History

Wasatch Academy was founded in 1875 by Duncan J. McMillan, a Presbyterian minister from Carlinville, Illinois.

Dr. McMillan had no intention of founding a school, particularly a school in the heart of Utah. He was first and foremost a minister. This was the work he had chosen and this is the work that he loved. Several events occurred that changed the course of Duncan McMillan's life. His lungs were damaged by a fire in Illinois from which he rescued three young women trapped in a burning building. After the fire, it became necessary to temporarily give up the preaching so he decided to travel to Utah where he felt strongly that an opportunity might be available. When Duncan McMillan arrived in Mt. Pleasant, Utah, in the early spring of 1875, he was approached by a number of local residents asking if he had ever taught school. He replied in the affirmative to their questions and the group immediately asked him to start a school and to teach their children. This group of dedicated men even offered him a building that would house the school, complete with a mortgage that was due within one year. At the end of the year, Dr. McMillan did not hve the money to pay the final installment on the mortgage although he had journeyed throughout the Midwest and East requesting donations for his Utah work. On the day the payment was due, he made one final trip to the post office where he was told that there was no mail for him. However, as he was leaving the building, the postmaster called out that he had found a letter on the floor addressed to Duncan McMillan. After a glance at the return address, Dr. McMillan gave way to despair. He knew no one in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Later in the day he recalled the letter and opened it. Much to his surprise and delight, a draft fell from the envelope. The amount of the draft was more than sufficient to cover the final payment. This was only the first of many events that proved the endurance of Wasatch Academy.

The school was supported by the Board of National Missions of the Presbyterian Church until 1972. At that time the church withdrew support from all of its mission schools and it was feared that Wasatch Academy would close forever. The combined efforts of a group of committed individuals made it possible for the school to survive and become independent. Today, Wasatch Academy is thriving with a student body at full capacity and plans for a new Technology Center, Equestrian Center, and Fine Arts Center all coming to fruition.

When asked what he wanted to name the school, Duncan McMillan said: "Let it endure like the Wasatch Mountains - call it Wasatch Academy." Dr. McMillan's words were a prophecy still being fulfilled.

Overview

Region
Las Vegas NV Area
 Salt Lake City UT Area
Program Emphasis
5-Day Boarding School
Boarding School
International School
 Learning Differences
Small Boarding School
Summer School
All Grades 8-12
Boarding Grades 8-12
Grade Divisions
Post Graduate
 Secondary
Religious Affiliation Nondenominational
Student Body Coed
Dress Code Casual
School Setting Small Town
Campus Size (Acres) 30 acres
Head of School Joseph Loftin
Endowment 1,000,000

Admission

E-mail
Web Address http://www.wasatchacademy.org
Director of Admission Carol Reeve
Admission Application Apply to Wasatch Academy
Application Required Yes
Application Fee Amount $75.00 domestic/$150.00 international
Application Deadline(s) Rolling Admission after May 1
Financial Aid Deadline(s) May 1
% of Students Receiving Financial Aid 40%
Admission Tests Accepted
ISEE
Other (SLEP)
 SSAT
TOEFL
Day Student Tuition $23,800.00
5-Day Boarding Student Tuition $40,000.00
Boarding Student Tuition $43,000.00
International Student Tuition $48,000.00

Student Enrollment

Total Enrollment 250
Boys 135
Girls 115
% Boys/Girls 50/50
Boarding Students 210
Day Students 40
International
Brazil
Bulgaria
Canada
China
Czech Republic
Dominican Republic
Ethiopia
France
Germany
India
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Kenya
Korea
 Macau
Mali
Mexico
Moldova
Russia
Rwanda
Saudi Arabia
Spain
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Tibet
UK
Venezuela
United States
Alaska
Arizona
California
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
 Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Oregon
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Majority of students come from West Coast
% of International Students 45

Academics

Full Time Faculty 51
% of Faculty with Advanced Degrees 37
Student/Faculty ratio 10 to 1
Average Class Size 13
Special Academic Support Programs
ADD/ADHD
ESL
 Learning Differences
A Sampling of Courses Offered
Algebra
American History
American Literature
Anatomy
Art
Art History
Biology
Broadcasting
Calculus
Ceramics
Chemistry
Chinese
Choir
Classics
Community Service
Computer Graphics
Computer Math
Computer Programming
Computer Science
Creative Writing
Dance
Drama
Driver Education
Earth Science
Ecology
Economics
Electives
English
English as a Second Language
English Literature
Environmental Science
Equestrian Sports
European History
Evolution
Expository Writing
Field Ecology
Film
Film Studies
Fine Arts
Genetics
 Geography
Geometry
Government/Civics
Grammar
History
Humanities
International Relations
Japanese
Journalism
Latin
Linear Algebra
Mathematics
Music
Music Composition
Music Theory
Outdoor Education
Philosophy
Photography
Physical Education
Physics
Physiology
Pre-calculus
Psychology
Science
Sculpture
Social Science
Social Studies
Sociology
Spanish
Speech
Statistics
Studio Art
Study Skills
Theater Theology
Trigonometry
Typing
World Culture
World History
World Literature
Writing
A.P. Courses Offered
Biology
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
Chemistry
Computer Science A
Computer Science AB
English Language
 English Literature
European History
Physics B
Physics C
Psychology
Statistics
US History

College Placement Office

Dedicated College Placement Office Yes
Recent College Matriculations Art Institute of Portland University of Utah University of Denver University of Oregon Dominican University of California Santa Clara University Brigham Young University University of Puget Sound Long Beach City College Humboldt State University Westminster College University of California, Berkeley Indiana University, Bloomington Front Range Community College Pratt Institute, Manhattan Campus Alfred University St. Mary's College of California University of New Haven Tufts University Marymount College Dixie State College Texas Christian University College of Idaho Long Beach City College University of San Francisco ITT-Tech, Thorton, CO University of Vermont Boise State University Northern Arizona University Colorado State University Academy of Art University Chapman University Guilford College Green River Community College
% of Graduates Who Attend College 100%

Athletics & Extra-Curricular Activities

Athletics
alpine skiing
baseball
basketball
cheerleading
cross-country
cross-country skiing
cycling
equestrian
fencing
 golf
other (Snowboarding)
skiing (downhill)
soccer
swimming
tennis
track and field
volleyball
Recreational Sports
aerobics
archery
basketball
bowling
camping
cheer and pom
cross-country running
cycling
dance
equestrian
fencing
fitness
flag football
golf
hiking
karate
martial arts
 mountain biking
other (Paintball)
outdoor club/skills
rappelling
rock climbing
skate-boarding
skating
skiing
soccer
swimming
table tennis
tennis
ultimate frisbee
volleyball
weight lifting
yoga
Extra-Curricular Activities
Community Service Program
Computer Club
Debate Club
Drama Club
International Club
Literary Magazine
 Math Club
National Honor Society
Ski Club
Student Government
Tour Guides
Yearbook

Notes

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