page_title: Worcester Academy
section_title: Campus
hierarchical_section_title: Worcester Academy / Campus
caption_attribution_description: Worcester Academy, Dexter Hall
context_page_description: Worcester Academy is a private school in Worcester, Massachusetts. It is one of the country's oldest day-boarding schools. A coeducational preparatory school, it belongs to the National Association of Independent Schools. Situated on 73 acres, the academy is divided into a middle school, serving approximately 150 students in grades six to eight, and an upper school, serving approximately 500 students in grades nine to twelve, including some postgraduates. Approximately one-third of students in the upper school participate in the school's five- and seven-day boarding programs. Currently, there are approximately 80 international students enrolled from 28 different nations. The academy is mildly selective, accepting approximately 65% of all applicants.
  Worcester Academy is a member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, the Association of Independent Schools in New England, and the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council.
  The Academy's motto is the Greek phrase "Έφικνού τών Καλών," which translates to "Achieve the Honorable."
context_section_description: Worcester Academy's campus is currently spread over four main parcels:  the main campus, which contains approximately 12 acres (49,000 m²); Francis A. Gaskill Field, a 15-acre (61,000 m²) parcel two blocks south of the main campus; the South Campus, a 15-acre parcel one block south which includes Morse Field; and the New Balance Fields, approximately four miles away on Stafford Street, comprising 28 acres (110,000 m²). In 2004, Worcester Academy relocated its alumni offices to a renovated Victorian home one block north of the main campus, at 51 Providence Street.  It is now called Alumni House.
  The main campus is a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places with six buildings listed as contributing properties: 81 Providence Street, Kingsley Laboratories, Walker Hall, Adams Hall, the Megaron, and Dexter Hall.  81 Providence Street is the home of the Head of School and is named "Abercrombie House" in honor of Daniel Webster Abercrombie, principal from 1882 to 1918. In 2001, the back end of the historic campus was developed with the addition of Rader Hall, named for long-time faculty members Harold G. "Dutch" and Dorothy Rader.  Rader Hall houses the school's library and is used for middle school classes and activities. In the past fifteen years restoration work on the historic campus buildings has been completed including in 2008 with the complete renovation of the Kingsley Laboratories, Walker Hall in 2013-14, and Daniels Gymnasium in 2013.
  The South Campus currently features the Morse Field, named for former Head of School Dexter P. Morse and his wife, Barbara.  This campus, located between the main campus and Gaskill Field, is a focus of the school expansion plans. The first parcel of a former hospital campus was acquired in 2007 with the completion of the purchase and sale agreement on a 6 acres (24,000 m²) parcel. In January 2010, the Academy purchased an additional 4 acres (16,000 m²) of the former hospital. A lighted, artificial turf field was opened in the fall of 2011. A walking path along its perimeter connects to the entrance via a pathway. The field serves as both a practice facility and playing field for multiple sports. The acquisition of the remaining 5 acres of the hospital campus was completed in the summer of 2015.  A visual and performing arts center located on the South Campus opened there in the fall of 2015. The performance center is located in the former hospital power plant and has seating capacity of 120 and lobby area for a comparable number of guests. Walkways connect the South Campus to both the main campus and Gaskill Field.
  In the summer of 2014, Worcester Academy completed the restoration/renovation of the historic Walker Hall including improvements to the connection to the adjacent building called the Megaron.  The project included: installation of handicap access ramp on the campus entrance; replacement of windows, installation of an elevator servicing both Walker Hall and the Megaron; installation of bathrooms on all floors for both students and faculty; and HVAC installation. The majority of the work was completed over the summers of 2013 and 2014.  There was a net gain of six classrooms for the history and world languages departments located respectively on the second and third floors. Admissions, College Counseling, and the Head of School suite remain on the first floor while the Business Office was moved to the upper basement level.  In addition, the Arts Department has classrooms in the lower levels of Walker and Megaron. In addition, the exterior of the Daniels Gymnasium was restored in the summer of 2013.
  As of fall of 2017, Worcester Academy is a primary tenant at the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center, a double rink located at the corner of Harding and Winter streets in Worcester's Canal District. This facility is at the foot of Union Hill and a half a mile from the campus entrance on Providence Street. Both the Boys and Girls teams have their own locker rooms and the teams will have prime skating time for games and practice. The facility has two restaura
caption: Dexter Hall
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