be found at the red flag entrance to Sage Hall (Pawling Ave. entrance).
PLEASE NOTE: All visitors to campus must check in with Campus Safety, which can be found at the red flag entrance to Sage Hall (Pawling Ave. entrance).