East Machias embodies everything that’s great about small town America. It’s a rural environment where people know their neighbors and look out for each other. With one of the lowest crime rates in the nation, Maine is a safe haven for WA students.

WA’s location impacts the educational opportunities, as teachers have an entire outdoor classroom at their disposal. From the rocky coastline to the river that runs near the campus, there are so many places where learning can become hands-on, from analyzing seawater to calculating the rate of the river’s current.

But the best part of WA’s unique location might be the front-row seat students have to view each of the four seasons. In the summer, students swim in the same water they skate on in the winter. In the fall, students are surrounded with the reds, yellows, and oranges of the foliage. The location on the coast tempers the harsh Maine winters a bit, yet the area receives enough snow for students to snowshoe, sled, and take part in the popular ski club.