Emma Willard School is a place to discover what it means to look within yourself and see your future on the horizon. By seeking out a school where you belong, you already show that you are ready for something more than the high school experience.
Emma Hart Willard founded her school on the basis of providing girls with a first-class education equal to that of men—one that challenged, inspired, and enabled them to serve and shape their worlds.
More than 200 years later, Emma Willard School proudly continues to carry on this mission.
Emma Willard School's curriculum focuses on three pillars: Intellectual Flexibility, Purpose & Community, and Equity & Justice. Our academic program offers more than 140 courses, including Emma's own unique Advanced Studies options. Personalized study programs enable students to dive deep into a topic or field of their choosing, and gain hands-on experience.
Education at Emma isn’t limited to the classroom—it’s woven into the fabric of our community. With students from around the world and across the United States, and faculty and staff with a wide breadth of life experiences, you will broaden your perspective the moment you walk onto campus.
Bonds created in the residence and dining halls, while practicing for an athletics match or arts performance, at one of our many cherished traditions, and all the little moments in between, define the Emma experience.
Alumnae Advisory Task Force Recommendations to the Emma Board of Trustees
Last fall, the Board of Trustees asked that a volunteer group be formed, composed of alumnae with expertise and commitment to the issue of sexual assault. The Alumnae Advisory Task Force (“AATF”) was charged with reviewing the policies and practices in place at our school regarding the education, prevention and reporting of sexual abuse and misconduct.
The Board asked that the AATF evaluate and, in a final report to the board and community, make recommendations that bolster the safety of all. The AATF gave an interim report to the Board at the January 2017 Board meeting. A final report is expected in the early spring.
The AATF was tasked with review and guidance in the following areas: (a) school policies and practices in regards to sexual harassment and abuse; (b) the employee and student handbooks; and (c) action as a liaison between the school’s administration, faculty and students, as appropriate or necessary. While the AATF has been providing recommendations and feedback since its formation in August 2016, this report represents a brief encapsulation of our work to date and current recommendations of greatest concern regarding: Emma Willard School’s history and contextualization of sexual assault; current practices; and future reputation as a leader in training young women to recognize and combat rape culture and sexual violence.
This interim report will be followed by a final report to the Board of Trustees this spring, which will be shared with the Emma Willard Community.
Sincerely yours,
Elisabeth LeFort, ’74 Chair, Board of Trustees
Kimberly S. Jones, ’84 Chair, Alumnae Advisory Task Force
Honoring its founder’s vision, Emma Willard School proudly fosters in each young woman a love of learning, the habits of an intellectual life, and the character, moral strength, and qualities of leadership to serve and shape her world.
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).