Our School - Washington Academy

Welcome from Head of School

For 230 years, Washington Academy has been successfully helping young people take the first big step toward achieving their dreams. We recognize these dreams are as diverse as the students who attend here. Each year, over 400 students like you make a decision to attend WA, coming together to immerse yourselves in courses and make use of an environment that isn’t typically available at other secondary schools.

We're sure you will find a program or activity at Washington Academy that fits your unique personality, whether it's in the Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math or the Field School for Studies in Science, or the Center for Applied Technologies. Once you arrive, we'll assign you a long-term advisor and a peer pair who will help you choose your courses, manage your schedule, and get into the swing of your new life at the Academy. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 14:1, it won't be long before your teachers know you on a personal level. The safety of our rural area, the involvement of our small Maine community, and the sense of pride and tradition will all come together to make you ready to succeed in your new environment.

We’re looking forward to getting to know you.

Judson McBrine
Head of School

History

A lot has happened at Washington Academy since 1792. Here are just a few of the highlights:

Washington Academy embraces new adventures. Since John Hancock, then the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, signed the charter founding the school in 1792, WA has moved locations, constructed new buildings, and opened its doors to students worldwide.

Classes were initially held in Machias at the Burnham Tavern and the Masonic Hall. It wasn’t until much later that the school constructed its first building. After deliberation between neighboring towns, the first school building, the iconic Old Academy, was built in East Machias, opening its doors on September 8, 1823.

Today, Washington Academy sits on a 75-acre campus and has added three student-centric buildings to its footprint. Every fall, the Raider campus welcomes boys and girls of about 50% of each gender. WA has over 350 day students and about 90 residential students- representing more than 20 surrounding communities and more than 15 countries. WA is a global campus located in the easternmost corner of the United States.

WA recognizes the ever-changing world we live in and the necessity of providing the most up-to-date facilities and resources while maintaining an innovative and competitive learning environment. Over the past decade, WA has completed the construction of a new Health and Wellness Center, improved and added athletic fields, updated classroom space, and digital infrastructure. The school is also strongly committed to being environmentally responsible and encouraging those values across the entire community. Most recently, Raiders have adopted a reduced single-plastic use campaign designed to promote the use of refillable water bottles.

One thing that is the same as its early days in the Burnham Tavern - Washington Academy is here to enrich the minds of students. Today, the students just happen to come from all corners of the globe.

Core Values

1. Empowering the individual student We unleash the full potential of each student, providing personalized support and guidance to help them discover their unique talents and strengths.

2. Cultivating a dedicated and diverse community We celebrate diversity, and our teachers inspire a passion for learning in students through creative and collaborative relationships.

3. Striving for excellence and resilience We encourage students to aim high, embrace challenges, and persevere in the face of obstacles to achieve greatness and develop the resilience to bounce back.

4. Championing a progressive culture of innovation We embrace curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking while celebrating diverse perspectives and nurturing a culture of innovation.

5. Developing the whole person We deliver a holistic approach to education, nurturing every aspect of our students’ lives through a dynamic curriculum that combines academic excellence with a range of extracurricular activities such as athletics, arts, and community engagement.

6. Preparing responsible global citizens We instill in our students the values of empathy, inclusivity, and global citizenship, empowering them to become active participants in shaping a better world for all.

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