Here are answers to questions frequently asked by visiting families. If you and your family have other questions, please be certain to contact us by phone at 330.650.9717 or 800.784.3776 or by e-mail at admission@wra.net.

1. What is the cost of sending my child to Western Reserve Academy?

Tuition is $37,900 for boarding students and $27,000 for day students. This covers tuition, room and board, all meals and school-sponsored activities. Students are responsible for buying their own textbooks, uniforms and other incidental costs.

Reserve is committed to enrolling academically qualified students regardless of their families' ability to afford full tuition. For this academic school year, nearly $3.3 million in financial aid was awarded to forty percent of the student body. Financial aid decisions are based on demonstrated need, as determined by the School and Student Service for Financial Aid.

2. Does WRA offer merit scholarships?

Yes. Western Reserve Academy's Merit Scholar Program offers two full boarding and two full day scholarships to students who have distinguished themselves as outstanding scholars and displayed additional talents in their extracurricular areas (e.g. leadership, dance, music, athletics, acting, art, volunteerism, etc.). Annually, the top ninth grade boarding and day boy and the top ninth grade boarding and day girl candidate will be awarded this prestigious award. Each scholar will be given this scholarship for the entire tenure of his or her enrollment, as long as the student annually functions at a high level of achievement academically and in his or her extracurricular endeavors. Some smaller merit awards will be offered to distinguished ninth grade boarding and day students.

In order to be considered for the Merit Scholar Scholarship, candidates must meet all
requirements for admission to Reserve in addition to completing this application. The
Merit Scholar Scholarship application must be submitted along with the regular application
materials by our deadline (for day students: January 15th and for boarding students: February 1st).

If you have additional questions, please contact the Admission Office by phone at 330.650.9717 or by e-mail at admission@wra.net..

3. Can my child attend as a day student?

Each year, approximately one-third of our students come to Reserve from the local community. Day students must reside in Hudson or contiguous communities. The application deadline for day students is January 15th.

4. How are roommates and housing determined?

For a student's first year, a roommate will be assigned. The Admission Office works in conjunction with the Dean of Residential Life to match students with similar interests. Thereafter, students may choose their own roommate.

All incoming students can expect to have a roommate. Girls' rooms are doubles, while boys' rooms can be doubles, triples or four-person suites. Single rooms are generally given first to student prefects, then to returning upperclass students.

5. What is a typical class day like?

Classes meet six days a week, Monday through Saturday. On Monday through Friday, the academic day begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 3:15 p.m. All students participate in athletics following the class day (3:45-5:30 p.m.). Sit-down dinner (Monday-Thursday) is at 6:30 p.m., followed by study hours from 7:45-10:00 p.m. Group study is allowed from 10:00-11:00 p.m. The entire school community gathers every day, either for an all-school meeting (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) or at lunch (Tuesday and Thursday), when faculty and student announcements are made. On Saturdays, classes run from 8:00 a.m. to noon, with athletic competitions in the afternoon.

6. What activities are available for students on the weekends?

Weekend activities (both on and off campus) are planned each week for the entire student body (day students and boarders). On campus, recreational activities are organized by the student government in conjunction with the Dean of Students. These events include mixers in the Green Key Student Lounge, an International Movie Festival, Winter Carnival, the Bicknell Bonanza, formal dances such as Sadie Hawkins and the Senior Farewell Formal, the Madrigal Feaste and dormitory dinners and activities.

Reserve also sponsors weekend outings to local attractions such as Six Flags, Cleveland Indians games, the Cleveland Orchestra, various stage and theater events, downhill skiing and snowboarding, and trips to local malls. Due to our proximity to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, students have miles of trails nearby for biking, hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

7. How are students supervised?

Ninety percent of our faculty live on campus, either in residences or in dormitory apartments. Each dormitory is supervised by a resident faculty master; larger dorms may house several faculty families. Every evening, a faculty member is "on duty" in each dorm to monitor study hours or weekend activities. Each student is checked into the dormitory before study hours and again at bedtime. After lights-out, the campus is monitored by a night watchman. The Dean of Residential Life coordinates all faculty supervision to insure that faculty are present at all school-sponsored events.

8. What type of day-to-day support is available for my child?

Reserve has a multi-layered support system for all of its students. Primary support is provided by our faculty advisor program. Every student at Reserve has a faculty advisor who is assigned in the fall of the student's first year. Advisors assist students in choosing their academic courses, work with them to develop strong study habits, oversee both the academic and social career of the student, and serve as the primary contact for both parents and students on academic and social issues or concerns.

If a student encounters academic difficulty in a particular class, the teacher, student and advisor will generally work together to develop a schedule for extra help sessions and academic support. Most departments provide peer tutors, and all teachers are available to meet with students during free periods and in the evenings. Students who are facing academic difficulty may also be referred to the Academic Enrichment Center, which provides reinforcement and formal tutoring in specific areas.

Reserve is also committed to supporting the mental health of its students by providing counseling for those whose needs extend beyond the classroom. Referrals can be made by faculty members, dorm parents, advisors or the students themselves. A team of professional counselors is available to all students by request. The Health Center is also available 24 hours a day to assist students in their health needs.

9. Are athletics required for all students?

Because we believe that participation in athletics develops both physical and mental abilities and skills, we ask that all freshmen and new sophomores take part in a team sport each season. All returning students and new upperclassmen participate in an interscholastic sport for two seasons, with the option of choosing a recreational activity in the third season.

Recreational opportunities available to all upperclassmen include conditioning and fitness, dance and community service.

Boys may select from cross-country, golf, football and soccer in the fall; basketball, diving, ice hockey, riflery, swimming and wrestling in the winter; and baseball, lacrosse, tennis and track and field in the spring.

Girls may select from cross-country, field hockey, golf, soccer, tennis and volleyball in the fall; basketball, diving, riflery and swimming in the winter; and lacrosse, softball and track and field in the spring.