Global-Minded Boarding Middle School
WMA's Middle School boarding program is one of the few in New England that begins in Grade 7. Located in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, roughly 90 miles from Boston and 25 miles from Hartford, WMA gives young students the time and environment to grow into confident, globally aware leaders before they reach high school.
Middle School boarders live in LaBrecque House, the newest residence on campus. Faculty live inside the building, meals are taken together in the Lak Dining Hall, and every weekday and weekend follows a consistent structure designed to build independence while keeping students grounded. With students from more than 30 countries sharing classrooms and dormitories, the global education starts on day one.
See below for a list of suggested items to bring to campus as a boarding student.
Where You Will Live
Middle School boarding students live exclusively in LaBrecque House, the newest and most purpose-built residence on campus. The building includes six student rooms, two faculty apartments, a shared common room with comfortable seating, a kitchen and a dedicated classroom. Having faculty residents inside the building means there is always a familiar adult close by, whether it is study time or a tough evening away from home.
Supervision and Support
Every dormitory at WMA has at least four dorm parents who live on site and rotate coverage across nights and weekends. There is always a dorm parent on duty. Student prefects, trained upperclassmen, assist in the halls and serve as peer role models for younger students. Technology is collected each night at 9 p.m. and lights out is at 10 p.m., giving students a consistent, healthy routine from the start.
Typical Schedule
Life at WMA moves with purpose. Here is what a typical week looks like for a Middle School boarder.
Weekends and Off-Campus Life
Weekends at WMA are anything but idle. Friday evenings bring the Middle School community together in the residence hall for movies, game nights and snack nights. Saturdays include organized off-campus outings such as trips to Boston, hiking in the Berkshires and days at the beach. Sundays balance local activities like apple picking, bowling and community service with a structured evening Study Hall to close out the week.
For school breaks, WMA arranges transportation to the Peter Pan and Greyhound bus station in Springfield, the Amtrak station in Springfield, Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Connecticut, and Logan International Airport in Boston. Transportation runs between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. with advance notice, coordinated through the Deans Office.
A Global Community from the Start
WMA's decision to offer boarding starting in Grade 7 is intentional. Students from across the United States and more than 30 countries arrive at LaBrecque House as peers, sharing rooms, meals, and a daily routine that builds friendships across cultures. By the time they move into the Upper School, WMA's Middle School boarders have already learned to navigate a diverse world with confidence.
Learn more about life at WMA, or take the first step and schedule a visit.