History Western Reserve Academy

the gates @ chapel street



the chapel

western reserve academy established on february 7, 1826 western reserve college , preparatory school in hudson, ohio, on 190-acre (768,930 m²) plot of land set aside via charter ohio legislature. institution’s name comes area in built, connecticut western reserve, first of kind in northern ohio. settlers connecticut wanted build school of same caliber yale university , same design, brick buildings , same motto, lux et veritas. people called “the yale of west.” first class of school included eleven students @ college level , 8 @ preparatory level. in 1882, college section moved north cleveland, ohio, , became western reserve university, later merging case institute of technology become case western reserve university. reserve 27th oldest preparatory boarding school in united states, , oldest outside of northeast.

western reserve academy remained open twenty-one years, until 1903, when forced close due financial problems. in 1916, however, school reopened due graces of benefactor james ellsworth, former student , hudson resident had returned after making millions of dollars in coal industry. ellsworth era marked significant construction, namely seymour hall (the newly appointed academic building), bicknell gymnasium, , ellsworth hall, dormitory , dining hall. in 1922, western reserve academy became all-boys institution, staying way fifty years, until 1972, when girls introduced junior class, once again becoming co-ed institution.

the historic brick row

in late 1990s , 21st century, under direction of headmaster dr. henry skip flanagan, western reserve academy again underwent major construction period, eclipsing growth of ellsworth era. during time following projects completed:

renovation of nathan p. seymour guest house (1998)
expansion/construction of metcalf center (1999)
construction of john d. ong library (2000)
construction of long house dormitory (2000)
renovation of wilson science hall (2001)
renovation of wood house (2000–2002)
construction , expansion of athletic facilities, including murdough athletic center (2001–2004)
renovation of bicknell gymnasium bicknell house (2004)
renovation of athenaeum (2013-2014)
renovation of president s house (2016-2017)
renovation of seymour hall (2017–present)

in 2001, western reserve academy recognized u.s. news & world report 1 of top boarding schools in country.