Founded in 1888, Westminster is a co-educational school of approximately 400 students (75% boarding, 25% day) located in Simsbury, CT, a thriving New England town just outside of Hartford. At Westminster, our core values community, character, balance and involvement shape the daily life of students and faculty alike and the school`s motto Grit & Grace inspires and guides us.
Westminster is a small school, with big opportunities a place where you will be known, supported and belong and have access to top-notch facilities, faculty and programming.
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- Grades: 9-12, PG
- Enrollment: 425 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $73,370
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $53,095
- Acceptance rate: 33%
- Average class size: 12 students
- Application Deadline: Jan. 15
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Westminster School ranks among the top 10 schools with > 400 students (out of 94 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Student Attention
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1888
1906
Campus Size
200 acres
125 acres
Student Body
Enrollment
425 students
314 students
% Students of Color
20%
25%
% International Students
15%
20%
% Students Boarding
75%
70%
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
Yes
No
Frequency of Saturday Classes
Weekly
Weekly
Student : Teacher Ratio
5:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
23
18
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
68%
71%
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$109.6 million
$28 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$73,370
$66,200
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$53,095
$35,600
% Students on Financial Aid
37%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$40,500
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
No
No
Acceptance Rate
Application Deadline
Jan. 15
Jan. 15
Acceptance Rate
33%
60%
Director of Admissions
Miles Bailey
Associate Director of Admissions
Kelly Babbidge
AP / Advanced Courses
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
23
18
Courses
AP Art History, AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Chinese, AP Comparative Government, AP Computer Science A, AP Economics (Macro & Micro), AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP Environmental Science, AP French Language, AP Latin, AP Music Theory, AP Physics-C: Mechanics, AP Spanish Language, AP Spanish Literature, AP Statistics, AP Studio Art: 2-D Design, AP Studio Art: Drawing, AP U.S. History
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
16
16
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
53
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
All is One Feminist Alliance, Architecture Club, Art with Heart, Asian Pacific Islander Affinity Group, Baking Club, Banana Split (students of divorced/single parents), Bibliophiles (Book Club), Black & Gold (admission tour guides), Bring Change to Mind (Mental Health Awareness), Computer Club, Conversations About Christianity, Debate Club, Dramat (theater), Eco Club, Gender Sexuality Alliance, Global Forum, Hispanic/LatinX Affinity Group, Horizons Student Club, International Student Organization, Jewnion, John Hay Society, Ladies of Color, LatinX Alliance, Martlets Educating Martlets, Math Club, Middle East Alliance, Model United Nations, Multicultural Student Union, One Love Club, Outing and Ski Club, Ozone Art Club, Peer Facilitators, Queer Affinity Group, Robotics Club, Serving Our Neighbors (S.O.N.), Society of Women Engineers, Student Activities Committee (S.A.C.), Student Government, Student Music Organization, The Gathering, The Martlet (annual magazine), The Westminster News, Westminster Entrepreneur Club, Westminster Investment Initiative, Yearbook
Arts and Music Programs:
Chamber Choir, Chorale, Concert Band, Dance Ensemble, Jazz Band, Theater (acting), Theater (tech), Westminster Belles
All is One Feminist Alliance, Architecture Club, Art with Heart, Asian Pacific Islander Affinity Group, Baking Club, Banana Split (students of divorced/single parents), Bibliophiles (Book Club), Black & Gold (admission tour guides), Bring Change to Mind (Mental Health Awareness), Computer Club, Conversations About Christianity, Debate Club, Dramat (theater), Eco Club, Gender Sexuality Alliance, Global Forum, Hispanic/LatinX Affinity Group, Horizons Student Club, International Student Organization, Jewnion, John Hay Society, Ladies of Color, LatinX Alliance, Martlets Educating Martlets, Math Club, Middle East Alliance, Model United Nations, Multicultural Student Union, One Love Club, Outing and Ski Club, Ozone Art Club, Peer Facilitators, Queer Affinity Group, Robotics Club, Serving Our Neighbors (S.O.N.), Society of Women Engineers, Student Activities Committee (S.A.C.), Student Government, Student Music Organization, The Gathering, The Martlet (annual magazine), The Westminster News, Westminster Entrepreneur Club, Westminster Investment Initiative, Yearbook
Arts and Music Programs:
Chamber Choir, Chorale, Concert Band, Dance Ensemble, Jazz Band, Theater (acting), Theater (tech), Westminster Belles
College Matriculation
Year: 2018 - 2022
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
University of Richmond
22
Trinity College
18
Boston College
14
Wake Forest University
14
Colgate University
13
Southern Methodist University
12
University of Denver
12
Wesleyan University
12
Northeastern University
11
Tufts University
10
School Notes
- Students are known at Westminster. With 425 students, a 5:1 student/teacher ratio, and an average class size of 12, Westminster is a place where students have the opportunity and support to succeed.
