Mission
It is the mission of The White Mountain School to prepare young people for rigorous college studies and for life beyond formal academics by helping them learn who they are, how they contribute to their communities, and how they can become responsible citizens of the changing planet.
School Community
Co-educational, 9-12/PG. The student body of approximately 100 students comes from 15 states and a dozen countries. About 80% are boarding students who live in dorm communities along with faculty members and their families. Approximately 50% of students receive some form of financial aid. Founded in 1886 in the Episcopal tradition, WMS welcomes students of all faiths.
Location
The school's 250-acre campus, adjacent to
The White Mountain National Forest, is located between the picturesque New England towns of Bethlehem and Littleton, NH.; The quaint town of
Bethlehem is three miles away - full of antique shops and restaurants. And the town of
Littleton,
named one of the "Best Small Town in America" and listed as "Perfect
Towns that Have It All" by Outside magazine, is a five-minute drive
from campus. Some other great cities are also within easy driving
distance from WMS: Boston (2.5 hrs), Montreal (3 hrs),
Portland (2.5 hrs) and Burlington (2 hrs).
The White Mountain School is dedicated to offering a student-focused, college preparatory curriculum. Education designed with small, progressive classes allows students to be actively involved in their own learning. Classes have an average of nine students.
- Learning Outcomes: Across the curriculum, each student is evaluated on six learning outcomes that help students understand their own learning.
- Advanced Study: WMS provides Advanced Placement in select disciplines. Independent study and Senior Projects are encouraged.
- Sustainability: Students develop an active understanding of global and social sustainability. WMS actively practices sustainability in the community and in the curriculum. In 2007 the National Association of Independent Schools presented WMS the Leading Edge award for leadership in global sustainability.
- Field Courses: As an extension of the classroom, WMS combines academic curricula with two week long field courses each year. Designed to help students interact with the world around them, recent trips include: Adirondack Climbing History, Literature and the Land, Fresh Water Ecology, and Cross Country in Another Country.
- Academic Support: Learning Assistance and English as a Second Language Programs are available.
WMS offers interscholastic and outdoor sports as well as very unique afternoon programs.
Fall: Rock Climbing I & II, Mountain Biking, Farm & Forest, Hiking & Fitness, Intro to Climbing & Paddling, Theater, and Soccer
- Winter: Free-Style Skiing, Recreational Skiing & Snowboarding, Backcountry Skiing, Nordic Skiing, Winter Fitness, Dance, Theater, Community Service, and Yoga
- Spring: Rock Climbing I & II, Whitewater Paddling I & II, Farm & Forest, Hiking & Fitness, Road Biking, and Lacrosse
Boarding school life offers students rich and varied learning opportunities outside the classroom.
- Student Leadership Opportunities: Student Government, Citizenship Committee, Dorm Proctor, Outdoor Learning Expedition Trip Leader, Crew Supervisor
- Clubs: A variety of student-run clubs are available. Recent clubs include: A cappella, Multi-Cultural/Diversity Club, GSA, Political Strategies, and Sustainability Club.
- Residential Life: Boarding students live in small dorm communities along with faculty and their families.
- Activities: Weekend on-campus and off-campus activities could include day trips to Boston, poetry jams, sushi making parties, silk painting, climbing in Franconia Notch, skiing Tuckerman’s Ravine, or dances with area schools.
Our college counseling program mirrors the WMS experience in its respect for each student's interests, talents, and values. Under the guidance of the college counselor, all students participate in an individualized college application process. Ninety-nine percent of graduates attend accredited colleges and universities.
Accreditation & Affiliations
WMS is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges . It is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools , the Independent School Association of Northern New England , the Association of Independent Schools of New England.
