West Nottingham Academy

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About Us
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Founded: 1744

Enrollment: Boarding and Day

Grades: 9-12 and PG

Student Body: 120 students

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 5:1

Average Class Size: 10

Campus Size: 100 acres

Faculty with advanced degrees: 85%

Location: Halfway between Philadelphia and Baltimore

Airport: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and BWI International Airport (Baltimore) are each about one hour away.

Climate: West Nottingham enjoys four seasons: warm summers, beautiful autumns, flowery springs, and frosty winters.

Curricular Offerings: 120 courses |AP courses

Welcome to West Nottingham Academy

West Nottingham Academy, the oldest boarding school in the United States, founded in 1744, offers a comprehensive college preparatory education for grades 9-12 and postgraduates.

Situated on a 100-acre campus in Maryland, the school boasts a student-to-faculty ratio of 5:1, with an average class size of 10.

The curriculum includes 120 courses, with Advanced Placement (AP) options.

In addition to its emphasis on leadership, entrepreneurship, and creative exploration, the Academy is pioneering the integration of artificial intelligence in education.

All students have access to cutting-edge AI platforms and Google Gemini, ensuring they are equipped with the skills necessary for success in the 21st-century workforce.

The school also offers a range of athletic programs, clubs, and arts opportunities​

Our Mark on History

Established in 1744, West Nottingham Academy is the longest-standing boarding and day school in the United States. 

West Nottingham Academy was founded in 1744 by the Reverend Samuel Finley, who would later become the president of the College of New Jersey (Princeton University).  

Reverend Finley’s nephew, Benjamin Rush, attended the Academy and would later, with his fellow WNA alums, Richard Stockton, sign the Declaration of Independence. 

The first female day students were admitted in 1895. By 1899, the graduating class had a female Valedictorian and female Salutatorian.  

Fletcher Morton, the first African American student in WNA history, was admitted in 1956. 

The school survived the Revolutionary War and was split, along with the entire county, during the Civil War. It struggled to maintain operations during the Yellow Fever and Spanish Influenza pandemics.  

WNA worked to educate students who weren’t yet given equal rights before the law, and it welcomed international students during times of countrywide xenophobia and stigma. 

World Class Academics

At West Nottingham Academy (WNA), we create a rigorous, college-preparatory course of study for each student, aiming to inspire curiosity, teach critical-thinking skills, and cultivate a passion for life-long learning.

We work with students and their families to tailor individualized paths of study to meet our demanding graduation requirements.

Our curriculum, which is reviewed and augmented annually by our Academic Council, meets and often exceeds state standards.

West Nottingham Academy is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Our robust liberal arts curriculum is enhanced by our diverse learners, small class sizes, and superb faculty.

We offer nearly 90 courses, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses and Advanced and Honors courses.

In addition, our commitment to integrating technology in education is exemplified by providing each student with access to AI platforms and Google Gemini, ensuring they are equipped with the skills necessary for success in the digital age​. 

This integration not only prepares our students for the future but also enriches their learning experience at WNA​