Located in Hudson, Ohio, Western Reserve Academy (also known as 'WRA' or 'Reserve') is a private, mid-sized, coeducational boarding and day college prepatory school.

History

Western Reserve Academy was established in 1826 as the Western Reserve College and Preparatory School in Hudson, Ohio on a 180-acre (728,000 m²) plot of land set aside via charter. In 1882 the college moved north to Cleveland, Ohio and became Western Reserve University, later merging with the Case Institute of Technology.

Western Reserve Academy remained open for another twenty-one years, until 1903, when it was forced to close due to financial problems. In 1916, however, the school reopened due to the graces of benefactor James Ellsworth, a former student and Hudson, Ohio resident who had returned after making millions of dollars in the coal industry.

The "Ellsworth Era" was marked by signficant construction, namely Seymour Hall (the newly appointed academic building), the Bicknell Gymnasium, and Ellsworth Hall, a dormitory and dining hall.

In 1922, Western Reserve Acdemy became an all-boys institution, which it remained for fifty years, until 1972, when girls were once again admitted.

In the late 1990s and into the early 21st century, Western Reserve Academy again underwent a major construction period, eclipsing even the growth of the "Ellsworth Era." During this time the following projects were completed:

• Renovation of computer lab in Seymour Hall (1998)
• Construction of the Metcalf Center (1999)
• Renovation of Wood House (2000-2002)
• Construction and expansion of athletic facilities (2001-2004)
• Construction of the John D. Ong Library (2000)
• Renovation of Wilson Science Hall (2001)
• Construction of Long House Dormitory (2000)
• Renovation of Nathan P. Seymour Guest House (1998)

The growth continues today, in large part due to the efforts of Headmaster Henry "Skip" Flanigan . In 2000, Western Reserve Academy was recognized by US News and World Report as one of the top boarding schools in the country.

About the school

• Approx 400 students, 70% boarding
• 57% boys, 43% girls
• Students from 24 states and 19 countries
• Student-teacher ratio 6:1, average class size 12
• Tuition: $29,500 boarding, $21,500 day
• 21 AP courses offered
• Students attend top universities including Amherst, Case Western Reserve, Colgate, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Denison, Duke, George Washington University, Middlebury, Penn, U.S. Naval Academy, Vanderbilt and Wellesley.

See also

• Western Reserve Academy Website
• WRA At A Glance
• WRA Admissions Information