- Of the 95 faculty members, 68 percent hold advanced degrees, 68 live on campus and 10 are alumni. Many serve in the traditional roles of teacher, coach, advisor and live in the dorms on campus. The average number of years in education is 19 and at Westminster, 11.
- At Westminster, students are encouraged to be authentic, to feel inspired to learn from those different from them and to celebrate diversity and multiculturalism. Students come to Williams Hill from approximately 25 states and 20 countries. Twenty-five percent identify as students of color.
- Westminster offers some of the finest boarding school facilities available in North America. Brockelman Student Center opened in 2018, Armstrong Dining Hall started serving meals in 2017 and several student and faculty residences were constructed or remodeled in the last decade. Armour Academic Center opened in 2009 and is LEED gold certified with geothermal heating and cooling.
- Situated on scenic Williams Hill with views of the Farmington Valley, the campus is within walking distance of historic downtown Simsbury with many restaurants, coffee shops and stores.
- Westminster School accreditations: NEASC
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Westminster School cost?
Westminster School's tuition is approximately $73,370 for boarding students and $53,095 for day students.
What schools are Westminster School often compared to?
Westminster Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Choate Rosemary Hall, Loomis Chaffee, Deerfield Academy by visitors of our site.
What is the acceptance rate of Westminster School?
The acceptance rate of Westminster School is 33%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 60%.
What sports does Westminster School offer?
Westminster School offers 16 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Dance, Field Hockey, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee and Water Polo.
What is Westminster School's ranking?
Westminster School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Small student body (number of students) and Low student:teacher ratio.
When is the application deadline for Westminster School?
The application deadline for Westminster School is Jan. 15.
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
While Westminster is in the Founder's League, its overall size hovers closely to 400, making it a tightly-knit community where a student at the very least knows everyone's face on campus. The newly built. . .
You mostly have all of your classes besides arts and theatres in one building. The Armour Academic Center is a four-floor building that will host most if not all of your classes. It's home to. . .
Family-style dinners bring the community together and are unique to Westminster - twice a week when I was a student - now they do it during lunch.The senior lawn ceremony was special - at. . .
Show more reviews (7 reviews)
Related Schools
Show me:
People that viewed Westminster School also viewed these schools: Choate Rosemary Hall, Loomis Chaffee, Deerfield Academy, Berkshire School and Pomfret School.
The nearest boarding school to Westminster School is The Ethel Walker School (3.4 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Grades
Students
867 students 29.8 miles 333 Christian Street
Wallingford, CT 06492
(203) 697-2239
Wallingford, CT 06492
(203) 697-2239
29.8
9-12, PG
867
736 students 8.7 miles 4 Batchelder Road
Windsor, CT 06095
(860) 687-6400
Windsor, CT 06095
(860) 687-6400
8.7
9-12, PG
736
653 students 45.9 miles 7 Boyden Lane
Deerfield, MA 01342
(413) 774-1400
Deerfield, MA 01342
(413) 774-1400
45.9
9-12, PG
653
400 students 35.3 miles 245 North Undermountain Road
Sheffield, MA 01257
(413) 229-1003
Sheffield, MA 01257
(413) 229-1003
35.3
9-12, PG
400
350 students 42.9 miles PO Box 128, 398 Pomfret Street
Pomfret, CT 06258
(860) 963-6120
Pomfret, CT 06258
(860) 963-6120
42.9
9-12, PG
350
Recent Articles
Boarding School Myths
This article debunks common myths about boarding schools, addressing misconceptions about wealth requirements, diversity, student life, school types, and family communication. It provides valuable insights for families considering boarding school education and highlights the modern realities of these institutions.
A Partnership of Three
This article explores the three-way partnership between the school, parents, and students in boarding school education. It outlines the obligations and responsibilities of each party, emphasizing the importance of mutual support and commitment to ensure a successful boarding school experience.
Admissions Checklist For Boarding School Applicants
This comprehensive guide provides a detailed checklist for boarding school applicants, covering key aspects of the admissions process such as testing, recommendations, interviews, and financial aid. It also includes additional information for international students applying to U.S. boarding schools.
